Xpost from 964 and 993 forum

I have always wanted a trio of PCars that all had their own unique experiences. I was debating an air cooled model before picking up a 997.2 RS and now that I have the RS the air cooled search is starting up again. There are so many models to choose from and I’m not an AC expert so I don’t know where to begin.

I have a few flimsy requirements for the next car so they are not set in stone. Feel free to throw out any suggestions as the below is a simple guide to keep the recommendations somewhat on track.

Use would be for tooling around town and the occasional drive up and down the coast in NorCal.

- air cooled
- coupe
- $80k or less

Current Pcars:

- 2015 GTS PDK Cab
- 2011 GT3 RS
- ?

 

I think nothing beats the 964 for an aircooled experience minus a badass longhood 911. But 964's can be more realistic and less troublesome than a carbed/mfi longhood. Modern working a/c, electric door locks and windows, upgraded suspension but classic 911 steering feel, classic 911 lines, and a lot of character. It really is the best of both worlds.

Some argue 993 has more tech and reliability, but I just don't love the looks. An 80's G body has an outdated suspension compared to 964, a/c barely works and I just like the 964 lines better. Plus the torque of the 3.6 makes driving around town great. Personally for me, I love driving my 1972 the most, but its also the most limited, due to no a/c. Has to be ideal conditions to drive. 964, you can drive it anytime anywhere.

My current line is a 2011 GT3 RS, 1991 964 C2, and a 1972 911 with a 2.7 MFI motor. To me, these cars represent the best of all the 911 series.

 

G50 Targa... i miss mine more often then I care to admit

 

94 3.6 Turbo.

 

A well sorted 964 would be a great addition and a nice compliment to the 997.

 

hahaha,... way ta go Justin,... throwing in that car,.... but he's certainly not getting that one for $80k or less.

But yea certainly on the right track with a 964. And I definitely feel the fun comes in the C2 (or for me the Turbo, but I'm also a widebody lover). The C4 964 has more of a heavier, laborious feeling when compared. And taking into account OP's current stable, a C4 would be disappointing.

The problem I've been seeing with pricing lately (early 90's air-cooled market), is that the C2's (for a good one) are easily cresting the $70k - $80k range (top of CAJerseyBoy's budget), and it just does not seem justifiable when just a few years ago you could pick up a 964 Turbo for $90 - $100k. But that was indeed a couple years ago,... and now I'm seeing the 3.3 964 Turbo's in the $110k - $120K asking.

I guess it was just easier for me having moved from many G body 911's from 70's & 80's through my early years of Porsche ownership,... and given I bought my '91 3.3 964 Turbo at the very bottom of the market (in 2005), and it allowed me to be VERY satisfied with that car for 13 years before I got the itch to get a 3.8 NA Mezger screamer (last year). Now I have both, and plan on keeping both for decades to come.

So in the end, I think CAJerseyBoy needs to pony up some more information on what it is that is driving the need for a older air-cooled. Do you like the torque of a turbo?, does the "looks" of the car play an important role? (targa?, widebody?), and does it even have to be a manual (or would a tiptronic be Ok to cruise around town & up the ocean scenic highways?

Cuz if your Ok with a Tip,... you could definitely find a nice one for much less than your budget top-end.

Something tells me (given you own a 997.2 GT3RS) that it needs to be a manual.

My recommendation? - Wait till your budget allows for $100k purchase, and get a 3.3 964 Turbo. It is BLAST to drive, looks friggin' awesome, and gives me that raw visceral thrill that also compliments the GT3 in my stable.
...... (although the problem there is they only sold 580 in the U.S. in 1991, and another 233 in 1992. That's it. And if you add in the Canada cars (33 in '91, and 15 in '92), that is only 861 total cars for all of 1991 & 1992 in North America. Subtract out all the ones that were crashed, or are now sitting in collections forever,.. there are very few that come up for sale at any point in time).

Tell us more about your previous air-cooled search, and the decisions you made back then,... and how they've changed now.
=Steve

 

My perfect line up includes 7.2 GT3 (check), 993 Carrera S (not Turbo as real men drive RWD cars.. ok go ahead pick on me) and RS America (considering regular 964RS is not available).

 

Noro,... why do you keep excluding the TWO-wheel drive 964 Turbo,... when you talk of real men?

... seems like you believe only the 993 (non turbo) is relevant because it is rear-wheel drive.

 

Actually.. now that I think of it... I may go for a 964 Turbo over RS America... tough choice...

 

Of the 22 Porsches I've owned in the past 47 years - 356's to my current GT3 - my all-time favorite was the white no sunroof 1993 964 RS America. I kick myself daily for selling it.

 

...ya see.. this guy gets it...

 

993 C2S or a 964.

 

'73RS (well, we can dream, but not for $80K)

993 C2S

1987 - 1989 Carrera

 

Owning a 993 C2S i would recommend a non-S 993 C2. The wider rear track makes it just a little bit more "truckish" imo. Perfect 993 is obv the RS with it's narrow body etc.

 

I missed the $80K part. Oops.