3.2 vs 993 for the future
Discussion
I know this is a pretty contentious one and obviously not the only "which Porsche investment thread", but I'm hoping to get some consensus and this is pretty specific.
I am looking to buy a Porsche for use on weekends that will become a classic one day. Not to worried about it going down a bit more now or costing more to run than it ever goes up or the usual stuff, just which one is/will be more classic. A G50 box'd 3.2 or a C2S 993 (Targa possibly)?
993 is the last of the aircooled's but 3.2 is last of the classic shape. Which is more important? Also will the 993 be much much better to drive and therefore make it worth going for in order for me to enjoy the experience more?
Would love to drive them back to back but I live in NZ and the market is very small, there hasn't been a single suitable G50 3.2 come up in 6 months looking and finding a manual 993 is near impossible too. So I am waiting till they come up for sale but I need help deciding which path to go down when they do.
I am looking to buy a Porsche for use on weekends that will become a classic one day. Not to worried about it going down a bit more now or costing more to run than it ever goes up or the usual stuff, just which one is/will be more classic. A G50 box'd 3.2 or a C2S 993 (Targa possibly)?
993 is the last of the aircooled's but 3.2 is last of the classic shape. Which is more important? Also will the 993 be much much better to drive and therefore make it worth going for in order for me to enjoy the experience more?
Would love to drive them back to back but I live in NZ and the market is very small, there hasn't been a single suitable G50 3.2 come up in 6 months looking and finding a manual 993 is near impossible too. So I am waiting till they come up for sale but I need help deciding which path to go down when they do.
I have both 3.2 and 993 turbo and they both put smiles on my face in different ways. Both are going to hold their own value I think but just try to look at it that they are cars to enjoy (and not lose money) rather than investment and compare how your £30k would do over 3 years on one of these compared to some brand new tintop from major manufacturer. If I was pushed to make a choice I would probably pick a LHD 3.2 supersport coupe with G50 box in red. The older they are the more character they have...
Schnellmann said:
If the market is that small perhaps you should be looking to buy the best example of either (or even the 964). I'd rather have a great 3.2 than an average 993 and vice versa.
As above. Surely, availability will dictate your choice in NZ.In your situation I would be going for the first "good clean" car that put a smile on my face.
I've had a 3.2 and now a 993. I think it all depends on how you feel once sat in either. The 3.2 felt very old to me, the 993 felt more modern but with a traditional feel. I like old in most classics, but to me, a 1973 911 felt nicer than a 1988 911. I just felt by then Porsche should have updated what had become a very old fashioned cabin.
I also feel far more secure in the 993, it really is a beautiful car to drive on unknown roads, and to me at least I wouldn't want any other 911. (I've owned four aircooled now).
I also feel far more secure in the 993, it really is a beautiful car to drive on unknown roads, and to me at least I wouldn't want any other 911. (I've owned four aircooled now).
I've owned 2x 3.2 Carrera and a 993 C4 all coupes.
You really need to go and look at a few and drive them.
Personally the 3.2 Carrera wins hands down. It's got the classic 911 good looks, it's small, feels raw and agricultural (positive to me, but not to all), there are fewer around than 993's.
I don't think the front of the 993 has aged that well, the back still looks great and it's a less involving experieince.
So my vote would be 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe, manual G50 (87-89) in a red, white, blue, grey, silver.
But if you go 993, I'd opt for 993 C2 (narrow body), manual on 17" Cup 2 alloys in Polar Silver or Midnight Blue with Black interior!
Sure you'll enjoy either! Good luck.
You really need to go and look at a few and drive them.
Personally the 3.2 Carrera wins hands down. It's got the classic 911 good looks, it's small, feels raw and agricultural (positive to me, but not to all), there are fewer around than 993's.
I don't think the front of the 993 has aged that well, the back still looks great and it's a less involving experieince.
So my vote would be 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe, manual G50 (87-89) in a red, white, blue, grey, silver.
But if you go 993, I'd opt for 993 C2 (narrow body), manual on 17" Cup 2 alloys in Polar Silver or Midnight Blue with Black interior!
Sure you'll enjoy either! Good luck.
Zadkiel said:
A G50 box'd 3.2 or a C2S 993 (Targa possibly)?
C2S (and C4S) refer to the wide-bodies 993's, Targas were narrow-bodied. I've never driven a 3.2 but was a passenger in one, it was a lot more agricultural than the 993 but I can see how some would want that. Hard to choose between the two without trying them but I don't think you'll be disappointed with either - particularly the 993
I'm lucky enough to have both a 993 targa and an '89 G50...both are superb, the 993 does everything, can pop to the shops, commute or a blast on a Sunday. The '89 is like driving a go kart, great looks feels connected to the road but is a bit hard on a daily basis...pays your money make your choice...both will go to the moon in terms of value....
g7jhp said:
I've owned 2x 3.2 Carrera and a 993 C4 all coupes.
You really need to go and look at a few and drive them.
Personally the 3.2 Carrera wins hands down. It's got the classic 911 good looks, it's small, feels raw and agricultural (positive to me, but not to all), there are fewer around than 993's.
I don't think the front of the 993 has aged that well, the back still looks great and it's a less involving experieince.
So my vote would be 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe, manual G50 (87-89) in a red, white, blue, grey, silver.
But if you go 993, I'd opt for 993 C2 (narrow body), manual on 17" Cup 2 alloys in Polar Silver or Midnight Blue with Black interior!
Sure you'll enjoy either! Good luck.
The above.You really need to go and look at a few and drive them.
Personally the 3.2 Carrera wins hands down. It's got the classic 911 good looks, it's small, feels raw and agricultural (positive to me, but not to all), there are fewer around than 993's.
I don't think the front of the 993 has aged that well, the back still looks great and it's a less involving experieince.
So my vote would be 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe, manual G50 (87-89) in a red, white, blue, grey, silver.
But if you go 993, I'd opt for 993 C2 (narrow body), manual on 17" Cup 2 alloys in Polar Silver or Midnight Blue with Black interior!
Sure you'll enjoy either! Good luck.
Depends what you want: as a relative lad (ie before I could afford one!) I was blown away by the 993 - thought (and still think) it a beautiful design and one that looks hewn from a solid ingot. I'd love to have one. But…
…I'm after something a touch less modern, less civilised and more raw: my 997.2 is sublime to drive, highly practical and ridiculously refined so, other than having the last of the air-cooled cars, the 993 is just too modern. My ideal would be a '72 car (with the external oil filler) but their values have gone just plain silly this year (I'm grumpy as I got outbid by a factor of 2 at Bonhams…). As I've gotten to know 911s, I've come down to the sweet spot of a late G50 3.2 coupé, currently under restoration. I found the 964, although the last of the 'classic' bodies, to be just too much of a 'bridge' car twixt classic and modern.
Hell, they're all great - I'll have one of each, thanks…
…I'm after something a touch less modern, less civilised and more raw: my 997.2 is sublime to drive, highly practical and ridiculously refined so, other than having the last of the air-cooled cars, the 993 is just too modern. My ideal would be a '72 car (with the external oil filler) but their values have gone just plain silly this year (I'm grumpy as I got outbid by a factor of 2 at Bonhams…). As I've gotten to know 911s, I've come down to the sweet spot of a late G50 3.2 coupé, currently under restoration. I found the 964, although the last of the 'classic' bodies, to be just too much of a 'bridge' car twixt classic and modern.
Hell, they're all great - I'll have one of each, thanks…
Not very conclusive so far. 
To me the rear overhang on the 964 just looks too big, so that is why I have ruled them out. I am leaning towards the 3.2 but I don't want it to be too difficult to live with, and having a few British classics I really want something that feels solid and reliable.
To me the rear overhang on the 964 just looks too big, so that is why I have ruled them out. I am leaning towards the 3.2 but I don't want it to be too difficult to live with, and having a few British classics I really want something that feels solid and reliable.Are things like power steering and air con important to you? If it really is going to be used as a summer time toy then the 3.2 would be nice. However for me it would have to be a 993. It gives you all the character of the air cooled cars with a slightly more modern feel an feels a lot more solid/ comfortable being used as a more regular weekend toy plus the odd mid week trip to New World for supplies.
Where in NZ are you? I'd try and join the porsche club and see if you can get a ride in both cars. Also given the strong kiwi, I wouldn't be ruling out importing a 911 so long as you were planning on holding on to it for a while.
Where in NZ are you? I'd try and join the porsche club and see if you can get a ride in both cars. Also given the strong kiwi, I wouldn't be ruling out importing a 911 so long as you were planning on holding on to it for a while.
Edited by Magna on Thursday 26th September 12:45
3.2 last 911 - and feels like it too.
I have been lucky enough to have had most variants over the years - including 964 and 993 - but I have settled on two keepers, one of which is a 89 G50 3.2. Great car for occasional use. If you need a dail driver go for 964 / 993 but not as special IMO.
I have been lucky enough to have had most variants over the years - including 964 and 993 - but I have settled on two keepers, one of which is a 89 G50 3.2. Great car for occasional use. If you need a dail driver go for 964 / 993 but not as special IMO.
Having owned a 3.2 and 993 I'd say the 993 wins IMO.
The 3.2 was fantastic and being my first taste of the marque it kind of set the standard for me in what I want / look for in a Porsche. I would have one again.
The 993 however does everything that the 3.2 did only better IME. Each to their own but I think the 993 is ageing very well, from every angle. To me the simple and elegant design is pure 911.
The 3.2 was fantastic and being my first taste of the marque it kind of set the standard for me in what I want / look for in a Porsche. I would have one again.
The 993 however does everything that the 3.2 did only better IME. Each to their own but I think the 993 is ageing very well, from every angle. To me the simple and elegant design is pure 911.
I'd probably go for a 3.2. I can't speak for the NZ market but here in Australia the prices have been creeping up nicely.
As a weekend car they are terrific and can easily cope with more regular use. The 993 is a more modern beast so I guess it's about trying both and going with your heart. I sold my 1989 3.2 6 months ago and I really miss it.
I'm not sure how easy it is to move a car from Oz to NZ but that would certainly expand your pool of cars if you could.
I've bought and sold a few Porsche in New South Wales over the last few years and would be happy to make a suggestion on dealers. (no vested interest!)
As a weekend car they are terrific and can easily cope with more regular use. The 993 is a more modern beast so I guess it's about trying both and going with your heart. I sold my 1989 3.2 6 months ago and I really miss it.
I'm not sure how easy it is to move a car from Oz to NZ but that would certainly expand your pool of cars if you could.
I've bought and sold a few Porsche in New South Wales over the last few years and would be happy to make a suggestion on dealers. (no vested interest!)
Presuming_Ed said:
I'd probably go for a 3.2. I can't speak for the NZ market but here in Australia the prices have been creeping up nicely.
As a weekend car they are terrific and can easily cope with more regular use. The 993 is a more modern beast so I guess it's about trying both and going with your heart. I sold my 1989 3.2 6 months ago and I really miss it.
I'm not sure how easy it is to move a car from Oz to NZ but that would certainly expand your pool of cars if you could.
I've bought and sold a few Porsche in New South Wales over the last few years and would be happy to make a suggestion on dealers. (no vested interest!)
The aussie car market is more expensive than NZ. Your lux car tax doesn`t help things. Very easy to import into NZ and for a low production car like the 911 you dont have to worry about the side intrusion etc regulations. I`d be importing from the UK rather than OZ though as you will get much more bang for your buck.As a weekend car they are terrific and can easily cope with more regular use. The 993 is a more modern beast so I guess it's about trying both and going with your heart. I sold my 1989 3.2 6 months ago and I really miss it.
I'm not sure how easy it is to move a car from Oz to NZ but that would certainly expand your pool of cars if you could.
I've bought and sold a few Porsche in New South Wales over the last few years and would be happy to make a suggestion on dealers. (no vested interest!)
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