Porsche 993 - which comprise cab or tiptronic ....

[YoungMD]

Seeing that manual 993 c2 seem to always now be above £50k and sometimes the rest, one feels a comprise is required to meet my 40/50k budget but....which one is a manual convertible the way to go or a coupe tiptronic....

I am one of those people that dislike a tiptronic even though I havnt tried one but it just seems wrong ....but then the imagine of a convertible I find challenging as for me air cooled porsxhes first and foremost have always been great as they are drivers cars .....please tell me I am wrong ..... I have a 997 C2s currently but would definately like to swop for air-cooled... thanks very much for input ..

[Koln-RS]

I would go for Cab over Tip.

I would be happy with 2wd or 4wd

I would prefer Varioram

[nickpan]

Something like this should fall within budget when the hammer drops based on prior sales on the same site. I don’t think you have to make a compromise if you have £50,000 to spend.

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1996-porsche-9...

[MDL111]

Definitely manual over tip. I am also not a big fan of 911 convertibles (to me they look challenging), but I’d still enjoy driving one nearly as much as a coupe. A tip not so much.

[n12maser]

Just save that bit extra and get manual coupe. Or as said, nothing wrong with higher miles, with solid service history and addressing issues as arisen for £50kish.

Unless you LOVE open-air driving then it's not worth the compromise...my first 993 was a cab and the rigity is nowhere near the coupe, proper shakey if you enjoy pushing on. These days have the 993 coupe and it's a vastly improved proposition.

Not able to comment on tip, but it doesn't have the best reputation. the manual is sweet so on that basis would be a shame not to have it.

[YoungMD]

nickpan said:

Something like this should fall within budget when the hammer drops based on prior sales on the same site. I don’t think you have to make a compromise if you have £50,000 to spend.

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1996-porsche-9...

I will definately keep an eye on that but I'm guessing it will go for over 50k.....

[MrVert]

To answer your question, Cab over Tip any day of the week.

Manual cab is still hugely fun to punt along a B road.

[Grantstown]

Can you buy up the tip and then keep a look out for a 993 gearbox to get the conversion done. Someone will have the requisite experience.

[oddman]

YoungMD said:

for me air cooled porsxhes first and foremost have always been great as they are drivers cars .....please tell me I am wrong ..... I have a 997 C2s currently but would definately like to swop for air-cooled... thanks very much for input ..

You need to get out and drive a few. You might find even a sorted 993 coupe isn't as good a drivers car as your 997.

A 993 is a lovely thing but I think you need to be going 964 and earlier to get an experience different enough to justify an expensive swap to a much trickier car to own and drive.

[Orangecurry]

...to answer the OPs question - as someone else said above save for a manual coupe, or just buy a high mileage one.

oddman said:

YoungMD said:

for me air cooled porsches first and foremost have always been great as they are drivers cars .....please tell me I am wrong ..... I have a 997 C2s currently but would definately like to swop for air-cooled... thanks very much for input ..

You need to get out and drive a few. You might find even a sorted 993 coupe isn't as good a drivers car as your 997.

A 993 is a lovely thing but I think you need to be going 964 and earlier to get an experience different enough to justify an expensive swap to a much trickier car to own and drive.

We can argue all day about the merits of the 964vs993 but I don't understand your points above.

You say a 993 coupe not as good a driver's car as the 997, and then you recommend the 964? You need to give us your definition of a 'driver's car'

And a 993 is not a trickier car to own than either the 997 or 964 - it's simpler to work on and has less engine and cooling issues over a 997, and easier to work on vs a 964... and the 964 rusts in more places.

With the 989 rear suspension, the 993 is 'easier' to drive than the 964 as well.

So I'm confused

[oddman]

Orangecurry said:

You say a 993 coupe not as good a driver's car as the 997, and then you recommend the 964? You need to give us your definition of a 'driver's car'

I worded my reply very carefully to avoid conflict. I said the OP might find his 997 is a better driver's car than a 993. Obviously subjective and for OP to decide.

If OP is keen to go aircooled then he might find his 'driver's car' in an even older iteration where there is even greater difference in characteristics.

Orangecurry said:

And a 993 is not a trickier car to own than either the 997 or 964 - it's simpler to work on and has less engine and cooling issues over a 997, and easier to work on vs a 964... and the 964 rusts in more places.

With the 989 rear suspension, the 993 is 'easier' to drive than the 964 as well.

So I'm confused

No indication from OP that he would be doing his own spannering so didn't consider this.

[n12maser]

I would argue there's already a huge gulf in characteristics between 993 and 997.

This video by a guy who has both documents it well:
https://youtu.be/inbWfYLixNk

[oddman]

n12maser said:

I would argue there's already a huge gulf in characteristics between 993 and 997.

This video by a guy who has both documents it well:
https://youtu.be/inbWfYLixNk

Thanks enjoyed that.

There should be a drinking game for 993 videos - drink taken for every mention of -

Raw, mechanical, visceral, analogue, hewn from granite etc

[Orangecurry]

Avoid conflict ?

This is pistonheads and some people look for conflict. But I'm interested in clarity

oddman said:

No indication from OP that he would be doing his own spannering so didn't consider this.

Erm - own or paid-for spannering, the 993 is not as 'tricky' to own as a 997. Some 'specialists' might try and rip-off air-cooled owners, but that can happen to anyone with any car.

Honestly I'm interested in clarity - by all means say what you consider to be trickier in owning an older car.

[YoungMD]

Many thanks for all the comments very useful indeed and a good bit of conflict flushes these out...

I do generally do most of the maintenance myself - save for a two yearly basic service to keep up the history and for people who think garages are the only way to go.

Honestly I find the 997 pretty straight forward with the exception of some seriously rubbish metal in places (ie oil tandem pump, exhaust and some covers) and heaven knows how the manifold is coming off should it ever need to.... I do think the 997 has a fair amount of control arms that do need replacing and setting up properly to ensure a well handling car as well....

My issue is that the 997 is my sort of daily ish car and then I have an alfa 105 guilia coupe in kind of alfaholics style for track type driving and the early morning. But I am just finding in the 997 you are simply going too fast before you really feel anything, but then I love the (relative) easy use....hence I thought a 993 or even a 964 might not be that much more difficult to run with a bit more feeling.....( the Alfa is definately not a daily, as high maintenance as your average Italian women!)

Many thanks input appreciated

[Fat hippo]

For me i’d be looking at high mileage properly serviced manual C2 coupe s first.
Then C4 manual coupes
Possibly targa
C2 man convertible
C4 man convertible

I’d stay away from tiptronics if your heart is set on a manual.

[Pickled Piper]

In answer to the OPs original question. I would go for the convertible. The Tiptronic is just an old school automatic with steering wheel controls. It really does detract from the driving experience. It's best avoided.

[Orangecurry]

YoungMD said:

Honestly I find the 997 pretty straight forward with the exception of some seriously rubbish metal in places (ie oil tandem pump, exhaust and some covers) and heaven knows how the manifold is coming off should it ever need to.... I do think the 997 has a fair amount of control arms that do need replacing and setting up properly to ensure a well handling car as well....

Then you'll find the 993 to be easier. It really is a big set of well-made Meccano. The rear suspension is also a set of control arms, but will only need replacing every (who knows) 100k miles.

However the 993 if set-up poorly is not a nice car to drive, no matter how new the parts are - obviously someone who knows what they are doing can get the car how you want it, but this may be a 'journey' if you are unlucky.

YoungMD said:

My issue is that the 997 is my sort of daily ish car and then I have an alfa 105 guilia coupe in kind of alfaholics style for track type driving and the early morning. But I am just finding in the 997 you are simply going too fast before you really feel anything, but then I love the (relative) easy use....hence I thought a 993 or even a 964 might not be that much more difficult to run with a bit more feeling.....( the Alfa is definately not a daily, as high maintenance as your average Italian women!)

Many thanks input appreciated

I think you are correct in your point in bold. But then I'm not normal.

My advice is to get a high mileage car, otherwise actually using a lower mileage car as a daily will wipe-out a large amount of resale 'value'.

Bear in mind that many parts of every car have a lifespan, you can easily find a long list on the interweb of 993 components/jobs that may need doing on ANY mileage 993 you find for sale. This may scare you, but I don't think the 993 is different from any other car in that respect - when you have done these items, they won't need to be done for another 60k/100k/??k miles.

[Orangecurry]

ps just in case you do not know - the 993 Targa is a convertible shell with a metal and glass roof added back on the top.

IMO find a high mileage C2. Easy

[F6C]

Personally think it would be a little bit bonkers to put £40-50k into a car that had some fundamental attribute like the body style or transmission that wasn't what you want. Stretching for a manual coupe must be the answer. It's not like they are 2-3x the price. If you can definitely afford the compromise option, then likely you can do the man maths to stretch to the car you actually want.