Advice on C2 purchase

[RBN]

I’ve been following the discussions on this board for a number of months now and have learnt a great deal about the different model years and what to look for. I’m interested in a 1993 C2 coupe with about 38K miles. The car doesn’t appear to need any work and should I make an offer, would make it conditional on a PPI. The exterior has a few minor scratches and the interior is reasonable clean for a 10 year old car. I was wondering what a fair price would be in this market environment. I’ve checked market values from all the usual sources and have found them to be below anything I’ve looked at. I could use some advice.

Also, before finding this 964, I was previously interested in carreras between 1987 and 1988. After driving both cars, I found the carrera to be a more enjoyable (i.e. need more of my attention) compare to the 964, which was more of a refined drive. My concern is that the carrera is fun to drive on the back roads, however, on long trips would become a bit tiresome. Would appreciate any views on this.

Thanks

[Tyson Schmidt]

That's a very good year of 964, and very low mileage. I'd put it at 26K just judging by your description, but that varies greatly after actually seeing it.

The 964 is a much more liveable day to day car than the Carrera, and is a fantastic GT car. There are a host of improvements made to these cars over the Carrera that make them an absolute bargain, given their relatively low selling prices right now. People like to bag on them unfairly. Most of them have never driven one at all, or if they did, it was a short test drive from a dealer lot.
I drive every type of 911 at my job, and have a very good idea of how the broad spectrum of cars drive. A very large sampling draws a better conclusion. One thing that is absolutely true, is that every Porsche i've driven has it's own character, even identical models. Some are slower, some are faster, some handle better, etc.
I've driven Carreras that were slower than 2.2t 911's. Some absolutely rip. IMO the '87-'89 911's in stock form are rather heavy feeling and numb. They are the heaviest of all pre-964 911's, and not much lighter than 964's. That said, they are also therefore the most refined of the pre-964's.

Most people's problem with 964's is in the looks department. Everyone seems to love the 993, yet hate the 964 even though they are very similar cars. Looks makes up 99% of that. If it were because the 964 was too refined, then they should hate the 993 even more, since it is quite a bit more refined than the 964 with it's rear subframe design and improved rear suspension. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

Also, the 964 took quite a hit in the reliability department with the oil leaks associated with the early cars lack of headgaskets, and subsequent leakage at the cylinders. Then the distributor drive belt breakage, and of course the dual mass flywheel. All of which were fixed by '92 and all of which were grossly over sensationalized. But, everyone had a lot of fun bashing these cars nonetheless.
The result is that you can pick up a reliable supercar for the price of a new Mustang. If it were my money, I'd buy the nice, low mileage 964, but it all depends on the other factors as to which will make you happy. Performance is a no-brainer. The numbers don't lie, and a 964 will beat an '87-'89 Carrera in every category except resale, due to the above mentioned. It is a car that I've really taken a liking to. I prefer the early lightweight cars to the later cars, but to me, if you're going heavy and modern, why not get the one with better technology. Just my humble opinion.

[RBN]

Tyson thanks for your response they were helpful. I’m hoping to make a decision shortly, because the anticipation is killing me.

[toolman]

I recently took a trip from Detroit to Green Bay in my 87 Carrera and had a great time. My wife and I loved the car even on the winter beaten highways of the midwest. We are not glutens for punishment either, you have to remember that this is a performance sports car and is not going to ride like a Lincoln.

Tyson,
Great description of the 964!!!!

[Chuck Grieb]

A great site to check out if you are considering a 964 is

http://www.porsche964.co.uk/

The car you've described sounds nice.

[Lorenfb]

A 964 on first impressions seems the obvious choice over a 3.2.
Once you look below the surface, reality will set in.

I own a '88 3.2 and have been involved with Porsches for over
25 years. I've worked with many shops and dealers
troubleshooting electrical/electronic problems. So I've seen
and worked on most all the cars. I've seen the engine cylinder
problems in the early '90s on the 964 and the coolant and
oil mixing on the 996s.

You really can't beat the 3.2 for the most reliable and the least
expensive Porsche to own. It obviously doesn't have the
response/power of the late cars, but it's not bad.

Good luck
Loren
'88 3.2