Porsche 993 Buying Guide - General Experiences
Friday 12th November 2010
We've tried to compile as accurate an overview of the Porsche 933 variant 911 as possible, and fellow PHers have added valuable contributions to the technical areas listed separately.
Porsche 993 Buying Guide - General Experiences
Search for Porsche 993 911s here
This section is for more general feedback - anything from the emotional highs (or lows!) of that first Porsche purchase, amusing or appropriate anecdotes, and even personal recommendations for suppliers, services or products. (However no criticism of individual traders is permitted, as it would fall foul of the PH 'name and shame' ban - imposed so none of us fall foul of those pesky lawyers...)
So the idea is, although this buying guide may start off small, it will grow and grow as more PHers add their feedback.
Buying Guide Index:
Porsche 993 - Introduction
Porsche 993 - Powertrain
Porsche 993 - Rolling Chassis
Porsche 993 - Body
Porsche 993 - Interior
Porsche 993 - General Experiences (vewing now)
Porsche 993 - Insurance (Sponsored link)
Search for Porsche 993 911s here
Discussion
OWNERSHIP
It's hard to think of a better first Porsche or any performance car for that matter. Best to get the TVRs and Ferraris out the way first because once you get into these cars you are unlikely to want to go back to anything else. I owned a few TVRs before getting my 993RS in 2003 and have subsequently driven some amazing machinery and owned a 550 Maranello as well but while all that stuff has come and gone, the RS is still firmly in my garage and I have no intention of ever selling it.
I think the overall experience comes down to quality that runs deep through every control surface and every component that gives rise to one of the great driving experiences, providing high levels of long term ownership satisfaction. Better still, cost of maintenance and depreciation is pennies compared to any Ferrari. They are just so useable and reliable that it is no surprise that most 993s for sale have fairly high mileages. With a 993 you can just enjoy using it. And, to my mind, that is the whole point of owning a great car.
SERVICING
I think 993 owners would be well served by using specialists to look after their cars, and many do. There are lots of people out there that know these cars well and provide dedicated and enthusiastic service. Personally I have used Tognola Engineering in Datchet for many years and can thoroughly recommend Peter and Greg on any 993-related issue.
The great thing about these cars is that as well as being well engineered they are actually quite simple (less so Turbo cars) so maintenance is not expensive (especially compared to running other exotics) and parts availability is excellent.
DRIVING
Personally I'm not into Targas, Tiptronics or Cabrios. However any manual coupe 993 will deliver a superb driving experience. Personally I would categorise them as follows;
C2/C4: fantastic everyday usability. Will swallow huge mileages in safety and comfort and in any weather but still be excellent fun on the back roads. In the real world these cars still have as much performance as you would every really need/want. Can put up a good showing on the track but they are so competent and undramatic that they are not the most exciting choice for this environment.
RS: already a legend and with good reason. I've been lucky enough to drive C-types, Cobras, V12 Ferraris and many modern supercars but for me this remains the most satisfying, engaging, enjoyable and rewarding car I have driven. It's a terrible cliche but to drive on a decent road or track it feels like savouring a serious Bordeaux. The great thing about the 993RS is that it is not just a track weapon (like the 964RS). It iS wonderful on track but also pretty decent on the road. My RS is totally standard and is utterly intoxicating at Spa or the 'Ring. No surprises there but some of the most memorable drives I've had in the car have been on mountain passes in Wales, Scotland, the Alps, the Dolomites... An RS on the Petit Col de St Bernard going up or down is motoring heaven. I will probably have the World's highest mileage RS soon because I can't stop driving it!
Turbo: compared to the above feels a bit heavy and surprisingly refined but obviously devastatingly fast in a straight line. More of a GT than a sports car. A great machine and I keep on toying with buying one but then I think of all the points I'm bound to get on my licence... Further if used hard I wonder at the likely costs of maintenance - it's a substantially more complicated machine than the NA cars.
GT: never driven one - anyone offering? ;-)
It's hard to think of a better first Porsche or any performance car for that matter. Best to get the TVRs and Ferraris out the way first because once you get into these cars you are unlikely to want to go back to anything else. I owned a few TVRs before getting my 993RS in 2003 and have subsequently driven some amazing machinery and owned a 550 Maranello as well but while all that stuff has come and gone, the RS is still firmly in my garage and I have no intention of ever selling it.
I think the overall experience comes down to quality that runs deep through every control surface and every component that gives rise to one of the great driving experiences, providing high levels of long term ownership satisfaction. Better still, cost of maintenance and depreciation is pennies compared to any Ferrari. They are just so useable and reliable that it is no surprise that most 993s for sale have fairly high mileages. With a 993 you can just enjoy using it. And, to my mind, that is the whole point of owning a great car.
SERVICING
I think 993 owners would be well served by using specialists to look after their cars, and many do. There are lots of people out there that know these cars well and provide dedicated and enthusiastic service. Personally I have used Tognola Engineering in Datchet for many years and can thoroughly recommend Peter and Greg on any 993-related issue.
The great thing about these cars is that as well as being well engineered they are actually quite simple (less so Turbo cars) so maintenance is not expensive (especially compared to running other exotics) and parts availability is excellent.
DRIVING
Personally I'm not into Targas, Tiptronics or Cabrios. However any manual coupe 993 will deliver a superb driving experience. Personally I would categorise them as follows;
C2/C4: fantastic everyday usability. Will swallow huge mileages in safety and comfort and in any weather but still be excellent fun on the back roads. In the real world these cars still have as much performance as you would every really need/want. Can put up a good showing on the track but they are so competent and undramatic that they are not the most exciting choice for this environment.
RS: already a legend and with good reason. I've been lucky enough to drive C-types, Cobras, V12 Ferraris and many modern supercars but for me this remains the most satisfying, engaging, enjoyable and rewarding car I have driven. It's a terrible cliche but to drive on a decent road or track it feels like savouring a serious Bordeaux. The great thing about the 993RS is that it is not just a track weapon (like the 964RS). It iS wonderful on track but also pretty decent on the road. My RS is totally standard and is utterly intoxicating at Spa or the 'Ring. No surprises there but some of the most memorable drives I've had in the car have been on mountain passes in Wales, Scotland, the Alps, the Dolomites... An RS on the Petit Col de St Bernard going up or down is motoring heaven. I will probably have the World's highest mileage RS soon because I can't stop driving it!
Turbo: compared to the above feels a bit heavy and surprisingly refined but obviously devastatingly fast in a straight line. More of a GT than a sports car. A great machine and I keep on toying with buying one but then I think of all the points I'm bound to get on my licence... Further if used hard I wonder at the likely costs of maintenance - it's a substantially more complicated machine than the NA cars.
GT: never driven one - anyone offering? ;-)
There's not many used performance cars that tick as many boxes as a good 993.
They look absolutely fantastic, they are plenty quick enough, compliant enough to use around town, superbly built, relatively practical, sound great and likely to put a smile on your face every time you fire up that wonderful engine.
They look absolutely fantastic, they are plenty quick enough, compliant enough to use around town, superbly built, relatively practical, sound great and likely to put a smile on your face every time you fire up that wonderful engine.
Great timing that you launch this guide today as just negotiating purchase of my second 993. First one was 8 years ago and in the intermin I've had a number of other 911s, both older and newer, and other sports cars but I have many fond memories of the 993. Not the fastest car I've owned or driven but there was something just right about it (I particularly remember one winter morning where I went for a drive around Switzerland with no destination in mind - just kept going for 6 hours until I thought I should go back before the wife wondered what had happened to me!)
Personal preference is for the standard C2 with manual gearbox. The C4 is fine but seems heavier, less agile and you lose some of the delicacy of the steering. I've not had a chance to try the other 993 models so can't comment on the Turbo, RS or GT2.
Overall I think the 993 is probably the best 911 to buy (and I've been lucky enough to own a 2.7 RS replica, a 3.2, a 964, a 996 GT3 and 997 C2 over the years) because it is still quite closely related to the first, proper 911s (air-cooled, correct noise, same "characterful" interior) but also modern enough that you could use it every day. Plus as a bonus the prices of the normal cars haven't changed in years so they are almost depreciation proof.
Personal preference is for the standard C2 with manual gearbox. The C4 is fine but seems heavier, less agile and you lose some of the delicacy of the steering. I've not had a chance to try the other 993 models so can't comment on the Turbo, RS or GT2.
Overall I think the 993 is probably the best 911 to buy (and I've been lucky enough to own a 2.7 RS replica, a 3.2, a 964, a 996 GT3 and 997 C2 over the years) because it is still quite closely related to the first, proper 911s (air-cooled, correct noise, same "characterful" interior) but also modern enough that you could use it every day. Plus as a bonus the prices of the normal cars haven't changed in years so they are almost depreciation proof.
A very good summary from RRG. I know his 993RS well having bought it in Germany and imported it into the UK! One thing I would add in relation to the RS: the reduced soundproofing means you have the unfiltered delight of listening to that marvellous engine which changes tone and note at every additional 100 rpm throughout the rev range. One passenger said it was like having a full house orchestra in the back!
My thoughts on the 993RS : http://www.madwhips.com/porsche-993-carrera-rs-is-...
KH said:
Nice post RRG.
I'm on my 3rd 993, having tried most Porsche models. I use my C2 manual coupe every day, whatever the weather. Part of the family and hopefully I'll be driving one when I'm 80.
Agree...good post RRG!I'm on my 3rd 993, having tried most Porsche models. I use my C2 manual coupe every day, whatever the weather. Part of the family and hopefully I'll be driving one when I'm 80.
My 1995 C4 manual never ceases to amaze me that even at 15+ years of age and 93k miles the car feels so planted and a joy to drive...the engine in mine is by no means perfect but it just wants to be stretched and if not for the rev limiter would just go on and on! Having had a TVR, which sounded great btw, you notice the huge improvement in build quality and plantedness (is that a word?). Last winter I took it to southern Germany via Amsterdam down the Autobahns over Christmas and it nver missed a beat. It also coped admirably last winter in the snow....4WD helped!
Having a trusted indy looking after it for servicing and the little 'jobs' that need doing is invaluable...and it's not losing value!
I've owned and driven a lot of cars but this one stands out amongst all of them (993 C2 Manual Varioram with RS modifications).
It's not a car in the normal sense. It's something else... like a Leica camera, a precision made swiss watch, a Tiffany lamp .... something timeless that you feel compelled to treasure and keep. Poeple just do not make things like this anymore.
As for the 993 experience. Well, other cars simply do not have the same sense of mechanical engagement, the sense of man and machine, a noise awash with nostalgia and authenticity, the beautifully heavy control weights, the intensely visceral 'riding on the back of the bull' feeling and the satisfaction you get from inputing all that physical effort into something that feels quite rudimentary but beautifully and harmoniously mechanical. It's these feelings, these sensory textures which need to be talked about if one is to understand what the crux of the 993 is and why it will remain in your garage for years and years to come.
And although there isn't truly a bad variant in the whole range, I am of the opinion that the golden chalice lies very very clearly with the basic narrow bodied C2 and the RS. For all the visual impact of the 4S and the turbo, they are a distinctly different driving proposition.
Lots more 993 DIY info here on my site:
www.jackals-forge.com
It's not a car in the normal sense. It's something else... like a Leica camera, a precision made swiss watch, a Tiffany lamp .... something timeless that you feel compelled to treasure and keep. Poeple just do not make things like this anymore.
As for the 993 experience. Well, other cars simply do not have the same sense of mechanical engagement, the sense of man and machine, a noise awash with nostalgia and authenticity, the beautifully heavy control weights, the intensely visceral 'riding on the back of the bull' feeling and the satisfaction you get from inputing all that physical effort into something that feels quite rudimentary but beautifully and harmoniously mechanical. It's these feelings, these sensory textures which need to be talked about if one is to understand what the crux of the 993 is and why it will remain in your garage for years and years to come.
And although there isn't truly a bad variant in the whole range, I am of the opinion that the golden chalice lies very very clearly with the basic narrow bodied C2 and the RS. For all the visual impact of the 4S and the turbo, they are a distinctly different driving proposition.
Lots more 993 DIY info here on my site:
www.jackals-forge.com
Edited by jackal on Thursday 18th November 10:09
I've had my standard manual 993 C2 coupe since 2002, and I've put nearly 70,000 miles on it. Other 911s have come and gone, but this was the "ultimate" 911 for me, and I'm keeping it. It's going into semi retirement now as a daily driver, as she's an old girl now.
I've never had any desire to sell it - I always feel withdrawal symptoms if I can't drive it for any reason, it's totally engaging and absorbing to drive, it looks amazing, the quality feels built from solid granite, it's great to work on if I want to get my hands dirty, it sounds great, it's great fun in the sunshine with the roof open, frankly, for an everyday sports car, it's the best in my view. After 110,000 miles the engine's never been apart, and probably won't ever need to be, so the experts tell me.
A Great Car.
I've never had any desire to sell it - I always feel withdrawal symptoms if I can't drive it for any reason, it's totally engaging and absorbing to drive, it looks amazing, the quality feels built from solid granite, it's great to work on if I want to get my hands dirty, it sounds great, it's great fun in the sunshine with the roof open, frankly, for an everyday sports car, it's the best in my view. After 110,000 miles the engine's never been apart, and probably won't ever need to be, so the experts tell me.
A Great Car.
Edited by Lumpit on Wednesday 24th November 12:34
Lumpit said:
I've had my standard manual 993 C2 coupe since 2002, and I've put nearly 70,000 miles on it. Other 911s have come and gone, but this was the "ultimate" 911 for me, and I'm keeping it. It's going into semi retirement now as a daily driver, as she's an old girl now.
I've never had any desire to sell it - I always feel withdrawal symptoms if I can't drive it for any reason, it's totally engaging and absorbing to drive, it looks amazing, the quality feels built from solid granite, it's great to work on if I want to get my hands dirty, it sounds great, it's great fun in the sunshine with the roof open, frankly, for an everyday sports car, it's the best in my view. After 110,000 miles the engine's never been apart, and probably won't ever need to be, so the experts tell me.
A Great Car.
I've never had any desire to sell it - I always feel withdrawal symptoms if I can't drive it for any reason, it's totally engaging and absorbing to drive, it looks amazing, the quality feels built from solid granite, it's great to work on if I want to get my hands dirty, it sounds great, it's great fun in the sunshine with the roof open, frankly, for an everyday sports car, it's the best in my view. After 110,000 miles the engine's never been apart, and probably won't ever need to be, so the experts tell me.
A Great Car.
Edited by Lumpit on Wednesday 24th November 12:34
I think all this emotion is getting to me. Isn't it great that we can feel this sentiment over a whole load of little metal parts! I know how much I have enjoyed a car by the size of the lump in my throat when I see it drive away with its new owner 
Hi
I have two critisisms of the 993. The first is that you do not get the classic torpedo tube view through the windshield, and the other is that it is really a very refined car. The multi link rear suspension is much more capable than anything preceeding it, but you do loose some of the NVH that gave the car character. I put RS spec bushes on the rear and front of my 993 and moved to solid steering arms to help get a bit of that back.
The cars are special, there is no doubt about it.
Berni
I have two critisisms of the 993. The first is that you do not get the classic torpedo tube view through the windshield, and the other is that it is really a very refined car. The multi link rear suspension is much more capable than anything preceeding it, but you do loose some of the NVH that gave the car character. I put RS spec bushes on the rear and front of my 993 and moved to solid steering arms to help get a bit of that back.
The cars are special, there is no doubt about it.
Berni
Pr1964 said:
Either the 997 is too cheap or the 993's are too expensive?
At £25,000 for a 14year old 993 c2s manual compared to £30,000 for a 5year old 997 c2s manual I can't help but be drawn to the 997. Some dealers are asking even higher prices for 993's seems to me to be really overpriced.
You're not thinking hard enough.At £25,000 for a 14year old 993 c2s manual compared to £30,000 for a 5year old 997 c2s manual I can't help but be drawn to the 997. Some dealers are asking even higher prices for 993's seems to me to be really overpriced.
Ask yourself what the prices will be in another 36 months ?
The cost of a car isn't what you pay, it's what you lose.
If a car is 1.2 million but then sells for 1.3 million a year later then its just about the cheapest car out there.
You either buy into the air cooled thing or don't. I, being a 993 owner, obviously do! Yes, buy well & invest in proper maintenance &/or upgrades & you have a car that will loose very little money in depreciation.
As others have said, there's something more to it than just owning a car. There's the thriving comunity for one thing, but you probably really need to appreciate these other parts of the ownership experience to get the most out of 993 life. Spending a couple of grand here & there while not always necessary has to be approached with a certain attitude of "what the hell...."
you wouldn't mind spending on the family Labrador if he needed it & the 993's the same! I chop & change cars all the time but every time I think of getting something new it only takes one trip to the garage to take a look to convince me otherwise.
As others have said, there's something more to it than just owning a car. There's the thriving comunity for one thing, but you probably really need to appreciate these other parts of the ownership experience to get the most out of 993 life. Spending a couple of grand here & there while not always necessary has to be approached with a certain attitude of "what the hell...."
you wouldn't mind spending on the family Labrador if he needed it & the 993's the same! I chop & change cars all the time but every time I think of getting something new it only takes one trip to the garage to take a look to convince me otherwise.
Here are my thoughts on 993/997. I can i feel offer something to the debate as i started my Porsche life with a brand new 2006 guards red 997S. For me the 997 was indeed a fine car, i owned mine for the best part of 2 years and covered around 15k miles without any issues. My trips were to Assen for Moto GP, Berlin for the 2007 Genesis tour, and lots of U.K. fast road trips. The car ticked many boxes, it was new, it felt smooth, powerfull, comfortable, very fast (180 mph on the Autobahn) and i had huge pleasure from the car. I also fell very lucky when i sold it and as i lost only 7k in almost 2 years!. The down side was it did'nt feel over special for what it was, capable yes but special no. It was as though if i closed my eyes (not a good idea i know)i could have been behind the wheel of pretty much any high end car, i dont even say sports car because at times it did'nt feel like one.
The raw pleasure has been engineered out and the car feels like the health and safety police have had a huge say in things, sadly just like most other things in modern day life. So would i have another 997? Unlikely, unless maybe a GT3/RS but certainly not another cooking model. I liken the 997 to a cessna, but i liken my 993S to a tiger moth, and i guess if people cant understand that conclussion..well it's all going to be lost on them and maybe the 996/997 range is the way to go. So, what does the 993 mean to me? It means quality parts, quality steel, quality fittings, over engineering, solid, strong, robust,it still retains that seat of the pants feel in part of its character. The sound of that lovely aircooled engine, the "clunk" when you close the doors, the fine leather/carpets, the solid firm to pull switchgear, the list goes on and on.I remember many years ago my grand father saying, they dont make things like they use to, and how true that is. The modern stuff is deffo built down to a price, while the older cars were built up to a standard. Would i swap my 993S for my old 997S TODAY? Not a cat in hells chance, i am in this for build quality, and a car with that hand built soul and character appeal. The 993 will always be part of my Porsche collection< the 997 will always be a "nice car" but just not what its all about.
The raw pleasure has been engineered out and the car feels like the health and safety police have had a huge say in things, sadly just like most other things in modern day life. So would i have another 997? Unlikely, unless maybe a GT3/RS but certainly not another cooking model. I liken the 997 to a cessna, but i liken my 993S to a tiger moth, and i guess if people cant understand that conclussion..well it's all going to be lost on them and maybe the 996/997 range is the way to go. So, what does the 993 mean to me? It means quality parts, quality steel, quality fittings, over engineering, solid, strong, robust,it still retains that seat of the pants feel in part of its character. The sound of that lovely aircooled engine, the "clunk" when you close the doors, the fine leather/carpets, the solid firm to pull switchgear, the list goes on and on.I remember many years ago my grand father saying, they dont make things like they use to, and how true that is. The modern stuff is deffo built down to a price, while the older cars were built up to a standard. Would i swap my 993S for my old 997S TODAY? Not a cat in hells chance, i am in this for build quality, and a car with that hand built soul and character appeal. The 993 will always be part of my Porsche collection< the 997 will always be a "nice car" but just not what its all about.
Pr1964 said:
I absolutely buy into the air cooled thing.
But I have concerns about buying into bubble prices...
You're completely missing the point.But I have concerns about buying into bubble prices...
There is no logical reason why the 993 is worth what it is, but its value is correct, because that's what people are willing to pay for one.
Of course, it's true that the 997 is objectively a much better car than the 993. But that has absolutely no bearing on their respective values (or any other old vs new car comparison, for that matter) and with respect, your argument of old fashioned tech/lots of worn out parts/money needing spent etc just doesn't apply to the 911, or the car market in general.
Pr1964 said:
Yes agreed market finds it's own price level dependent on demand.
There are Austin Allegro's up for sale at £5k and I'm sure there are buyers who'll pay the price.
But I don't agree that 911's are immune from the affects of gravity even though in the past 911 prices have been bullet proof .
I've been looking for almost two months at 993's, all the cars bar one remain unsold.
This 993 Buying Guide should be warts and all and I think it's fair to compare and be realistic.
I've seen 993's with a stack of repair bills which would make any buyer feel uncomfortable there is a good business in inspection work on these cars at £400 an inspection plenty of money to be made there.
The more I look the more I think the 993 is a potential can of worms as are all old cars.
Yet I am still drawn to the 993.
Only not at these prices.
I'd be surprised to see
993's at £25k with £5-10k needed during a 2 year ownership.
And
997's at £20k with £1-2k needing during a 2 year ownership.
But then there is no accounting for taste and how people spend their money true life is stranger than fiction and the allegro was pile of poo to most of us and if you told some the 911 weighs less than an apple they'd believe you.
Well its all open to huge debate of course and indivudual wants can't be governed by prices alone. I would feel much happier paying a premium for a nice well cared for sorted 993 ( i did) than ever i would a 4 or 5 year old 997. The fact is the component parts of the older cars are far superior than that of modern 911s, if you take a look under a 2 year old 997 i think you maybe shocked by the rusty fittings and components that are waiting to be seen. In addition it may also come as a shock just what needs spending on a 997 that has seen 2, 3 or 4 winters. New radiators/ A/C wishbones/shocks/suspension/dics/etc etc. The engines also have a cloud of component failure hanging over them, not to mention rear main seal issues, and overheating problems on i think number 5 cylinder due to poor design. I am not saying the 993 cant fail, of course it can but the 997 series has had some poor press. The latest is'nt always the greatest, and a newish car can still cost big money to fix and maintain. I think its fair to say the fittings and fixtures are not as high quality in the cabin also. My 997 was starting to look tired in the drivers seat after 10k miles, stitching on the seat and door cap was starting to look past it. The wheel nuts also rusted very badly, Why? because its crap metal just like on most modern stuff.There are Austin Allegro's up for sale at £5k and I'm sure there are buyers who'll pay the price.
But I don't agree that 911's are immune from the affects of gravity even though in the past 911 prices have been bullet proof .
I've been looking for almost two months at 993's, all the cars bar one remain unsold.
This 993 Buying Guide should be warts and all and I think it's fair to compare and be realistic.
I've seen 993's with a stack of repair bills which would make any buyer feel uncomfortable there is a good business in inspection work on these cars at £400 an inspection plenty of money to be made there.
The more I look the more I think the 993 is a potential can of worms as are all old cars.
Yet I am still drawn to the 993.
Only not at these prices.
I'd be surprised to see
993's at £25k with £5-10k needed during a 2 year ownership.
And
997's at £20k with £1-2k needing during a 2 year ownership.
But then there is no accounting for taste and how people spend their money true life is stranger than fiction and the allegro was pile of poo to most of us and if you told some the 911 weighs less than an apple they'd believe you.
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