964 Recommendations

[wsp8]

My wife says if my son's gonna' be with me to get a 911 with air bags, so I must part with my beloved '76 911S.

Any recommendations for a model year, 90 to 94? Specifically, what problems have developed with this series? I've looked at a few with engine leaks and one dealer said a top-end with new head stud gaskets would cure the problem. True? Anything else to look for?

Thanks! BTW, here's what I'm selling. Done almost EVERY one of Wayne's projects on it that kept it original (well, almost!)

[bigchillcar]

nice middie. have you listed it on the classifieds yet? i did as you plan: sold my beloved '74 and bought a '90 C4 cab.

90-91 models left the factory without cylinder to head seals..some leaked a lot, some not at all. by now most all should probably have had them added at some point, but make sure. the dual dizzy belt needs the cheap mod to pipe ozone out. dual-mass flywheels could be problematic..lots of new electrical gremlins to have to deal with. it would be better to spend a little more on an already well-sorted car than buy one that needs work as you mentioned imho. these cars are sort of like the 'middie for the 90's' - in between the carreras and the 993. the last of the 'classic-look 911 air-cooled cars'. they're great. i'd buy one being sold by a reputable pelican member before chancing on an e-bay multiple-listing re-seller. my $.02...

[Don Plumley]

Sweet '76.

I'd go drive a few 964's and 993's (well set up ones) before you pull the trigger on selling such a beauty.

[bigchillcar]

don, sounds like the wife's adamant about airbags. not sure what the actual safety statistics say about their utility with infants/children however. i think the reviews are mixed..

[wsp8]

Thanks for the feedback! I've driven one 964 with another one today hopefully. The one I'm REALLY interested in is in Chicago, though, so hoping a member will look her over for me in addition to the paid inspector.

Also, I started a similar thread on the 911 Tech. Forum first and one member responded with a link on the safety aspects of airbags and children. My son is approaching 15, though, so basically an adult in those terms.

[Seahawk]

Where in Maryland do you live?

I have a 94 that has been super.

Lots of help down here should you need it.

Rennlist has the better 964 forum if you haven't been there.

[wsp8]

I'm in the Annapolis/Severna Park area. I'd love to see what you have so I can compare ... a '94 is pretty rare, I've found.

I DID test drive a white/blue, weeping, '91 C2 this afternoon. Less impreassed with it's power and sound than with the '90 C4 of a few weeks ago. Why would that be, I wonder?

[Don Plumley]

Don't know. Do a search on the costs of repairing C4 (AWD) mechanicals/hydraulics. Eye opening. Would bias me to a C2.

Good C2's are getting harder to find, but a good one is well worth the search. Check the PCA and rennlist classifieds too.

[wsp8]

I've got my eye and a PPI on a low-mileage '90 C2. We'll see how that checks out.

After my day where my 5 series wagon conked out coming back from testing the '91 C2, I'm thinking I just need a *&%! car with a warranty. Ironically, my '76 911 is the more reliable of the fleet!

[bigchillcar]

my '74 gave me 7 years of trouble-free driving. my C4 currently isn't running..could be fuel pump, could be o2 sensor, could be throttle position indicator, wasn't dme relay, isn't isv, could be maf...not an easy troubleshoot..

[wsp8]

OUCH!!

[racer]

Originally posted by wsp8
My wife says if my son's gonna' be with me to get a 911 with air bags, so I must part with my beloved '76 911S.

Any recommendations for a model year, 90 to 94? Specifically, what problems have developed with this series? I've looked at a few with engine leaks and one dealer said a top-end with new head stud gaskets would cure the problem. True? Anything else to look for?

Thanks! BTW, here's what I'm selling. Done almost EVERY one of Wayne's projects on it that kept it original (well, almost!)

1) Look for '92 -94.. 90s and 91s had cylinder head problems. Most would have been resolved by now, but I would start with the newer cars

2) C4's can be more expensive to maintain. 4 extra CV boots/joints, More sensors etc.

Nice looking Mid-year! (love the vent windows

So.. at 15.. not too far from MD driving age.. would you rather have him driving (sneaking out in) your 250hp 911 or your 160hp 911

[wsp8]

HA! Neither ... I've got a 4 cyl. BMW 318ti coupe track car he'll take (I hope).

[lucittm]

WS,
I have a late 1991 964 Turbo with the single distributor and I have no weeping or seeping issues. Probably because I drive it every day.
These are great cars and I would steer you to a '91 or a '92 without hesitation.

Mark

[wsp8]

Thanks! I'm looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack, I'm afraid, as they made so few cars during this transition. I HAVE found one '94 Targa that seems quite nice, but lots of $$$$. And, I've never been wild about a grey interior. Still ...

Anybody driving a Targa everyday?