What would you get - 964RS America or 1973 911S
Discussion
Hi all,
moving over to the US next month and thinking of getting a new weekend car whilst i am there - seen a nice 964RS america with 20K on the clock for £34K or looking at restored 9!!S 1973 2.4S but a lot more expensive at £48K (seems expensive )any thoughts - would import back to the Uk when i head back in 2 years or so - keen on the both i know different cars !! any thoughts ??
moving over to the US next month and thinking of getting a new weekend car whilst i am there - seen a nice 964RS america with 20K on the clock for £34K or looking at restored 9!!S 1973 2.4S but a lot more expensive at £48K (seems expensive )any thoughts - would import back to the Uk when i head back in 2 years or so - keen on the both i know different cars !! any thoughts ??
My 2p.
I know with the older cars that restoration is a neccessity.
With a 15 year old car it's not --- and I'd be careful to cost the resoration as carefully as possible --- I haven't met anybody involved in a resoration who 1. hasn't become emotionally involved and 2. hasn't spent a lot more than they had intended.
But given the originns of the America car, will it be viewed as a real RS back in blighty or ?
They were a cheap C2 when launched originally in the US of A.
I know with the older cars that restoration is a neccessity.
With a 15 year old car it's not --- and I'd be careful to cost the resoration as carefully as possible --- I haven't met anybody involved in a resoration who 1. hasn't become emotionally involved and 2. hasn't spent a lot more than they had intended.
But given the originns of the America car, will it be viewed as a real RS back in blighty or ?
They were a cheap C2 when launched originally in the US of A.
kf1 said:
would import back to the Uk when i head back in 2 years or so
think the market for an S would be better than a US '64 RS when you come to sellalso, not 100% sure but I don't think the US RS is quite the hardcore track machine than the euro version is - one of the '64 guys will be able to confirm the differences
996 Turbos also look very cheap over there but would concur that the mk2 GT3 would be the best bet as the UK (and wider EU) markets would probably be more receptive to LHD 'imports' of that model in the future as compared to any of the more common/less hardcore models.
P.S. Check out your insurance options before you commit top a purchase though as our American cousins are not famous for recognising UK NCD's and it could be very difficult and probably highy expen$ive to get cover.
P.S. Check out your insurance options before you commit top a purchase though as our American cousins are not famous for recognising UK NCD's and it could be very difficult and probably highy expen$ive to get cover.
I'd go for the '73 911S. The 964 RSA is just a de-specced C2 with a whale tail (new, it was cheaper than a C2), and bears no more relationship to a Euro 964RS than a C2. There are a lot of RSA owners on the Rennlist 964 forum - http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=59
- also http://www.rsamerica.net/ gives quite a lot of info on them.
- also http://www.rsamerica.net/ gives quite a lot of info on them.
Our American friends drool over the proper 964RS because the 964RSA does not come close. I don't think you would find a market for the RSA in Blighty if you bought it back. On the other hand you can get very good normal 964s in the US for less than $20K. Bring one of those back and you'll make an easy profit.
Have a look at US based 'Rennlist' for loads of information about prices and thoughts on used Porsches in America.
Have a look at US based 'Rennlist' for loads of information about prices and thoughts on used Porsches in America.
I'm in the rare position of owning both a Euro spec 964RS and a mint '73 2.4S 
First of all they are completely different cars, but I'm sure you know that!
Secondly, as others have mentioned, the US version of the 964RS is rubbish compared to the Euro version and worthless in the UK. So not a good import proposition at all. You certainly won't get your £34K back on one of those. You'd be lucky to make £20K on resale in the UK.
Prices of the 2.4S have rocketed over in the UK over the last year or so, regardless of whether they are LHD or RHD. A mint restored numbers matching Coupe is worth £50-60K now, with prices completely dependent on condition and originality. Obviously there are a lot of dogs around and only the best examples are actually worth these premium prices. So £48K is not silly, providing it's a numbers matching original Coupe in good condition. Now the only bit I'm not sure about is how a US spec 2.4S would be perceived in the UK. You'll need to do some research on spec differences for that model year. It could be worth a LOT less so be careful!
As a comparison a good Euro spec 964RS is also worth around £40-45K now, but that certainly does not apply to the RS America!

First of all they are completely different cars, but I'm sure you know that!
Secondly, as others have mentioned, the US version of the 964RS is rubbish compared to the Euro version and worthless in the UK. So not a good import proposition at all. You certainly won't get your £34K back on one of those. You'd be lucky to make £20K on resale in the UK.
Prices of the 2.4S have rocketed over in the UK over the last year or so, regardless of whether they are LHD or RHD. A mint restored numbers matching Coupe is worth £50-60K now, with prices completely dependent on condition and originality. Obviously there are a lot of dogs around and only the best examples are actually worth these premium prices. So £48K is not silly, providing it's a numbers matching original Coupe in good condition. Now the only bit I'm not sure about is how a US spec 2.4S would be perceived in the UK. You'll need to do some research on spec differences for that model year. It could be worth a LOT less so be careful!
As a comparison a good Euro spec 964RS is also worth around £40-45K now, but that certainly does not apply to the RS America!
The 911S was originally a LHD european model federalised for US market, they apparently have done a complete restoration on it - but its in new york so dont know if i will be able to get over to see it- will be in california - but the 996 Turbo S (i know completely different car!!) is going for just under £50K
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


