Differences between a 964 and RS America

[s_wilwerding]

I'm looking for streetable track 964, essentially an RS America. However, prices for nice RS Americas are still around $40K - $50K. On the other hand, nice 964s are in the mid-$20Ks. Would it be economical to turn a 964 into an RS America? What are the major differences between a 964 and an RS America?

[ekessel]

RS America has manual steering, no rear seats, fixed rear spoiler, cloth sports seats, and the RS inside door panels........ you could probably convert a car for less than the difference in price.... (but don't tell anyone....... you'll hurt the pricing on RSA's

-Eric
90 C2
NER/PCA

[Tom W]

Unless you plan to track it in a class where you want/need an RSA, I'd suggest just getting a normal C2 and doing a DIY rear seat delete and adding an after market RSA wing. The power steering is nicer than manual (on track or off). My track car is essentially an RSA conversion with the rear seats deleted and carpet put in, an RSA wing from MA Shaw and other enhancements. I've got friends that have converted their track cars from power steering to manual to make it RS or RSA like and regret the change.

[sushinav]

RSA suspension is upgraded to M030 also.

[PCarGuy]

As an RSA owner I would love to believe that my very clean car was worth $40K but it isn't. I know because I bought it a year ago for much less. I am not sure where you are looking to find prices in the range that you mentioned.

For what it's worth here is a summary of my search for a nice 964. After watching ads for many months I narrowed down my choices to two cars: a '93 C2 with sport seats, LSD, and non-dual mass flywheel versus a '93 RSA with LSD, lwt flywheel, Cup clutch, H&Rs, adj RS swaybars, harness bar, 5 pt harnesses, spare Cup II (7 & 9) wheels and strut brace. The price differential was $5k. Both cars had the same mileage and were in essentially the same condition. A PPI on the RSA showed all was well.

I concluded that, while the parts alone would not justify the extra $, I was willing to bet the exclusivity of the RSA would make up the difference when I chose to sell the car. Besides, I like the whale tail! Only time will tell.

Best wishes in finding a car that you like, I hope this gives you some encouragement.

[trader220]

The RSA vs. C2 debate has been well documented both here and on Rennlist. I have owned both at different times and have poked around recently about buying another of one or the other. I scan the markets in Porsches pretty thoroughly throughout the week and several RSA’s have changed hands in the high 20’s recently. There are also several that appear to be nice clean cars offered in the mid 30’s on rsmaerica.net. Of course you’ll still see many of them offered in the 40’s but judging by how long many of them have been on the market I don’t think they’re getting that price. Several weeks ago I was at the Manheim dealer’s auction and a nice clean 32k miles RSA traded at $34.5k. Daniel Schmitt now has it on his website at a buy it now of somewhere over 40k. The Daniel Schmitt buyer runs from bay to bay at the auction bidding on any and all Porsches of interest.

They do command a premium simply because the owners are loyal and they are somewhat rare. Surely you could find a good clean C2 and make it a better track car then a stock RSA at less of a cost.


If you look on the 964 section on rennlist, there are several long threads on the topic, one that’s still going on today… read through this one, they revive the discussion on this thread.. http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=206819&page=1&pp=15