993 -vs- 996 The answer as to which is best...
Discussion
I have recently driven in a 993 (Thanks to Paul Martin and his great 993 2S) and I have realised the answer to the question that seems to rage on here over and over again. Which is best, 993 or 996?
Niether. (Now hold on before you shout me down for kopping out). One is a 911 sports car that connects driver to road. A light feeling, small, nimble rear engined sports car in the breed of the old school, like MG, Lotus and the like. The other is a sophisticated grand tourer with little luggage space.
I realised how different they were when I drove over to see Paul's car. I am considering my options with my 996 TT and whether to sell and, if I did, would go for a non 996. I was shocked how different they are, to the point of being unable to compare them. The sound of the 993 is fantastic, deep and throaty, like a refined TVR. And the drive seemed light and honed, and it has to be said fast, even after getting out of the 996TT. The body is purposeful and aggresive. The interior spartan. It feels like a racing car with the minimum added to satisfy the regulations of the day.
The 996 is completely different. The 996 sounds like a lawnmower in comparisson. It is sophisticated to the point of being a normal car. It munches the 993 for breakfast, but somehow feels no faster. Its shape is so rounded and washed to the point it blends in with the crowd. The 996 is a fantastic car, a great Porsche, but not a 911 (IMO). It cannot, therefore, be compared with one.
Niether. (Now hold on before you shout me down for kopping out). One is a 911 sports car that connects driver to road. A light feeling, small, nimble rear engined sports car in the breed of the old school, like MG, Lotus and the like. The other is a sophisticated grand tourer with little luggage space.
I realised how different they were when I drove over to see Paul's car. I am considering my options with my 996 TT and whether to sell and, if I did, would go for a non 996. I was shocked how different they are, to the point of being unable to compare them. The sound of the 993 is fantastic, deep and throaty, like a refined TVR. And the drive seemed light and honed, and it has to be said fast, even after getting out of the 996TT. The body is purposeful and aggresive. The interior spartan. It feels like a racing car with the minimum added to satisfy the regulations of the day.
The 996 is completely different. The 996 sounds like a lawnmower in comparisson. It is sophisticated to the point of being a normal car. It munches the 993 for breakfast, but somehow feels no faster. Its shape is so rounded and washed to the point it blends in with the crowd. The 996 is a fantastic car, a great Porsche, but not a 911 (IMO). It cannot, therefore, be compared with one.
aceparts_com said:
Maybe you need to try a 993TT. All of the above plus added woooosh
You maybee right. I do really like the 996TT, but somehow I feel a little uninvolved, even when overtaking entire car park loads of other motorists on windy B roads. Its almost as if you feel "so what".
But the 997 C2S I had for a few weeks sort of gets back to the 911 feeling.
Hey, I've just thought of a title for a new topic...
Andrew,
I was taken out in 2 996's with sports exhausts, I thought wow, thats the car for me, then I drove one without a sports exhaust. What a differance it was, I instantley knew the car was not for me, it seemed just like my Audi S4, smooth and too refined. After being in a 993 I soon purchased a 993TT, I love the fact I have so much to learn about this car. Its a real drivers car, I could easily beat the Porsche hands down with the S4 (not that its faster, just really easy to drive) but give me over summer and the 993 will be tamed and Im sure I will be able to drive it a lot faster than I ever did my Audi.
If it wasnt for this I would be bored of the Porsche by now, I wanted a car as a long term keeper and I think I found the perfect one.
It still needs a sports exhaust though, I love the early rev rumble but then it disapears for the sound that everyone agrees (whos been in the car) sounds like an aircraft taking off...........
I was taken out in 2 996's with sports exhausts, I thought wow, thats the car for me, then I drove one without a sports exhaust. What a differance it was, I instantley knew the car was not for me, it seemed just like my Audi S4, smooth and too refined. After being in a 993 I soon purchased a 993TT, I love the fact I have so much to learn about this car. Its a real drivers car, I could easily beat the Porsche hands down with the S4 (not that its faster, just really easy to drive) but give me over summer and the 993 will be tamed and Im sure I will be able to drive it a lot faster than I ever did my Audi.
If it wasnt for this I would be bored of the Porsche by now, I wanted a car as a long term keeper and I think I found the perfect one.
It still needs a sports exhaust though, I love the early rev rumble but then it disapears for the sound that everyone agrees (whos been in the car) sounds like an aircraft taking off...........
Also, there's a lot more parity in "feeling" between all the 993 variants - they all feel quite similar except some go faster than others, whereas there is a HUGE difference in "feeling" between the 996 variants... not just speed.
As a previous 993 owner, I am completely convinced that my GT3 is superior to any incarnation of the 993 (bar the 993GT2) in terms of feel, character, precision, and purity of feedback. (and notice I didn't even mention speed!)
As a previous 993 owner, I am completely convinced that my GT3 is superior to any incarnation of the 993 (bar the 993GT2) in terms of feel, character, precision, and purity of feedback. (and notice I didn't even mention speed!)
polarexpress said:
Also, there's a lot more parity in "feeling" between all the 993 variants - they all feel quite similar except some go faster than others, whereas there is a HUGE difference in "feeling" between the 996 variants... not just speed.
As a previous 993 owner, I am completely convinced that my GT3 is superior to any incarnation of the 993 (bar the 993GT2) in terms of feel, character, precision, and purity of feedback. (and notice I didn't even mention speed!)
I think that should be a big notice to any 996 purchasers. Try all models (within reason) before you buy. I have never driven a GT3 but perhaps would get that extra feel and connection I miss.
Try a 996 GT2, the look is awesome fantastic rear spoiler that always makes me grin. Had a 993TT before and it was a very different car in so many ways.
The 996 GT2 does it for me ( i have genuinely no interest in the 997) (actually waiting for the Turbo and GTs to surface.
The 997 will need to convince me there is a big leap for me to part with the 996 GT2.
Sorry debate not over...
The 996 GT2 does it for me ( i have genuinely no interest in the 997) (actually waiting for the Turbo and GTs to surface.
The 997 will need to convince me there is a big leap for me to part with the 996 GT2.
Sorry debate not over...
I have a 993 (all but RS) and a 996 GT3 Mk II.
Asa driving experience, the GT3 is undoubtedly (for me) the better.
From a character point of view the 993 has it,in spades. The 3.8 / RS exhaust / single mass flywheel combination of teh 993 even put my GT3 well and truly into the shade.
But the suspension control --- even with new billsteins, ninemeissters geometry and new Pirellis of the 993, leaves the GT3 miles ahead.
And the lack of space in the pedal box area of the 993 makes heel and toeing such a black art, it's a pain. The mind game becomes --- will I get my foot into just the right position to be happy heel and toeing before I am forced to abort and just hit the brakes.
So, maybe the 993 / 996 question hasn't been done to death !
Asa driving experience, the GT3 is undoubtedly (for me) the better.
From a character point of view the 993 has it,in spades. The 3.8 / RS exhaust / single mass flywheel combination of teh 993 even put my GT3 well and truly into the shade.
But the suspension control --- even with new billsteins, ninemeissters geometry and new Pirellis of the 993, leaves the GT3 miles ahead.
And the lack of space in the pedal box area of the 993 makes heel and toeing such a black art, it's a pain. The mind game becomes --- will I get my foot into just the right position to be happy heel and toeing before I am forced to abort and just hit the brakes.
So, maybe the 993 / 996 question hasn't been done to death !
ChrisW. said:
I have a 993 (all but RS) and a 996 GT3 Mk II.
Asa driving experience, the GT3 is undoubtedly (for me) the better.
From a character point of view the 993 has it,in spades. The 3.8 / RS exhaust / single mass flywheel combination of teh 993 even put my GT3 well and truly into the shade.
But the suspension control --- even with new billsteins, ninemeissters geometry and new Pirellis of the 993, leaves the GT3 miles ahead.
And the lack of space in the pedal box area of the 993 makes heel and toeing such a black art, it's a pain. The mind game becomes --- will I get my foot into just the right position to be happy heel and toeing before I am forced to abort and just hit the brakes.
So, maybe the 993 / 996 question hasn't been done to death !
Agreed. Case closed forever.
andrew medway said:
I have a 993 (all but RS) and a 996 GT3 Mk II.
Asa driving experience, the GT3 is undoubtedly (for me) the better.
From a character point of view the 993 has it,in spades. The 3.8 / RS exhaust / single mass flywheel combination of teh 993 even put my GT3 well and truly into the shade.
But the suspension control --- even with new billsteins, ninemeissters geometry and new Pirellis of the 993, leaves the GT3 miles ahead.
And the lack of space in the pedal box area of the 993 makes heel and toeing such a black art, it's a pain. The mind game becomes --- will I get my foot into just the right position to be happy heel and toeing before I am forced to abort and just hit the brakes.
So, maybe the 993 / 996 question hasn't been done to death !
Agreed. Case closed forever.
Chris - You need to try my Mk1 GT3 with PSE and the Clubsport flywheel
Case closed.
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