Daily Driver - motronic carrera vs. 964???

[greenjt]

I am trying to figure out which 911 will best suit me and could use some help. I am looking for a daily driver so reliability is VERY important to me. I normally put about 10,000 on my current daily driver - MB C class.

Right now I am trying to figure out whether it makes sense for me to be looking at a motronic carrera or a 964. I have heard the mantra of buy the newest 911 you can but am also familiar with the step up in complexity and corrosponding pitfalls of the 964. Can anyone compare and contrast and help me round out a list of pros and cons????? Thanks! (and i will be posting this on the 964 forum as well to round out the opinions)

964
Pros: more modern car with airbags, abs, updated exterior, optional Tip
Cons: early head gasket & DMF issues

Carrera
Pros: dunno
Cons: older so likely more wear on parts like fuel lines etc, no abs or airbags

[Sonic dB]

I probably drive my Carrera more than anyone on this message board. I have put over 50K miles on it in a bit over a year and its now up to 114K. The car has been very reliable...the only failure was a bad DME relay that took it down last Thanksgiving. Really the car is fast, runs great, handles amazingly well...and outside of a better AC, I couldnt want more from a daily driver. Of course the drop top is cool in the summer...

Personally, the 964s look too conservative to me, with the body skirts and the boring wheels. If I bought one, it would undergo heavy mods to make it look cooler...but they are probably reliable too.... and certainly have better AC.

[nostatic]

964s are getting to be "old" cars too now. It all depends on the condition of the particular car. I drive my semi-track prepped SC every day (and in fact it is now my only car). It is great, but not for everyone. If you are used to a Mercedes, you may find *any* 911 short of a 996 to be a bit primitive and uncomfortable.

[Jeff Alton]

I have had a 964 and am on my 3rd 3.2. The 964 is an "improved car". Not necessarily better. It has power steering, better brakes, more power, better climate control. None of my cars have been close to stock so use my words with caution. The 964 has a teribly offset steering wheel, which drove me nuts. But, I do love the grunt of the 3.6. With the right suspension and wheels it can look good, handle better and ride just as well as a stock one. It is a great car. However, for me I like a 3.2 modified to my personal tastes. Hmmm but with the price of 964s these days.....

Jeff

[Kurt B]

964 and motronics are completely different beasts as you note. 964 has lots more power and torque. Great suspension. Comfy ride. Great heat and AC. Shifting is nice and neat.
Motronic is simpler. When new, it still looked like a pro built it in his shop rather than it coming from a complex manufacturing facilty.

Nonetheless, my 3.2 is down right now. Won't start. Miss it a lot, and I am determined to get it up and running.

Of the two, I'd rather hop in the 3.2 and take it or a spin--to work, to a parts store or wherever. It's tough as nails usually. Normally, they're really reliable--but when they do break in the electronic arena, it can be very hard to track down. You can't go to autozone and buy a diagnostic tool. That sucks.

Can't for the 964s either of course, and when mine finally has something wrong, I'll be in a world of hurt just looking at the complexity of it. You can determine fault codes in the 964 though by watching lights blink on one of the gauges though (or beeps don't remember) though! It does even have a very rudimentary morse code for reporting some errors....

If if you just want a quick car, to ride around in but don't want to learn or fuss or customize it, 964. If you want a car you're going to lower, put on a loud exhaust, get fiberglass parts for and all of that, then you'll want a 3.2 coupe.
Coupe.
'Cause when you get 'RS' clone fever, which you will if you hang around here, you're going to wish you had a 3.2 coupe.

[aigel]

Test drive both and listen to your guts. The Carrera will feel raw compared to the 964 but the last of its breed. If you like that every day, go for it. Seeing that you come from a MB and have optional tiptronic as a pro, I can see you steer towards the 964. Consider a 993 too, while you are at it.

George

[kevjandon]

You really ought to consider cost. A nice 88 or 89 3.2 Carrerra will run you 19 to 26K. A 93 or 94 964 will run about 22 to 26K and will most likely have less miles than the 3.2 for the same price or less. It sounds like you want a tip and the good news is that the 964 with tip is even less than 5spd. Additionally, the 93 and 94 964 will have R134 AC from the factory. Also, you will have a broader color selection with the 964 cars. Most of the late 3.2 carraras that are for sale are Black, White or Red. As for value, the 3.2 will retain it's value much stonger than the 964 will. I've owned 911 SC's and 964's. I driven the 3.2 cars and simply just don't like them. I love the SC's and I loved my 964. If I had to use one daily, I'd go with a late 93 or 94 964. Grab yourself a set Boxter S Rims (they bolt right on) and the car simply looks fantastic. About the biggest downside to a 964 is the maint. cost. The 964's have dual distributors and 12 spark plugs and plug 11 and 12 are a ***** to change.

Good luck.

[JeremyD]

I have owned both - 964 - better heat, better ac, more comfortable, quieter. Easier to live with on a daily driver. More maintenace.

3.2 - more input required - more go-kart like. Less maintenance (1/2 the cost of maintaining the 964)

Drive both = you'll know it when you drive.

[Jcon]

As a third (FUN) car - 88-89 911

As a daily driver take the 964.



Jeff

[Jack Olsen]

964 -- It's motronic, and more modern.

That's mo better, IMO.

[greenjt]

Originally posted by Jeremy964
I have owned both - 964 - better heat, better ac, more comfortable, quieter. Easier to live with on a daily driver. More maintenace.

3.2 - more input required - more go-kart like. Less maintenance (1/2 the cost of maintaining the 964)

Drive both = you'll know it when you drive.

Thanks Jeremy. Having owned both... some follow on Qs for you.

1. I noticed you live in FL. I live in NC so like you, A/C is very important to me. How much of a difference would you say there is between the two?

2. Why is the 3.2 1/2 the cost of maintaining a 964?

James

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by greenjt
Thanks Jeremy. Having owned both... some follow on Qs for you.

1. I noticed you live in FL. I live in NC so like you, A/C is very important to me. How much of a difference would you say there is between the two?

Big difference. The 3.2 1986 and on had the bigger dash vents - but the 964 had two big condensers. Condensers make the difference when going to r134a. I'm thinking of adding a belly condenser to my 3.2.

Originally posted by greenjt

2. Why is the 3.2 1/2 the cost of maintaining a 964?

James

Seemed like my 964 was always going to the shop. electrical issues here (battery drain, rear spoiler, blowing fuses etc) or engine issues. Had two seperate oil leak instances in 2 1/2 years. First one that the PPI showed was cam covers. 2nd one was power steering pump and XXX (can't remember exactly) both were some bucks to repair.

The good part about it was I developed a pretty good relationship with my wrench. He's a good guy and I still see him on occassion when I need my car inspected for the track or to get the AC charged once a year.

[JeremyD]

BTW - I still miss the torque of the 3.6...

[Por_sha911]

Since doing the repair work yourself is a fraction of the cost of taking it to a wrench, the 3.2 is going to be far less IF you do your own work. The 964 is not as diy friendly. If you do your own work, the 3.2 is the obvious no-brainer answer.
A/C isn't an issue since you can upgrade the 3.2 system to the point that it will freeze you out.
Since you are looking for a daily driver, you want something where finding parts are not an issue (should be about the same with either car) and with reliability.
IMO drive both and decide if you want a classic with less comfort or more power but more stuff that will require a visit to the wrench.