From another BBS:

Here's a link to Wade Guthrie's 911 Buying checklist: Pelican Parts - Error: Page Not Found

This checklist was built with pre-964's in mind. The good news is that when shopping for a 964 you don't have to worry about spring centered clutches, carrera tensioners, dilivar studs, timecerts, shuffle pins, or rebuilt injection pumps.

However, you should worry about the following:

1. Is the distributer vented? If so, how long did it run before it was vented?
2. What kind of flywheel is installed? Luk is good news. Original Freudenberg is not good news. (But I have one, and it's been going for over 100k miles.) If it's a single mass flywheel, watch for driveability, especially when the air conditioning is on in traffic. Of course, if it's a tiptronic, the flywheel is a moot point.
3. Oil leaks around the cylinder head? (Early 964's did not have a gasket, and it caused problems in SOME of the cars. Cars that exhibited the problem during warranty were fixed by Porsche.) (On the positive side, my car has over 100k miles, no gasket, and it's fine! Touch wood.)
4. Oil leaks in general? These can be expensive to get to, and replacing some of the hoses can add up.
5. How's the air conditioning? Does it need a recharge?
6. How's the power steering pump? Often there are leaks.
7. If it's a cabriolet, how are the seals, condition of the top, operation while lowering/raising the top (should be quiet and smooth)? If it's a Targa, what's the condition of the Targa top? Does it fit well, or is there leaking and wind noise?
8. How are the brakes? Do the rotors or pads need to be replaced?
9. How are the tires?
10. How does it drive, especially in comparison with similar 964's?

Between these questions, the checklist, and a PPI from a reputable Porsche mechanic, you stand a very good chance of purchasing a 964 that you will enjoy for years to come! Good luck, and happy hunting!

Back to me: I owned a 1994 C2 Targa and loved it. I drove it for years and put over 40k on the clock with zero mechanical issues.

The recurring question that seems to be slapping me in the face is: Can I really AFFORD to own a Porsche? My current weekend warrior, the V8 Z does get alot of attention and is a blast to drive.....since motor and drive train are Chevy, I can actually afford to fix problems and actually have a good shot at repairing many myself. Some parts have gotten more expensive and tough to find but these costs are starting to look small compared to some of the horror stories posted in terms of engine repairs on the 911. I don't mean any disrespect by comparing a modified Datsun to the 911 family of cars but the grass may seem greener with the 911 but I might not have the stomach or the wallet for it. As someone else mentioned in one of their earlier replies, being that I am a "powerboatnut" I should be no stranger to repair costs....they are sooooo right. Due to many years of throwing money and my time into maintenance and boating repair costs, I need to fully make sure I am not replacing one toy with another that takes more time and money away from my weekends, rather than adding pleasure to them through carefree use.

Dreaming is great and as I get older I realize that the reality of ownership often sucks........Maybe I need to heed my own advice to people who are thinking about getting into power boating......it is MUCH more fun and much cheaper to make a friend with a current boat owner and put some fuel in his tank and booze in his cooler!

Comments?:eek:

The Porsche will absolutely be more expensive to maintain than the Chevy-based Z,

But that's only if something bad actually happens, which (depending on your definition of "rarely") rarely happens.

Which is why diligence before the purchase is SO important, because at the end of the day you're still rolling the dice on the car. But "load your dice up".

That's why people are trying to steer you away from C4, because even though the chance that the 4-wheel stuff will break is VERY SMALL, its still a variable that you would not encounter with a 2WD version of the same car. The C4 cars are great cars, "almost all the time."

Thanks for hanging in there PBN! I need to put a word in as the "helpful" advice given by others might scare you away from a good car and a wonderful driving experience!

These guys have given you the usual doom and gloom stories that you alluded to in your initial post. Actually these guys have given you horrible advice. Sorry but it's true.

Since the 911 in question is a 964, I would suggest posting the exact same initial question over at Rennlist.com in the 964 forum. There is a huge community over there of actual 964 owners. The replies above are the usual scare comments people post about the 964s 4wheel drive system. Actually it is a super robust system and has advantages/disadvantages over the later 993s system.

Here's a recent C4 reliability thread (by actual owners):
Reliability of 4WD on 1989 911C4
Reliability of 4WD on 1989 911C4 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

The problem with 911s is that they've made them for so long, in a couple generations.
The car has evolved in terms of performance, safety, and emissions. (etc.) As size, weight, and comfort has increase, new owners have been found and other have been turned away.

I would love to have a simple, lightweight Longhood but right now I need the tethered rear seat hooks (two kids), ice cool AC, anti-lock brakes and airbags that my 964 offers. At a 126,000 miles I can say these cars are very solid.

This is also a great thread (Experienced Longhood owners talking about the 964):
90s R Gruppe 911

PBN,
I don't want to see you scared away from the 911 ownership experience! I purchased a car that others may have been scared away from, but it's turned out to be an awesome experience these past couple of years. As a complete bonus, I've met lots of wonderful people also.

Thanks for all the additional replies. As suggested, earlier today I posted on Rennlist and am awaiting some more input on the 964 model and on this particular car. Need to make a decision on this particular car soon if I hope to get her but need to have more input into other's experience with them.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

Whoever is saying warnings about the C4 is just "doom and gloom" is ignoring the advice of every book, magazine article and blog entry I have seen regarding the 964.

Yes, a C4 COULD be a great car. The AWD could also break and cost you a fortune to fix. Add to that the fact that the C4 AWD is not terribly well regarded and doesn't do much for the car in way of performance and you are left with one question, WHY?

For a guy that is already wondering if he can afford repairs on a Porsche, advising him to buy a C4 is just nuts, IMHO.

+1

Me too....87 GPW Carrera......

Again, thanks for the further input.......Heard the 3.2 Carrera is definitely more bulletproof than the 964 but also have heard that the 964 (C2) has similar handling characteristics and add lots of refinements (better A/C, quieter cockpit, also safety of ABS) that show up in greater comfort when on longer drives. For me, the Targa top is a must and I have to say, the black on black is also a big draw. I don't plan on taking her out in weather so the C4 vs. C2 discussions so far clearly are favoring the C2. I thought the C4 might be more forgiving even in dry conditions but from this post and others I have found, most say that is not necessarily the case. [B][U]IF I could get the owner of this C4 to take say $15k and it looks good after full inspection and compression/leakdown test...is that a fair/good/great value? or is the consensus here to hold the money until a 3.2 Black on Black Targa or 964 C2 comes on the market? Would love to go to a 993 but don't see having the extra cash anytime soon and within 5 years, I am looking at all my car money going to college with our daughter!
:confused:

If the car checks out and looks great and you love it, I think that's a fine price. If you find something different in a few years you want instead, dump it and get the other thing.

You should try to drive a few more 911's before you make a decision. If you prefer the 964, then fine. The only thing most posters are trying to do is to warn you that a C4 can be expensive to repair if you have transmission failure. The car is now 20 years old and there are lots of electrical components in that drivetrain compared to a C2.

You may want to look around for an independent shop that works on older Porsches. There is probably a Pelican in your area that could advise you or call the local PCA contacts for advise. If I am understanding you correctly, $650 for compression and leakdown, plus another $181 for for a set of plugs? I would guess you could find an independent that would give you better quality information and charge you less for the compression/leak down.

You should request a PPI recommendation for your city in this thread or on a separate one. I had a crappy dealer PPI - a top-end, all new braking and suspension systems and the car is finally in starting shape up.

Yeah that's too much for a PPI with compression testing. Most places are $250 or so for the PPI and another $100-150 for compression testing. I got lucky and paid about $120 for PPI with compression testing but that was crazy cheap at an independent import shop.