Buying a 964

[Porkupine]

I am in the process of buying a 964. Have seen a couple and I am going to have a look at a couple more this week. It has always been my favourite 911 shape so I would rather do it now or never!

Is there anything I should look out for in particular? A complete novice with these so any advice appreciated. Of course will get inspection done. But would like to know any work that is necessary on these and to ascertain whether it has been done. Also any views on how it will feel coming from a modern Porsche as a weekend car.

Many thanks.

[porschemanpat]

Stand-by for the doom merchants.........

[Wild Card 911]

Genenral advice on 964´s could be endless and not neccessarily fitting to the cars you´re looking at, or the car you are looking for.
What cars are you looking at?

[Porkupine]

As an example, this is a new one that has just come up...not seen it yet - and this one is a targa. haven't heard of the dealer either, but what do you think:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4106457.htm

or:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4125078.htm

(although would prefer a coupe, I will go for whichever comes up in best condition)

[Magna]

Best to get an inspection done by someone like Peter Morgan once you have found a nice example.
To get a handle on the basics i would suggest buying a buyers guide from the likes of Adrian Crawford. He sets out the common areas to look at.

You should be able to get a general feel for the car within 5 minutes of viewing or meeting the current owner. Its good to be able to see some recent invoices for some of the larger consumerables. Check with the clutch was last replaced. "original/untouched" cars worry me as immediately i`m thinking suspension and wishbones will need doing if never touched on a 20yr old car.
As a very high level guide check the following (with are more prone to failure)
- Rust around skuttle pannel (windscreen)
- air con working?
- Servce records - you want to see annual servicing rather than mileage servicing (at least for the last few years)
- look for general condition of tyres, brake discs and pads (consumerables but all add up if you have to purchase shortly into your ownership)
- Look under the car for any obvious oil leaks.

If the above all check out then worth getting an inspection done and a leak down/compression down to gauge condition of the engine.

[Wild Card 911]

If you really want a coupe, then stick out till one turns up in the appropriate condition. If you do not value the advantage of open top motoring, save yourself the hassle that a soft top or a targa body intrinsically have. C4´s are easier to find than C2´s - and are only at a disadvantage in terms of weight and the additional componentry that needs to be maintained. Get a specialist to drop the underbody shroud and check the motor for oil leaks and damaged head bolts.
964´s are now reaching the catagory where originality (right wheels, original (non RS) door cards and steering wheel) starts to play a more important role.
Stephen

[SalesManager]

I can go and look at the one at R&W for you on the way home from work, I pass them every day.

In order of desirability
C2 Coupe Manual
C4 Coupe manual

Then cabs, then Targa's. Tip is not to my taste.

[shoestring7]

Potentially this looks good:


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte...


SS7

[Porkupine]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I understand the coupe is most desirable, but I wouldn't be adverse to one of the other models if a decent condition car comes up. Thanks for the offer on the R&W car...I may come back to you on this.

Will keep up the search. Have also thought about 993s, but I suspect finding a decent one is going to cost me quite a bit more. I have been told it is the better car - but I prefer the classic 964 look.

[anonymous-user]

Porkupine said:

I have been told it (993) is the better car

Must be true then.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 6th August 12:53

[ras62]

Tyinsky. Tyres are not half the width of a 997 and if your 964 is using a lot more fuel than a 997 and a liter of oil in 600 miles then something is wrong.
OP get a car inspected unless you know exactly what you are looking for and have access to a lift.

[mr pg]

1L per 600 miles is not normal at all. When I had mine (148k miles when sold), it used nothing like that. That level would be leaking like a sieve.

[davek_964]

Agreed, that amount of oil use is not normal.

In 9 years / 60k miles, I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I needed to top my oil up between services.

[taaffy]

Couple of nice lookers on here

http://www.gmundcars.com/website/home.html

[ras62]

Recommended oil grade varies even with the experts. In like for like driving mpg on a 964 will be comparable to a 997 simply because a 997 weighs between 150-200kg more and the 964 is more aerodynamic due to its small size.

[mr pg]

ras62 said:

Recommended oil grade varies even with the experts. In like for like driving mpg on a 964 will be comparable to a 997 simply because a 997 weighs between 150-200kg more and the 964 is more aerodynamic due to its small size.

I think my 964 drank more than my current 996T (less efficient engine), and it's probably less aerodynamic than a 997, as although smaller, has more upright lights and windscreen, wipers not hidden at, rain gutters, etc. Weight is a factor in favour of the 964 I agree.

[ras62]

I doubt it mr pg, while the headline cd figure is lower due to the factors you mentioned, the cd x frontal area figure cda is higher because the frontal area is so much bigger.

[davek_964]

Perhaps, but I think the comment about fuel is correct. I also think my 964 used more than my 996 turbo does.

[tonycordon]

A nice one here...............http://www.paul-stephens.com/Porsche-911-964-C2-Targa/car3828

[anonymous-user]

ras62 said:

I doubt it mr pg, while the headline cd figure is lower due to the factors you mentioned, the cd x frontal area figure cda is higher because the frontal area is so much bigger.

964
Cd = 0.32
FA = 1.79 sqm
Cda = 0.57

997
Cd = 0.29
FA = 2.01 sqm
Cda = 0.58

So there you go, a slight aero advantage to the smaller 964 (and no doubt rolling resistance will be lower too on the 964 with skinnier tyres and less weight). Obviously the 997 will have a much more efficient engine, but it produces a lot more power and has to haul around a lot more weight. I reckon they are both mid 20s mpg cars in reality.