Advice needed, should i buy a 993 or 997?
Discussion
Hi, Ive just sold my M3 E90 which i really loved, but would like to get back into a 911.
Im drawn to the 993 as i love the look, and the lack of depreciation is very appealing, but my worry is that big bills might be involved. I would also ideally like to be able to use it if possible daily, but not sure if that would an error on a 993; hence my reasons for looking at a 997.
With regards to the 993 my budget is around £30k, but not sure which version to go for:
Is the Targa significantly compromised in handling compared to the C2?
Is the Varioram engine worth the extra money? (Im a sucker for sound!)
Im drawn to the 993 as i love the look, and the lack of depreciation is very appealing, but my worry is that big bills might be involved. I would also ideally like to be able to use it if possible daily, but not sure if that would an error on a 993; hence my reasons for looking at a 997.
With regards to the 993 my budget is around £30k, but not sure which version to go for:
Is the Targa significantly compromised in handling compared to the C2?
Is the Varioram engine worth the extra money? (Im a sucker for sound!)
993 targa. Not too compromised in the handling stakes although it is the cabriolet shell. I like them but you need to be careful that they are in good working order as they are complex and parts are expensive.
993 varioram. They have a little more mid range and are certainly worth maybe 3k more but there isnt much in it. I actually think that the non V sounds better and it is more tunable too. Its more important to buy a good car.
If you get a 997 just make sure you have plans in place for the risk of engine failure, maintenance plan, warranty, savings etc.
Its unlikely, but they do happen.
993 varioram. They have a little more mid range and are certainly worth maybe 3k more but there isnt much in it. I actually think that the non V sounds better and it is more tunable too. Its more important to buy a good car.
If you get a 997 just make sure you have plans in place for the risk of engine failure, maintenance plan, warranty, savings etc.
Its unlikely, but they do happen.
Edited by mollytherocker on Sunday 2nd March 10:44
tomvcarter said:
Is the Targa significantly compromised in handling compared to the C2?
Is the Varioram engine worth the extra money? (Im a sucker for sound!)
Ask 911Virgin how much this was: http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/810/993C2C... Looks nice but no a/c(??) or hardback seats, and no interior pics. They also have a Gen 2 997 for your money but a bit miley. Is the Varioram engine worth the extra money? (Im a sucker for sound!)
Whole subject has been debated to death but depreciation-wise, yes, 993 will be good; daily driver, definitely but clutch is heavy/or needs replacing; 993 maintenance high-ish if you are fussy and/or 'standard' things not done. Always keep £2.5k on stand-by.
Targa - no expert but understand complicated and parts now sometimes hard to get and tricky to keep in tip top working nick. Basically a Cabrio with hard top. Look nice. Unless going mental I doubt if you'd notice handling - inevitable 'softer'.
Varioram, ideally yes, no idea if noisier but condition and must-haves (a/c, manual, hardback seats, history) much more important. Theoretical best is early Varioram in nice colour/black interior with close-ratio box of earlier cars. Although Nick Faure says he prefers first cars; non-Vario with c/r box. I am biased.
I've had both and can offer some perspective. I think it depends what you are looking for and what's important to you. The gen 2 997S coupe I had was great in terms of performance, in fact it was really more than I was able to use most of the time. The car also had a lot of creature comforts, sat nav, heated seats, bose stereo etc etc. However, I found the car a bit too refined and lacking in character compared to the 3.2 Carrera I had a few years beforehand. It could easily have been a high performance BM albeit with 911 looks. Also, the build quality whilst good by today's standards wasn't on a par with the air cooled car. In the end I only kept the car for about one year then sold it whereas normally I tend to keep my cars for quite a while.
The 993 C2 man I have now offers the best of both worlds I think when compared with the 997 and old 3.2 in that performance is still good albeit not in the same league as the 997 but the car has lots of character too, the noise, the way the controls feel etc and the build quality is pretty much the same as you get in the older 3.2 in that the car really feels as though it was built to last.
One problem with going for a 993 though is the time you'll most likely need to put in to actually get a good one. It took me the best part of a year and often I would call up soon after an ad for what appeared to be a good car was posted only to find someone already had placed a deposit on it. That said, I really only wanted a C2 man car and if you're prepared to be more flexible in terms of looking at targa's etc then it should be easier.
Only had my 993 since August of last year so hard to say on running costs but as you point out there should be no depreciation if you get a good one.
Hope that helps
The 993 C2 man I have now offers the best of both worlds I think when compared with the 997 and old 3.2 in that performance is still good albeit not in the same league as the 997 but the car has lots of character too, the noise, the way the controls feel etc and the build quality is pretty much the same as you get in the older 3.2 in that the car really feels as though it was built to last.
One problem with going for a 993 though is the time you'll most likely need to put in to actually get a good one. It took me the best part of a year and often I would call up soon after an ad for what appeared to be a good car was posted only to find someone already had placed a deposit on it. That said, I really only wanted a C2 man car and if you're prepared to be more flexible in terms of looking at targa's etc then it should be easier.
Only had my 993 since August of last year so hard to say on running costs but as you point out there should be no depreciation if you get a good one.
Hope that helps
Gordo997 said:
It took me the best part of a year and often I would call up soon after an ad for what appeared to be a good car was posted only to find someone already had placed a deposit on it.
Or, Private Seller: "I've had so many calls I've decided to take it off the market, run it this summer and have another think in the autumn. It won't have lost any money."Targa might get you better car for the money. I would call 911Virgin up on Monday and talk it through with them, perhaps having a go in the Gen 2 997. Good bunch, I am told.
I too looked at 993 and 997 and going on what you have said above - I think 997 would be a better bet. I do struggle with the build quality concerns though - the 997 is fabulously well put together and thoroughly modern. If you want a car for high days and not lose too much on it however - then 993...
mollytherocker said:
993 varioram. They have a little more mid range and are certainly worth maybe 3k more but there isnt much in it.
If there isn't much in it how does that compute to £3k? It's all about condition. Daily driver will not do you any favours and if this was my preference I wouldn't worry about an excellent condition car or you'll be shaking like a s
tting dog leaving it parked up.With £5k you can turn an average 993 into a very good one
Zingari said:
With £5k you can turn an average 993 into a very good one
I'm going into it with this attitude, I've found a great body shop (Riviera) and had some good advice from 993 specialists, so it's now just about finding the right one, but ther is too much information out there!There are virtually no good C2 manuals about at the moment, other than a few that have been on with dealers for months.
C2s is sadly out of budget, but a few nice Targas have appeared, I worry why they don't go so fast...
Any good dealers out there for 993s? I've used Harbour Cars in the past who were very good, and Northway, but not sure who else is well regarded.
Edited by tomvcarter on Monday 3rd March 19:13
If you decide on a 993 don't get hung up on the Varioram issue. It was brought in on the later models to improve mid-range pull which had been lost when they had to lengthen the gearbox ratios in order to comply with Swiss noise controls. The difference in performance is hardly noticeable, some may say it's worse!
As Henry has made clear, over the years, buy on condition not specs. My old C2 didn't even have A/C but was still a good car.
Drive as many as you can, both 997's and 993's, before you decide.......other people's ideas should only point out the pitfalls.
Paul
PS: have fun!
As Henry has made clear, over the years, buy on condition not specs. My old C2 didn't even have A/C but was still a good car.
Drive as many as you can, both 997's and 993's, before you decide.......other people's ideas should only point out the pitfalls.
Paul
PS: have fun!
P1ato said:
I looked for a 993 for over a year. Good ones get sold very quickly, so you need to register with all the best indies if you're serious.
Am I the only 993 owner who bought the first one he viewed? Over 100K? Check.
FSH? Check.
Great colour? Check.
Low owners? Check.
Jobs a good un. I bought it.
Is there really that many bad 993s out there, or are most possible 993 owners a fastidious bunch?
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