Hardest decision ever 964 v 996.

[Moffman]

The dramatic title pretty much describes it.

I'm in the market for a new daily driver/enjoyment car, and after about 6 months of research I've decided on either a 964 C2 or a 996 C2.

Everyday I constantly switch back from both cars, thats why I want to hear some of your opinions. The 996 would obviously be the better DD but I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much as the 964, and air cooled flat six is orgasmic.

Unfortunately I have only been able to test drive the 996 and that was when I was about 9 years old, I have though been fortunate enough to be a passenger in a 964 and it was pretty amazing. Anyone ever driven a 964 and a 996 and what was your thoughts on each?

(**** every time I make a thread I have a 3 page essay in my head but it comes out trimmed, any extra info I'm forgetting I'll add it in as I go.)

[Nehmaiz]

The dramatic title pretty much describes it.

I'm in the market for a new daily driver/enjoyment car, and after about 6 months of research I've decided on either a 964 C2 or a 996 C2.

Everyday I constantly switch back from both cars, thats why I want to hear some of your opinions. The 996 would obviously be the better DD but I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much as the 964, and air cooled flat six is orgasmic.

Unfortunately I have only been able to test drive the 996 and that was when I was about 9 years old, I have though been fortunate enough to be a passenger in a 964 and it was pretty amazing. Anyone ever driven a 964 and a 996 and what was your thoughts on each?

(**** every time I make a thread I have a 3 page essay in my head but it comes out trimmed, any extra info I'm forgetting I'll add it in as I go.)

For day to day driving i would definitely recommend the 996, if you were planning on driving the car on weekends or everyonce in a while i would go for the 964...

the ideal situation would be to have both parked in the garage :cheers:

[E Kap]

I would also go with the 996. You will have less maintanence problems in the long run. I can't speak for the 964, but I had an air cooled 928 in the past and the car would overheat when the weather got hot and the car was stopped or slowed down. Trust me, no matter how much "fun" a car is, there is nothing fun about the temperature gauge inching up as you sit at a red light.

The dramatic title pretty much describes it.

I'm in the market for a new daily driver/enjoyment car, and after about 6 months of research I've decided on either a 964 C2 or a 996 C2.

Everyday I constantly switch back from both cars, thats why I want to hear some of your opinions. The 996 would obviously be the better DD but I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much as the 964, and air cooled flat six is orgasmic.

Unfortunately I have only been able to test drive the 996 and that was when I was about 9 years old, I have though been fortunate enough to be a passenger in a 964 and it was pretty amazing. Anyone ever driven a 964 and a 996 and what was your thoughts on each?

(**** every time I make a thread I have a 3 page essay in my head but it comes out trimmed, any extra info I'm forgetting I'll add it in as I go.)

For day to day driving i would definitely recommend the 996, if you were planning on driving the car on weekends or everyonce in a while i would go for the 964...

the ideal situation would be to have both parked in the garage :cheers:

[Dharn55]

No such thing as an air cooled 928, they were all water cooled V8's, but did have a tendency to overheat. If you want AC that really works go for the 996.

[E Kap]

Yeah, I guess your right. I was thinking about the fan in front of the radiator, which went on when it decided to. Use to overheat often.

No such thing as an air cooled 928, they were all water cooled V8's, but did have a tendency to overheat. If you want AC that really works go for the 996.

[wvicary]

You really need to drive both several times to get the measure of things. You might not be keen on certain points after the test drives which should help with your decision.

[bmohr]

Just did this so I figured I would chime in. Daily driver was a 1999 c4 for 3 years. Got it up to 140k miles with just minor component repairs. Engine was still strong when I sold it. Great cars. Just bought a 964 and love it. A little tigher feel, connectedness. Much better engine feel. Many performance upgrades including short shifter kit, but I would say the shifting was easier in the 996. 964 has a much better coasting feel. Meaning you slingshot into 6th and if you let off the gas it almost feels like it increases in speed unlike my 996 which would slow down much more without the gas engaged. Yes, my 964 had a 1992 engine put in with a 993 6 spd tranny. Um, the controls for the 964 aircon blow. The defrost works slowly, the aircon as noted is very weak. Water intrusion happens more in the 964(although technically it shouldn't of course). Much more difficult learning curve for wrenching on the 964. So, besides the negatives the driving experience almost puts it above the 996. The ride is absolutely thrilling, however daily driver concerns do weigh against it for the reasons noted. Less hassles and little annoyances I think in the long term with the 996, but then again those do have exploding engine syndrome to deal with:). I hope you find what you are looking for. Best of luck! Oh, and one more thing to consider. YOu will find more support for repairing your 996 here at renntech than the 964. Not much activity here for those models.

[AirMontana]

It took me 2 years of research on auto trader and ebay but I found a great 964 Targa. If you research the car you will find all the problems and know what to look for. Head gaskets on early ones, distributer belt, oil leaks, fan bearings. Look for low milage, 1991 or 1992. It's a fun to drive sports car that will require maintenance. But I've driven it across the desert at 105 degrees with the air on and got 26 MPG with 250 hp. Contrary to popular myths, the 964 a/c works great. It's a car you have to drive. You can't be typing on your blackberry or you'll find yourself in the ditch. A lady got out of her new porsche and said, "your car sounds nice". I told her that what a "bone stock" porsche is supposed to sound like.

[DaveCarrera4S]

Well this is an interesting thread. I just brought home a 2003 Speed Yellow 996 Carrera 4S with 997 turbo wheels and a GT2 nose, and it is parked next to my 1989 Red 964 Carrera 4 which is stock except for 17" turbo twist wheels - which was a very worthwhile upgrade from the mundane 90 series wheels. They look like jewels in the garage next to each other. I'm admittedly lucky.

Which is better? Well they serve different purposes and behave quite differently. The 964 still has the original 911 feel to it - even if it was something like 85% revised from the 911 SC. The interior is spartan and similar to 911 SC (and 993). The sound system sucks, even though it has a Sony CD head and new front 3 way speakers. It doesn't have anything much modern in it. It feels like an old Porsche, even though it has extremely modern all whee drive system which is still relevant. The ride is choppy and somewhat jarring. The engine doesn't have the instant boost I feel with the 996, but without the primary muffler, has a wicked air cooled sound. There is nothing like opening the back lid and seeing that rotary fan turning around. My car was converted to R-134a freon, and does an adequate though just, job of cooling the front. There is a lot of glass and a lot of heat comes through it, the 996 apparently has solar reflecting glass and of course modern A/C. The shifter is nice and a big improvement over previous gear boxes, but still a bit softer and longer throw than the 996. One last observation, the seats feel great, but the interior has a gas/oil scent to it - very automotive, compared to the leather only smell in the 996.

The C4S feels very modern, in every sense. The throttle response is instantaneously quick, burping the car forward with just a tap of the long pedal. The 6 speed is modern notchy and nice. The Bose sound system is very nice, but at speed it cannot compete with the motor sound. The brakes don't feel as secure as the 964 believe it or not. The C4S has drilled rotor big reds from the turbo, but feel softer. The 964 has a short pedal thrown and the brakes lock in nicely - still has ABS! I had the 964 on Michigan International Speedway this past summer. Now imagine leading a pack of 20 Porsches (and 1 C07 Vette). Out of turn 2 I would nail the gas on the back straight. By the time I needed to turn into 3, I had to push on the brakes, as I was not going to stuff it into the wall. However, the top speed? Only got to 140 maybe 145. That was the final straw pushing me to the newer higher speed C4S (top end 174 MPH). The C4S with the GT2 front end and fat rear fenders is something to behold. We had people taking cell phone shots as we were on the freeway - the receptionist at the hotel asked if she could take photos. The car is a looker, and I get a much different reaction from civilians on the road. In comparison, I remember getting out of the 964 one time and a young guy saying something like nice "old school" Porsche...Ugh.

DC4S