Discussion
Hi all,
I am currently looking to purchase a 964 and have seen a few over the last few days to get a feel for what I would get for £15k. I am hoping to use it as my second car with at least one 100 mile trip a week in it so it needs to be reliable. And this I where I have got stuck.
I have seen a manual '90(H)C2 Cabriolet on 112k which is in need of major cosmetic work (mostly paint and some replacement interior trim) however, has got a full service history and had a top end rebuild at 66k. This is curently being offered for £11k.
The second is a C4 Coupe on 101k which is cosmetically mint however, the engine appears never to have been rebuilt! On inspection the car has a few mior oil leaks from the bottom of the engine on to the tray however the pressure is good and levels are maintained. This is curretly being offered for £14k.
One is definately a restoration project and I would have £3/4k to spend on the car - the other drives well and is my ideal (a coupe) however, I am not sure on the mechanical side of it? If the car has survived ths long without a rebuild are the small leaks something which will get worse over time or will the car require a rebuild? If so, how much would this cost?
Does anyone have any advice for the new boy?
Thanks in advnace
I am currently looking to purchase a 964 and have seen a few over the last few days to get a feel for what I would get for £15k. I am hoping to use it as my second car with at least one 100 mile trip a week in it so it needs to be reliable. And this I where I have got stuck.
I have seen a manual '90(H)C2 Cabriolet on 112k which is in need of major cosmetic work (mostly paint and some replacement interior trim) however, has got a full service history and had a top end rebuild at 66k. This is curently being offered for £11k.
The second is a C4 Coupe on 101k which is cosmetically mint however, the engine appears never to have been rebuilt! On inspection the car has a few mior oil leaks from the bottom of the engine on to the tray however the pressure is good and levels are maintained. This is curretly being offered for £14k.
One is definately a restoration project and I would have £3/4k to spend on the car - the other drives well and is my ideal (a coupe) however, I am not sure on the mechanical side of it? If the car has survived ths long without a rebuild are the small leaks something which will get worse over time or will the car require a rebuild? If so, how much would this cost?
Does anyone have any advice for the new boy?
Thanks in advnace
Im gunna put a kevlar jacket on and say it,, the 964 must be the worst car porsche have ever made,
ive have owned over the years 15ish porsches that was the most unreliable car ive ever owned, As for the oil leaks they come as standard,before everyone says i bought a old banger, when i bought the car it was 4 years old & very low milage with opc history,i gave the car to a porsche speciallist(who prep racing porkies) to sort out & it came to 5K many years ago.. dont do it 911sc/ Carrera miles better car and reliable,,,Sorry 964 owner
ive have owned over the years 15ish porsches that was the most unreliable car ive ever owned, As for the oil leaks they come as standard,before everyone says i bought a old banger, when i bought the car it was 4 years old & very low milage with opc history,i gave the car to a porsche speciallist(who prep racing porkies) to sort out & it came to 5K many years ago.. dont do it 911sc/ Carrera miles better car and reliable,,,Sorry 964 owner
I would advise that you need to look at a few and take someone with you who knows their stuff (and/or get a PPI). Rebuilds are a good thing although it doesn't mean the car is going to be perfect. Likewise, one without a rebuild may be running great and unlikely to need one for some time. You must buy on condition - which is a balance between bodywork and mechanicals - and then factor in any likely work. 964s can be very reliable (I've had three, all without problem) as long as you buy with your eyes open. The Cabriolet sounds a bit cheap and the C4 maybe a bit expensive but you can never really tell unless you go and see the car and give it thorough going over. Many 964s (and other 911s) will have various oil leaks/weeps - a totally dry engine is a rare thing. But an oil leak doesn't have to mean a disaster, many can be lived with and won't necessarily be a time-bomb. Really large/fast leaks tend to be less worrying as they are most likely from oil-pipes rather than the engine and can be cheaper to fix (although oil pipes aren't necessarily cheap so don't rely on this!).
When looking at service history there are a few things to really take note of. A regular and full service history is a real must as nothing protects an engine better than proper servicing. Then hunt for any big jobs - rebuild (most likely just the top-end as the bottom tends to be very solid), gearbox rebuild (may be done at the same time), clutch. Bodywork-wise, 964s tend to be more solid than the impact bumper cars (and they're not as old) but still need careful checking the common places - sills/kidney bowls, front/rear screens, headlight surrounds. And as with all cars, check the usual places for signs of previous 'knocks' - get the carpet up under the bonnet and check the inner wings for starters.
I would suggest you'd benefit from driving a few so you get a feel for how a good one drives. It should be very solid with a firm and direct gearchange, brakes should be very solid, engine should be smoke-free (although a few puffs on start-up after it's been sitting a while is generally ok unless it's big or lasts).
Anyway, I've been interrupted 3 times whilst writing this post so there's probably been better posts already giving you advice!
Great choice of car, good luck.
When looking at service history there are a few things to really take note of. A regular and full service history is a real must as nothing protects an engine better than proper servicing. Then hunt for any big jobs - rebuild (most likely just the top-end as the bottom tends to be very solid), gearbox rebuild (may be done at the same time), clutch. Bodywork-wise, 964s tend to be more solid than the impact bumper cars (and they're not as old) but still need careful checking the common places - sills/kidney bowls, front/rear screens, headlight surrounds. And as with all cars, check the usual places for signs of previous 'knocks' - get the carpet up under the bonnet and check the inner wings for starters.
I would suggest you'd benefit from driving a few so you get a feel for how a good one drives. It should be very solid with a firm and direct gearchange, brakes should be very solid, engine should be smoke-free (although a few puffs on start-up after it's been sitting a while is generally ok unless it's big or lasts).
Anyway, I've been interrupted 3 times whilst writing this post so there's probably been better posts already giving you advice!
Great choice of car, good luck.
The coupe will run and run and run. As long as it doesn't lose too much power it will give you another 50K miles before you need to rebuild it IMO. Look on leaks as a positive - you will have to keep topping up so the oil will always be fresher; the oil will create a nice film keeping the back end corrosion free too. My nightmare is a car needing cosmetic work and rust on a 964 fits that bill for me.
If you like the coupe, get it checked out but ask some more questions of the vendor and ask to see the service history. Also, remember that the rear undertray traps leaking oil so its impossible to say if you are looking at a week, a month or a year's worth.
And IMO the worst car Porsche ever built is the 3.2 as it has all the subtlety and charm of a Ford Anglia and is about as sophisticated. I hated mine.
If you like the coupe, get it checked out but ask some more questions of the vendor and ask to see the service history. Also, remember that the rear undertray traps leaking oil so its impossible to say if you are looking at a week, a month or a year's worth.
And IMO the worst car Porsche ever built is the 3.2 as it has all the subtlety and charm of a Ford Anglia and is about as sophisticated. I hated mine.
Edited by rlw on Sunday 22 August 17:16
kusee pee said:
I would advise that you need to look at a few and take someone with you who knows their stuff (and/or get a PPI). Rebuilds are a good thing although it doesn't mean the car is going to be perfect. Likewise, one without a rebuild may be running great and unlikely to need one for some time. You must buy on condition - which is a balance between bodywork and mechanicals - and then factor in any likely work. 964s can be very reliable (I've had three, all without problem) as long as you buy with your eyes open. The Cabriolet sounds a bit cheap and the C4 maybe a bit expensive but you can never really tell unless you go and see the car and give it thorough going over. Many 964s (and other 911s) will have various oil leaks/weeps - a totally dry engine is a rare thing. But an oil leak doesn't have to mean a disaster, many can be lived with and won't necessarily be a time-bomb. Really large/fast leaks tend to be less worrying as they are most likely from oil-pipes rather than the engine and can be cheaper to fix (although oil pipes aren't necessarily cheap so don't rely on this!).
When looking at service history there are a few things to really take note of. A regular and full service history is a real must as nothing protects an engine better than proper servicing. Then hunt for any big jobs - rebuild (most likely just the top-end as the bottom tends to be very solid), gearbox rebuild (may be done at the same time), clutch. Bodywork-wise, 964s tend to be more solid than the impact bumper cars (and they're not as old) but still need careful checking the common places - sills/kidney bowls, front/rear screens, headlight surrounds. And as with all cars, check the usual places for signs of previous 'knocks' - get the carpet up under the bonnet and check the inner wings for starters.
I would suggest you'd benefit from driving a few so you get a feel for how a good one drives. It should be very solid with a firm and direct gearchange, brakes should be very solid, engine should be smoke-free (although a few puffs on start-up after it's been sitting a while is generally ok unless it's big or lasts).
Anyway, I've been interrupted 3 times whilst writing this post so there's probably been better posts already giving you advice!
Great choice of car, good luck.
Some great advice there.When looking at service history there are a few things to really take note of. A regular and full service history is a real must as nothing protects an engine better than proper servicing. Then hunt for any big jobs - rebuild (most likely just the top-end as the bottom tends to be very solid), gearbox rebuild (may be done at the same time), clutch. Bodywork-wise, 964s tend to be more solid than the impact bumper cars (and they're not as old) but still need careful checking the common places - sills/kidney bowls, front/rear screens, headlight surrounds. And as with all cars, check the usual places for signs of previous 'knocks' - get the carpet up under the bonnet and check the inner wings for starters.
I would suggest you'd benefit from driving a few so you get a feel for how a good one drives. It should be very solid with a firm and direct gearchange, brakes should be very solid, engine should be smoke-free (although a few puffs on start-up after it's been sitting a while is generally ok unless it's big or lasts).
Anyway, I've been interrupted 3 times whilst writing this post so there's probably been better posts already giving you advice!
Great choice of car, good luck.
964`s really are great cars, but if people have had bad example then I could see how they could hate them. After viewing 2-3 you will start to see which are good and which aren`t.
Edited by turbo964 on Monday 23 August 16:02
youll only ever hear about them when they go wrong rather than when nothing is wrong at all - human nature. i had mine for just over one year and regret selling it - no issues whatsover and would buy one again without hesitation.
all usual warnings etc but as with all of them they have their achilles heels - just make sure you know what they are and spend that few hundred on the ppi - could save you a ton in the long run.
all usual warnings etc but as with all of them they have their achilles heels - just make sure you know what they are and spend that few hundred on the ppi - could save you a ton in the long run.
964's are great cars. The RMS is really the only issue with the car. I had mine for a year and really do miss it. The last of the old classic shape. It really was an everyday car, which coped well in all circumstances. I would recommend a 964 even though some shy away from them, due to the RMS. Each to their own. A great buy.
I've had mine for 5 years. Went through the pain of engine rebuilds, new suspension, replacing perished hoses, bit of paint here and there etc. All to be expected I guess for a 20yr old car with over 100K on the clock and that hadn’t had major work prior to my ownership.
In all honesty the first 18 months were a complete ball ache and damned expensive but the 3.5 years since then have been bliss and cheap motoring. In the second period oil changes every 6K for have cost about 250 quid and major services every 12K less than 900 quid with a few sundries thrown in.
My advice would be to either go in with your eyes open and a big rainy day fund or pay the premium upfront and get a cherished and sorted one.
Lovely cars.
Cheers,
James
In all honesty the first 18 months were a complete ball ache and damned expensive but the 3.5 years since then have been bliss and cheap motoring. In the second period oil changes every 6K for have cost about 250 quid and major services every 12K less than 900 quid with a few sundries thrown in.
My advice would be to either go in with your eyes open and a big rainy day fund or pay the premium upfront and get a cherished and sorted one.
Lovely cars.
Cheers,
James
grandadg90 said:
964's are great cars. The RMS is really the only issue with the car.
Really? That doesn't seem a common complaint. The one that gave them their original reputation was no sealing rings for the cylinders. Most will have been sorted by now though.There are loads of things to be done on a 964. So to echo the previous poster, either find one that's had shed loads spent on it in an anally retentive fashion or have a big fund to do it yourself.
Bert
yellowgriff said:
Im gunna put a kevlar jacket on and say it,, the 964 must be the worst car porsche have ever made,
ive have owned over the years 15ish porsches that was the most unreliable car ive ever owned, As for the oil leaks they come as standard,before everyone says i bought a old banger, when i bought the car it was 4 years old & very low milage with opc history,i gave the car to a porsche speciallist(who prep racing porkies) to sort out & it came to 5K many years ago.. dont do it 911sc/ Carrera miles better car and reliable,,,Sorry 964 owner
Hmm, well I've owned 2 and must just have been lucky in that case - more complex than the earlier cars certainly and thus potentially more to go wrong, but like all Porsches, there is no such thing as a cheap one.ive have owned over the years 15ish porsches that was the most unreliable car ive ever owned, As for the oil leaks they come as standard,before everyone says i bought a old banger, when i bought the car it was 4 years old & very low milage with opc history,i gave the car to a porsche speciallist(who prep racing porkies) to sort out & it came to 5K many years ago.. dont do it 911sc/ Carrera miles better car and reliable,,,Sorry 964 owner
Always but always get any prospective car inspected by your local independant and insist on a leakdown test (not compression test) to give you a feel for the condition of the engine. I bought my last one, knowing that it needed at least a top end rebuild, but Porsche parts prices are like that Yaz song (only way is up) so you will never be able to either restore or run one on a shoestring.
These were £50k+ cars when new, so you need to allow for the assoicated running costs.
That said, buy one that has been loved with lots and lots of recent invoices and you should not have any nightmares.
Edited by appletonn on Tuesday 24th August 14:11
Well done Rich. Enjoy mate. I have owned a fair few air cooled 911's over the years. I have never owned a bad one but that is because I really do my home work. I know the cars well. I have many friends in the trade both sales and service and always listen to sound advice. Never let your heart rule your head.
enjoy your car ! i've had mine for 4 years and am going through similar thing to James, I've just spent a load on new wings and a full respray and this week had the news that i need a top end rebuild. It is costing a lot, but i plan to keep it, and it's great to drive.....especially as my daily drive is a big van and a merc w124 !, not sure which is the most dynamic out of the later two !
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