dunb(ish) comparo Q - xross-posted
 

I've asked this on the 911 tech forum, so will repeat it here:

I'm gonna get my first Porsche. I think I want a 964 C4 (have had AWD cars since my Quattro coupe, 20 years ago), as I live in the Frozen North.

BUT: I see relatively few 964s on the used market, and often see G-50-equipped '87-'89 911s with lowish mileage for higher prices. This leads me to infer that the market is saying that they might well be more reliable cars than even re-sealed 964s and, therefore, more valuable.

Any opinions on the validity of this inference? Useful advice for an olde fahrt looking to give himself a retirement present? All gratefully received.

-------------

D'oh! Posted to the wrong forum, and I cannot delete it. Sorry!

Many people do not like the styling of the 964 series cars, and would rather step up to the more attractive 993s. The '87-'89 cars are holding value very well.

I think the 964s are more complicated than the old 911s they replaced. The SC and the 3.2 are some of the most reliable 911s out there from what I have heard. I would personally go for a G-50 equiped 911.

Have you ever tried a 944 turbo or a 968 on for size?

The 964 is about the most maintenance intensive 911 there is.

They have all of the ammenities that the 993 has - power steering, AC that actually works, etc. However, they still require valve adjustments every 15K miles. This will necessitate the removal of teh muffler, catalyst, and the power steering pump befor you can remove the valve covers.

A 15K service on a 964 runs close to $1K

AFJ

From working at the service department at a P-dealer all summer I can tell you the the 964 is one of the most unreliable 911 ever built. Agreeing with everything AFJ said, that no seals was a killer on that engine from the start. If you need AWD then just save up some more money and get the 993 C4. Also I didn't particularly like how the power steering felt on the 964's

Good luck in your search.