Probably swapping my trusty 3.2 for a 964 tomorrow....

Victor · 01-03-2005, 04:01 AM

Well, I have owned my super clean '89 3.2 for 5 and a half years now. I have been through all sorts of "WTF to buy next" crises more so in the last 2 years. Even a WRX STi crossed my mind more than once. (Thanks be to the merciful Lord for exceptionally bad salespeople that have no idea how to close a deal. Oh, and wishy-washy buyers like me who don't really know what they want. But I digress).

There are several real reasons for me to move on. Some of which include:

* The tax man ('ol trusty is written down to almost nothing)

* Lack of A/C and my kid now being old enough to really get annoying when things get hot back there

* My great buddy, former fellow 3.2 pilot and fellow pelican "StuartJ" making the leap to 964 land and probably getting a big head because his "has Ruf suspension"......when the flag drops my mustachiod friend, when the flag drops.....

* Getting caught unaware by little old ladies in 47kw mazda 121's and dragged off at the lights

* Did I mention A/C? The wife actually complained her "elbow was getting freaking frozen off - turn that damn air down and slow down" on the test drive. "*SOLD*" !!! I always thought I married her for a reason - at that moment it all came to me.

But all "real" reasons aside, I have fallen for an early 964. White. Cup rims, Aero mirrors, lowered, exhaust crossover pipe so the plebs can hear it coming. It looks like a narrow version of "Jocke's" old turbo after the mods. (Is he still around here?)

Anyhow, tomorrow at 10am I am going over it with my mechanic. I know to look out for the distributor vent kit, the dual mass flywheel, oil leak fix and the usual PPI stuff but am interested to hear any of your comments on this "upgrade".

Any comments welcome (we all love to impart our hard earned wisdom on others after all do we not?). Just don't get this sent to the OT forum. Here's a pic of the current car:

Adam · Adam's Garage

Sounds nice, Vic. C2 or C4?

Victor · 01-03-2005, 04:39 AM

Adam, it's a C4.

Thomas Owen · 01-03-2005, 05:00 AM

Victor,
I have just sold my '88 and I am going to buy a 964 as well. I loved the '88 over the other three I have owned ('78, '80), but the issues you mention are exactly my thoughts. I have found 2 that I am contemplating, 1 is a '91 and the other a '92 (both C2). I hope to make the decision this week.
Good luck to you-

stuartj · 01-03-2005, 01:07 PM

That thing has a pipe? What is it with you and noisy cars?

Time to s*** or get off the pot, I reckon.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

The looks of the 964's have really grown on me over the last couple of years. And some sweet hardware underneath. Go for it!

DJB · 01-03-2005, 01:50 PM

Welcome to the dark side Victor - I hope the inspection goes well. Is it a private sale?

tangerine911e · 01-03-2005, 01:55 PM

Nice. Go for it Victor. I've often thought of going the 964 route too!

I trust you won't be going the tiptronic option

Ash

kevjandon · 01-03-2005, 01:57 PM

964's are great. I had a 90. If I bought another one, I'd buy a 93 or 94. Stock Areo Mirrors, oil leaks fixed at the factory and factory r134 air conditioning. The 94's even have easier button's to lower the rear seats like the 993's do. My biggest gripe on the 964 cars is the parts. Most of the parts for the 964 motor are only for the 964 and thus are more expensive. 12 plugs and dual distributors does nothing but double the cost of materials and tripple the amount of time to do tuneups.

You'll enjoy a 964. Not sure if I would buy the 4wd though. It's very heavy.

TMH · 01-03-2005, 02:05 PM

I will have to say that the 964 C4 is the best combination of power and control of any car I have ever driven. Not that I have driven too many supercars, or even a 993 or 996. I love both the C4 (when my wife lets me drive it) and the '87 Carreras. If I could only have one, it would be close but I would opt for the C4.

Yes, it can feel a little heavy off the line, in town, but get it onto a highway or a track where it can stretch its legs and it is an incredible piece of machinery.

Get one which is well sorted, and you will be quite happy.

Good luck with the PPI,
Tom

stuartj · 01-03-2005, 02:29 PM

They are nasty understeerers. The first time the traction control system kicked in round a longg fast sweeper, and I experiecnced what Adrian Streather ddeescribes in his excellent 964 book as "massive, momentary understeer" I had nearly had puppies.

But overall, a very competent car-much more refined than the 84-89 (thats not neccesarily a good thing BTW- driving my 86 today while the worlds longest suspension rebuild continues on the 964 and loving the older car all over again.)

Stuart

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

I previously owned a 94 and after about 2 years, went back and bought an 89. Yes, the 964 is a great car with all the creature comforts you mentioned. For me, it just didn't have the driving feel that a Carrera does. Again...a very nice car, but a smidge disconnected from the road compared to the earlier model....but I guess that is true of every newer iteration of the 911. Power steering, ABS, etc., are all nice, but a torsion bar Carrera (with a Vram 3.6

), AC removed, etc., is hard to beat.

Really, it boils down to how you use your car. Sounds like that C4 may be a good choice for you....remember, if mama's happy, everyone's happy.

Jack Olsen · 01-03-2005, 02:51 PM

Welcome to Torqueville.

stuartj · 01-03-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Victor

* Did I mention A/C? The wife actually complained her "elbow was getting freaking frozen off - turn that damn air down and slow down" on the test drive. "*SOLD*" !!! I always thought I married her for a reason - at that moment it all came to me.

I'd just like to know -what happened to "I wear the pants in this show and I dont need no stinkin approval from the wife ", eh, tough guy?

stuart

Kraftwerk · 01-03-2005, 04:28 PM

The world would be a better place if more people thought of the 964 as a good faimly car. heck, it does cost the same as a damn mini-van! I think your doing okay but getting rid of an an '89? I wish you lived closer I would consider trading up as well...
JT

Victor · 01-03-2005, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stuartj
I'd just like to know -what happened to "I wear the pants in this show and I dont need no stinkin approval from the wife ", eh, tough guy?

stuart

Stuart, The wifey beeing frozen by the 964 does not equate to asking for permission. Let's give her some credit where it's due - she is a major reason why there is no WRX in the driveway....

DJB, it's at a dealer.

Ash - NO! It's not a slushbox.

By the way, the inspection did not go according to plan thanks to my mechanic double booking himself. More soon.

dd74 · 01-03-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cegerer
The looks of the 964's have really grown on me over the last couple of years. And some sweet hardware underneath. Go for it!

I agree. They're really nice looking cars. And I reckon quite bulletproof. I've heard the whole head gasket thing is really quite "overblown." If I ever tire of my old '74, I'd entertain purchasing one. I also wouldn't modify it, maybe except to lighten it a bit. A C4, though, will stick like glue.

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

So Victor, how much is your car worth down there as a comparison to UK RHD prices?

dickster · 01-04-2005, 05:44 AM

victor,

put a/c in your '89.

btw - if its a retro fit i'd love to know how easy....

Victor · 01-04-2005, 08:56 PM

Hi Chris,

We pay rediculously high prices for cars over here compared to (especially) the UK and USA.

The wholesale on my 3.2 is about AU$37k and the retail around AU$46k. Divide by around .4 to get to GBP.

964's retail between AU$53k and AU$70.