REDLINE ALLEYPorsche 911 964 Carrera buying guide
1989 to 1994. A 964 suits a buyer who wants an air cooled 911 that drives well and will pay a specialist to check the heads and rust.
Big jobs
- Cylinder head studs. Failing head studs are the most likely engine fault. Oil leaks and a misfire at high speed are the signs.
- Twin distributor drive belt. The belt that drives the second distributor can snap and cause terminal engine damage. A vent modification prevents it.
- Dual mass flywheel. Early manual cars up to 1992 are more prone to flywheel failure. Rattle and vibration at idle or a clonk under power are the signs. Most original units should have been replaced with the later type.
- Rust in screens, wings and suspension mounts. Rust shows round the headlamps, where the front wings meet the bumpers, round the front and rear screens, in the rear arches and in the inner arches at the suspension mounts. Rotten rear suspension mounts are very expensive.
- Mileage records. The speedo is easy to tamper with.
Workshop jobs
- Oil leaks from covers and gaskets. Valve and timing chain covers seep oil. Pre 1991 cars leaked at the head to block gasket; the sealing was improved from about August 1990.
- ABS module and power steering. ABS module failure is costly, though dirty or loose accelerometers in the transmission tunnel can be the simpler cause. Poor steering can come from a leaking hose between pump and reservoir.
- Dampers and front control arm bushes. Ride quality deteriorates, and front lower control arm bushes are due on cars over 70,000 miles.
Questions for the seller
- Has the distributor vent kit been fitted?
- Has the dual mass flywheel been replaced, and with which type?
- Have the head studs ever been done?
- Is it a Cabriolet or Targa, and are the carpets dry?
- Is it a C2 or C4, and manual or Tiptronic?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-03. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.