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IknowJoseph
Original Poster
33 posts
9 months
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Hi all, I'm new here and have come for some help... I'm looking to buy my first Porker and am potentially willing to spend 12 - 15K on it, the lower the better. This car may be my daily driver, depending on whether I sell on my unexciting but perfectly reasonable 54 plate Golf tdi. I imagine I'll only be buying a coupe - cabs and targas don't do it for me. This has probably come up before, but I'm stuck between a G50 3.2 Carrera or a 964. I've seen sites such as this that lean heavily towards the 3.2, but do others agree? the 3.2 seems like a safe option from what I've read, but is the 964 really that risky? What would have the highest potential for financial ruin, either in maintenance or depreciation? This 3.2 celebration seems ok to my inexperienced eyes, but is it going to need a top-end rebuild in the near future? http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...This 964 C4 also looked reasonable to me, until I saw that it had been in an accident: http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...I suppose I really need to be viewing and getting behind the wheel of as many cars as possible - I don't suppose anyone around Oxfordshire has a couple of cars and wants to give me a ride out to help settle my mind?  Any opinions - or links to other such discussions - gratefully received!
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Phil Raby
42 posts
91 months
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It depends what you want. The 3.2 is potentially a cheaper car to run (so long as you don't buy a rust bucket) while the 964 gives a more modern experience.
I'm a big 964 fan but I'm finding it really hard to get decent examples at the moment. There are some neglected examples out there.
First thing you should do it have a look at examples of each and see which you prefer.
Cheers
Phil
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IknowJoseph
Original Poster
33 posts
9 months
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Thanks Phil,
I see you've got an open day this weekend - will there be any suitable cars for going over at that?
Cheers, Joseph
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uktrailmonster
4,406 posts
69 months
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One thing regarding your budget is to look well beyond the initial purchase price. If you buy a poor 3.2 or 3.6 the cost of putting it right can be considerably more than the original purchase price. So make sure you get it inspected by a Porsche specialist before wading in. Just to give you an idea of what can lurk underneath a clean looking car, take a look at the bodywork section on impactbumpers.com This is also a great resource for researching 3.2s BTW. They are also quite different cars to drive, so make sure you do that too! Also bear in mind that a poor maintained example of either car (and most are unfortunately) will drive like s  t on ancient dampers, bushes etc. So try and test drive good quality cars as a benchmark even if they are out of your budget. Others will strongly disagree, but £12K is IMO too low a budget for a really nice example of either, but £15K is fairly realistic. The £3K difference is nothing in the overall scheme of things - would pay for a few rust repairs, a top end engine rebuild or a refreshed suspension at most.
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uktrailmonster
4,406 posts
69 months
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IknowJoseph said: This car may be my daily driver In that case I'd swing toward a 964 if it had to be a classic shape, or a 996 which are currently stunning value for money as a daily 911. I deliberately missed out 993 there based on your budget, but that would be a great compromise between old/new. I'm not sure a 3.2 could be really considered a daily driver anymore - they are old cars and the UK winters really take their toll underneath, especially if left standing outside. At least the 964 has more modern arch liners and undertray to protect it from the worst.
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ras62
262 posts
25 months
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uktrailmonster said: One thing regarding your budget is to look well beyond the initial purchase price. If you buy a poor 3.2 or 3.6 the cost of putting it right can be considerably more than the original purchase price. So make sure you get it inspected by a Porsche specialist before wading in. Just to give you an idea of what can lurk underneath a clean looking car, take a look at the bodywork section on impactbumpers.com This is also a great resource for researching 3.2s BTW. They are also quite different cars to drive, so make sure you do that too! Also bear in mind that a poor maintained example of either car (and most are unfortunately) will drive like s t on ancient dampers, bushes etc. So try and test drive good quality cars as a benchmark even if they are out of your budget. Others will strongly disagree, but £12K is IMO too low a budget for a really nice example of either, but £15K is fairly realistic. The £3K difference is nothing in the overall scheme of things - would pay for a few rust repairs, a top end engine rebuild or a refreshed suspension at most. ^^^ Very good advise.
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RtdRacer
1,274 posts
70 months
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uktrailmonster said: In that case I'd swing toward a 964 if it had to be a classic shape, or a 996 which are currently stunning value for money as a daily 911. I deliberately missed out 993 there based on your budget, but that would be a great compromise between old/new. I'm not sure a 3.2 could be really considered a daily driver anymore - they are old cars and the UK winters really take their toll underneath, especially if left standing outside. At least the 964 has more modern arch liners and undertray to protect it from the worst. I bought a 996 C2 manual a couple of months ago as a daily driver for 12.5K, and it is simply fantastic. I really cannot recommend the 996 enough. ANd for that I got a 3.6 facelift, 96K miles, immaculate, and drives absolutely beautifully. I am having a whale of a time in it. And it's a nice place to be everyday - comfy, good aircon, good hifi - all the other stuff you want in a daily driver.
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IknowJoseph
Original Poster
33 posts
9 months
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Thanks for all the replies so far - lots of questions answered there. I was thinking of a more modern option and by the looks of it a 996 could be a good choice. Not the classic look I was after, but they seem to be good value and there's a lot of them in the classifieds. Presumably it'll also be much more sensible as a daily too.
I'm supposed to be saving for a deposit on a house, but something from Stuttgart seems a lot more enjoyable than having money "resting in my account".
Thanks again guys, I appreciate it.
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EJH
135 posts
78 months
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I have a 1988 3.2 which I used as a daily for 5 years (one bare-metal respray and new hood later and it's on "fun-car" duty with an E36 Evo on commuting duty. The 3.2 (or a 3.0 SC) is an older car and if you have been used to modern stuff may seem somewhat agricultural for commuting. If it is to be a 3.2, I wouldn't get hung up on the G50 vs 915 debate; a well set up 915 is absolutely fine and the parts / clutch, etc are much cheaper than those for a G50. The main 915 issues are that some haven't been properly set up and 15 years of buyers' guides have told them to look for nought but a G50! I say this, and I own a G50... If it is to be a 3.2, go to impactbumpers.com. Cannot stress how helpful they all are and how much time money and hassle they have saved me over the last 6 years. Just don't ask about what type of tyres or oil grade (so many answers and everyone has a preference). If you haven't driven older Porsche before, a 964 may well be the better choice for a daily (PAS, ABS, etc). They're also (still, just about) good value! I really agree with UKTM's post: uktrailmonster said: One thing regarding your budget is to look well beyond the initial purchase price. If you buy a poor 3.2 or 3.6 the cost of putting it right can be considerably more than the original purchase price. So make sure you get it inspected by a Porsche specialist before wading in. Just to give you an idea of what can lurk underneath a clean looking car, take a look at the bodywork section on impactbumpers.com This is also a great resource for researching 3.2s BTW. They are also quite different cars to drive, so make sure you do that too! Also bear in mind that a poor maintained example of either car (and most are unfortunately) will drive like s t on ancient dampers, bushes etc. So try and test drive good quality cars as a benchmark even if they are out of your budget. Others will strongly disagree, but £12K is IMO too low a budget for a really nice example of either, but £15K is fairly realistic. The £3K difference is nothing in the overall scheme of things - would pay for a few rust repairs, a top end engine rebuild or a refreshed suspension at most. I was very lucky when I got my 3.2; I had it inspected but knowing what I do now, I would have any 3.2 very seriously inspected. I know the bills these cars can throw well enough after the bare-metal respray on mine...but had there been metalwork to do too (mine is in the minority as despite living in a coastal environment all its life, there is no road-salt over here), the bill would have been 3x that for paint!
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RtdRacer
1,274 posts
70 months
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IknowJoseph said: Thanks for all the replies so far - lots of questions answered there. I was thinking of a more modern option and by the looks of it a 996 could be a good choice. Not the classic look I was after, but they seem to be good value and there's a lot of them in the classifieds. Presumably it'll also be much more sensible as a daily too.
I'm supposed to be saving for a deposit on a house, but something from Stuttgart seems a lot more enjoyable than having money "resting in my account".
Thanks again guys, I appreciate it. If you're anywhere in East Anglia, you are welcome to try mine.
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911god
1,834 posts
54 months
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As a daily the 996 is probably the smarter option but as a choice between the 3.2 and the 964 I'd go 964 and maybe go for a C4 for all round use. Undervalued cars IMO
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IknowJoseph
Original Poster
33 posts
9 months
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RtdRacer said: If you're anywhere in East Anglia, you are welcome to try mine. Very kind offer, thanks! 911god said: maybe go for a C4 for all round use. Undervalued cars IMO This caught my eye http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...Not a fan of the BBS wheels on it, but it's certainly striking!
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911god
1,834 posts
54 months
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IknowJoseph said: Nice car thou I really meant the 964 C4 as most go for a C2 so prices are cheaper
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Phil Raby
42 posts
91 months
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uktrailmonster said: In that case I'd swing toward a 964 if it had to be a classic shape, or a 996 which are currently stunning value for money as a daily 911. I deliberately missed out 993 there based on your budget, but that would be a great compromise between old/new. I'm not sure a 3.2 could be really considered a daily driver anymore - they are old cars and the UK winters really take their toll underneath, especially if left standing outside. At least the 964 has more modern arch liners and undertray to protect it from the worst. Just one 964 at the moment but another couple due in soon. You're very welcome to come and have a chat anyway.
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Phil Raby
42 posts
91 months
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Got to agree with the comments on price. In both cases, £15,000 will open the doors to better examples which could turn out to cheaper in the long term. And make sure you have a bit tucked away for unforeseen problems. One reason so many 964s are poor is because people haven't spent decent money on them to keep them maintained correctly.
Cheers
Phil
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uktrailmonster
4,406 posts
69 months
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IknowJoseph said: This 3.2 celebration seems ok to my inexperienced eyes, but is it going to need a top-end rebuild in the near future?
Quite possibly. At that mileage/age I would also want to see evidence of fresh dampers, clutch and suspension bushes at some point in the recent history. A full bodywork inspection for rust and repairs would also be required before you could say whether or not it was good value for money. Also factor in for the usual tyres and brake consumables, but they are not particularly expensive on these cars (£350 for a full set of tyres). But looks reasonably priced taken at face value.
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Aitchman
4 posts
87 months
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Beaten to it by the previous responders to your post but having owned examples of 911 3.2, 964 and 996 and notwithstanding all the very relevant comments on keeping money aside for maintenance, purely in terms of driving I found:
3.2 Carrera - bit unrefined for daily driving but awesome noise
964 - PAS, ABS and believe it or not simple things like dash lighting made a more refined ride in my opinion
996 - easily the most liveable daily driver yet still an exciting drive when needed
They are all fantastic cars - I loved them all - and I would say you need to try *good* examples of each before you decide, at the end of the day it will be your car and you need to be happy with the decision.
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stuckmojo
946 posts
57 months
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I guess I'm not helping, but 3 months into 996 (Manual C2 3.4) ownership I am still totally smitten by it. Nothing was anywhere nice at the same price level.
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LaurasOtherHalf
6,303 posts
65 months
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If I had the OP's budget I'd be looking at a 996 as well I think. Anything air cooled I think you realisticly need a 20 grand budget if you take into account a decent purchase price & some more tucked away for the inevitable maintenance-especially so if it's going to be a daily driver.
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911god
1,834 posts
54 months
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LaurasOtherHalf said: If I had the OP's budget I'd be looking at a 996 as well I think. Anything air cooled I think you realisticly need a 20 grand budget if you take into account a decent purchase price & some more tucked away for the inevitable maintenance-especially so if it's going to be a daily driver. +1
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