It’s been quite a while since we featured a 911 Turbo 3.6 with an asking price below $200K. In fact, it appears that of all…
2 CommentsTag: 1994
Audi’s naming convention between 1985 and 1995 was, to say the least, a bit confusing. Audi had already changed its B2 series to the 4000 designation and C2/3 series to 5000 to help differentiate them from the earlier models. Starting in 1986, Audi introduced the “CS” designation. In the 5000 model, that denoted the turbocharged model, as the “S” was lower spec model. The same carried to the 4000 model. In both cases, the “S” model was no longer available with quattro. This was a bit confusing, as the 4000S quattro had been available in ’84/’85, and the ’86 model was effectively identical to the outgoing ’85. It was more confusing, though, in ’87, when the “S” model was introduced with quattro in the 5000 range but not in the 4000.
In 1988, the trim levels changed again. Now the 4000 designation was gone, replaced with the B3 models that brought the small sedans in line with their European counterparts. Now there was a low spec 80 and a high spec 90, both available with quattro. The 5000 soldiered on for another year with only revised badging script to bring it in line with the change.
In ’89, the 5000 was changed over to match the 80/90 with the 100/200 models. As with 80/90, the 100/200 differentiated trim and engine choice. Quattro was available in both models, but the 200s were higher spec and had turbochargers. It made sense.
Things started to get confusing again in 1992, though. Audi was really struggling to make sales in the U.S., and the introduction of the new “S” performance models further muddied the waters as the new C4 was introduced. Gone was the 200, but S/CS designation was back! However, since turbocharged models were limited to the S4 in the U.S., there was no 100S quattro – only the 100CS quattro. This convention, however, only lasted 3 years.
At the same time, the 90 range was also revised in 1993 to the new B4 model. In 1992, only the 80 model was available, but when the new 90 model was launched, the 80 was gone and the 90 was now S/CS trim, too. The strange changes continued in 1995, when thoroughly frustrated by their lack of sales success Audi completely relaunched their brand with the new “A” series of names. So, in 1995, the 100 became the A6 and the S4 became the S6, with only minor changes between the two. But the 90 continued alongside the A6 range for one more year until the new A4 was ready, although the CS was dropped in that year and replaced with “Sport”. Still with me?
The point of all this is that each of these generations of Audis is pretty unique, but none were particularly sales successes. In the case of the 100CS quattro we see here, a scant 5,000 of which were sold in the U.S.:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Audi 100CS quattro on eBay
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The Porsche 968 Coupe 6-speed is a fairly infrequently seen package, but one that is generally considered to be the “ultimate development” of the water-cooled transaxle 4-cylinder models. Only about half of the cars that were imported to the U.S. were Coupes (4,242 sent to North America, 2,234 of which were Coupes), and when equipped with the 6-speed manual the number dwindles to just 1,811. That puts production of these models on par with the E28 M5 in terms of rarity, and the group of enthusiasts who enjoy them are about as avid if not moreso. However, they also often overvalue their cars in the marketplace, making them expensive options relative to the performance on tap.
Today I have a group of no less than three 968 Coupe 6-speeds for sale – a rare Christmas treat to see. Which is the winner of the group?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Porsche 958 Coupe on eBay
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When discussing 911s I’ve written at times about what I can best describe as a car’s “presence.” That command of an audience that certain cars possess, but not in the manner of supercar audacity. Many cars attract attention because they look wild. Not so a 911 (perhaps the GT3RS excepted). Yet older models do turn heads and among 911 fans their varying levels of presence stands out. It is subjective, certainly, but I think it’s still a quality we can all understand.
The 928, even though one has not been produced in over 20 years, certainly possesses that sort of presence. Heck, on those very rare times when I see one I try to take as much time to look at it as I can. The design seems so beyond its era, yet not even particularly modern. It’s just a great design that works in a variety of time periods and still looks fresh today. Here we have one from very near the end of their 17 years of production, and it also happens to be one of the very rare manual transmission examples on the market: a Slate Grey Metallic 1994 Porsche 928GTS, located in Texas, with 88,454 miles on it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Porsche 928GTS on eBay
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The quest for the ‘Holy Grail’. Everyone has their own holy grail among 911 models and for those that are really particular that search gets parsed even further into specific color combinations on said models. Well, among 911 models themselves the one we see here is the one many will seek. Here we have a 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flatnose with a scant 2,306 miles on it. The colors here are Guards Red over Cashmere Beige – a not uncommon, but still eye catching combination on any 911. As you’d expect there aren’t many of them (39 were built for the US) so we don’t see them come up for sale often and they’re very expensive. Interestingly, these aren’t the most rare and sought after of these cars. The even more rare ‘Package Car’, distinguished from these by having the standard 964 nose rather than the 968-derived Flatnose, takes relative rarity even further with only 17 having been produced in total, all of which were for the US market. Holy Grail indeed!