964 or 3.2 911 for a keen DIY'er

[SPRITEMAN]

Am currently reasearching the above 2 cars with a view to buy and so am reading these postings with much interest.

I like the idea of the ABS on the Carrera 2 and the easier driveability but understand the car comes along with a lot of other electronic gadgetery which for a 10 year old car I believe could cost ????? I'm saying that after bitter experiences with my Corrado G60!!

I would look to do a lot of the repair work myself such as (god forbid) if I had to change clutches, timing chains, cylinder heads etc etc. I notice Bentley does a comprehensive manual for the 3.2 911 model but the Bentley manual for the 964 seems a bit cut-down and not so comprehensive.

So my thinking is that with the benefit of a comprehensive repair manual, less electronic gadgetary (and actually I think I prefer the look) of the 3.2 911 is that the one for me?!?!?

Does anyone have any thoughts on what may be best?!?

Cheers.....Steve


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[Nathan]

Steve, I went through the same thought process. I always wanted a 964 but the sensible side of me said go for a 3.2, so I did last summer, but still long for a 964. The power is great and the driving experience is more forgiving, although probably less involving, but I know which I'd rather be in on a wet winters day. All depends on your use and circumstances. Maybe when I've got deeper pockets I'll get a 964. Maybe if I can get more power from the 3.2 I won't.

I'm also a keen DIYer and have done a few jobs on mine since I got it, though haven't dropped the engine yet (which you must do to get at most things). I've a feeling the clutch will need doing soon and from the jobs I've done so far I'm not too worried. EVerything is nicely put together and *basic* (I also have a veedub Golf VR6 which frightens the hell out of me if any warning lights come on!) So far the Porsche has been pleasant to work on and relatively cheap to run. I've still to invest in a Bentley manual as they are a real must-have if you want to go it alone.

Good luck!

Nathan


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[James Ball]

There are not many owners of 964's who work on them themselves. The 3.2 is a lot simpler and lends itself more to the DIYer. Having said that, you sounds pretty mechanical so perhaps you would like the extra challenge!

The danger with going down the 3.2 route is that you might always wish you had a 964, much like Nathan. I can't think of anything more frustrating than buying "the car of your dreams" and straight away wishing you bought a different one.

Personnally, if I wanted to get my hands dirty I would go with a G50 3.2.

James


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[SPRITEMAN]

OK thanks for that as I definately don't want to buy a 3.2 and then wish I had gone for a 964. My usual philosophy is to stretch myself financially on a car and then keep it for 4 to 5 years.

I guess I hadn't appreciated that the 964 is held in such high regard when compared to the 3.2. It seems odd as you don't have to pay much more to buy a 964 but presumably that is down to the fact that you are expecting to pay more for on-going maintenance.

I'm a chartered machinery engineer hence my fascination with nuts & bolts and feel pretty comfortable with most jobs of that nature! Unfortunately electronics scare me altho' I think I did spot a company that has the Porsche diagnostic kit for the 964. But even so my earlier experience tells me that diagnostc devices can't pick up every problem and garages always recommend you change the ECU as it means big money to them and little labour.

Thanks for your info. & I'll keep on with my research!

......Steve


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[James Ball]

Steve

Although the 964 has had a bad press almost since day 1 at last people seem to be treating it more fairly. True, it has its own faults and true a 993 will be cheaper to service but then each generation of 911 has its own "quirks" and the 964's, once put right (which most are now), are no worse than any others. And the advantage that the 964 is very tuneable, unlike both the 3.2 before it and the 993 after it, it a big plus. £4k spent on Motec and a few goodies will turn your 250 bhp 964 into a 300+bhp monster!

However, it is more complicated than its predecessor and a lot of jobs will see you taking it to your friendly specialist.

Cheers, James


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