Need guidance for the 993 hunt

Need guidance for the 993 hunt

Author
Discussion

stormcloud

Original Poster:

39 posts

244 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
After having a bit of fun trying to fine tune the "sensible car" to go with my elise I have just had a test drive in a 993 and it seems to tick the boxes.

Now although I am an impulsive buyer, I cannot afford to commit any funds to a purchase for another 6 weeks. In that time I need some really good information on these great looking cars.

What am I looking for from a good 993? FSH? Independent inspection regardless of last service date?
Before treking to a dealership, what are good "over the phone" questions to ask regarding the marque?

Is there a list of a few good dealers that have a reputation for selling good used porsches?

Oh, and if the LHD and RHD prices were identical on a 993, is the pedal offset a good enough reason to go LHD? I will not be expecting to track the car...


Thank you for reading, hope to join the owners club soon.

A.

phib

4,509 posts

274 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
From a previous request :

did exactly the same thing last year a 1999 Chim 5.0 to a 993c2 cab, mainly for the practicality of using it every day.

The TVR never went wrong and neither has the 993, but I get into the 993 every day and don't worry about overheating (me or the car !) and genrally its solid as a rock.

The only issue I have is that the porsche is great but a little slow in comparison it doesent have that real urgancy that the TVR had which I miss.

However the 993 is the best car I have owned but doesent have the same impact the TVR had when I bought it.

So I guess its swings and roundabouts, for me I wanted to use my better car everyday not have it sat in the garage as the TVR was so it suits me.

In terms of niggles watch out for the following :

Door Check Straps (make sure they have been done) about 1.2 K if not try a search and you will see why.

Wheels about £150 (porsche) to have refurbed each

Rear tyres last about 8k ish

vario / normal not a noticable difference

carbon back sports seats to be recomended

AC a must if only for demisting the car (heaven after the TVR)

About 22 / 28MPG Tvr was 15 / 20MPG


Hope that helps

phib

911mot

1,911 posts

251 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
Try asking here, loads of 993 guys there www.911uk.com/forum/

sundiver

780 posts

252 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
The pedal offset is an odd one. Got my first Porsche, a 993 only a month ago and I've only done 500 miles. When I first got it I couldn't get over the pedals and how odd it felt. Now, even after only that short distance I genuinely don't even notice it, even when moving back and forward between cars. In retrospect it strikes me as no more weird than the normal learning process you go through with any new (to you) car when you can't quite get the measure of throttle and clutch for the frst few days - eastablishing sensitivities, biting points etc. I personally had more trouble either stalling it on hillstarts or over-revving it on pulling away; the pedals just weren't an issue...Now, I may feel differently in time or perhaps it'll nag me on a long journey but there you go...

FWIW, I bought privately but spent enough time looking at private and trade to recognise a well-kept one and then went down the OPC inspection / warranty route for a little peace of mind.

And the car? Absolutely marvellous!

MTBR

328 posts

237 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
I have recently bought a left hand drive 993, fairly early in my search, I bought an E-book from www.911secrets.com. Much of it's content was nothing more than common sense, but there was a fair bit of useful model specific stuff as well.
I think it cost about $35US.

The best thing about the book is; it includes a handy check list which you can print, to help stop your heart overuling your head when you go to look at a car.

I bought a left hand drive car, specifically because I will use the car more on the other side of the Channel, than over here.

Personaly, don't find LHD particularly inconvenient in this country. That said, if I was only going to use the car in this country, I would definitely have bought a RHD model:- regardless of peddle offset, fuel tank size or any other minor difference. The better sight lines on B roads would swing it for me every time.

david hype

2,296 posts

267 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
stormcloud said:
Before treking to a dealership, what are good "over the phone" questions to ask regarding the marque?


A.



A. You have six weeks to do your research, in which time you can get around and see plenty of cars and get used to the model. Use it wisely!

Over the phone questions...

All the usual ones, history, crash damage, modifications, clutch, etc,.

Plus these specific 993 ones...

Engine wiring loom changed?
Door check straps done?
Lower cam cover gaskets done?
Steering rack OK?

Happy hunting!

danww

6,914 posts

245 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Regarding LHD vs RHD I think this is a very personal thing, and you just have to try both and work out what's best for you. Recognising that you may well get used to it after a while.

Personally I think LHD is sufficiently superior that I probably would buy LHD over RHD even for the same money all other things being equal of course (in fact I more or less did, since I bought in Germany where there is obviously no discount for LHD). However, that's just me, someone else might think very differently.

Only talking about 993s (and earlier) here, wouldn't do the same for a water-cooled car.

Dan

mansfa

118 posts

294 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
I'm having the same dilema, LHD vs RHD, out of interest what in the difference in fuel tank size?

verysideways

10,256 posts

287 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
No difference in fuel tank size at all, that's an urban legend.

lhd/rhd/USA/canada all 993s have a fuel tank of around 70 litres.
however, lhd (non US/Canada) cars had the option of a 92 litre tank.

i would buy lhd over rhd at the same money simply because i can't get on with the pedal offset in the RHD cars, it hurts my back after a while.