993 Carrera S - A few questions
Discussion
Lots of good feedback and views from people so ill try not to repeat. I have had a couple of C2s and a C2S - all manual coupes. I tried 4wd versions but preferred 2wd to drive (and because I am a purist snob). Covered over 50k miles between them on road, long road trips and track. I bought the C2S for the looks and it has more road presence than the C2 but I much preferred the C2 to drive. The extra width and tyre footprint of the wide body cars reduces the steering feel and leads to tram lining. The narrow car is much more nimble and handles better - for me it was a very clear difference. My last C2 was very basic - 17” wheels, no spacers and it was by far the best to drive. Taking the spacer off made a noticeable difference. Didn’t need more power for road use, could have done with more sound (RSRs are an easy fix). If I was buying again, I would get a basic C2 manual coupe. I drove to the Alps with a friend in a 996 GT3 and we both loved the C2 and had a favourable view of it after the trip. It really is a very good all rounder that can be used a lot.
All the feedback re maintenance is good. Either buy a car with bills or budget to do a sensible refresh of suspension and consumables. Wide body cars are worth more to the market but I wouldn’t spend the extra on one. Find a good specialist who will work with you to get the car how you want - there are plenty near you. High miles are not a problem on well maintained cars but pay accordingly. I saw a nice driver quality C2 Coupe for £35k recently and allowing £10k spend it would have been a superb, usable car. Accident free, 120k miles in good colours and would clean up really well.
Incidentally, my old C2 and C2S are with friends in Bucks if you want to have a look, talk to them and go for a spin.
All the feedback re maintenance is good. Either buy a car with bills or budget to do a sensible refresh of suspension and consumables. Wide body cars are worth more to the market but I wouldn’t spend the extra on one. Find a good specialist who will work with you to get the car how you want - there are plenty near you. High miles are not a problem on well maintained cars but pay accordingly. I saw a nice driver quality C2 Coupe for £35k recently and allowing £10k spend it would have been a superb, usable car. Accident free, 120k miles in good colours and would clean up really well.
Incidentally, my old C2 and C2S are with friends in Bucks if you want to have a look, talk to them and go for a spin.
If you're not mileage sensitive, this looks quite good value from a reliable source
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Not an 'S', but I actually prefer the purity of the base C2.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Not an 'S', but I actually prefer the purity of the base C2.
Edited by Koln-RS on Thursday 1st March 14:48
blackmamba said:
The extra width and tyre footprint of the wide body cars reduces the steering feel and leads to tram lining.
New tyres were all it took to stop the tramlining that I started having with my turbo - the old tyres were not particularly low on tread (4mm), but were in excess of 8 years old and the rubber had completely lost its suppleness. 
All this talk of narrow bodied cars has got me thinking but i have to say the S is what really appeals. I can’t actually drive for the next week as have just had a minor hernia op but I think I’ll pop along to RPM and have a look at their Carrera and also the Red S they have but really don’t like the spec of that one.
I only wanted a silver with black interior 4s
I remember every Friday phoning every dealer from Aberdeen south
Have you got one
No
Next week
No
Next week
Etc
Finally got one at Porsche Colchester
14000 miles
£52500
That was 16 years ago - and it was stolen after 6 months
So it all began again
Struck lucky with Kenny Dunn at Porsche Edinburgh
Better spec car. 16000 miles , £45000
And I still have it
I remember every Friday phoning every dealer from Aberdeen south
Have you got one
No
Next week
No
Next week
Etc
Finally got one at Porsche Colchester
14000 miles
£52500
That was 16 years ago - and it was stolen after 6 months
So it all began again
Struck lucky with Kenny Dunn at Porsche Edinburgh
Better spec car. 16000 miles , £45000
And I still have it
Bieldside said:
I only wanted a silver with black interior 4s
I remember every Friday phoning every dealer from Aberdeen south
Have you got one
No
Next week
No
Next week
Etc
Finally got one at Porsche Colchester
14000 miles
£52500
That was 16 years ago - and it was stolen after 6 months
So it all began again
Struck lucky with Kenny Dunn at Porsche Edinburgh
Better spec car. 16000 miles , £45000
And I still have it
Great persistence! I remember every Friday phoning every dealer from Aberdeen south
Have you got one
No
Next week
No
Next week
Etc
Finally got one at Porsche Colchester
14000 miles
£52500
That was 16 years ago - and it was stolen after 6 months
So it all began again
Struck lucky with Kenny Dunn at Porsche Edinburgh
Better spec car. 16000 miles , £45000
And I still have it
Iain-304kz said:
Charles Ivey have a nice 68k miler for £80,000 in Xenith blue with all the stamps
Nice looking car but just not sure about the interior. I bought an E36 M3 Convertible in 1997 so the same year...Estoril Blue so a light blue like that and I specced a black interior, light grey was much more popular!I had two 993,s c4 and c2 back when they were current machine and then until two years ago a 997 GTS like yours. Bottom line I loved the 993 c4 and less so the c2 back then but today I would only have one for the memories.
Unsurprisingly the GTS leaves it way behind for handling and engine response etc etc. I lived both 993 and 997 in the respective era and the 997 made the biggest impression.
The 993,s had terrible a/c, squeeky windscreen and rear suspension that needed work (upgrades), had that classic engine and great transmission in the C4 at least , compact size and ok steering. Also mine both had warranty issues far greater than the F355 that replaced them. Each to their own but i would have another GTS before another 993.
Unsurprisingly the GTS leaves it way behind for handling and engine response etc etc. I lived both 993 and 997 in the respective era and the 997 made the biggest impression.
The 993,s had terrible a/c, squeeky windscreen and rear suspension that needed work (upgrades), had that classic engine and great transmission in the C4 at least , compact size and ok steering. Also mine both had warranty issues far greater than the F355 that replaced them. Each to their own but i would have another GTS before another 993.
I think a lot of aircooled 911s - pre-impact, 3.2s, 964s, 993s - are being bought by people who already have a contemporary 997 or 991. The idea being to have something that's a bit more basic and engaging at sensible speeds, part of Porsche history, and perhaps a potential investment.
I’ve had 3 NB C2s. Looked at buying a 2S and then a Turbo but found that standard NB better to drive. Handling is sweeter and you can feel the car move around beneath you.
I think the 964 looks better, the early 911s are more fun to drive and the 997 is a much better all rounder. Yet I would still like another 993.
I think the 964 looks better, the early 911s are more fun to drive and the 997 is a much better all rounder. Yet I would still like another 993.
nickpan said:
n12maser said:
also if you can hold of a pair of one piece 993 17" Porsche sports classic wheels (made by BBS), they were even lighter than the cup 2 wheels and make the handling even better
These look very similar to my wheels - although maybe not quite the same? My car below.
kilarney said:
I had two 993,s c4 and c2 back when they were current machine and then until two years ago a 997 GTS like yours. Bottom line I loved the 993 c4 and less so the c2 back then but today I would only have one for the memories.
Unsurprisingly the GTS leaves it way behind for handling and engine response etc etc. I lived both 993 and 997 in the respective era and the 997 made the biggest impression.
The 993,s had terrible a/c, squeeky windscreen and rear suspension that needed work (upgrades), had that classic engine and great transmission in the C4 at least , compact size and ok steering. Also mine both had warranty issues far greater than the F355 that replaced them. Each to their own but i would have another GTS before another 993.
It’s a fair point and could be a “don’t meet your heroes” moment. I very nearly bought a 993 when they were the contemporary 911 back in the mid 90’s...and feel like I have unfinished business. The S is a car that I just think looks so right and it’s probabky one of the reasons why I bought a 997 GTS as it’s really the 997 equivalent being the only wide bodied 2wd 997 bar the.2 RS. Unsurprisingly the GTS leaves it way behind for handling and engine response etc etc. I lived both 993 and 997 in the respective era and the 997 made the biggest impression.
The 993,s had terrible a/c, squeeky windscreen and rear suspension that needed work (upgrades), had that classic engine and great transmission in the C4 at least , compact size and ok steering. Also mine both had warranty issues far greater than the F355 that replaced them. Each to their own but i would have another GTS before another 993.
Think I’ll try and get along to RPM in the next couple of weeks as they currently have an S and a narrow bodied car and are local to me.
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