The first time I ever saw a 964 Carrera was in 1992 when my mom took me to see Beethoven at our local two screen. Out of all the images that were burned into my brain from that movie, the bad guy’s black Carrera 2 is the one that I have always vividly remembered. It’s kind of weird that all these years later whenever I see a 964 I think of that movie when there are so many other things to associate the car with both in the racing world and in pop culture. The 964 should really be the most iconic 911 as it bridged the gap between the purist car that the 911 was and the consumer friendly machine it has become. However I think these cars remain under appreciated by most folks, dismissed as being the first step towards the softening of the 911. I’d be quick to point out to these naysayers that the 964 was in fact quite hardcore in its performance numbers despite the addition of creature comforts. This was truly the beginning of the journey towards the “have your cake and eat it too” Porsche we know and love today.
The 964 saw an increase in power, better ride and handling, improved safety features, more effective climate control system and an all wheel drive variant. I’m willing to bet that when it debuted many Porsche enthusiasts made a big fuss about the car going against everything Porsche stands for, much like we do today about, well just about anything Porsche does. With nearly 25 years of hindsight I think that even the grouchiest Luftgekuhlt lovers would have to admit, the 964 generation deserves a whole lot of respect. Take a good look at this example right here and I think you’ll agree that a Carrera 2 might just be the perfect classic 911.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe
Year:Â 1991
Model: Carrera 2 Coupe
Engine: 3.6 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 104,000Â mi
Price: $41,500 OBO
1991 Carrera 2 Coupe. 104K Miles. Black with Linen interior. 5-speed. Overall very clean inside and out. Original paint is in exceptional condition but there are some scratches on both front and rear bumpers and some highway rock chips on the hood but no dents or dings on the body. Weekend car that lives in a weekend house garage and never sees weather. Tons of service records dating back to original owner. Comes with original airbag steering wheel and catalytic converter (I will reinstall either upon request). Upgrades include 17″ Cup I wheels, Steve Wong Chip, Cat bypass and primary bypass, Bilstein HD Shocks and H&R Green Springs, 4-piston rear brake calipers. New Steering rack currently being installed. Comes with air pump, car cover, and extra set of seats. 3k Miles on Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. This car gets compliments every time I take it out. Located in The Hamptons, NY.
I’d like to address the obvious right away, this car is overpriced, even for this market. The seller notes that there are some scratches on the bumpers and rock chips around various areas of the exterior. That’s to be expected with a car of this age if it has been used regularly but I don’t think the seller is really taking that into consideration. A concours ready Carrera 2 would fit the asking price but one with 101k on it and some interior/exterior imperfections, that should be able a whole $10k less. Yes there are some extras to consider, the Steve Wong chip, 17″ Cup I wheels, suspension upgrade, brake upgrade, new steering rack. Modifying a car is all well and good but the harsh reality is that it just doesn’t add value when it comes time to sell the vehicle. I’ve learned this the hard way, I’m sure many of our regular readers have as well. This is a clean example of a Carrera 2, but it ain’t a $40k plus example. The car has lived in the northeast by the ocean for pete’s sake, that alone tells me that there ain’t no way this thing has covered the miles it has without accruing enough wear to bring it down to the normal price range. Extra set of seats, car cover, air pump and a relatively new set of tires adds some value but not much, not to those of us who know better.
I happen to really like the Black/Linen color combo here though and that Momo steering wheel looks real proper. I’d usually suggest color matching the top hash mark to the color of the interior but in this case I think the yellow works only because of the yellow New York plates on the outside. All about the details with these cars and the details on this example are quite good.
Cheers,
-Andrew
The top hash mark only comes in yellow from Momo. Others have changed it but it’s not all that simple. The other issue is this car came with a driver’s side air bag in the wheel and obviously the Momo does not have one. Unless you went through the system and bypassed it correctly you’ll have that warning light staring you in the face every time you drive the car.
As you stated this car is overpriced. The 964 has long been the red headed step child of the air cooled world who has now only been getting the respect they deserve. I have long been a fan owning all of the odd ball model 964’s back when no one wanted them. Unfortunately for me those models are all now worth many times what I sold them for long ago.
I have seen a couple of 964’s with right around 100k on them sell at $40k but they were far far better examples than this one. The improvements on the later cars, 1992 to 1994 make them really the ones to own. This being a 1991 still suffers from not having a gasket between the case and the cylinder and is prone to leaking. If it’s not started by this time in its life it may not or it may have been expensively addressed already. Cup ones were not offered in 1991 and I suspect they’re knockoffs. Not the end of the world but….
The air-cooled market is funny right now. The markets moved higher and very quickly such that we are seeing a lot of cars priced as if they’re high end cars by owners who might not really be sellers were it not for what they perceive to be very high prices. I stuck my car out there at a silly high price, if it sells … then it sells… if not I am happy to keep it. I think this car may fall into the same category. There were a couple of 964’s which sold off of Rennlist recently at high prices only to pop back up in the market at even higher prices and then go unsold for many weeks. I doubt you’ll see the bubble pop, but I also think the markets not in the 40’s for average examples with 100k plus on them.
Yeah I’ll admit that I would simply put grey alcantara over the yellow stripe. Not the classiest way to change it but, it’ll work.
As for the 964 market and air cooled market in general, yeah, you’ve got it exactly right. So many listings out there with high asking prices and that classic line “no rush to sell, just feeling out the market”. I try to avoid those at all costs, look for someone serious about selling their vehicle and realistic about the asking price.
I have a weird thing about owning cars from even years, if possible. I’ve had ’94, ’96, ’02, ’06 and ’08 MY vehicles. My first car was a ’91 but that was the exception to the rule, I just like even numbers I guess. So for me I’d be after a ’92 or ’94, fun way to help narrow down an otherwise daunting search.