race911

Too many variables. They're all equally reliable, and only subject to the typical "gotcha" Porsche seems to design into every car. All well documented, none fatal. (Well, maybe not an old Mg case car that's not 100+% documented.)

Not sure I'd get a 993 when I wanted a 3.2L car based on some nuance. I've always counseled to get the best example of the era you like most, within your budget. Problem now with the air cooleds is that this is all clouded on the money side of things, and the overly emphasized need for "a deal."

Mondrian

Magnesium case in 3.2 engine? As far as I know Porsche stopped using Mg cases way before 3.2 - wasn't it 70's or something? Even then it was never fatal on road, just track.

race911

Right. Explicitly from US MY '69 on the 2.0 through MY '77 on the 2.7. (Didn't think I really needed to define "old"...............................................)

Tell you what, any time you want to compare notes on how many puked 2.7s that pulled studs from normal road use (I operated the shops in AZ and CA), we'll go make up another thread.

Quickly, a 2.7 without even a trombone front oil cooler, thermal reactors, and dealer installed AC wasn't long for the world. 30K was my record for pulling one apart--first customer engine I did even before operating the Porsche shops, in '81.

By the time I opened in Phoenix in '85, post college, the 2.7 debacle was in full swing. (I did some 911 work even when in college, and maybe did 4-5 track oriented engines.) Between those, piecing together 930s that blew from excessive boost, and 944 timing belt issues cropping up as soon as 15K miles in the desert climate, I made enough to get into racing + build a nest egg that set me up for law school.

Mondrian

It's just that we were talking about road reliability of 3.2/964/993 engines and was confused when you mentioned Mg cases & all the busted track engines you have fixed. Still non the wiser though - never mind!

TroyN

My first Porsche was a 993 and they're great all-around cars (fun on both street and track, pretty good AC etc. When I bought my SC though I really liked the more raw feel and sound and enjoyed being able to have more fun on the street (I felt like I was driving a race car on my work commute!), where the 993 was so much more composed that it didn't feel as fun except on track.

If you need AC I'd go with the 993 but otherwise think the Carrera would make the better complement to your GT3.

88911coupe

i have had 2 G50 Carreras (still have an '88) but have driven quite a bit in friends 993s. I MUCH prefer the 993, it seemed to have more torque and seems to be a solid overall improvement over my G50s. That said, I like my '88 and have no plans to "upgrade" but if I was to be buying today I'd go for the 993. I think they look awesome too, in particular the Turbo model but now we're talking SIX figures...

Todynot

993's have a pretty significant horsepower advantage over a 3.2.

tcsracing1

964 and 993 are pricey. You might be lucky to find one for 25-30k

911SC is last good value... and they are now in the $20-30k range

Toddster

Drive them both and decide
I thought there was a significant difference in power with the 993 and the g50 transmission was a lot better.
Sorry for sneaking on to this side of the boards

dshepp806

Yeap,..be sure to drive 'em both.

In the case of the '87 - '89 G50's, you will certainly feel connected to the driving experienced,..yet sometimes (even) that is "relative". More to do with "how you go fast" as opposed to "how fast you go".

If it were me, hands down, it would be the '87-'89 world,..not a 993. Don't get me wrong here, as the 993 is a helluva' car, indeed. I prefer the looks of the 911,..especially the last of that breed ,..being the '89.

again,..my take (and preference).

Best to you.

Doyle

Ed Hughes

I've driven a lot of 3.2's and certainly had one long enough, and did a lot with her.

But, the 993 is my preference these days. Power, handling and comfort are superior to the 3.2's. If I were still tracking, I might go back to the 80's, but for what I use the car for these days- back country romps and a decent road trip once/year, the 993 is the one for me. One is "plenty connected" to the road with a 993.

Either is a good choice, it's up to you to decide which suits best

spb350

I am in the same boat as you. I'm looking for a Targa or Cabriolet same years, I guess I'll just take which ever one comes my way first.

Red911.408

Great thread-Many good opinions but in my case I'm leaning towards the 87-88 Carreras.Unfortunately I guess I will wait to get lucky( craigslist-leave a random note on a car) because the prices being asked IMHO are way over what these cars are worth especially the 993s.Dealers on steroids and collectors with more money than sense are killing this market.Ofcourse IMHO.