Winterreise

Happy Thanksgiving! I have been ruminating on this for a while and thought I would do well to ask this question here to see what might guide me to the best decision. My purchase budget for a 911 narrows me down to two models. The 1989 - 93 Porsche 964 or the 1999 - 2002 Porsche 996. I am tempted to buy the 964 mainly because the air cooled flat 6 is so reliable and seemed to benefit from a more perfectionist attitude from Porsche when it was designed. The 996 with its water cooled 6 is much newer, more modern designed, fast and a bit more comfortable for a daily driver (which it would be). My main concern, of course, is the IMS design flaw that, if it grenades would cost me the price of the car to repair / replace the engine. I am aware that the Flat Six LN retrofit may solve the problem but if I found these two cars with similar mileage, which way should I go for longevity and reliability?
Your thoughts would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance!
Bob

BruceP

My next Porsche will probably be an older, air-cooled car. A 964 or even an SC (the 911 that finally made me 'get it'). But not because they were perfectly engineered or particularly reliable. You're still talking about an old car with expensive parts and maintenance needs. The wrong 996 might cost you a fortune, but even a decent old 911 will slowly bleed you over time. They're a labour of love.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably be fussier about choosing my 996 than I was, but it would still be my call for the money. Properly driven and maintained, complete service records and a small investment in upgrading a couple of things, and you've got a car that won't need much more from you than a Toyota would.

Byprodriver

I have read in magazines more than once the 964 is the most expensive 911 to maintain. Get a 996 as outlined by BruceP, have the LN IMSB installed & enjoy.

User 040621

You owe it to yourself to own a sorted 964.

ivangene

964 - it is on my list

a nice 3.6 light weighted track rat

YUMMY!

CabrioArtie

I happen to own a 964 and a 996 and they are completely different animals. From a maintenance point of view I don't think you will see much difference, both are expensive to maintain. But remember, the 964, depending on the car you find is almost 20 years old so any number of parts will need replacing just from a fatigue point of view. While the 996 is ~10 years (depending on the car you find) old the extra 10 years makes a big difference on rubber and hose parts.

My recommendation is, you need to make the decision based on what you are more comfortable with, find a good example of each and take a good test drive. Use the test drive to make your decision. Asking this question on either a 964 or 996 forum will only give you the answer on what that forum likes.

Dennis C

There's only one answer. You'll have to buy both.

I considered an older car when I bought my 996. I looked at the 993 and the 964. For me, the 996 made more sense as a daily driver. It's larger, has more modern safety features, etc. If I had been buying the car as a toy, I may have gone another direction. Ultimately you need to decide what you want out of the car and how you'll use it. What's more important to you - the purity of an air-cooled engine, or the safety of PSM, EBD, ABS, etc.? As Artie said, they will all be expensive compared to a "normal"car.

TT Surgeon

If it's a dd, then 996 no question.

kromdom

agree 100%

street rod

996 = More power. Modern styling and options. More comfortable. Better for daily use in any climate.

964 = Classic styling. Smaller. More of the raw feel. Air cooled. Good weekend/hobby car.

No clear winner but more a question of which animal you prefer. I can tell you that I love my 996 and it impresses me every day.

WalterRohrl

I was in the same boat a few months ago and had read (and kept) everything I could about both lines over the last 20 or so years! Just last month (maybe 2 months now) there was a great article on the cover of one of the Brit magazines (Total911 I think) that asked your exact question.

In general, the conclusion was that 964's are starting to appreciate and 996's in general still have a bit of depreciation left in them. For a low-maintenance (relatively) car the 996 is the way to go, for a "pure" experience the 964 is the one. The 996 is considered one of the most DIY-repairable 911's ever, the 964 had its own set of bug-a-boos, especially the first few years (albeit most will have been by now corrected), but there are plenty of 996's with LN upgrades or factory-replaced engines as well which should make them very dependable.

I will say that if you are comparing all years of 964 to the first few years of 996, then you should find many more 996's at much lower prices than 964's especially if mileage is to be similar.

After finally buying my '02 (and still being a bit conflicted at the time of purchase) I became quickly convinced than the 996 is the better choice (for me as a DD) but all other things being equal (which they are not) I would still love to see a 964 in my garage.

You'll hear all kinds of crap about the 996's (mainly by people who do not and have not owned one) but if you buy one that is well-kept it should last you a long time. Mine now has 65000 miles on it, even after all the talk of cheap plastics and cost-cutting, I do not have a single rattle or loose piece of trim anywhere and that is with 18's which certainly give you and the car a good thump on frost heaves / expansion joints etc. The build quality on mine is great, much better than I was expecting and/or willing to put up with.

I consider the 964 the prettier car, it's certainly rarer, but I believe the 996 is the better car. Most people would agree that you should buy the newest 911 that you can afford, both among model series and among years within a given series. If you've never had one before and/or don't have a specific need/burning desire (such as an RS America etc), then, yeah the newest Porsche is probably the best Porsche. You mention '99-02, be aware that '02 is the second-generation 996 and has quite a few differences (upgrades?) relative to the '99-'01's, most of which were significant enough (to me) to specifically made me stretch towards an '02.

Good luck!

Barn996

Driving(not just around the block) both examples as suggested would be my first suggestion. A reliable, well looked after 911 of either model would probably be a wash regarding upkeep, but they really are different even though they are both Porsche 911s. It should come down to, what is it that is important to you. Water vs. air/oil cooled, age of each, comforts or lack of, perceived prestige, size and body style etc.GL

Dennis C

Nice new avatar Steve. Unfortunately, I have a similar photo that I could use for my avatar...

Barn996

Thanks Dennis, I was lucky and got a very decent State trooper. It could have been worse.

FlatSix911

Here is a vote for the 993 ... The best of both worlds!