Porsche 993 test drive?

[ketan.jina]

I really want to get a feel for what its like to drive a 933 before I buy one. Any advice on where to test drive one?

Ideally for a day or so, maybe a hire?

Thanks!

[blueg33]

ketan.jina said:

I really want to get a feel for what its like to drive a 933 before I buy one. Any advice on where to test drive one?

Ideally for a day or so, maybe a hire?

Thanks!

Can't answer your question, but I think they are great to drive, the front bobs about in a typical old school Porsche way, the vario ram engine has a solid re-assuring feel. They are not quick by modern standards but fast enough. Probably one of my favorite Porsches

[Desert Dragon]

They have one at OPC Silverstone where you can book on experience drive

[ketan.jina]

I get the impression they are amazing cars, looked at forums and the classifieds and vids about them to understand them a bit more. It seems odd, but I haven't seen one on the road, or driven one.

I didn't want the first time I drive one to be one that I want to purchase.

[ketan.jina]

Desert Dragon said:

They have one at OPC Silverstone where you can book on experience drive

Thanks, will look them up. Ideally I want to take it onto 'normal' roads - the above is a start though 👌

[Desert Dragon]

They're lovely especially on modern rubber which makes them much safer for a noob. I can't think of any other experience like an air cooled TBH. Very special from a different era. Some might say a better time

[ketan.jina]

Its definitely my era! I started off looking at a 991, then a 997, skipped 996, then the lovely 964, and finally a 993. Looking at the older models definitely appeals. The newer ones just don't do it for me

[Wozy68]

ketan.jina said:

Its definitely my era! I started off looking at a 991, then a 997, skipped 996, then the lovely 964, and finally a 993. Looking at the older models definitely appeals. The newer ones just don't do it for me

Whatever you do don’t get hung up on the Vario, non Vario argument.

Back in the day it was all Vario engine was the one to have, that attitude has now changed as the cars have got older.

I test drove both and preferred the earlier engine and that’s what I bought, it was just sooooo much old skool 911 imo .

Also make sure the 993 you test drive has it’s suspension setup correctly. A knackered 993 suspension is a very poor ride and ruins the experience.

Edited by Wozy68 on Sunday 25th October 00:34

[ketan.jina]

Thanks for the info. I understand the differences, but am not worried about getting one without varioram. I see a lot of Targas though. Is that more of a thing to worry about? Is the difference between a coupe and a targa significant in terms of road noise, handling etc?

P.s. I contacted porsche driving experience at silverdtone and they don't have a 993, only the latest. Anyone think of another place I can test drive one?

[n12maser]

Yes more to worry about with a targa if the roof goes wrong - complicated mechanism and apparently quite costly to fix.

Won't have the rigidity of a 993 coupe as it's basically the 993 cabriolet with a hard top. I used to have 993 cab before my coupe and it did need feel nearly as rigid.

[ketan.jina]

The simpler the better for me. The cars that come up in the cheaper range tend to be targas. Like this one.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2020071613...

It looks great, really like the black interior with the silver. Have no idea about the drive, but seems like i need to drive both a coupe and targa. Its all subjective though, as I presume a well setup targa would drive better than a badly setup coupe...

[nebpor]

Modern Classic Car Club have a lovely 993, 5 mins from Glasgow Airport - you can hire for a weekend, get it out on some awesome roads as you are at the foot of the highlands
https://modernclassics.cc/

[Stuart70]

nebpor said:

Modern Classic Car Club have a lovely 993, 5 mins from Glasgow Airport - you can hire for a weekend, get it out on some awesome roads as you are at the foot of the highlands
https://modernclassics.cc/

They appear to have a 996, cannot see a 993 on their website? They ran a comparison of a 993 and a 964 story, but I cannot see either of the cars for rental. Am I missing something?

[Brave Fart]

I would definitely advise trying a 993 before committing to buy; they are nothing like modern cars, and that may appeal to you or turn you right off. The offset pedals on RHD cars can be a real problem for some folk; it doesn't bother others. Ditto the performance - if you are expecting rocketship pace you'll be disappointed. They're not slow, but some people think "ooh, a 911, it'll be supercar quick". They're not, but again that's part of the charm. They certainly have enough pace for today's public roads.
Overall, they have character - much more than modern cars in my opinion. I loved mine and only sold it because of a knee injury (see offset pedals). I know someone who hated his, absolutely hated it, and sold it within a few days of buying it. He's now in a 991 and much happier. He just couldn't live with the old fashioned feel of a 993, whereas for me that was the whole point of the car.

[ketan.jina]

Thats part of the problem in being able to drive one, and know whether its something I want. I like the idea of it having its own charm, but like you say, can I lobe with it. I'm by no means a racer and would never track the car. I'd like to use it to tour around with the occasion trip to Europe when things improve. I remember trying to hire a 964 not so long ago, and the prices were coming back as £1200 for 2 days hire!

I'm in Hertfordshire, so the Scottish trip would be too far. Anyone know something closer?

[996Targa]

Have you tried Ray Northway near Newbury?

https://www.northway.co.uk

[nebpor]

Stuart70 said:

They appear to have a 996, cannot see a 993 on their website? They ran a comparison of a 993 and a 964 story, but I cannot see either of the cars for rental. Am I missing something?

No, they must have got rid of it / something else - i didn't actually go into look at the cars, as i've seen it there a few times and thought of hiring it myself to see what the old-school fuss is about!

[ketan.jina]

996Targa said:

Have you tried Ray Northway near Newbury?

https://www.northway.co.uk

Interestingly that's where the car i was looking at is. I think I may just have to bite the biscuit and go for a test drive to get a feel for them.

[Orangecurry]

ketan.jina said:

The simpler the better for me. The cars that come up in the cheaper range tend to be targas. Like this one.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2020071613...

It looks great, really like the black interior with the silver. Have no idea about the drive, but seems like i need to drive both a coupe and targa. Its all subjective though, as I presume a well setup targa would drive better than a badly setup coupe...

I may get flamed, but I'm not sure that's true.

To produce a targa, as noted above, they start with a coupe shell and cut the roof off (so I was told). They then had to add various bits to strengthen what remains, and then add the targa roof. This is not the same as a simple hardtop - it is a very complex and heavy mix of metal and glass, and all of that weight is in the wrong place - up high. If you prefer 'simple' and a purer (whatever that means) driving experience, you want a coupe.

Edited by Orangecurry on Sunday 25th October 15:01

[Orangecurry]

Wozy68 said:

Also make sure the 993 you test drive has it’s suspension setup correctly. A knackered 993 suspension is a very poor ride and ruins the experience.

This is the critical piece of advice, in my opinion.