3.2 or 694?

[ringworm24]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone could share their thoughts, I am new to Porsches. I and my wife like the older styling, so we decided to go for a 3.2 or 964 which fall into are 15K budget.

But which is best?

We are not hardcore speed freaks.
But we want to be excited and have fun, with minimal running/maintenance cost.

The wife like is leaning towards the 964 because it has few more mod cons, but is it more fun to drive?

Any thoughts? We are both fairly clueless, any pro's or cons?

Many thanks

 

[supersport]

I have never driven a 964 but I expect that they equally as much fun.

The 3.2 is very basic, in that there is no power steering (it doesn't need it), no ABS and the brakes need a bit more effort than a modern euro box. But it is an easy car to drive and quite usable in normal conditions but can be let loose on the open road. Given that the last of these are 21 years old they aren't quite as refined or fast as you would expect, but they are fast enough.

I imagine that the 964 feels quite different given its modern controls and it saw the end of the torsion bar suspension. In reallity the only way to find out is to go look at one of each and see if you can find a difference or what you prefer. In the end your choice will probably be based on the best car you can get for the money rather than any specific model.

I believe that the servicing is cheaper on the 3.2 than the 964!

 

[chas3.2]

3.2 Carrera every time but i would say that, you must try both I am in Kent just of J4 M20 and happy to show you a round mine and take you out in it.

Charles

 

[ringworm24]

Thanks guys, I am planning a few test drives so hopefully that will help, I had originally thought about getting a modern car like an SLK but it felt soulless, when I tried it , it felt pretty boring to drive maybe too many driver aids?

Any how, I have heard a lot of people saying 3.2 is more fun but is that the purists speaking? because on paper the 694 should be better.

Also how much cheaper is it to maintain a 3.2? It seems to have a great reputation for maintenance and reliability where the 694 seems to have a mix bag.

Charles that is a truly kind offer but I am from Oxfordshire so that's a bit of a trek, many thanks all the same.

Wow who would have thought hunting for an old Porsche would be so exciting.

Many thanks

 

[carrerageorge]

Your wife is right about the mod cons ,if they matter to you, but servicng is definiteyl more expensive due to the inaccessibilty of the spark plugs.The 964 has more bhp and the looks issue is a matter of taste.

 

[3.2_fordy]

We have both, My wife thinks the 3.2 is vary hard to drive apart from motorways, So if your wife is going to drive it for any length of time get the 964, bit more on servicing and the odd leak to sort out but about the same to work on your self
I would go for the 3.2 for more enjoyment to drive a better feel to it

 

[chfs911]

The 3.2 looks better but 964 may be a better buy.

I found the lack of rear wheel arch liners meant my 3.2 suffered bad rust issues despite my best efforts.

The 3.6 is a good bit quicker but you loose something with power steering.

The 915 box cannot be rushed but the later G50 is common in both.

Buy the best one you can find for your budget. 3.2 or 964 you will know when you find the right one.

 

[Gary C]

The power steering could be quite an issue. I love my 3.2, but the steering is heavy at low speeds, even to the point of making it harder to catch.

The looks are more 'classic' I think with the tail of the 3.2.

The 3.2 can be quite noisy. Lots of rattles and engine noise (actually part of the experience)

But as these cars are old, probably the best advice is to buy on condition. If you see a really nice 964 or 3.2, go for either, don't think you will be disapointed (just make sure your happy with the steering, we are so mollycoddled with modern cars ultra light, linear steering, that jumping from my 1.2 Polo to the 3.2 requires quite a bit of concentration for the first few miles)

 

[Chris_911]

Lots of rattles and engine noise

Rattles? No (my wife's 987 Boxster is nowhere near as well-built).

Engine noise - yes, a bit more than a 'modern' but not intrusive and it's a great noise!

Yes the steering is un-powered but I don't find it a problem. In fact I don't consciously think of it when I go from my 5 series to my wife's 987 to my 3.2.

 

[Gary C]

By rattles, I don't mean cabin rattles, more a description of the engine/gearbox/clutch sound.

Compared to my Polo, the steering is VERY heavy. Can turn the Polo with one finger, I have to use both arms on the Carrera. My wife has tried to turn it and found it unacceptably heavy and can't drive it (which in my eyes is actually a positive [])

I prefer the look of the 3.2 over the 964 but I would expect that these days, its finding a nice car thats the hardest bit.

 

[Beaky]

Best advise as mentioned elsewhere is try then you'll know which one to buy, both provide different driving experiences but you still know it's a Porsche

 

[Pete917]

It has to be a try before you buy kind of thing.....Personally i'd have the 3.2, but that's me.

 

[Greg James]

Hello I'm in Oxford with a 3.2 and love it. I was in the same boat a year or so ago but heart won, It had to be old school looks a true classic and you soon get used to no power steering in fact its real driving. You are very welcome to meet up and go for a spin in it

 

[Graemel]

The first 911 I ever drove was back in 1992. A 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe. It belonged to a very good mate who had to persuade me to have a go. Within six months I had bought my own. Having started driving in 1978 and being a complete petrol head I had owned and driven countless cars. Nothing I had driven previously felt as tactile and alive as the 3.2. I started racing 911's back in 1993. My first race car was a 3.2 Carrera Super Sport. Turbo Bodied but with the normally aspirated 3.2 engine.
Scroll forward to current day. I have owned and raced many 911's over the years. The 3.2 is the last of the breed that was true to its original concept. Reasonably light weight. No power steering so it gives you wonderful feed back and you are in charge. Brakes that are powerful but need a fair prod. Steering that loads through corners. The 964 is a far softer version and not as tactile. Rear swing arms designed with big rubber bushes that hopefully prevent the loss of the rear end. Later cars with air con. Power steering. Add weight. A 964RS is a hell of a bit of kit but you will not be buying one for what you have to spend.
My last 911 sold was a 993 GT2 evo. The greatest air cooled turbo ever built. So what do I own now. A 993 C2S Tiptronic as the missus only holds a license to drive automatics which is a great car, relaxing to drive and weighs 1500kg. My own car is a 3.2 Carrera Super Sport that I have converted into a road legal race car. Something that you can enjoy at sensible speed and have fun with on the track.
In truth you need to drive a 3.2 and a 964. Good cars not dogs or it will not be a fair comparison. The 3.2 is the last of the purists 911's. I hope you get bitten by the bug. Oh the super sport now weighs 1100kg and started life at 1320kg. Weight is the enemy to feel and control.

 

[Pete917]

ORIGINAL: graeme36s

The first 911 I ever drove was back in 1992. A 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe. It belonged to a very good mate who had to persuade me to have a go. Within six months I had bought my own. Having started driving in 1978 and being a complete petrol head I had owned and driven countless cars. Nothing I had driven previously felt as tactile and alive as the 3.2. I started racing 911's back in 1993. My first race car was a 3.2 Carrera Super Sport. Turbo Bodied but with the normally aspirated 3.2 engine.
Scroll forward to current day. I have owned and raced many 911's over the years. The 3.2 is the last of the breed that was true to its original concept. Reasonably light weight. No power steering so it gives you wonderful feed back and you are in charge. Brakes that are powerful but need a fair prod. Steering that loads through corners. The 964 is a far softer version and not as tactile. Rear swing arms designed with big rubber bushes that hopefully prevent the loss of the rear end. Later cars with air con. Power steering. Add weight. A 964RS is a hell of a bit of kit but you will not be buying one for what you have to spend.
My last 911 sold was a 993 GT2 evo. The greatest air cooled turbo ever built. So what do I own now. A 993 C2S Tiptronic as the missus only holds a license to drive automatics which is a great car, relaxing to drive and weighs 1500kg. My own car is a 3.2 Carrera Super Sport that I have converted into a road legal race car. Something that you can enjoy at sensible speed and have fun with on the track.
In truth you need to drive a 3.2 and a 964. Good cars not dogs or it will not be a fair comparison. The 3.2 is the last of the purists 911's. I hope you get bitten by the bug. Oh the super sport now weighs 1100kg and started life at 1320kg. Weight is the enemy to feel and control.

Plus 1 to all of the above, although I havent been lucky enough to drive a 993 GT2 evo. The 3.2 is a very rewarding car to drive and very much a drivers car.

 

[Richard Dawson]

I agree with the general consensus in that I would:

1. Choose any 911 carefully; buy on condition with particular reference to rust on 3.2s

2. Do not ignore the SC as some real bargains out there and lovely cars.

3. Out of many 911s owned, including a 964rsand 993rs ,3.2 Carrera and 993 Carrera my Rufalike 3.2 engined SC is the one I enjoy the most. It is not the fastest in a straight line or round corners but makes me smile on road or track. It is noisy and a bit cantankerous in the heating department!

4. The best allrounder in my view is the 993 Carrera pre Varioram. Good value from £15k upwards, comfy quick and reliable, if heavy and more remote an experience than the early stuff.

5. 964s look good value at the moment.

6. Try a few, find a good one that fits your blend of needs and enjoy. They are all great and make the modern lardy 911s look dull; use the change to buy a Jag for everyday and do a better job of everyday motoring than a 997 does too!