Thread: Daily Driver: '84 911 vs. '99 996

I'm in the market for a new DD as I have grown tired of my E36M3. I live in Michigan.

I will be putting around 15k miles/year on the car and it will see snow and temperatures below zero degrees F. My garage is underground and stays between 50-70 degrees F throughout the year. I plan on picking up a set of winter or all season tires.

I am aware of the IMS failure and debating an LS1 swap before an IMS failure and selling the good 3.4, which should total around $3k after selling the 3.4. Sorry to the purists, but it would be reliable and have turbo power in an inconspicuous shell.

The '84 doesn't have an LSD (which is a major concern); has cat pipe deleted; sunroof car; some 964 turbo wheels; the owner has owned the car for 10+ years and is selling for a 997; no rust; super clean; 120k miles; only thing that doesn't work is a/c.

There are a few 996's that I'm looking at. All are basically stock with 90-140k miles. I have seen some C4's, which I'm not opposed to, but I think that a C2 is a better route for fuel mileage and lack of driveline power loss. That is, unless the C4 AWD can be pulled and put back in. Which would be a nice option for summer/winter driving.

As far as winter driving, I drove my Viper ACR with worn PS2's through 1/2 of a winter and on a road trip I was caught in a blizzard at the Vail Pass in it; drove Murci in the snow on many occasions; and last winter kicked off with a non-LSD BMW 2002; followed with an E36M3 on non-aggressive summer tires. So I'm well versed in low, performance cars in snow.

With that info, please give me your input on which 911 I should go with and why.

Thanks,
Nick

For a daily I would go with 996 for sure. Creature comfort. Blast AC all day long in bumper to bumper traffic with no problem.

If your converting to LS power, then the 996 all the way. You won't get any of your money back when you go to resell so drive it into the ground.

LSX the M3??

I daily a '99 996 when I'm back in the US... only complaint I have is it runs pretty hot when its over 100 outside and I'm going less than 80 mph. As far as comfort and practicality, I don't think it can be beat. I missed getting to drive it this last winter, but I've driven a 986 Boxster through several winters with high performance summer tires and no problems. The IMS thing has been driven into the ground... from what I've gathered about it, if you are past 40k you don't have anything to worry about. I've taken my car past 100k now and plan on swapping out for a built 3.4 (already have the donor block) when I get home.

The 996 C2 is bullet proof the only thing you need to check out is the rear main seals are notorious for going bad and can be a pricey repair but your aware of that already. I prefer the looks of the 84 but man that is just not a car I can drive everyday traffic etc. If your a die hard go for it though.

I'd avoid the 3.4 996. They are far from "bulletproof". Neither make good DDs. It's like saying pick between Roseanne Barr and Rosi O'Donnell for long term companionship.

Originally Posted by ROK

I'd avoid the 3.4 996. They are far from "bulletproof". Neither make good DDs. It's like saying pick between Roseanne Barr and Rosi O'Donnell for long term companionship.

What are you basing your opinion on ? I was fortunate enough to have a 996 C2 in college and put 70k hard, hard miles on it and never had a single issue with the car up until I totalled it trying to avoid deer on a back road at night. The car saved my life and I walked away with nothing but a bloody nose from the airbag. I have a special place in my heart for the 996. I don't know the ROK personally and he may own 100 996 C2's for all I know and they all could have been lemon's for him but I have yet to hear anyone bad mouth the build quality and reliability of the 911 that has actually owned and driven one for a significant period of time.

http://youtu.be/3Sf7XVsYh1Q

awesome video. lol

Nick

Originally Posted by ROK

I'd avoid the 3.4 996. They are far from "bulletproof". Neither make good DDs. It's like saying pick between Roseanne Barr and Rosi O'Donnell for long term companionship.

Can you elaborate.

Nick