Porsche 911

vs

Porsche 911 (964)

Germany vs West Germany — 1974 vs 1989

Porsche 911 (1974)
Porsche 911 (964) (1989)
Specifications
911 Turbo 3.0 (930)911 (964) Carrera 4
Horsepower260 hp250 hp
Torque253 lb-ft228 lb-ft
Engine Size2,994 cc3,600 cc
0-60 mph5.2 sec5.7 sec
Top Speed155 mph162 mph
¼ Mile13.5 sec13.9 sec
Weight3,197 lbs
Wheelbase2,272 mm2,272 mm
Length4,291 mm4,250 mm
Units Produced2,87362,172
Original MSRP$69,500
Value (Excellent)$280,000$180,000
Collectibility5/108/10
Rarity7/105/10
The Verdict

It's a closely fought contest. The 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 (930) brings quicker acceleration, greater rarity to the table, and the 1989 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 4 answers with higher top speed, stronger collectibility, better value. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.

Overview

Few model names carry as much weight as the Porsche 911. The 1974 and 1989 iterations represent different chapters in this storied nameplate's history, each reflecting the priorities and technologies of its era. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 (930) producing 260 hp and the 1989 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 4 delivering 250 hp. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Porsche 911 uses a Flat-6 Air-Cooled Turbocharged displacing 2,994 cc, while the Porsche 911 (964) relies on a Flat-6 SOHC with 3,600 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 (930) edges ahead at 5.2 seconds versus 5.7 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 2,873 units built, the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 (930) is considerably scarcer than the Porsche 911 (964)'s 62,172 examples. On the collector market, the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 (930) commands a significant premium over the 1989 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 4, reflecting differences in prestige and rarity. From a collectibility standpoint, the 1989 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 4 rates higher among enthusiasts and auction houses.