How do 993 & 964 compare to ealier 911's to drive?

[Pearcy]

Hi,

Just trying to decide between the following:

1. Exige S for weekend road use & occasional track day
2. 911 (not sure what model, prob 964) + cheap Westfield so that I can use the 911 for road & have a 'track slag' in order not to risk the 911 on track.

If going the 911 route I would want to buy a really nice example & take a longer term view re ownership, hence not wanting to risk it on track.

I test drove an early ('79) 911 today that has had a lot of money spent turning it into a 964 RS replica - all new genuine panels, 3.6 engine (late 964 type - rebuilt 30k ago), single mass flywheel etc. nice coil-over suspension set up, all new 993 turbo brakes.

-looked like a really nice example, & drove very nicely too. I really loved the non assisted steering - absolutely sublime feedback through the wheel. Lots of communication, but without 'kick back'. It had a (new) 964 RS clutch, which was REALLY heavy - that was the only thing I wasn't too keen on.

Engine had lots of torque & the car was 'fairly quick' + sounded fantastic, as all air cooled 911's do.

However, I have not yest driven any newer variants e.g. 'proper' 964s & 993s with power steering etc. How do the later cars 'feel' to drive compared to the early cars? I have been in a 996 which in my opinion was too refined. At the moment, I'm thinking that what I'm after ideally is a lightweight trim 911 -either 3.2 carrera (G50) or 964 C2.

I suppose I'm really hankering after a genuine 964 RS, but can't quite afford one (+ not too keen on LHD).

Anyway, now I've driven an early car can anyone tell me:

-How different is the clutch in the 'normal' 964 + 993s? - is the 993 clutch a lot lighter? I found the 964RS clutch v.heavy

-How different is the power steering in the 964 & 993 compared to the early cars. Personally I didn't find the non assisted steering heavy, thought it was spot on.

-How different is the gear change in the 6 speed 993 compared to early cars? Personally I found the G50 box a little notchy, but 'ok'.

-Are the 993's much more refined than the early cars? (don't want anything too refined!)

I will try & drive a 993 C2 (6 speed) when I get a chance, but just interested in peoples opinions on here...

BTW, also drove an Exige N/A & Exige S today - liked the super charged version - very fast & 'lively'! - so light weight combined with wide tyres that it tramlined badly on 'non perfect' roads - I would imagine quite a full on track day car. Maybe I should get one of these for the next couple of years & then sell it/buy a nice 911 for a 'keeper'

(Trying to keep budget under £30k)

 

[danofesher]

If you drove an early car it probably had relatively skinny tyres so felt light. I had a G50 3.2 and hated the 15" wheel and felt that the steering was too heavy. I put a 13" wheel on which made the car more fun but, obviously, even heavier. I think the later cars need power steering with such wide tyres (and it allows Porsche to put a more sensibly sized steering wheel in). BTW, I think all Porsche gearboxes are a bit dodgy, especially from 1st to 2nd when cold.

 

[Pearcy]

ok, thanks

-The car I drove was a 964RS replica, so had the 17" cup wheels + coil-overs + smaller steering wheel.

 

[Gordon Attar]

964's and 993's are all steps up in class and are improvements on the early model, take your time and get the right car go for condition and history and get the car PPI'd and any 964c thats been rebuilt should be a looked at as a plus sign.