Porsche noob here: Can someone explain why the 993 and 964 are so pricey?

[Kimon]

Hello everyone,,
I just joined this sub as I've become very interested in Porsches recently. I'm mostly into American muscle cars so I don't know much about them. I was recently looking at the 964 and 993 because I thought they were the best looking 911s, and I was shocked by how expensive they were (especially the 993), most going for hundreds of thousands in USD, sometimes going for more money than a brand new 911

I get that they're Porsches...but I didn't think the 911 was a particularly rare car, considering they've made it consistently for decades. Normally I'd think cars from that year range wouldn't be so valuable because they aren't very old, so what's going on in the used 911 market????

[DaBears]

"hundreds of thousands in USD" - that must be a really rare model w/ extremely low miles. I'm actually shocked how 993s don't seem to be doing well. 964s are insanely priced and nothing special 80s era Carreras are selling on BaT for 993 or more prices.

[Noah930]

964s used to be $16K cars. Now they're $30-60K. Unless there's something unusual about the car (RS America, Cup Car, uber low miles, turbo, etc) they should not be 6-figure cars.

[Kein_Ersatz]

There not making anymore “air cooled” 911s, if you have not driven an 964/993, you need to get the unique feel of the last of the air cooled cars, analog in feel, no nannies and a flat 6 howl, nothing else compares. Not a drag racer, but a canyon carver. They have held their value of late if miles are not poured on each year. But post c19, who knows.

Drive one and you either know why or decide to move on. Life is short, enjoy the ride.

[914986]

964's retained the classic 911 styling (except for the Shrek chin bumpers) and lend themselves to backdating ala Singer, which is one reason the price has gone up.

[wayner]

Funny how the 964 used to be a bit of an ugly duckling of the bunch until Singer started using them as donors

Meanwhile the 993 was always beautiful

[Noah930]

Yes, the 964 was always the unloved stepchild...until these last 5-10 years. But I have to admit, when I park my 964 next to my 930, the 930 is so much better looking IMO. And it's that fat (phat) widebody shape that Singer mimics. Oddly I may be a blasphemer, but I have never been a big fan of the 993 styling (other than in cab and turbo forms, interestingly).

[Kein_Ersatz]

Each is admired by those who prefer a certain aesthetic, but the rear engine air cooled platform is a joy of mechanical balance. Go with what your wallet and heart tell you. Enjoy the ride and the journey.

[mikedsilva]

Move to Australia, and then see how expensive they are. "drug money"!
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/porsche/911/964-series/?sort=Price

[jonathant]

For OP, I believe the reason they are so popular is the combination of aesthetics (just a beautiful shape), usable / fun performance level, quirky-but-cool technology, and relative reliability.

That combo is way I bought one anyway.

a) I like the muscle car rumble (Dad had a 66 vette back in the day), e.g. the old vettes look great and sound good... but IMO they are not much fun to drive. Good for stoplight drags but less enjoyable to toss into corners
b) old Ferraris in sort of the same category as (a). Look brilliant and sound awesome but not all that fun to drive. That said if I buy another car will probably find an old Ferrari just for the noise
c) a new Porsche, or Corvette, or Mustang is fast but really *too* fast and too polished. Test drove several new 911s before opting for a 964 but they were basically boring at street speeds. 0-60 in 4 secs is briefly interesting but other than that it's like driving a nice-looking Accord...didn't feel special. I liked the Boxster though, interestingly, so maybe consider one of those too...cheap as chips now too

[Paperboy]

I bought my 100 000 miles fully serviced 964 for about 11000 dollars in the UK 12 years ago when they dissapeared from used car dealers completely, including Porsche, because " they were ugly with leaking engines".
I think time has carved out a special niche for the 964/993.
Aircooled but with features not found on 3,2 Carreras.
Great after market support.
Relativly low production number.
The Singer effect
The 996 now seems to be were the 964 was 12 years ago.

[914986]

I like the 993's but prefer the more traditional look of the 964's headlight set up

[ricks234]

I think Singer has snatched up a lot of what used to be "donor" 964's, driving the price of even the crappy coupe's/targa's up to ~$50kUSD.

I don't see this slowing either. Once you get your hands on a nice 964, it's about the last car you'd want to get rid of!

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by ricks234

I think Singer has snatched up a lot of what used to be "donor" 964's, driving the price of even the crappy coupe's/targa's up to ~$50kUSD.

I don't see this slowing either. Once you get your hands on a nice 964, it's about the last car you'd want to get rid of!

I think that's definitely been a problem here in SoCal. But Singer's not totally cold-hearted. A source at a local Porsche indy garage has told me they've found some new homes for 964s purchased by Singer, but then deemed to be too nice to cut up for Reimagination.

[2000m2]

Originally Posted by ricks234

Once you get your hands on a nice 964, it's about the last car you'd want to get rid of!

I’d only sell mine to get another one! It’s a lot of fun to drive and I really love the way it looks. The supply of decent stock examples is only declining with folks like Singer backdating.

[budge96]

As mentioned by prior posters the 964 and 993 both final years of air cooled engines but the
beginning of technologically advanced options like air bags , a/c that works even marginally,abs ,
AWD, ABD, brake and wheel sensors, advanced lighting , I could go on .
They also resemble the earlier cars and the classic 911 shape much more readily than the current
offerings from Porsche .
I believe mostly for the reasons buyers have placed great value in their scarcity and the fact they
have ceased to manufacture these models .
I was around when 964's were frowned upon even devalued and bought one or two myself
because they were dirt cheap and surprisingly was ahead of the curve .
I can pat myself on the back a lot but I liked the shape back then and still do haha never as
happy with a decision .
Now hard to find , expensive and very much in demand , oh how many rue the day they sold 'em !
Bert

[Bravoaloha]

Originally Posted by budge96

As mentioned by prior posters the 964 and 993 both final years of air cooled engines but the
beginning of technologically advanced options like air bags , a/c that works even marginally,abs ,
AWD, ABD, brake and wheel sensors, advanced lighting , I could go on .
They also resemble the earlier cars and the classic 911 shape much more readily than the current
offerings from Porsche .
I believe mostly for the reasons buyers have placed great value in their scarcity and the fact they
have ceased to manufacture these models .
I was around when 964's were frowned upon even devalued and bought one or two myself
because they were dirt cheap and surprisingly was ahead of the curve .
I can pat myself on the back a lot but I liked the shape back then and still do haha never as
happy with a decision .
Now hard to find , expensive and very much in demand , oh how many rue the day they sold 'em !
Bert

Bert! That list of cars in your sig is pretty nuts. Would love to see some shots of your stable-start a thread or maybe your Instagram?? Seems like you have some pretty crazy stuff.

Rock on

[budge96]

Originally Posted by Bravoaloha

Bert! That list of cars in your sig is pretty nuts. Would love to see some shots of your stable-start a thread or maybe your Instagram?? Seems like you have some pretty crazy stuff.

Rock on

Thanks for the props yes have been working on this stable for the last ten years or so with a few project distractions thrown in , the GT is getting a refresh this spring with
Euro bumpers , BBS , and euro lights may do EVO upgrades in the fall..
My 993 RS CS has had some teething problems engine wise but after getting a factory
Cup G50/30 trans to complete the Cup drivetrain we've just about determined the fault lay in a bad harness I bought from someone on the forum .
My 72 RS is just waiting for time to install the low mile 3.6 with RS cams I have sitting
in the shop, and the R is really a collection of parts waiting for me to have time to assemble ..
Believe me I want to post up some pics and will soon as I get three or four suitable for
public viewing ...haha oh it's coming ! Thanks B

[revolution993]

Had a 993c4s 15 years ago and loved it never thought i would end up in a 964. But its true i would never sell it only to get another one lol

[Bravoaloha]

Originally Posted by budge96

Thanks for the props yes have been working on this stable for the last ten years or so with a few project distractions thrown in , the GT is getting a refresh this spring with
Euro bumpers , BBS , and euro lights may do EVO upgrades in the fall..
My 993 RS CS has had some teething problems engine wise but after getting a factory
Cup G50/30 trans to complete the Cup drivetrain we've just about determined the fault lay in a bad harness I bought from someone on the forum .
My 72 RS is just waiting for time to install the low mile 3.6 with RS cams I have sitting
in the shop, and the R is really a collection of parts waiting for me to have time to assemble ..
Believe me I want to post up some pics and will soon as I get three or four suitable for
public viewing ...haha oh it's coming ! Thanks B

Good luck! I will stay tuned.