Discussion
With respect to performance, just looked at the Car and Driver data for standard c2 964, 993, 996 3.4l, 996 3.6l. It shows that they get heavier and more powerful over time, but the performance in terms of acceleration(to 100 mph and over a standing quarter) is more or less constant.
AJAX50 said:
With respect to performance, just looked at the Car and Driver data for standard c2 964, 993, 996 3.4l, 996 3.6l. It shows that they get heavier and more powerful over time, but the performance in terms of acceleration(to 100 mph and over a standing quarter) is more or less constant.
constantly going down.
fidgits said:
but surely if you were after driver puriety you should all be driving 1970's 911's?
Well if you're after decent ergonomics, proper suspension (not those aweful MacPherson struts up front!), more torque and a much better powertrain layout than that antiquated throwback to an antiquated rear engined anachronism, you should be driving a Porsche 928 GTS
I found the 996 to be a bit like an M3 'plus'. Quick and comfortable and effortless.
But i like a bit of effort! Why else would i have sold my 993tt to go back to a naturally aspirated 993? Okay, my main reason was the noise, but still...
Having driven 996 C2, 996 C4, 996TT , and 996 GT3 (Mk1) the only one i would consider for myself would be the GT3, but given the choice between the GT3 and a 993RS i'd pick the 993RS (again because it's more involving).
Everyone's going to have an opinion and i don't think there's a right or wrong to be found i'm afraid. The 996 is very comfy and very swift, the 993 is a dinosaur and makes you work for it. It seems in this analogy i'm a paleontoligist.
But i like a bit of effort! Why else would i have sold my 993tt to go back to a naturally aspirated 993? Okay, my main reason was the noise, but still...
Having driven 996 C2, 996 C4, 996TT , and 996 GT3 (Mk1) the only one i would consider for myself would be the GT3, but given the choice between the GT3 and a 993RS i'd pick the 993RS (again because it's more involving).
Everyone's going to have an opinion and i don't think there's a right or wrong to be found i'm afraid. The 996 is very comfy and very swift, the 993 is a dinosaur and makes you work for it. It seems in this analogy i'm a paleontoligist.
993c4 said:
It was designed for the mass market and has been very successful, but at the ame time has diluted what Porsche used to stand for. They would have been better designating it a different model number.
I actually think the 996 (and 997) actually represents more of what Porsche stands for today.
Pick which generation you want to either live (now) or re-live!
>> Edited by polarexpress on Wednesday 24th May 11:51
verysideways said:
I found the 996 to be a bit like an M3 'plus'. Quick and comfortable and effortless.
But i like a bit of effort! Why else would i have sold my 993tt to go back to a naturally aspirated 993? Okay, my main reason was the noise, but still...
Having driven 996 C2, 996 C4, 996TT , and 996 GT3 (Mk1) the only one i would consider for myself would be the GT3, but given the choice between the GT3 and a 993RS i'd pick the 993RS (again because it's more involving).
Everyone's going to have an opinion and i don't think there's a right or wrong to be found i'm afraid. The 996 is very comfy and very swift, the 993 is a dinosaur and makes you work for it. It seems in this analogy i'm a paleontoligist.
Wot he sed.
There is no "best" - try them both and buy the one you like - you may not like either of course.
Someone pointed out that it can be hard to actually do this, esp. if you are relying on dealers. In which case I suggest you ask on here - I'm sure people would be happy to show you their P&J. You may not be able to drive it but you'll certainly get some ideas/views/suggestions. Comments on here are all very well, but actually seeing/sitting in/driving are different things.
sleep envy said:
in came additional weight
Psssst!! Fancy editing this before one of the 996 brigade notices as a 993 C2 is heavier than a 996 C2. Something to do with using a thinner gauge of steel for the panels.
>> Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 23 May 22:36
I wasn't talking about the car. I was talking about the owners.
......grabs hat and runs..............
loach said:
in came additional weight
Psssst!! Fancy editing this before one of the 996 brigade notices as a 993 C2 is heavier than a 996 C2. Something to do with using a thinner gauge of steel for the panels.
>> Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 23 May 22:36
I wasn't talking about the car. I was talking about the owners.
......grabs hat and runs..............
jonny996 said:
Lets stoke the fire a bit more
Who has sold there 993 to buy a 996 ? & who has sold there 996 to but a 993 ?
I will wager the 993 to 996 brigade wins
John,
You missed a bit out of the statement!
......and then lost so much money in depreciation, that they could not afford to go back to a 993
Playing golf last night with one of my friends who has a 996 who is looking to sell, but because he took it out on finance the p/ex figures he is bing offered do not cover the outstanding amount
I had a 993 for 5+ years. Have had a GT3 for 18 months. Here are my thoughts:
The 993 is not a one trick pony - we went touring in the Alps, two young kids and the wife in the 993 no probs at all.
I loved my 993 and modded it many time over the years.
Looks are subjective but imho the 993 is one of the best looking cars ever. Having said that, when i drove my sister's 3.2 Carrera, it was a HUGE shame that the 911 lost the upright wings that were a trademark since the very early cars. I found myself watching those rounded wings while driving a lot. I thought the move to the 968 style lights and wings on the 993 was a horrible thing to do and became very conscious of it. From the rear thought, the S models with the J-Lo backside look incredible. Continued that way, one could get to a 356 v 993 debate quite easily! - and how much you would love one over the other and how much fun you would have at real world speeds.
I also thought that the 993 was not as well built as my sister's 3.2 Carrera. Fittings and leathers were cheaper no doubt. The decline had started. Issues like the door straps, engine wiring loom, vram problems all show this up. 993 was not overengineered in the way that the 3.2 was.
I went for the GT3 because to me it feels far more connected to the road than the 993. Also, incredible engine - its an awesome car. Despite many mods, the 993 didn't give me the confidence to push as hard as i do in the GT3 (on track) nor the feel that it provides on the road.
That said, I preferred the interior of the 993 and it felt smaller and more delicate.
All in all, drive them both and build in the fact that ownership propositions are very different from a half hour test drive. Bear in mind reliability issues (its just my view but i wouldn't buy a non Turbo/GT2/GT3 996 - but get into one of these and you'll think WOW).
Comparisons between 996 and 993 happen because of the passing of the air cooled age. But why not compare 993 v 3.2 v 964 v pre impact bumper cars v 356 etc. For the "true" enthusiast, the 993 may well come bottom of that list.
Directionless ramble over!
Cheers
Ajit.
The 993 is not a one trick pony - we went touring in the Alps, two young kids and the wife in the 993 no probs at all.
I loved my 993 and modded it many time over the years.
Looks are subjective but imho the 993 is one of the best looking cars ever. Having said that, when i drove my sister's 3.2 Carrera, it was a HUGE shame that the 911 lost the upright wings that were a trademark since the very early cars. I found myself watching those rounded wings while driving a lot. I thought the move to the 968 style lights and wings on the 993 was a horrible thing to do and became very conscious of it. From the rear thought, the S models with the J-Lo backside look incredible. Continued that way, one could get to a 356 v 993 debate quite easily! - and how much you would love one over the other and how much fun you would have at real world speeds.
I also thought that the 993 was not as well built as my sister's 3.2 Carrera. Fittings and leathers were cheaper no doubt. The decline had started. Issues like the door straps, engine wiring loom, vram problems all show this up. 993 was not overengineered in the way that the 3.2 was.
I went for the GT3 because to me it feels far more connected to the road than the 993. Also, incredible engine - its an awesome car. Despite many mods, the 993 didn't give me the confidence to push as hard as i do in the GT3 (on track) nor the feel that it provides on the road.
That said, I preferred the interior of the 993 and it felt smaller and more delicate.
All in all, drive them both and build in the fact that ownership propositions are very different from a half hour test drive. Bear in mind reliability issues (its just my view but i wouldn't buy a non Turbo/GT2/GT3 996 - but get into one of these and you'll think WOW).
Comparisons between 996 and 993 happen because of the passing of the air cooled age. But why not compare 993 v 3.2 v 964 v pre impact bumper cars v 356 etc. For the "true" enthusiast, the 993 may well come bottom of that list.
Directionless ramble over!
Cheers
Ajit.
singh911 said:
But why not compare 993 v 3.2 v 964 v pre impact bumper cars v 356 etc. For the "true" enthusiast, the 993 may well come bottom of that list.
Excellent point. Having also owned a 993 before my current GT3, if I had to do the air-cooled thing again, my first port of call would be a pre-74 car followed closely behind with a regular 964C2 for normal roads. On hindsight, I realise that there is a simplicity with the pre-993 cars that seems diluted in the slightly over-achieving 993.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff