911, 964 or 993?

[550Maranello]

Chaps,

I am in the process of buying a Porsche to use it as a daily driver alongside my 500E.

In the beginning I thought that the 1978-1983 models would be ideal - easier and cheaper to maintain - but those cars have a weak AC system and living in Miami it is a problem for me. I could add a Griffiths or Rennair system but that would make the car a lot more expensive.

This is what I have in mind, my budget is $30K:

911 Carrera 1987-1989
911 Carrera 2 1990-1994
911 Carrera 2 1995-1996. The 993 has been hailed by several Porsche publications as the best buy of all.

I am aware that I am opening a pandora box since it is a matter of preferences and taste but I would like to hear what forum experts have to say.

Many thanks,

Best regards,

Orazio

[Jim Richards]

All of the above are good. You need to drive each to develop your own individual preference.

[hbueno]

I can't speak from personal experience, but I think the newer the model the better the air conditioning.

Hugo

[Jim Richards]

I have no personal experience with the 87-89 Carrera A/C, but the 964 and 993 A/C systems work well.

[porsche0nut]

I think given your budget a really nice 964 could be found. I personally love the 3.2's but have heard the 964 is a more "modern" classic that may suit daily driving in miami with better A/C, more power, and more creature comforts.

[RWebb]

can a decent 993 be had for $30k?

[Nick Triesch]

87 to 89 are great cars with the G50. That is what I would look for with 30K. Here in So Cal 30k will not get you a 993. If you can find one they are usually very nice and command prices in the $40,000+ range.

[550Maranello]

There were two advertised in Excellence. A 1996 convertible in Phoenix with 50K miles for the asking price of $32.5K and another 1995 in Ventura, CA, with 54K miles for $32K.

On eBay: 1995 cab, 87K miles BIN: $28.9 OBO; '96 cab, 47K miles, BIN $29,8 OBO; '96 cab 84K miles, BIN $32.8 OBO; '95 cab 58K miles, BIN $29,9 OBO.

CAVE CANEM!

[Nostril Cheese]

993, without question.

[James Brown]

993, no doubt, it has all the good stuff that you want to do already done at the factory. stock it beats all the previous year cars. and, being the last air-cooled car, it will go up in value. People are hoarding these cars. (1994-1998)

[Fastdog911]

had a 964.. get the 993

[RWebb]

question is can he stretch his budget to $32k and still reserve $$ for repairs & maintenance?

[917L]

After owning three 993s of various iterations, I'll vote for the 964.

cf. Porsche 911 through the ages

[Hnichols]

The 87-89 AC is not going to be any better than the 78-83, or only marginally so. So if AC is important you might have to go with the later models. I've heard that the 964's have issues. But maybe if you find a good one that might be the best option given your budget.
Good luck!

[Hunt3R]

The previous owner of my '86 3.2 had updated the A/C and converted it to R134A and it's worked fine in the Florida summer, although I prefer the windows down anyway. But my point is don't ignore the older cars on A/C alone. If you just want 87-89 for the G50 then I'd suggest test driving a 915 with a gate shift kit already installed.

[JQ911]

Get a 993 and ship the 500E (w124) to me

[Nick Triesch]

All those 993 cars mentioned above in the low 30's were cabs! I think the coupes will go for a lot more with that pretty roofline and all. And the 993 cars don't look like their bumpers were super glued on . Also the 993 has that slick 6 speed and does not feel like a bottle of wine in an ice bucket! (like mine!)

[R K T]

993

[wholberg]

IMO, for the most fun driving buy a 78-79 SC, next most fun is anything up to 89' but a JC Whitney electric fan mounted on the rear view mirror will be just about as effective as the oem AC in either. As much as it rains in Miami, you would not have the top down nearly enough.

994's and 993's are much more sophisticated machines and great cars but feel and drive completely different. If it is going to be a daily driver in Miami, buy the most modern one you can afford with good AC and rubber seals that don't leak. If it is going to be a second or third car, buy an SC, rip out every extra pound of weight including the AC, hot rod the car up a little bit, and have way, way more fun on those days you do drive it.

That is my $0.02.

[MrBonus]

I have owned a '97 C2S and an '89 Carrera with R134a update. Once it get above mid-80s, I'm more comfortable putting the windows down in the '89. The 993 was as cold as you would expect on most modern cars even on the hottest days.

While I enjoy driving my '89 way more than I did my 993, as a daily driver, the 993 will be a lot more comfortable day-to-day, especially in a Florida climate.