next car.. 993 or (whole hog) 997
Discussion
Folks, bit of a general post here but would welcome any feedback / comments..
I'm looking to get lined up with my first 911 this summer having recently sold
a 987s. I am thinking a 993c2 (love the timeless look, seem very robust etc) or alternatively a nearly new 997c2s (superb again but would need to keep for at least
3 yrs to justify).
Gonna be doing up to 15k per year, understand that the 993 would / may need more attention / fettling to keep running nicely and is obviously much lower outlay.
Main priorites are for a useable day to day wagon but which also provide a real buzz on
cross country runs / weekend trips.
Plan is to line up a 997s test drive in the next couple of weeks or so (lining up a 993 experience isnt as straight-forward from this neck of the woods) but reckon it may prove difficult to resist splashin the cash thereafter.
Anyone been in a similiar quandry ? has 993 ownership feedback ?
Many thanks
I'm looking to get lined up with my first 911 this summer having recently sold
a 987s. I am thinking a 993c2 (love the timeless look, seem very robust etc) or alternatively a nearly new 997c2s (superb again but would need to keep for at least
3 yrs to justify).
Gonna be doing up to 15k per year, understand that the 993 would / may need more attention / fettling to keep running nicely and is obviously much lower outlay.
Main priorites are for a useable day to day wagon but which also provide a real buzz on
cross country runs / weekend trips.
Plan is to line up a 997s test drive in the next couple of weeks or so (lining up a 993 experience isnt as straight-forward from this neck of the woods) but reckon it may prove difficult to resist splashin the cash thereafter.
Anyone been in a similiar quandry ? has 993 ownership feedback ?
Many thanks
993 C4s here. Fabulous and I originally set out to get a 997 and then a 996TT before falling for the 993, first a 993TT then settling on the C4S.
Love it - the 997/996 may be "better" by whatever metric but for me there's no comparison aesthetically. Add in the fact that there's far less depreciation and it worked for me!
BUT... I'd be the first to point out that I do nothing like those many miles and it's a good-days / weekend only car...
Love it - the 997/996 may be "better" by whatever metric but for me there's no comparison aesthetically. Add in the fact that there's far less depreciation and it worked for me!
BUT... I'd be the first to point out that I do nothing like those many miles and it's a good-days / weekend only car...
Can't praise the 993 highly enough. Was in a similar position to yourself, opted for the 993 due to gorgeous looks, great performance and that 'classic' Porsche feeling. I've had it since January, a daily user, covered nearly 5,000 miles already, including a six day run (blast) around Scotland, so I can confirm that it would suit you really well up there! Fantastic driving experience. I also went for a tiptronic as my wife uses it most days as well, a great choice, and much 'easier' and user friendly that a manual, and I can vouch that it is just as much fun.
With the sort of mileage you're looking at, it must have a great history and low mileage (as did mine), consider RSR mufflers as well, just fitted them and the sound improvement is truely amazing! not too loud, no resonence, just a magnificent deep rumble - as it should have come out of the factory.
Buy one, don't look back, and enjoy...
With the sort of mileage you're looking at, it must have a great history and low mileage (as did mine), consider RSR mufflers as well, just fitted them and the sound improvement is truely amazing! not too loud, no resonence, just a magnificent deep rumble - as it should have come out of the factory.
Buy one, don't look back, and enjoy...
RSRs are replacement mufflers, Gert at carnewal.com can supply them, typcial way it works is he sends you the RSRs (modified standard mufflers) and you send him your std ones plus the cost.
Far better sound imho. Not as throaty as a propert sports exhaust but were just right for me on my old 993 - plenty of popping on the overrun.
As to your original point, I had a fantastic 5 yrs in my 993. One of the bests cars porsche ever made (mine was a pre vram C2). I've moved on to a GT3 because i got more and more into the trackday scene and the 993 wasn't ideally suited (despite suspension mods).
There are a few things to watch for - check the door straps, if an early car make sure the engine wiring loom recall has been done, original shocks only good for 40k miles. In my experience, theres a world of difference between one 993 and the next. Buy on condition.
I know of a couple of good ones so pm me if you're interested.
Cheers and good luck
Ajit.
Far better sound imho. Not as throaty as a propert sports exhaust but were just right for me on my old 993 - plenty of popping on the overrun.
As to your original point, I had a fantastic 5 yrs in my 993. One of the bests cars porsche ever made (mine was a pre vram C2). I've moved on to a GT3 because i got more and more into the trackday scene and the 993 wasn't ideally suited (despite suspension mods).
There are a few things to watch for - check the door straps, if an early car make sure the engine wiring loom recall has been done, original shocks only good for 40k miles. In my experience, theres a world of difference between one 993 and the next. Buy on condition.
I know of a couple of good ones so pm me if you're interested.
Cheers and good luck
Ajit.
kgb1 said:
Personally, if you can afford the 997, I would take it every time, especially for every day use and 15,000 miles/year.
993 is a great car (I still occasionally miss my old one), but it isn't a patch on everyday usability of a 997. Other than the sound, the 997 is a superior car in every aspect I can think of (including looks imho)...
>> Edited by polarexpress on Sunday 14th May 23:12
I think the fact that you want the car for daily use might push you towards the 997. I loved my 993C2, and went on to buy a 993TT...( 993 ownership in spades!) but I don't always need to use the car, if I did I would probably have chosen a 996TT. They are easier to live with on a daily basis...the debate will rage as to wether they are as much fun etc....
I agree with paultje. If you want to use the car as your daily driver then a 997 makes the most sense.
My 993c2 is great, but I only use it at weekends or red letter days and I think I appreciate it all the more for that.
But at the end of the day, it's 10 year old car, with a 20 year old dashboard, and 40 year old pedal alignment. Combining these odd quirks with it's superb engineering/performance is a delight for occasaional driving. But I expect you'd soon get irritated by the car if you had it as your only vehicle.
My 993c2 is great, but I only use it at weekends or red letter days and I think I appreciate it all the more for that.
But at the end of the day, it's 10 year old car, with a 20 year old dashboard, and 40 year old pedal alignment. Combining these odd quirks with it's superb engineering/performance is a delight for occasaional driving. But I expect you'd soon get irritated by the car if you had it as your only vehicle.
Hey LA. You make a good point I guess. And I'm in your camp remember. Particularly as I chose a 993, and my house was built in 1750.
But as a 993 owner I can still accept that when you jump in a 996 or 997 they are much more up to date and therefore more practical for everyday use and big miles.
Somebody who has owned both is in a better position to comment. But I'd rather stick my kids in my volvo to drive to cornwall and save the 993 for fun driving. By opting for a 993 I can still buy the Volvo as well.
For me (and I guess most people) buying a 997 would mean having it as my primary car.
But as a 993 owner I can still accept that when you jump in a 996 or 997 they are much more up to date and therefore more practical for everyday use and big miles.
Somebody who has owned both is in a better position to comment. But I'd rather stick my kids in my volvo to drive to cornwall and save the 993 for fun driving. By opting for a 993 I can still buy the Volvo as well.
For me (and I guess most people) buying a 997 would mean having it as my primary car.
a993lad said:
Hey LA. You make a good point I guess. And I'm in your camp remember. Particularly as I chose a 993, and my house was built in 1750.
But as a 993 owner I can still accept that when you jump in a 996 or 997 they are much more up to date and therefore more practical for everyday use and big miles.
Somebody who has owned both is in a better position to comment. But I'd rather stick my kids in my volvo to drive to cornwall and save the 993 for fun driving. By opting for a 993 I can still buy the Volvo as well.
For me (and I guess most people) buying a 997 would mean having it as my primary car.
los angeles said:
The 993 is just as much an every day sports car as the 997, but buy one now and it costs you half the price or less. Now sure if a central console with a mass of tiny buttons and recessed wipers are worth an extra thirty grand.
You aren't seriously trying to argue that the only differences between a 997 & 993 relate to the centre console?
I love my 993 but if I had to do 15k a year I go for something newer. I think you'll find the 997 easier to live with on daily basis. If it where purely a weekend car the 993 is the only one, but as a work type commute car I'd get the 997. Or perhaps I'd get a ford and keep the 993 for weekends....
I have to agree with what LA says.
I have a 993tt, and considered a 996 or a new Boxster at the time. Test drove and went through the motions. BOY did I make the right choice.
A former 993tt owner whos at a Welsh specialist (Tech9 I think?) said to me that when i get a 993tt that I'd be kicking myself for the rest of my life for even considering a new Boxster. He wasn't wrong!
There are times when I've used mine regularly, although I do keep the mileage down, as it is used in the summer and the mileage is shared between 3-4 other cars. As for a car older than 10 years being less reliable, that's just the motor industry doing a good brainwashing job on you: my other car is a 24 year old BMW which is totally reliable. You DO have to spend the money looking after the car and it helps if you know the ins and outs of the car, but this is more THAN offset by the lower depreciation. 996s,997s are functionally better cars, and the Boxster is great, biggest problem for me was that although there are a great many enthusiasts for these cars there are more owners who buy the Porsche for it's badge, status and the fact it has Sat Nav. These were folk I didn't really want to be associated with.
For me the offset pedals and 60s dash are characterful, as are the individual dials with non-anti-reflective pains, the engine noise,in a sea of fashion conscious "life style" trite out there.
For me there's always going to be something special about the car that evolved , came from the passion Porsche family rather than being comittee driven with Porsches own G50/G64 gearboxes (the new stuff has gone over to Getrag for supplier/cost optimisation), a car which was predominatly hand built and took alot more hours to contruct than the later wasser stuff, which employed Japanese tatistical Taguchi techniques.
I have a 993tt, and considered a 996 or a new Boxster at the time. Test drove and went through the motions. BOY did I make the right choice.
A former 993tt owner whos at a Welsh specialist (Tech9 I think?) said to me that when i get a 993tt that I'd be kicking myself for the rest of my life for even considering a new Boxster. He wasn't wrong!
There are times when I've used mine regularly, although I do keep the mileage down, as it is used in the summer and the mileage is shared between 3-4 other cars. As for a car older than 10 years being less reliable, that's just the motor industry doing a good brainwashing job on you: my other car is a 24 year old BMW which is totally reliable. You DO have to spend the money looking after the car and it helps if you know the ins and outs of the car, but this is more THAN offset by the lower depreciation. 996s,997s are functionally better cars, and the Boxster is great, biggest problem for me was that although there are a great many enthusiasts for these cars there are more owners who buy the Porsche for it's badge, status and the fact it has Sat Nav. These were folk I didn't really want to be associated with.
For me the offset pedals and 60s dash are characterful, as are the individual dials with non-anti-reflective pains, the engine noise,in a sea of fashion conscious "life style" trite out there.
For me there's always going to be something special about the car that evolved , came from the passion Porsche family rather than being comittee driven with Porsches own G50/G64 gearboxes (the new stuff has gone over to Getrag for supplier/cost optimisation), a car which was predominatly hand built and took alot more hours to contruct than the later wasser stuff, which employed Japanese tatistical Taguchi techniques.
Marquis_Rex said:
A former 993tt owner whos at a Welsh specialist (Tech9 I think?) said to me that when i get a 993tt that I'd be kicking myself for the rest of my life for even considering a new Boxster. He wasn't wrong!
For me there's always going to be something special about the car that evolved , came from the passion Porsche family rather than being comittee driven with Porsches own G50/G64 gearboxes (the new stuff has gone over to Getrag for supplier/cost optimisation), a car which was predominatly hand built and took alot more hours to contruct than the later wasser stuff, which employed Japanese tatistical Taguchi techniques.
Careful Rupe, you'll upset all the wet pork drivers with such provocative comments. You know how sensitive they all are when such comparisons/opinions get aired!
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