adamrs80

iTrader: (7)

I know a lot of you guys have multiple cars, or have owned many cars and this board contains a lot of very knowledgeable fellows. If you've owned and followed the FD many years, you'd have to be.

There are very very few other cars out there that I actually care about. Gordon happens to own most of them minus the NSX and a few others.

I'm posting this here because I'm interested in what you guys think of the 3.2 Carrera, 84-93. Preferably from guys who have first hand knowledge. I've been thinking semi-seriously about selling the FD and looking for a 911 in that year range. I know they cost more and are certainly more expensive to maintain. I've also read they are very well made, aside from a few issues I'm sure. I'll be doing my own research as well. The RX-7 has been a passion for me since 1995 when my dad's best friend gave me a 1980 GS 5-spd. My FD is the 4th RX-7 I've owned, after the 1980 and two 1991s. I have all the RX-7 books, as many of you do. Somebody wrote in my high school yearbook about the RX-7 back in 1998. Needless to say I've been a fan for a long time and it would be a big decision to sell out and get something else. I can't afford to have both and there is a good chance I won't do anything. I know all about my car, no surprises, no needs of any kind so that is nice.

I can't think of a better group of guys to ask so I thought I'd pick your brains and see what you think.

Thanks

Montego

iTrader: (1)

The only thing that I suggest is that you take one for a test drive before you sell your car. It would suck to sell your car only to find that there just isn't a replacement out there.

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

My brother works for Porsche and as such I've had the opportunity to drive many of the newest models over the last year or so.

One thing I can tell you is this: In general, they're amazing cars..... but once I look at the price tag, 'not worth it.... at all' springs to mind.

I honestly think anyone with a modified FD would be bored with a new 991 after about two weeks.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I had actually looked into something similar for a track car. I ran into this:

FS: Porsche 993 RSR Clone - Rennlist Discussion Forums

which is basically my ideal track car. The older Carrera's IMO are more of a raw Porsche than what you see today (unless you spend the big money on the GT3 RS). The only down side is the dashes will seem dated if you are used to what's available today. It can cost you a pretty penny for a late 80's 911 in good condition. You can find a ton of them needing work for good prices though. I think they are fun cars, but it's hard to justify the money on such and older vehicle unless you are just a classic car fan.

ninesixtwo

iTrader: (9)

What model exactly are you looking at? I work at an independent porsche shop and am pretty well-versed...

The 1984 is a very different car to a 93, a little more narrowing down might help

MR_Rick

iTrader: (7)

I would look for a 964 (89-94) model. I would avoid the Carrera 4 just because the added weight for what IMO isn't worth it. Also 964 have a 3.6 motor with a better computer. The 964 has a coil on strut suspension where I believe the 930 has tension bars. 930s came with 4 speed manual till 87, then they came with the G50 5 speed. 964 have better air conditioning if you care about that. 964 aesthetic with updated bumpers and mirrors is a huge plus. If you want to go all out and don't plan on moding, get you an RS America but you can make a replica way cheaper than actually buying one. That's all I can think off the top of my head.

Google 930 vs 964 and you will see a lot on this subject since it comes up a lot.

dannng

iTrader: (22)

I recently just sold my 84 targa. 911 is an amazing car. But you think maintenance on your FD was pita wait till you get a 911. The older 911 always leaked oil and had high oil consumption. If unfortunate and picked a 911 that has an unhealthy engine you're looking in ball park to pay $3000 in parts alone to do a rebuild. I can go on and on about how bad a Porsche can get. But if you pick up a nice one and maintain well it will be one of the best car you driven in its era. The handling and flat 6 engine revving behind you is amazing. Try get the book, The Used 911 Story. It has alot of information of the different years of 911. Or PM I can sell you mine.

adamrs80

iTrader: (7)

Thanks guys for lots of great advice. My first priority would be to find a nice, well maintained, well sorted car. I'd prefer to be 87-93, nothing newer, can't afford a 993. I probably would end up in the in the late 80s or very early 90's. I'm not looking for something to outperform my FD. It's been about 7 years but my cousin has an 86, it was a little ratty but it was a nice drive. It certainly is a man/machine experience. I love the quality. It seems like they are valuable with well over 100k miles and I don't think support for the cars will ever dry up. It almost seems like mileage and age concerns are a distant second to proper records and maintenance. It reminds me of an aircraft in that regard. I do like the 968 but a different car and not a worthy replacement for the FD. I have zero interest in new Porsches even if I could afford one. I'm sure they're nice but they lost me at water-cooled in 99.

MR_Rick

iTrader: (7)

993s can be had in good prices, just got to be patient and look every where. I missed out on a 95 that was selling for 18k with 126k miles. Saw it on Craig's List in Oregon. The guys told me that he had it listed for 4 days before it sold. The only real issue he said it had was that the leather on the driver seat was torn pretty good. This was 3 weeks ago. Even reenlist will have good deals some times.

adamrs80

iTrader: (7)

Dannng - I just ordered the book off Amazon...$22 new sounded like a good deal.

I like the 993 a lot, personally my favorite body but I suspect the previous version would be easier to work on. I can't believe the early 996 are so cheap. They must be bad news to own.

R.P.M.

iTrader: (3)

I'm a mechanic at a local Porsche specialty shop and have some experience with the 964's.


LOVE THEM!!!


My absolute favorite car to work on and drive! They are such a simple car to work on once you drop the engine lol.
The shifter feel, the transmission, the sound, the seating position, everything about the 964 is just better IMO compared to the later 993's and early 911's.

But tearing up the streets in a 997 GT3RS or TT is pretty damn fun too!



996's have the famous IMS bearing troubles which can cost an owner big $$$ to repair, I've replaced about 20-25 IMS bearings with the LN Engineering kit. Its a cheap kit compared to a Porsche crate engine.

MR_Rick

iTrader: (7)

993 and 964 are very similar, but IMO the 964 is a bit more raw. 993 are just super attractive and the last of the "true" 911s acording to the purist.

With the 996 the purity of what was the 911 was lost according to the hard core fans. I'm a huge Porsche fan, 993 Turbo S is my dream car. Because of that the used market for the water cooled ones suffers. The other issue with MK1 996 with 3.4 motors (1999-2001) is that they have a bad reputation for cylinder cracking due to manufacturing issues. Then there is the IMS issue. This is less prone on the 996 MK2 with 3.6 motors (2002-2005) but it is something to keep an eye. There are fixes for this of course and the consensus is that this happens more on garage queens. GT3 and turbos are other complete animals since they actually use a GT1 block. 996 MK2 are not a bad buy, I'm considering one myself. Just like FDs find one with a good track record.

dannng

iTrader: (22)

Yup i got mine for the same price. Good luck with you buy! make sure to get a PPI before purchasing the car.

whiteweazel21

iTrader: (2)

You could go this route, GT3 RS for incredibly cheap:
Porsche GT3 RS

thatdon

iTrader: (9)

that's actually pretty cool

adamrs80

iTrader: (7)

The cost of the 996 is tempting. I had no idea they were so relatively inexpensive.

HiWire

The 3.6L 964 Carrera (the 3.2 was from the previous series: 1984-1989) won't be much faster than an FD, but the weight of a rear engine changes the driving experience a lot. I love what Singer Vehicle Design is doing with classic Porsche cars (doable on a personal tuner level, but really labor-intensive): Singer Vehicle Design

A Porsche 930 Turbo from the late 1980s would be fun, too, but the asking prices are still too high.

MR_Rick

iTrader: (7)

Just drove a 996 today on some mountain roads. Fun car.

Flying_solo

iTrader: (7)

I was all excited about those Vehicular Design 911s, till I saw the price tag. Gorgeous machines nonetheless.

DougNOS

I'm a gold master tech for a Porsche dealer and I have owned several Porsche myself. 911's are amazing. I will definitely have more throughout my life. I have a 72 and I just recently sold a 996 that I rebuilt the engine on and that car was a dream. If I didn't have the childhood dream of owning an FD I would have kept the 996. I miss it but I get to drive them everyday including the 991, which might not be as raw as other makes up for it in its advanced engine electronics and truly amazing Porsche engine design. It revs like a motorcycle and its daily drivable it doesn't get much better. Comparatively the FD is like a go cart, very comforting to the driver because you can throw it into a corner and will come out straight on the other side. 911 handle incredibly and are fast but they drive very different for obvious reason but they do have qualities and characteristics that may not be better or worst than an RX7. Both raw but in different ways. It's like Comparing two apex predators. At the end of the day they are both still amazing beasts. Drive a few and feel them out for yourself. You will enjoy driving them. It's really preference. There are things I love and hate about both cars but what I hate and love might be totally different. Both awesome drivers cars.