993 - any ones to avoid?

[Stouffer]

Seen an early 993 C2 but it's tiptronic. I'd always discounted these as not a 'true' drivers car. Any one got them and have an alternative view?
What are their prices like relative to manuals?
The one i've seen seem's good value, low mileage and full history so I'm tempted.

It's an ealry 993 (1994)pre varioram I think. Any downsides of these earlier models?
Finally and I know it's down to individual taste, any colours that I should just avoid???

[Shed17]

The best advice is to buy on condition, not colour etc.

As to the tip not being a drivers car, I would say that there are very few people who are good enough drivers to exploit the true performance and limits of the 993.

I have had a tip and a manual and must admit that I miss the tip as our roads get more and more clogged. If you are on a track chances are you will only use 2 or 3 gears, and with a tip it will be 2nd & 3rd.

Don't be put off be predjudice from people who have never driven one.

I suppose the least desirable combination would be a tip convertible.

[BliarOut]

Shed17 said:

I suppose the least desirable combination would be a tip convertible.

Oi, I've just shook hands on a 996 tip convertible

[Stouffer]

Congrats Blairout, I've been observing your 'excitement' building over the last few days. That money's been burning a hole in your pocket, crying out for you to buy a 911!!

I'm doing the same thing. Sold the boxster S, buying a 911. What have you got then? Age/colour/mileage & trade or private? Good deal?

[Stouffer]

I've learnt that this 993 i'm looking at is UK spec but not originally supplied in the UK. It is apparently Hong Kong supplied which is one of 5 or 6 countries that share the same spec as UK. Should I be concerned and what will this do to residual values?
I'd be looking to hang on to it so would still be interested as long as it was 'discounted' by the right amount to reflect this issue.
Any guidance/advice?

[phelix]

Given the age I wouldn't worry about UK spec or not; concern yourself with the condition, service history, etc.

[BliarOut]

Stouffer said:

Congrats Blairout, I've been observing your 'excitement' building over the last few days. That money's been burning a hole in your pocket, crying out for you to buy a 911!! I'm doing the same thing. Sold the boxster S, buying a 911. What have you got then? Age/colour/mileage & trade or private? Good deal?

Very excited. T plate 996 C4 (Try a C4 if you're coming from a Boxster, I think you'll feel more at home) Tip, FPSH 34K miles, climate, PSM, the works. 32.5K private.... Can't wait!

[stouffer]

What colour did you go for?

[BliarOut]

Zenith blue, black leather. Same as my old Boxster.... I have a bit of a thing about that colour.

[tim993]

there has been a hong kong sourced 993 advertised on ebay at silly money over the last few months. don't know if you are looking at the same one. I have a 1994 (pre varioram) c2 cab manual. I have learnt the following,
1. brilliant
2. air conditioning is not worth it in a 993 (at least not in a cab) unless you have a huge maintenance budget.
3. depsite earlier comments 993 c2 tip cabs seem to command the highest prices of the cabs.
4. many people have argued that the non varioram engines provide better response lower down the range. (see earlier threads)
5. drivers choice

good luck

[Adam B]

all down to personal preference but I would avoid 993 cabs as its looks are compromised IMHO

but not as much as I would avoid tips, as Evo said whilst reviewing the 996tt cab "truly horrid, slow to downchange, too quick to upchange, like being permanently in winter mode"

and yes I have driven tips - 993, 996tt, Boxster, vanilla 996 and it ruined all of them for me

[paultje]

Agree with TIM993 mostly...my 993 (1994) does not have air-con (thank goodness!) and was the best car that I drove. It is very responsive, no extra pulleys or compressors! Early 993s have different gearbox ratios to the later ones because of noise restrictions and that compensates, to a certain extent, for the slight loss of power (272-285). Mind you if you can find a model with the varioram and the type 21 gearbox then , but the cars vary so much that condition overall is the most important factor- not the engine/gearbox.

[BliarOut]

Adam B said:

but not as much as I would avoid tips, as Evo said whilst reviewing the 996tt cab "truly horrid, slow to downchange, too quick to upchange, like being permanently in winter mode"

Sounds like they should have took it out of D and put it in M then

[Adam B]

I played around only in M and still found it vague and clunky I'm afraid

should never be specced in a drivers car so only OK in a Cayenne IMHO

[BliarOut]

Adam B said:

I played around only in M and still found it vague and clunky I'm afraid should never be specced in a drivers car so only OK in a Cayenne IMHO

So you would deny us bike injured drivers the chance to drive a Porsche then? That clutch is pretty heavy if you've had your knee split in half!

[stouffer]

I test drove a 1994 C2 Tiptronic today and I thought it was great. Not better or worse than a manual but responsive and I would now certainly consider one!

Speed Yellow by the way Blairout!

[BliarOut]

Speed Yellow I've been a wuss and played it safe with Zenith Blue once more

Try a C4 before you make your mind up, if it's like the 996 it feels much more planted at the front IMO.

[Adam B]

BliarOut said:

So you would deny us bike injured drivers the chance to drive a Porsche then? That clutch is pretty heavy if you've had your knee split in half!

special dispensaation granted though never found any Porsche clutch heavy

[BliarOut]

Adam B said:

BliarOut said: So you would deny us bike injured drivers the chance to drive a Porsche then? That clutch is pretty heavy if you've had your knee split in half! special dispensaation granted though never found any Porsche clutch heavy

You've probably never had a comminuted supra-intercondylar fracture either

[Adam B]

think I saw that on the Porsche options list but it seemed well over-priced so left well alone