Not too many years ago, the Porsche 964 was the unloved and unwanted 911. Not any more – people are desperate to find good examples and they’re hard to come by.
There are many reasons the 964 is in demand. Here are some:
1, It’s a perfect mix of classic 911 lines with (relatively) modern technology and interior comfort (it’s got conventional heater controls, for a start).
2, It’s a rare car. During the recession of the early 1990s, when the 964 was current, Porsche struggled to sell cars and relatively few 964s were built from 1989 to 1992. The 993 that followed was sold in much greater numbers.
3, It’s affordable (for the moment) and cheaper than an equivalent 993.
4, It’s a reliable and tough 911.
5, It’s a lovely car to drive.
6, 964 Carrera 2 RS and Turbo prices have skyrocketed and this has had a knock-on effect on the lesser models in the range.
So why was the 964 unloved for so long? Well, the early ones suffered from engine oil leaks, dodgy dual-mass flywheels and other woes. However, Porsche moved quickly to rectify these problems and later cars proved trouble free, while early ones were sorted out under warranty. Today, a 964 engine is no more likely to leak than any other 911’s (and if it does, it’s likely to be because of age rather than any inherent fault in the engine).
I championed the 964 a few years ago, when I worked for 911 & Porsche World magazine. I brought a lovely green example over from Germany (that’s it in the photo) and I like to think that, in my own small way, I helped changed people’s attitudes to this classic Porsche. I should never have sold that car!
Today, I always have people looking for good Porsche 964s and good ones are hard to come by. There are a few ropey ones out there but really nice, well-maintained ones are few and far between. I had a lovely one last year up for £20,000 and it sold within eight hours of my getting it!
So, if you have a Porsche 964 to sell, do please get in touch!
