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Originally Posted by blue2000s
The air cooled cars are sooo much more tactile than the 986/996 and newer. The new cars have higher limits, but that's useless on a street driven car.
I'd have chosen an even older model, like an SC, no power steering and about 300 pounds lighter, but I love to drive any of the older models. Oh that engine music.
The air cooled cars also have that really solid build construction that Porsche built their reputation on. Look at the difference between closing the door on an older 911 to a newer one and you'll know what I mean. Not to say they were flawless, but they were built with less of a concern for cost.
I understand that the 964 AWD system tends to understeer more than most people preferred, but I've driven through the mountains briskly following a 964 C4 and although I could gain a little here and there, I'd say he wasn't struggling with excessive understeer.
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Well, understeer is somewhat subjective. The main advantage to the AWD is it's ability to mitigate the snap oversteer these cars have a tendency to experience and of course it does this through some increased understeer. But the difference is mostly one of getting used to it, sort of like driving a car with a higher steering gear ratio, you learn to adapt.
The disadvantages are reduced Range (MPG) driving 2 sets of wheels instead of 1. There's a weight penalty of a few hundred pounds. There's more to go wrong and more to service. But, bye-in-large it's a pretty robust system.
The biggest issues with the 964 tend to be the plastic valve covers, which warp and then leak perrenially (there are aftermarket alloy billet CNC valve covers which cure this, but it's a $1,000 solution), the dual ignition system will degrade unless you add the vent kit to eliminate ozone buildup in the #2 dizzy, teh M64 motor was built without head gaskets and any warpage can cause loss of oil and eventually compression (headgaskets can be installed and fix the problem) and all parts are EXPENSIVE! They make the Boxster look cheap to maintain by comparison.
This is why I chose the one I did. It's pristine condition and low mileage should, at least for a while, make the ownership costs bearable.
I already have the Factory Repair Manuals and in many cases, servicing the car looks to be easier (though in some cases, not by much) than the Boxster.
Anyway, nothing says it has to be forever. If I end up disenchanted with it, I'll just start to look for the next one down the list.
But, for now, I'm looking forward to the experience of owning and driving this car.
Cheers!