85.5-89 vs 90-93 911

[atr911]

What's the deal here? The later years are superior in almost all regards. Sure they both have their issues but they are usually soooooo closely priced in the 18-22K range.

Am I missing something here? If I have 20K and were shopping, why on earth would I not take the newer 3.6L car?

[911teo]

You need to drive them both. There are actually quite a lot of differences.

Let's start with the Carreras. The most obvious difference is between the pre 87 and post 87 models. The post 87 models feature the much improved G50 transmission. You will find people that say the prefer the 915 etc... but the G50 was such a step fwd that Porsche still uses an updated version of it on its current lineup.

Then from 89 to 90 the 911 gained: power steering, ABS, proper airconditioning, a retractable spoiler, 4 wheel drive, a 3.6L engine.

The 964 is an easier car to drive every day, especially if you are in a hotter climate area.

But the performance between the 2 is very similar. Yes the 3.6L is more powerful, but all the new addtitions made the car heavier.

Some people don't like the styling of the 964, but that is a matter of personal taste.

In terms of $$$ the 964 have been coming down but seemed to have floored at around 19-23k. The G50 Carreras have been on the rise instead. 3-4 years ago you could find a decent example (high mileage) for 16-18k. Now it's virtually imp to find anything below 20k.

You do really need to drive them both as they are quite different in carachter.

The 88 G50 was my 1st Porsche.... I still miss it.

[grudk]

All great cars. I had two 3.2's and an RS America, and would take the RSA any day of the week. It is a bit lighter than a standard 3.6, but not my much. Pretty much the same car as a 'standard' 964

The 964's are kind of unloved by Porsche people IMO, in much the same way at the '74-'77 2.7. Some gripes are legit, but some are misplaced. The nice thing about this is they are priced accordingly, and represent a good value IMO

I agree the 964 is more friendly as a daily, too. Better AC, for one. I plan on looking for one soon myself for this purpose

[the]

The 964 drives very different from the earlier cars, IMO.

When I bought my last 911 (the current one that I own), I thought about a 964, mostly because of the low prices. I drove one, didn't really like the feel, but thought it might be just that particular car. But after driving a few, I didn't really like any of them. I realized that I like the older, non-power steering, lighter, less insulated, torsion bar 911s better.

I also wasn't really so big on the 964 looks, don't really like the bumpers.

There were some screaming deals, though. I was looking for a cab, there was a 90 (or 91) California car with well under 100,000 miles, with a documented (all paperwork, receipts) complete $10,000+ rebuild from a very reputable shop. Very nice condition. He was asking $18.9K, with a lot of flexibility. Granted, this was a cab, during the winter, but even at $18.9 asking, he was getting no bites, and kept calling and calling me trying to make a deal. I think I probably could have gotten it for under $16K, easy. (And that was something like 3 years ago).

That would have been a steal, IMO, but I just didn't like the way the car drove.

[pu911]

Well I think it depends on the individual car. The stock 964's, C4's in particular are heavy. But a 964 when properly set up is a terrific car, particularly on a race track. I have owned about every 911 (coupe) built between 1969 and 1994 and they are all different so it all depends on what you like.
Phil