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Buying 964

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I,m looking to buy a 964 in the future (when I've saved enough) , What I would like to know is, is there any reason why you shouldn't get a LHD one? what's it like overtaking etc.Also are there any things you have to look out for, is owning a C4 potentially more expensive than a C2? Hope you guys can help! cheers. Tony.
 
Tony,

You're obviously after a completely unbiased opinion by posting here!!! I'm not going to promise you one, however.

LHD has a few disadvantages as you would expect in a RHD country but unless you make regular use of barriered car parks and toll booths it's liveable with. Overtaking isn't really a big issue, particularly since the 964 has sufficient performance to enable overtaking to be done pretty rapidly. On the plus side, the LHD cars do have a marginally more comfortable driving position with a little more room for the left foot. For the purists, it's the way they were designed!!

I wouldn't let the subject of maintenance costs persuade you to either C2 or C4 - you should make that choice based on what you want from the car. They are quite different to drive, with somewhat dfferent characteristics. Maintenance costs are not significantly different since most of the systems perculiar to the C4 are pretty much bullet-proof. You tend to hear little of any problems with transmissions - although early clutches and flywheels were troublesome on both C2 and C4. Braking is a little more complex on the C4 and the hydraulics can be more of a challenge for DIY since you ideally need a Bosch "Hammer" to do some of the work. Menu servicing from many of the specialists is the same for C2 and C4 - only the Turbo is a little more.

The age old advice is always to buy on condition and history - don't let issues like colour, mileage and LHD/RHD influence you too much unless it offends. LHD commands a lower price (although I can never understand why) so offers the best value for money.

Hope that helps - and good luck with the search.

Regards

Dave
 
tony
would also add to daves comments that a c4 is exceptionally good day to day in the UK with our rubbish weather. just feels that little bit more secure when its pi55ing down with rain. you'll hear loads of stuff about understeer - get the c4 lowered and well set up and you'll not really notice it on the road if you are travelling at appropriate speeds. if you are wanting a track day car then a c2 will be more rewarding.
lhd acts as a good sense check as well as it will mean you always have to double check any potential overtaking move - which is no bad thing.

good luck

 
Tony,

I have owned both the C4 and C2 and probably would agree with Dave and Matt.

Whilst I do not intend to track my current C2, I found it a little more agile than the C4.

We don't get a lot of snow where I live, however the C4 didn't do any better than its C2 counterpart it getting up our road when it did, not did any of the other 4x4's for that matter around here [:)]

Drive them both and see how you feel, I only went with the C2 because of the condition and history

Mark
 
Hi Tony,

I posted the following a few days ago:

If you go LHD you'll get a much better car for sub £15k.

I have always rubbished LHD as being impractical (e.g. car parks and overtaking etc.) but more importantly un-natural to drive i.e. reaching for the gearlever with your right hand.
However earlier this year and one impulse purchase later I found myself with a 1991 LHD C2.
The paintwork was very good, nice colour (amazon green), 78k miles with FSH., full black leather, sports suspension, brand new Bridgestone S02's. All for £12k - from a dealer (Hillcrest near Henley)

Despite my worries after 2 weeks it felt totally natural to drive. I've even had it on track and didn't once attempt a gear change with my wrong hand.

Having been very sceptical I'm now a LHD convert.

With the money you save going for a LHD you can spend on getting the car just right - e.g. new tyres, a full service at a specialist, upgrades etc.

Go for it
 
The three most important things to look at when buying a 964 are ....

HISTORY, HISTORY, and HISTORY

Good luck with the search and enjoy it when you get one.
Cheers,
 
Kdean also change to single mass RS flywheel/clutch.......LHD is the way the 911 was intended...would not own one any other way
 
Just got to re-enforce what previous posters have said - lhd is terrific value for money (obviously I'm biased!) and within a few days, you'll complete forget the lhd issue. I reckon I saved around £2k by buying lhd.
 
Thanks very much guys, gives me a bit to think about! I don't think I'm so worried about LHD now.Another thing I thought of, if you buy a LHD is it possible to buy one from Germany? or it it more hassle than its worth?
 
No worries with having a LHD car. I've had two 964's - a C4 & now a C2. Both LHD. It's currently no cheaper to buy a LHD car on the continent than it is from the UK & there are plenty of cars to choose from now. Enough LHD cars in the UK to have had an impact on the value of a RHD car it seems.

I personally prefer the C2 over my old C4. It just seems lighter & more responsive. I noticed this the first time I drove it, but it can be a bit tricky in the wet if you're not fully awake! You just have to drive it with more respect than the C4 & plan your moves a bit more!
 
Dave's comments are spot on, LHD have better driving position and I;ve not had any issues since switching. Regarding C2 never had any problems with mine in the wet or snow. As long a they are set up properly the days of the 'backend issue' are long gone. Buy on condition and service history and not on C2 or C4
 
Thanks Melvin, looks like an interesting site, have a look tomorrow when I get time. Cheers Tony.
 
Anthony, bar all the arguments about LH or RHD. I'm a C2 man and there are quite a few variants. C2 or C4 wil benefit from symphathetic lowering, strut brace, sports suspension, good tyres etc. The car is all together tightened up. Over the years the 964 Smartgroups put out various individual guidances. I've thrown them together and if you e-mail me offline (jjpsf@hotmail.com), i'll send you some details. However, to echo Fred Hindle, History is important and more importantly get it inspected by somebody like Peter Morgan-don't listen to the horror stories, there are many myth's

Sincerely

 
Peter Morgan will tell you all the visual stuff and what he can hear a specialist such as Northways will take bits of and check as well as do compresion tests etc and be half the price,
 
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