Discussion
I’m thinking about one of these as my next Porsche, a 3.3 not a 3.6.
Would be interested to hear from any current/previous owners about their experiences with the car.
My first ride in a Porsche was a nearly new 930 when I was 11 and the first Porsche I drove myself was a 930. Since then I’ve owned a 996 Turbo and a 997 Turbo. I do love Turbos!!
I was thinking of a 930 but thought the 964 maybe a better car due to the improvements.
Any advice would be greatly received. I’ve looked through all the ads for cars currently on the market but if anyone knows of any others then please let me know.
Would be interested to hear from any current/previous owners about their experiences with the car.
My first ride in a Porsche was a nearly new 930 when I was 11 and the first Porsche I drove myself was a 930. Since then I’ve owned a 996 Turbo and a 997 Turbo. I do love Turbos!!
I was thinking of a 930 but thought the 964 maybe a better car due to the improvements.
Any advice would be greatly received. I’ve looked through all the ads for cars currently on the market but if anyone knows of any others then please let me know.
CQ8 said:
I’m thinking about one of these as my next Porsche, a 3.3 not a 3.6.
Would be interested to hear from any current/previous owners about their experiences with the car.
My first ride in a Porsche was a nearly new 930 when I was 11 and the first Porsche I drove myself was a 930. Since then I’ve owned a 996 Turbo and a 997 Turbo. I do love Turbos!!
I was thinking of a 930 but thought the 964 maybe a better car due to the improvements.
Any advice would be greatly received. I’ve looked through all the ads for cars currently on the market but if anyone knows of any others then please let me know.
Porsche didnt develop the engine much between the 930 to 964 so dont expect much change in that department - still a very oldschool setup. Would be interested to hear from any current/previous owners about their experiences with the car.
My first ride in a Porsche was a nearly new 930 when I was 11 and the first Porsche I drove myself was a 930. Since then I’ve owned a 996 Turbo and a 997 Turbo. I do love Turbos!!
I was thinking of a 930 but thought the 964 maybe a better car due to the improvements.
Any advice would be greatly received. I’ve looked through all the ads for cars currently on the market but if anyone knows of any others then please let me know.
As you say though the rest of the car did get some updates (gearbox / coilovers / abs / power steering etc) which do make it feel a bit more modern than a 930. Interior wise not much was changed and apart from the raised tunnel and cup mirrors you could almost still be sat in a 930.
So I guess it comes down to which one you prefer the look of, both great cars and a whole heap of fun to drive.
Good luck with the search.
I had a 3.6 Turbo that I imported from New Zealand and had completely restored, it was showroom fresh and was without doubt the most beautiful 911 to my eyes ever. I Loved the flared arches and the Speedline wheels. I lowered it slightly as I felt it sat too high from the factory. It was visual perfection to me.
However, I found I didn’t drive it as much as I thought I would; it took a particular driving style to feel “right” and worked best for me as a grand tourer ; for this it was brilliant.
I felt it needed very smooth linear inputs to feel “right” but I never ever felt like, it was “on song” - I know one would argue this is the case for all cars but somehow I just couldn’t gel with it. It was a hard car to wring out by the scruff of its neck, not like my 73 RS which feels light and agile - the Turbo always felt “heavy” in comparison somehow.
Now, this may well be down to user error, but either way I had to let it go as I got frustrated by this ; however, I still look at them and melt.
I wonder if the 930 would have felt lighter and more agile - there’s a thought : anyone driven both ?
However, I found I didn’t drive it as much as I thought I would; it took a particular driving style to feel “right” and worked best for me as a grand tourer ; for this it was brilliant.
I felt it needed very smooth linear inputs to feel “right” but I never ever felt like, it was “on song” - I know one would argue this is the case for all cars but somehow I just couldn’t gel with it. It was a hard car to wring out by the scruff of its neck, not like my 73 RS which feels light and agile - the Turbo always felt “heavy” in comparison somehow.
Now, this may well be down to user error, but either way I had to let it go as I got frustrated by this ; however, I still look at them and melt.
I wonder if the 930 would have felt lighter and more agile - there’s a thought : anyone driven both ?
Thanks for all the replies so far.
I do like the old school turbo engine and the way it delivers the power. I can still vividly remember the first time I drove a 930 15 years ago and planted the throttle in second coming down a motorway slip road!
RSVP911 - Yes, I understand exactly your point. The turbos are definitely more GT cars rather than out and out sports cars like your '73 RS (
btw!). But that's what I like about them. It doesn't sound too dissimilar to the 996 Turbo and 997 Turbo in that respect.
Looking up the weight difference (all figures from Total 911 which claims to take their numbers from Porsche), the 964 Turbo is heavier. It weighs 1470kg vs the 930 at 1300kg, although it says from 1985 the 930 weighed 1335kg. Though the 964 3.3 is slightly more powerful, 320 bhp vs 300bhp.
The 964 Turbo S solves the excess weight issue, coming in at 1290kg and having 381 bhp, but they only made 81 and they are way out of my price range!
I was surprised that the 964 Turbo seems to be by far the rarest in terms of numbers build, which perhaps would explain why there are fewer on sale:
964 3.3 Turbo - 3660
964 3.6 Turbo - 1437
964 3.6 Turbo S - 81
Total - 5178
930 3 litre - 2850
930 3.3 litre 78-83 - 5807
930 3.3 litre 84-89 - 11,135
930 LE - 50
930 SE - 50
Total - 19,892
993 Turbo - 5937
993 Turbo S - 345
Total - 6282
Perhaps that's a factor of what was happening in world economies at the time? The boom of the 1980's followed by recession in the early 1990's?
I do like the old school turbo engine and the way it delivers the power. I can still vividly remember the first time I drove a 930 15 years ago and planted the throttle in second coming down a motorway slip road!
RSVP911 - Yes, I understand exactly your point. The turbos are definitely more GT cars rather than out and out sports cars like your '73 RS (
btw!). But that's what I like about them. It doesn't sound too dissimilar to the 996 Turbo and 997 Turbo in that respect.Looking up the weight difference (all figures from Total 911 which claims to take their numbers from Porsche), the 964 Turbo is heavier. It weighs 1470kg vs the 930 at 1300kg, although it says from 1985 the 930 weighed 1335kg. Though the 964 3.3 is slightly more powerful, 320 bhp vs 300bhp.
The 964 Turbo S solves the excess weight issue, coming in at 1290kg and having 381 bhp, but they only made 81 and they are way out of my price range!
I was surprised that the 964 Turbo seems to be by far the rarest in terms of numbers build, which perhaps would explain why there are fewer on sale:
964 3.3 Turbo - 3660
964 3.6 Turbo - 1437
964 3.6 Turbo S - 81
Total - 5178
930 3 litre - 2850
930 3.3 litre 78-83 - 5807
930 3.3 litre 84-89 - 11,135
930 LE - 50
930 SE - 50
Total - 19,892
993 Turbo - 5937
993 Turbo S - 345
Total - 6282
Perhaps that's a factor of what was happening in world economies at the time? The boom of the 1980's followed by recession in the early 1990's?
CQ8 said:
Perhaps that's a factor of what was happening in world economies at the time? The boom of the 1980's followed by recession in the early 1990's?
930 production ran for many more years than the 964:930 1975-1989 = 14 years. 19,892 / 14 = 1,063 p/a
964 1989-1994 = 05 years. 5,178 / 05 = 1,035 p/a
Roughly the same produced per year just a shorter run for the 964.
Maybe if you like both equally just try to find the best you can of either car within you budget - they both have their charms.
CQ8 said:
Thanks for all the replies so far.
I do like the old school turbo engine and the way it delivers the power. I can still vividly remember the first time I drove a 930 15 years ago and planted the throttle in second coming down a motorway slip road!
RSVP911 - Yes, I understand exactly your point. The turbos are definitely more GT cars rather than out and out sports cars like your '73 RS ( btw!). But that's what I like about them. It doesn't sound too dissimilar to the 996 Turbo and 997 Turbo in that respect.
Looking up the weight difference (all figures from Total 911 which claims to take their numbers from Porsche), the 964 Turbo is heavier. It weighs 1470kg vs the 930 at 1300kg, although it says from 1985 the 930 weighed 1335kg. Though the 964 3.3 is slightly more powerful, 320 bhp vs 300bhp.
The 964 Turbo S solves the excess weight issue, coming in at 1290kg and having 381 bhp, but they only made 81 and they are way out of my price range!
I was surprised that the 964 Turbo seems to be by far the rarest in terms of numbers build, which perhaps would explain why there are fewer on sale:
964 3.3 Turbo - 3660
964 3.6 Turbo - 1437
964 3.6 Turbo S - 81
Total - 5178
930 3 litre - 2850
930 3.3 litre 78-83 - 5807
930 3.3 litre 84-89 - 11,135
930 LE - 50
930 SE - 50
Total - 19,892
993 Turbo - 5937
993 Turbo S - 345
Total - 6282
Perhaps that's a factor of what was happening in world economies at the time? The boom of the 1980's followed by recession in the early 1990's?
Thanks interesting post. I do like the old school turbo engine and the way it delivers the power. I can still vividly remember the first time I drove a 930 15 years ago and planted the throttle in second coming down a motorway slip road!
RSVP911 - Yes, I understand exactly your point. The turbos are definitely more GT cars rather than out and out sports cars like your '73 RS (
btw!). But that's what I like about them. It doesn't sound too dissimilar to the 996 Turbo and 997 Turbo in that respect.Looking up the weight difference (all figures from Total 911 which claims to take their numbers from Porsche), the 964 Turbo is heavier. It weighs 1470kg vs the 930 at 1300kg, although it says from 1985 the 930 weighed 1335kg. Though the 964 3.3 is slightly more powerful, 320 bhp vs 300bhp.
The 964 Turbo S solves the excess weight issue, coming in at 1290kg and having 381 bhp, but they only made 81 and they are way out of my price range!
I was surprised that the 964 Turbo seems to be by far the rarest in terms of numbers build, which perhaps would explain why there are fewer on sale:
964 3.3 Turbo - 3660
964 3.6 Turbo - 1437
964 3.6 Turbo S - 81
Total - 5178
930 3 litre - 2850
930 3.3 litre 78-83 - 5807
930 3.3 litre 84-89 - 11,135
930 LE - 50
930 SE - 50
Total - 19,892
993 Turbo - 5937
993 Turbo S - 345
Total - 6282
Perhaps that's a factor of what was happening in world economies at the time? The boom of the 1980's followed by recession in the early 1990's?
Sounds like a 964 Turbo S solves it as you say - really pleased they are so excessable and cheap
Re the 3.6 - I may be wrong, but I think they only made about 150 in RHD and a significant amount were sent to the Sultan of Brunei and are no more & as such there are only about 100 RHD’s left.
Good luck
Jevvy said:
930 production ran for many more years than the 964:
930 1975-1989 = 14 years. 19,892 / 14 = 1,063 p/a
964 1989-1994 = 05 years. 5,178 / 05 = 1,035 p/a
Roughly the same produced per year just a shorter run for the 964.
Maybe if you like both equally just try to find the best you can of either car within you budget - they both have their charms.
Doh! Yes, of course they did make the 930 for a lot longer. 930 1975-1989 = 14 years. 19,892 / 14 = 1,063 p/a
964 1989-1994 = 05 years. 5,178 / 05 = 1,035 p/a
Roughly the same produced per year just a shorter run for the 964.
Maybe if you like both equally just try to find the best you can of either car within you budget - they both have their charms.
You are right, they are both excellent choices.
Prices for 964's seem to start at £90k, 930's around £75k for something useable but needing work.
Back in late 2004, i almost took the plunge on a very nice black metalic J reg 964 Turbo. It was a German import and was up for £18,000.
I spent a few hours driving it with the owner alongside. It went well and yes, i loved it.....BUT, compared to the well sorted 3.2 Carrera i was using as a daily, the 964 was quicker, but felt much heavier, unwealdy and in no way was it a “ Drivers Car”. It was a point and quirt car and a Huge occasion to drive, but around the lanes it felt like it really wasnt happy and would bite if provoked. I needed to shift a lovely low miles Cooper S in order to buy the 964, but no one wanted the S, so i lost the Turbo. Often wonder what happened to it 🤔
I spent a few hours driving it with the owner alongside. It went well and yes, i loved it.....BUT, compared to the well sorted 3.2 Carrera i was using as a daily, the 964 was quicker, but felt much heavier, unwealdy and in no way was it a “ Drivers Car”. It was a point and quirt car and a Huge occasion to drive, but around the lanes it felt like it really wasnt happy and would bite if provoked. I needed to shift a lovely low miles Cooper S in order to buy the 964, but no one wanted the S, so i lost the Turbo. Often wonder what happened to it 🤔
I had a 3,3 back when they were a fraction of the price. Like above, I loved the look but never really enjoyed driving it. Sure the boost was addictive but i was always limited on the country lanes by my own lack of driving ability. I did have the engine rebuilt and tweaked the warm up regulator and a few other things and that made the boost come on earlier and was a big improvement.
Best advice is go a and view a few as condition will vary massively.
I still have a set of the 3.6 speedlines in the garage that I was keeping if i ever bought another 964 but while prices may be dropping slightly they aren`t coming back to the good old days so may put them up of sale. In my opinion the Speedline wheels totally transform the looks.
Best advice is go a and view a few as condition will vary massively.
I still have a set of the 3.6 speedlines in the garage that I was keeping if i ever bought another 964 but while prices may be dropping slightly they aren`t coming back to the good old days so may put them up of sale. In my opinion the Speedline wheels totally transform the looks.
RSR engineering always said the 3.3 was put together with a number of parts they already had and was not a very good car but the 3.6 was designed for the job and was many times better as a sports car whereas the 3.3 was a long distance tourer....I have not driven either so cannot say myself.
from memory the boost never came in fully to about 4K on a 964 3.3. 3K on a 3.6 and with a few minor tweaks you would always be on boost through the gears. 3.3 is the more tuneable engine. Back in the day I did some 20mph pulls in a 3.6 against a 3.3 with a 1 bar spring and a 993 turbo 4. The 3.6 walked it every time until the marshall's at Silverstone stopped play as quite a crowd had gathered. It felt heavy but I think that was a lot to do with steering weight.
Wonder if this is the J reg Turbo that I tried to buy in Essex in 2004 ??
The German History file looks to be as I remembered it, but when I drove it, it was on split rims ( which looked way better than these Cups )
£90,000 grand......it could have been mine for £19,000......or a tad less.
Has anyone viewed it ?
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