Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me About 964's?

[jaudette3]

I recently acquired a '91 964 C4 Coupe - and I'm utterly surprised at how impressed I am with it. I bought it as a utility vehicle to use as my daily driver here in Central Oregon in our snowy winter. I had *no* idea what a fine car it is. Fun to drive, fun to work on, fun to look at - and at a fraction of the cost of a, say, 993.

I've had three 993's and, while I like the looks, I was never really impressed with them. I found myself getting in one of my early cars rather than the 993's more often than not, and I ended up selling each of the 993's. Now I find myself getting into the 964. It's just a pleasure to drive - a bit more intimate and primal than the 993. And I really like the boxy, pre-rice look with the Ferry fenders. I agree with others who have termed it the last of the 911's.

And what a versatile car. It's equally useful as a grocery getter, a GT cruiser, a back roads carver, or a track runner. I'm impressed. The longer I'm around these cars the more I realize that there is very little correlation between price and the quality of the experience of a particular car/model. 964's are fantastic cars - for throw-away money.

Cheers,
JohnA

[super9064]

They are a great car, I so regret selling my RS America. 964s are such an improvement over the 3.2 Carrera.

John, if you really want to be impressed, "add some lightness". I replaced the very heavy seats with RS Recaros, cup exhaust, ditched the rear storage compartment/shelf, and put on a RSR aluminum hood. Also added a OEM cup suspension, and the Magnesium RS wheels, on&on&on...

The car was fantastic, it was like a cup car with A/C

[mrbeverlyhills]

Don't do anything. Drive it as is, this is the sleeper Porsche to me. I have a 73 911 I love but at age 50 I am old enough to really enjoy an A/C that spits out ice cubes, that will go into any gear WHEN YOU SAY SO, rattle free cabin with full leather and 4 way speakers.

Driving is a dream too with power oversteer anytime, brakes like anchors and all with the same great view through the twin headlight tunnels. It is not an AutoXer but did great at SOW and I appreciate the previous member's comment about lightness but the ride back to LA from Rosamond wouldn't have been as civilized; I stopped at Whole Foods and did the weekly shopping, lined up 12 bags on the folded rear seats.

I got mine pretty much as is for $15,000 which I agree is throw away money especially as it is so clean! You can't get a decent 84-89 for less than $20,000 and they aren't as good! I have had both.

I agree the rear bumpers put me off at first over the years but I love them now. The car was a mule for the 993 and design was not widely accepted by the Porsche crowd at the time but there is a rabid following now (Rennlist.com). I think this is like the Middie 75,76,77 cars only even more misunderstood and CHEAPER! I encourage anyone to get one while they are still being given away and don't let mileage scare you, the motors are the last of 30 years of development and run like watches.

Purposefully I have not done the usual to the car and thrown out all the luxury, I have a 2.7 spec 73 for that, run over a dime in that and you can tell if it was heads or tails. The whole point for me is to appreciate it as is and use it often, I feel sorry for the guys that rush out and drop $7,000 into one so they can go around cones faster. I did add 17" Turbo Twists so I am not a complete stockaholic.

Really, no offence meant for those of you who add lightness per Sir Colin, it is often a wonderful thing but when you realize the wife loves to drive it too (and CANNOT hurt it) keep it simple and don't touch a thing.
( You can also, uh...you know....buy lots of 911 stuff, saying it is for the 964....and not like....get busted or anything)

[boxster03]

Yes considered the finest Porsche model ever made WTF

[dmundy]

I like both the 993 and 964's for what they are. One thing to watch out for is the 4wd models, should you opt for one are vastly different. The 993 went to a viscous coupling system that is far superior to the electronically controlled system in the 964. For those of us on Houston, the AC is quite a bit better in the 993.

I have a 1996 993 turbo that used to belong to my father. If it was not for the emotional connection I'd probably have a 964.

Oh and we didn't tell you because you wouldn't have listened anyway!

[Chris Tallon]

Hellooooo.... Yes.....964's are cool, retro, cheap, fast, fun, totally exploitable, moddable, great to look at etc. The 964 Cup series proves what amazing cars these can be with some effort. I looked 6 months for mine and finally pulled the trigger a year ago. GPW C2 on Black. I Looooovvvve it. I find any reason to drive it. I still have the 73, that as Christian say's is capable of telescoping the heads/tails side of a coin through my fingertips on the road, but is sadly more often relegated to sit quietly in the garage.

The 964 is truly the last of the breed!!!

[jtkkz]

964's are great cars, I use to own a '91 964 C2 coupe and sold to a friend who lives in central Oregon.