buying help please

Guest · May 31, 2005

Hello,

I am interested in buying a 964 but everyone keeps putting me off!! are they that bad? top end rebuilds oil leaks etc are all the horror stories true?[

] Any advice would be great as I am starting to have sleepless nights over something I really want!! My budget is limited to £12,000

thanks in advance

P

Dave Wilkinson · Jun 1, 2005

Pete,

I'm sure you've come to the right place to get a completely unbiased opinion of the 964 (NOT)!!

As with any car, by the time it's getting to 12-15 years old there are bound to be some problems. With the 964 there are certainly some weak points which you need to be aware of (and it sounds like you are) but much depends on how previous owners have cared for their baby.

Overall mileage is less important than condition although the more records that are available the better. Oil leaks are common although not EVERY 964 leaks oil. Compression problems are usually the indicator for a top end rebuild so a leakdown test is a good idea to include in a PPI once you find an otherwise attractive car.

There are undoubtedly cars out there within your budget although I'd say that £12K is probably at the low end since many of the later cars in excellent condition are still fetching £20K+. LHD cars are obviously cheaper and represent really good value and, unless you spend your life driving into barriered car parks or through toll gates, you will not find them particulrly inconvenient. In the 964 the driving position in the LHD cars is actually better than the RHD cars. Also, handed spare parts are more readily available for LHD cars than RHD from Germany and the US.

I'm really happy with my LHD 964 as a weekend/fun car but I'm not compleltly convinced I'd want to rely on it as an every day driver. It's never let me down (apart from a small episode with the aftermarket alarm) but I just feel a car with 120K miles + on the clock deserves a little comfort in it's middle age!!!

Buying from a specialist dealer might give you a little more confidence (Northways, 911 Virgin, Eporsh etc. etc) although private deals will invariably be cheaper - but more risky. As always, don't skimp on inspections - find the car you THINK you want and get someone in the know to do a thorough PPI to make sure you're not buying a pup.

Happy hunting - and call on us here if you need any help.

Regards

Dave

oldtimer · Jun 1, 2005

I think your biggest problem will be budget - its just not enough. If you were a seasoned trader that knew everything there was to know about 911s you might manage. It will help if you settle for LHD...you can certainly get a tidy 3.2 Carrera within budget....still a good car. HTH

Guest · Jun 1, 2005

Hi Pete,

First things first; 964's don't have top ends, they have laterally displaced asynchronous side ends. So, I wonder if those who have discussed top end rebuilds with you are in fact referring to work required on the owner's top end. (I note they also refer you to a fluid control problem. Well, we should all be able to forgive a little incontinence; shouldn't wee?)

The inference that 964 owners have somehow been bypassed in the human evolutionary stakes is scurrilous. Personally, I have seen plenty of examples where owners are well suited to their 964.

HTH

Kind regards

Bob

I'm going for a rest; I may be gone awhile...

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