Hey guys,

Lately I've seen some really nice-looking 964's for sale up here in Canada in the high 20's/low 30's.

Gets me thinking about maybe adding one to the stable.

Currently have a 996TT with GMG Stage 2 and (don't laugh) a '94 Camaro Z28, which is purely my "ratbag" car that I could care less about, bag hard and don't cry over when it gets stone chips, curb rash, etc

But I'd like to have something a little more dignified as a semi-daily driver for the sunnier days (so I don't look like the neighborhood ******bag ALL week long in the camaro).

And yes, I know the Turbo "can" be a daily driver, but given the racing springs, the ride height and the HP, it's a bit much for a DD.

Any thoughts as to which model/year is ideal for the 964's?

Are the C2's a little too tail-happy? And in contrast, are the C4's too subdued?

Engine reliability?

Would love to have a bit of insight from those who know...

Thanks!

-Chris

 

the 964 series engines/trans are reliable, imo best to stick with 92 & after models (which had engine/clutch upgrades), altho' if it was a fine example with a solid p.p.i. would not deter me from an earlier version.

964 series, wonderful driving cars, solid/tight very different driving experience from later model p-cars.

the C2 is lighter, and faster and obviously is less complicated. the C4 makes a very fine all weather sportscar.
C2 vs. C4 is a long outstanding debate that may not have a clear cut answer (unless its a track car, then it will be a C2).

I may be selling my 964 C2 cab (limited edition WTL, aka america roadster) because of likely relocation back to Japan, low miles overall excellent condition - pm me if you want details/pics.

cheers, good luck

 

Thanks for the insight - much appreciated.

Looks like the C2 is the way to go likely then.

I'm not sure I have enough posts to send a PM, but if you want you can email me at chris@crlongboards.com

If you're in Vancouver, then I'm just a ferry ride away from checking out your car.

Thanks!

-Chris

 

+1 on a C2. I have a C4 that I just converted to a 2 wheel drive
Good luck!

 

Love my C4 - think the C4 has bigger brakes. Very fun drive - sure the C2 is great - like picking favorite children!

 

I have a C4, have had it for 11 years and I put 100k+ miles on it.
Widebody look is great, but only affordable way to get it in a factory car is a '94 C4 - so that would be a consideration. Mine is aftermarket fiberglass - looks good but steel would be better, and of course more expensive...
Good luck with your search!

 

I had both a 964 C2 and C4. I definitely preferred the C2 as it was more nimble, understeered less and had better steering feedback. Also I was always concerned about the AWD components failing $$, although I never experienced any problems. However if you will be driving in the winter a C4 is the obvious choice.

 

'92 - '94 being ideal???

 

imo both c2 & c4 are great cars, and dependable. certainly 92 & later 964's had some updates (primarily clutch & seals) however basically same engine / trans and based on age of these cars likely many of the pre 92's have been resealed or have not needed to do so.

in terms of above posts, both c2 & c4 had same suspension / brake set up, and ( willing to be corrected) the only widebody variation was the 92 america roadster which came from the factory as a c2 with oversize turbo wheels, brakes and same suspension as the 964 turbo (the 94 c4 widebody did not according to adrian streather's book).

these 964 cars were among the last of the totally handbuilt porsche....as the subsequent 993 series increasingly moved to machine production and with the prior 911 series in my view remain remarkably tight/rattle free/well assembled.

 

Sounds like a good option especially if someone can only find a nice C4 in their price range... How hard is the conversion from 4 to 2 WD?

 

The 1994 C4 widebody is the way to go if you can find one. They use the turbo rear brakes and the front brakes from the 928s4 with the bleeder valve on the other end.

Very cool cars.

 

actually you are mistaken......here is exact word for word description of last 964 widebody that you are speaking of (taken from definitive 964 guide by
streather - enthusiast's companion 1989-1994):
"the new C4 TL in 1994was built around unused 1992 & 1993 model year turbo bodies mounted to a standard C4 chassis. They were fitted with standard M64/01 engine. The brake system & all electronic systems were STANDARD C4.......the C4TL was not delivered with turbo red brake callipers & drilled rotors"

the last 964 to feature turbo flares, full suspension, brakes, wheels of the turbo edition is the 1992 WTL cabriolet, marketed in USA as "america roadster"

 

No offense. Great book. My car was supposed to be on the cover...even have the publishers proofs to prove it. Adrian did not like the fact that my car had RUF wheels and red calipers, so a switch was made. I have replaced the brakes on this car. Swaped my black rears for stock 965 turbo rear calipers in red on the rears with the turbo rotors. I am wrong on the fronts though.. it was a long time ago, if I remember right, the calipers may be C2, but the hubs and rotor part numbers are unique to the car (because it is a C4). Believe me, I have been through this. They are NOT stock C2 springs either. The springs are again unique to the car. They are not C2 and not turbo springs. If you look up the parts in ETK, you will see these all have different part numbers. The coolest part about the car is when you lift up the carpet you see the 965 written in hand writing.

Stephen

 

So I know that I am some guy most of you have never heard from before on the board with M8bmw as my screen name that is here bashing Adrian's book...and I was a little quick with my comments last night. So I went and pulled ETK and my old receipts just to see what was going on...so here is the truth.

Front brakes and rotors -- TL is same as regular C4
Rear Brakes and rotors -- Unique to TL C4 with 965 part numbers
965-352-421-02 caliper r
965-352-422-02 caliper l
965-352-041-01 rotor r
965-352-042-01 rotor l
These rear calipers and rotors are turbo brakes, they are just painted black to match the front, and the rotors are solid instead of cross drilled. However, they are the turbo caliper and can use the drilled rotor, or you can change the caliper to red like I did.

Also, the bit about the front. I had put 993 big reds on the front with an adapter bracket and the turbo front rotors. Sorry for the memory lapse it has been several years since I did this.

Also, I found another interesting bit....in ETK the springs show the same part for the C2 and TL, however the part was supposed to have an organge mark on the springs to indicate C2 spring. My TL C4 had the green stripe from the factory which would have been the turbo part
965-333-531-03 for the rear. I think it goes to show that porsche may have used what was left over from the 964/965 part bins to get these out the door.

Hope this clarifies, Adrian's book is dynomite, just not 100% accurate when it comes to the US Spec C4TL cars.

Warm regards,

Stephen

 

I just sold my C4 convert, it was great and the AWD did not limit me in any way, in fact it felt really stable.