ivangene

not at all valid

I daily drive my 3.2 and would rather drive it than any 996 C2

although I might like a C4S (for the wide azz) a Turbo (for power) or a GT3 (for everything GT3!)

I actually think for DD an older car makes more sense because it is more engaging and you have to concentrate more making the boring commute kind of fun

there are days when it sucks but the 964 gets around that issue (hydraulic clutch)

dont base your decision on anything other than what YOU want and you have no idea if the 964 will stir your emotions any more than a 996 unless you drive one of each - for a while - a good while as Steve suggests

996 is a great car and I am happy I had one - but a 964 is also a great car as is a 3.2 or 993 or 997 - they are all different - very very very different

2K7TTMIA

+1 on plenty of time to figure if a 964 or 996 would fit the OP's requirements. IMO, a 996 Turbo or C4S would make an ideal DD. can't beat the looks for the $.

Sorry for the threadjack. I think ALL RL members should make their avatar similar to Steve's(Barn996). I've had two opportunities myself; something to look forward to on the next one.

Jacks911

I have had both, and agree that either will make an acceptable DD ... if you are not driving long distances in heavy traffic. If that were the case the 996 is hands down the better choice. And who said they cost the same to maintain??? 964 requires Valve adjustments, and 12 spark-plugs and much more "Coolant" = Oil, to keep it running. My 964 - as with all "Air" cooled Porsche's, used a Quart or two between changes and that is normal. My 996 is full after 5000 miles - no leaks & no consumption @ 85,000 miles. Yes it has its "needs" to look after - but normal service is much less expensive. All things considered I agree... drive them - it is purely a personal choice, and you pay the price either way for your choice.

ivangene

I think someone said 964 is higher maintenance cost

and we would both agree on that

I would even say a lot more because of the breakdown factor of older parts added to the regular stuff

Pac996

Do you want AC in traffic or otherwise on hot days? Built in alarm? Of course nastalgia is nice to have when sweating your tail off with the engine overheating. Of course I could be wrong like usual

garrett376

Something to consider in a daily driven car is the fact that a 996 is a lot safer. A generation 1 airbag is a frightening thing to be staring at. 996 has some nice benefits, like side impact airbags, better ABS, traction control, crash design, etc. Since you're asking for opinions, I've owned and raced both models and numerous iterations of each, and wholeheartedly prefer a 996 not only as a daily driver, but as a track car, too! And I do all the work myself on the cars and enjoy the 996 far more in that regard also. Progress...

ivangene

garrett

how about an earlier car vs the 964 on track?

fpena944

I'll tell all of you this...No car has ever put a smile on my face the way a 964 has.

This includes the 993 and an old 911 SC.

Not sure what it was but it had the perfect balance between old and new. The sounds and smells were all perfect. If it weren't for the fact that I needed a daily driver and air conditioning that can handle the Carolina summers, I wouldn't be on the 996 board.

For a fun car, 964 for me all the way. For a car that is capable as a daily driver or faster on the track, the 996.

Barn996

OK, I've solved the OP difficulty in choosing...buy one of each.

Turkertwo

This 996 owner of 9 years (DD, selected mods including LNE IMS upgrade, Fabspeed intake/exhaust, single mass flywheel, RUF wheels) reports this model has been very economical to keep, comfortable to commute it, and raucus when flogged. If I was going for an earlier model, it would be an 88 or 89 model with the G50 tranny and torsion bars. The 964 was an improvement, but if its improvements you are looking for, why stop with ones made in 1990? I think the early 911's simplicity and purity was perfected in 1989. After that, we are on the road to the modern era (riding on coils).

porrsha

The 964 C4 was a real turkey with too much understeer built in. A C2 maybe but with the prices of the 996 being dirt cheap buy a 996 fix the IMS and then be 10-15 years ahead with Porsche technology.

6boxer

I agree with FlatSix911; the 993 is the best of both worlds.

chsu74

A 993 will cost you $6-7K more and another $3-4K to sort out in comparison to a 964 or 996. This is another 40 to 50% in addition to OP's original budget. Not really in the realm of this discussion.

Barn996

^ A person who owns a 993 Turbo, shouldn't be talking about budgets Chao.

6boxer

Sorry! You are right; the 993 belongs to another price range. I have owned a 964 and driven often some 996s and both are great cars to live with...., but in my opinion, if it is the first Porsche you own, an air-cooled is a experience you need to enjoy.