911TurboFlachbau

Hello, I currently have a 930 that I love but I’m considering something newer. My question refers to the driving experience of the 993 or 964 cars. Is the visceral and nostalgic feel maintained? I’ve never seen either in person but it seems to me that some or most of that is retained with the 964 and a little less so with the 993.

I would like to get anyone’s perspective and thoughts who has driven the three different generations

Also posted in the 964 forum

Thanks

Brian

Bill Verburg

stok you ar eprobably right
but these are not new cars and the way they have been setup and maintained will have a huge impact on their character.

pp000830

Hi Brian,
I owned a 1986 Carrera and then a 993.
The driving dynamics are similar. The difference is only apparent at the extreme edge of grip in a fast turn.
The 964 & 993 offer much smoother shifting and generally better shifter feel. If you like your '80s Carrera you will love either the 964 or 993.
If a 993 you are considering has 18" wheels the ride will be significantly rougher than you have experienced in the earlier cars with 16" wheels.
I would avoid a 964 C4 as it has a complex electronic drive line system that has proven to not be the most reliable. It was replaced with a much less complex purely mechanical system on the 993.
Here is a page that compares the 993/964 to earlier and later 911.
https://993servicerepair.blogspot.co...newer-911.html

Andy

rsabeebe

you've never seen a 964 or a 993 in person? don't mean to focus on that, but where exactly in IN do you live that you've never seen either one in person?

i would say anyone moving from a impact car to a 964 or 993 will definitely feel the lineage and connection between the models. most importantly, the interior is going to be what you expect. feels small and intimate with the upright windshield and ergos. the 964 is going to feel more refined, but the analog and visceral feel remains. at this point, i think a large number consider the 964 to be the best of the original 'silhouette' design. the shifting is improved and the motor has a decent bump in power.

the 993 feels very similar again from the inside - especially to the 964 - but the driving characteristics are probably the best of the bunch. most would consider 'nostalgia' to still be a big part of the 993 allure, but for you it's likely going to feel somewhat modern but certainly not that it loses that direct feel that the aircooled cars always had. from the impact era, i would say that the 964 adds a layer of refinement and the 993 moves down the road with another level of refinement without ever losing touch with the brilliant feel of a small car with that wonderful direct feedback.

for me, the 964 and the 993 are the sweet spot for porsche. i've had an '87 carrera, but i like the bigger motor/more power and improved shifting of the later cars. i've also gone with later cars and found my 997S far too refined for me (my panamera turbo took that feeling to another level again). i want to feel like i'm driving something very mechanical and it's the aircooleds that give that feel and the 964 and 993 still retain that experience, imo.

911TurboFlachbau

Hahaha I’m about an hour from Chicago. I’m a member of the Chicago PCA but never make any meets because I refuse to drive to/in Chicago. Also, I’m a new comer to the Porsche game

orangecurry

This.
IMO the character is maintained until the end of the 993 run, and you can always make whichever you buy feel more or less old-skool.

I had a widebody 911 1989 (but without the turbo) and the 993 at the same time. Very similar. But IMO 993 better in every way. More confidence in pushing it harder. More grown-up, in a good way.

rsabeebe

that all makes sense. a 930 was a strong entry into 911s. if you like the 930, i think you'll also like the 964 and 993. as orange said, they're basically just further developed, more modern versions of the original. personally, i also like the sound of the 964 and 993 better. my 993 sounds wild with 200cells and Fister IIIs, but it's not for everyone. my 964 is a bit milder with a cup pipe and fister secondary muffler, but still sounds brilliant.

Bill Verburg

the character is similar, they are all, air cooled, rear engine w/ relatively short w/b after all

but over the years each owner imprints his own nature on to the cars, certainly neither of mine, rides or handles the way it was when new. From the factory the 911 is targeted at the ~70% driver. fine for normal performance street se but w/ way to soft suspension, way to narrow wheels/ tires way too much weight, but comfortable and competent for most street use, put them on track on all the little faults get magnified, earlier cars has poor braking, too much weight and not enough suspension for really aggressive track use, 964 had fewer faults but still needs to be massaged for 80-90% use, 993 is even better but still has weaknesses such as gearing, weight and softish suspension. Of course if the car isn't tracked non of this is critical but still for the driver that wants a bit more they all benefit from judicious massage, 911 needing the most and 993 the least

911TurboFlachbau

The more obnoxious the exhaust, the better for me lol.
I have a M&K Hooligan on mine and love the sound

wellcraft290

Having owned both. 964 for many years in the past and a 993 for a few weeks now I will give you my opinion.

I had a 964 c4 and now a 993 c2. Interior be hard pressed to tell what car you are in by the inside alone.

driving wise about the same performance. Handling wise I have to give it to the 993.

personally I like the looks of the 993 better but that is just a preference.

I don’t think you could go wrong with either as even though porsche says they are different they are pretty similar. I have a 1995 so even the same engine as the 964. Lol

think it comes down to the example you find as well as what you like better looks wise.

Strimdog

This is interesting for me to see as I'm a bit new to the air cooled world and haven't spent a ton of time in them. I have both a stock but not for long 993 C2 and 964 C2 and ironically am in the middle of negotiations on an 89 930. What is magic to me about these cars is that Porsche's recipe evolved slowly through the years refining something you can't exactly put your finger on. The size, the smells, the sound, mechanical feel and incredible look are all part of it but I also think the ease in which you can make these cars your own has something to do with it as well. I have to say that the 964 really tugs at my heart strings. The view from the cabin, the ride (Mine is on a stock suspension w/ 16" D90) and the sport seats are killer. Then you get into the 993 and you do immediately feel you are in the best of the breed. Everything is just better. Both of my cars are stock with mileage in the 30,xxx so they are in incredible shape. I wanted to spend time with them in their stock form before upgrades and will say that I prefer the drive of the 964 in stock form. I feel the 993 with it's 4x4 setup is a wee bit floaty for me however the engine is a clear upgrade and who doesn't want more power. With all said these cars character and where they end up in terms of performance is all up to us. They are 26 and 33 years old so it's hard to be too critical of them in their current form. I love the looks of the 964 and the 993, I have to say I like the sport seats in my 964 over the stock seats in my 993 but I've ordered Waldemar sport seats for my 993 so look forward to that upgrade. The view from the cockpit of the 964 is a bit cooler I think because the arches are more pronounced and you really feel you're in a classic Porsche. As I type this I'm trying to end up in a place where I would say which one I like better but I can't. SOOOO You just need to get both.

Whatever you decide, you won't go wrong. Just buy the best car you can find!

911TurboFlachbau

The wife is gonna kill me as it is. I’d be double dead with two 911s

Kein_Ersatz

You only live once, just compare them to having the right shoes for the occasion...

911TurboFlachbau

True! I plan on returning to this forum for relationship advice. You guys are great!

Holger3.2