911 vs. 964 comparison

[Bill Verburg]

At this point a 964C2 can be had for a very resonable price. They can be stripped out to ~2400-2500#s and make for great track toys, much better than a 911 for most people.

Parts are going to be more expensive than 911, but cheaper than 993, all in all a great place to be

You get a really stiff chassis, abs, ok brakes(better tha 911 anyway), coil overs and lots of neat upgrade paths.

I'd stay away from 964 C4 like the plague, they are overly complicated(read that expensive to maintain and repair), 993 C4 are much less so but still not as sporting as C2 versions.

[Oracle]

had a 79SC and I miss it but the 964 is basically better in every aspect, Porsche did make it better.
Of course the cars are more complicated and prone to electrical gremlins, a well sorted C2 is jewel.. in fact mine is for sale in case you're interested (and I'm in Cowtown): 1990 - C2 For Sale - in Calgary

[Jack Olsen]

If you set an 89 911 next to a 93 C2, the differences are not enormous, but there are differences.

A lot of this is admittedly subjective.

89 911 wins for:
Exterior styling
Weight (although the Carrera ain't exactly a lightweight)
Nimbleness (steering feedback in particular)
Ease of DIY (although again, not a huge gap)

The 964 would win on:
Creature comforts (power steering, AC finally works)
Braking (ABS is a plus)
Engine (3.6 feels a lot stronger)
Aero (big improvements all around)
Suspension (stiffer chassis, coil springs, and many components redesigned)
Value (the Carrera is arguably overvalued, the 964 not so much)

The Carrera is the heaviest of the impact bumper cars, and the 964 is the lightest (I think) of the post-impact bumper cars. But both are pretty heavy, relative to the pre-impact-bumper models.

To most people, though, the impact bumper design defines the 911. The 964 body style didn't stay around long enough to make the same kind of dent in the public consciousness.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Jack Olsen

To most people, though, the impact bumper design defines the 911. The 964 body style didn't stay around long enough to make the same kind of dent in the public consciousness.

It morphed graciously. It took me a long time to appreciate what the 993 was/is as an extension of the 911 styling. But, w/o the 964, it would have been a BIG jump. I guess by the time the 996 hit the streets, I really began to appreciate the 964. As many know, I really favor the integrated bumpers of the 964> models.

Porsche reclaimed a lot of the spirit of the original design with the 997, but by now, it's a totally different car underneath the skin. That leaves a nice debate about the virtues of the 911 and it's air cooled successors.

I think a 993 wide body is as flowing of a design as one can get in the genre.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by milt

It morphed graciously. It took me a long time to appreciate what the 993 was/is as an extension of the 911 styling. But, w/o the 964, it would have been a BIG jump. I guess by the time the 996 hit the streets, I really began to appreciate the 964. As many know, I really favor the integrated bumpers of the 964> models.

Porsche reclaimed a lot of the spirit of the original design with the 997, but by now, it's a totally different car underneath the skin. That leaves a nice debate about the virtues of the 911 and it's air cooled successors.

I think a 993 wide body is as flowing of a design as one can get in the genre.

That is so true. the 964 is one of the best looking 911 of all times. I prefer its looks to the 993 because it still has the original front guards.

[stuartj]

Torques. Lots more torques.

[uwanna]

To my thinking, I have the best of both worlds. An '80SC widebody, with a 3.6 transplant motor. All the "grunt" I need, classic styling, and relatively light weight as well. Rings my bell!!
'

[RWebb]

based on data I have seen - you could really strip it down -- to within 40 lbs. of any 911

but that would be a lot of work

the suspension can give better ride than a 911 - I am not so sure if it will be more sporting or can be made that way

the motor is the center piece IMHO

and, no, there is nothing wrong with a GT

ponderous (or is it ponderosity?) is all relative

I am not a fan of the bulbous bumpers but I don't like the '74-'88 platypus bumpers either...

There is a long evolutionary lineage to choose form with the 911/964/993/996/997 -- and you can assemble your own mosaic species too

[tshih]

3.2 is simpler and more reliable engine.

964 has 2X the sparkplugs and that pesky maintenace item of distributor belt as well as $600 sparkplug wires, 2 rotors and dizzy caps ($200 inparts for tune-ups).

RSA is more than an options delete C2-it has manual steering rack that doesn't leak and provide better feel, has heavier duty turbo suspension parts to be firmer and more sporty, then weight savings which is from deletion of comfort stuff (admittedly one can do that to the C2 and get as much savings), but the wheels are also setup with the suspension to work betterthan stock C2's.

C4's are like Bill Verburg said -avoid due to complex electronics and costs.

[richde]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

That is so true. the 964 is one of the best looking 911 of all times. I prefer its looks to the 993 because it still has the original front guards.

I agree, it was a much more modern take on 911 styling, while retaining the best parts.

Notice how everyone drools on Ruf styling....


Then compare that to the 964


Swap out the wheels, as ricy as that sounds, and you've got a very hot, timelessly styled car.

[RG5]

Originally Posted by Dan (almaden)

I have had an '84 Carrera with the 915 and an '87 Carrera with the G50 and I now have a '90 C2.

the '87 was a marked improvement over the '84 and the '90 is another step up. Better creature comforts, better A/C and heat controls.
improved suspension and the 3.6L is a kick with all the torque.
I have always felt the C2/C4s were the red headed step children of Porsches...
under appreciated with lots to love..

I am interested to hear your views specifically why the 87 was a marked improvement over the 84, aside from the obvious G50 transmission and restyled dash which is rather subjective (as some of us prefer the original dash design). Apart from these two aspects they are basically the same, are they not?

RG5

[Seahawk]

I have had a 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's Porsche. When I bought my 1994 964 in late 2004 I spent time looking at all models and did a lot of homework here on Pelican and Reenlist.

I think I drove over 30 cars of various models before I found the car I wanted.

For me it was a question of what I expected and wanted given the nature of how I was going to use the car.

That and the fact I really like the bumper on the 964 compared to the impact bumpers, which I never grew on me. That and the upright headlights sealed the deal for me.

There is a ton of data on Reenlist on what to look for for specific years of the 964. I never had a single problem in 40K worth of driving, right up to the time the b!tch ran me off the road.

Best of luck...drive'em all

[mede8er]

I use my Porsche's for seat of the pants weekend driving...see my sig...for weekday drive time I'd go with the Audi twin turbo....

[canuck964]

I think I may have the best of all worlds as I have a "ROW" 964 C4 without the bulky 5mph bumpers.

It is a 1990 964 C4 with a Strosek kits done at the Strosek factory in Germany.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by RG5

I am interested to hear your views specifically why the 87 was a marked improvement over the 84, aside from the obvious G50 transmission and restyled dash which is rather subjective (as some of us prefer the original dash design). Apart from these two aspects they are basically the same, are they not?

They restyled the dash? I thought it was the same for all the '80s cars through to the 964s. What's different?

[RG5]

The differences are as follows between 84-85 and 86-89 Carrera dashes:

1: The central and lower dash vents (at the edges of the lower dash) are larger, squarer items for 86-89.

2: The larger vents at the ends of the lower dash means the shape is squared off at the edges. The 84-85 cars have tapered edges like eariler cars.

3: The lower dash knee-pad is more pronounced on the 86-89 cars.

4: There are subtle switchgear changes over to smaller knob-style buttons on the later cars.

RG5.

[RWebb]

ok, now we need dash pics

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by canuck964

I think I may have the best of all worlds as I have a "ROW" 964 C4 without the bulky 5mph bumpers.

I agree with you except for the C4 part.. but man that car is sweeet!

[RG5]

1985 car:



1987+ car (thanks Diamond 911!)

[911nut]

My first Porsche was a 911SC with the small port engine. While it handled well, I was constantly wishing for more power and A/C so I could drive the car more in the hot, humid Michigan summers.
For me, the 965 fit the bill. There aren't many of them around and they have excellent performance and comfort as to make them more usable.
Since I've removed 200 lb. from my car and got the engine breathing better things have only gotten more sporty. I understand how the 930 guys feel about their cars but a slightly tweaked 965 has far more performance than anyone can safely explore on the street. As for comfort, yes, there's a little more sound deadening and working A/C but the 965's no Lincoln; there's still plenty of engine noise and road feel being transmitted to the driver.
Hopefully my estate will sell the car as I have no plans to sell it in my lifetime!