Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi everyone new to the site and new to the Porsche World!!!
So to begin:

As a beginner i am considering buying a 964 Targa that caught my attention BUT... there is on the engine cover at the back a 911 badge that writes Targa Florio and on the sides of the car. Is this a special edition of Targa or is it just something usual? If yes what are the differences from a usual targa?

What should i be carefull when buying a 964? Mechanical problems etc... I ve read a fiew things but your opinion would be much aprreciated.

Thanks for all your help

Welcome to the world of Porsches

The 964 is known for oil leaks (bad ones ) ,clutches , but more importally , service history is a must like most Porsches

I would look at a nice 911 3.2 Carerra

Not much help but its a start, look at this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_964#Engine

Mike

Going for a better condition

Hello welcome to the forum, and hopefully the world of air cooled Porsche's the 964 is a great car and good ones are appreciating fast , so find a good one and buy it ! it was a great step forward in development from all that went before, much more power , better corrosion resistance better handling and creature comforts, all that stuff unfortunately means extra weight though. They were known as a bit leaky in the oil dept, so have a good look on the inside of the under tray and if dry, so far so good. The dual mass flywheel has also been known as a weakness,and are expensive to change, I would think most 964's with a dodgy flywheel have had them changed by now though, so you are probably ok.Make sure all the electrics work on the car, including seats ! Have a good look round and under the car and drive it. If all seems ok get an independent specialist to give a report on the car, not cheap but could save you thousands. Good luck PS I am not a 964 expert/owner, I have a 993, but the '64 was the next best thing

Get one thats had an engine rebuild!

What you change in an engine rebuild? What should i ask for? At how many km should it had an engine rebuild?
Is the twin exchaust normal (on the rear photo) for this model or is it an aftermarket modification along with the bumper?

On the test drive what should i pay attention?

I had a good look at a few 964's before I found what I now own (not a 964 - went for an earlier car) and all of the 964's I saw had problems with oil leaks. They're pretty obvious - it'll be all over the place. One I looked at had been parked in a space for about two hours. We went for a test drive in the drizzle, and on our return there was a huge rainbow spreading across the parking space, and a strong smell of burning oil in the interior! This latter issue is not unusual (there's nearly always a bit of a whiff - it's all part of the charm of a 911!) but will be worse if the heat exchangers are past their best, and just another thing that will need fixing if you don't wish to asphyxiate yourself and any passengers every time you go out.

I think there was a Targa Florio special edition at some point. Can't see why anyone would wish to fake one. Not sure if the twin exhaust is original but there are good aftermarket systems around so it might be one of those.

I really don't have a downer on 964's, but you need to know what you might be getting yourself into. I bought the Peter Morgan buyers guide which was very helpful and pointed out a few things to avoid. I would still like a 964 - they can be a cracking drive, and make one of the best noises of any car, ever. But make sure you buy one that someone else has spent lots of their money on so you don't get any surprises. Also, do consider getting a professional inspection done (especially if you're not confident you know what you are looking at) to identify any problems which can help you negotiate the price to a level that refelcts any spend you might have to make. By the way, the bill for an engine rebuild will be substantial - £3 to £5K I believe. Look for detailed invoices (from recognised specialists) in the extensive history file that you WILL want in any car you consider... Ask about this before you go to see any car as there's no point in a wasted journey.

You've joined the club - good first step. Go to your next area meeting and see some of the cars, and keep asking questions on here - people are more than happy to help, and enjoy a bit of vicarious car buying!

Best of luck - keep us in the loop!

So as far now to summarize the main problems:

1. Check for Head Gasket oil leakage
2. Double Mass Flywheel check if it is manufactured by LUK... then it is ok
3. Dual Ignition System ...Distributors must have a ventilation kit to remove ozone
4. Rear Blower Fan must have a resistor overheat protection.

Am i right? Any more?

Good luck with your search, I looked at a few 964's when I was searching for one, I started my search for any 964 then narrowed it down to a cab or Targa then decided it had to be a Targa finished in red or white.
One of the most disappointing things for me was the lack of honesty in the description of the cars by normal everyday owners ( not enthusiasts ), the PCGB type club members cars were described truer in my opinion.
The car I eventually settled on was just right for me and although I knew and have spent a bit on it, that was only to get it to how I wanted it.
The coupe is a great looking car , better than the Targa in looks, but for me the Targa is an all round versatile sports car and so underestimated.
There's plenty of good cars out there and one will have your name on it.

Steve

All sounds familiar! Don't forget accident damage and where to look for evidence of it.

Look at a few to gain an impression of what's out there and the comparative quality of different cars at similar money. Some will stand out as having been run on a shoestring and possibly worth avoiding. Things like non-matching or budget brand tyres always seem to mark them out to me.

Be strong! It's so easy to fall in love with superficially pretty-looking cars. I always seem to fall for the ones that need a little help. Thankfully I've walked away from most but it's always a struggle!

Thanks for all the info!! This lead me to the next question!!

Where should i look for accident evidence or rust?

Hi mate, the main areas on a 964 for rust is easy to spot, check the scuttle panel (bottom edge of windscreen) bit of a bugger to fix cos got to remove the screen to do propper. Also they always seem to go as the front bumper meets the wing cos the water gets trapped in the rubber seal. pull the spare wheel out and check the floor for any ripples or filler (owt that dosent look right. As for oil leeks i think most have them to some extent. Mine has an oily under side but it never drips onto the floor or uses a lot of oil, i very rearly have to top the oil up.
964's are great cars, modern mechanicals and a classic 911 look. 3.2's are cheaper to maintain though, so go for wot you can afford. i do my own oil changes ect so i save money but if something big went ther canny complex and would need a specialist.
ps the red targa looks nice, let us know if you buy one.