Buying Advice

[Chimbat]

I am thinking about investing in a 911 but am no expert. If purchased this would be a second car - typical use weekend trips (with kids) and maybe the occasional track day. I was thinking of a 993 or maybe a 964. I have reasonable flexibility on price but don't want to tie up too many ££ and depreciation a concern too. Advice appreciated.

[hoges11]

Both lovely cars, fun and suprisingly practical for kids up to about 11 in the back. 993 is the enthusiasts favorite "last of the aircooled" and commands quite a premium over the 964 (and even over early 996's). The 964 had a number of niggles when it first came out with oil leaks and a disintegrating flywheel but on any car worth its salt these are now fixed. They are pretty similar to drive and live with, the 964 is a liitle more expensive to service due to the layout. Personally I prefer the look of the 964 and certainly prefer the price, much more car for your money than a 993. I think both are as depreciation proof as you are going to get (its a car not an investment)but other than a few specialist models (964RS 993RS 993GT2 and possibly the 993 TT) I cant see either appreciating despite what the 993 bearded wonders will have you believe.

964 £12 -£16k
993 £18 -£25k

I'd go for a 964, you wont regret it ! (993 is a lot of fun too)

also check out this topic

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Edited by hoges11 on Tuesday 11th September 15:57

[Chimbat]

That is very useful. Thank you. Although I seem to be drifting towards a 964 or a 993 am I missing something through my inexperience? On the 964 vs 993 thread somebody suggested that a 996 might be worth looking at or even an older Carrera. the 997 is easy to rule out - it looks excellent but will cost more than I want to spend on this toy. The only 911 I have driven so far is a 993C2.

[hoges11]

The 996 and 3.2 carrera are very different to the 964/993. The former is undoubtedly a modern sports car, agruably lacking in character and build quality but very nice and comfortable (and great value, I've had two)the 3.2 is a classic porsche hewn from granite and will run for ever but lacking in mod cons that make it an every day motor for anyone other than the real enthusiast. I like the 993 and 964 because they capture enough of the old Porsche character whilst being a relatively modern drive and easy to live with.

[Chimbat]

That confirms a few things for me. I see from your profile you have extensive experience with these. What are your impressions 2wd vs 4wd and turbo vs normally aspirated? I have driven the 993C2 on track a couple of times and thought it was a super car. Once I've narrowed it down a bit I'd like to go and try a couple of alternatives.

[anglebox10]

Never driven a 964 or 993, but had one of the early 996 C2's with factory sports pack.
I thought this was a great drive, fast enough, pretty involving, and not really uncomfortable with the sports suspension.
I beleive 20-25K might get you one ??

[hoges11]

Chimbat said:

That confirms a few things for me. I see from your profile you have extensive experience with these. What are your impressions 2wd vs 4wd and turbo vs normally aspirated? I have driven the 993C2 on track a couple of times and thought it was a super car. Once I've narrowed it down a bit I'd like to go and try a couple of alternatives.

2 v 4WD the purists would go for the 2wd and if you are going to track it thats probably your best bet, personaly dont think there's so much difference in how they drive nowadays and as a 15+ year old car there is as much difference in handling between individual cars based on their condition as between the 2's and 4's.

Turbo V NA, In the 964 the NA cars feel livelier and more raw for day to day driving the turbo is a wild think only if you keep the revs right up, otherwise its a far more sedate drive. I enjoyed them both but it took a while to get used to how to drive the turbo and comming from the C4 I was a little disappointed at first.