Discussion
Thanks for resurrecting this thread. I still have the 996T and still think about chopping it for both of the cars mentioned! However, since my first post, I have invested a bit in the Turbo and installed the 6 pot callipers, which are meaningfully better. It is at 9E currently and may have both turbos replaced. It is a genuinely interesting car and I like that it is complicated and unusual. I think I’d find the 993 or 997.2 a bit plain vanilla. I would like a GT3 but they’re a lot more expensive, and in most practical driving senses worse than the Turbo.
I have been pleased to read people’s positive stuff about 993’s.
I have been pleased to read people’s positive stuff about 993’s.
i can relate to the issues highlighted, in fact my window switch played up, my horn also caused embarrassing situation whilst driving and eventually caused a scene at a hotel in the south of Spain, but despite the niggles the drive back through the mountains of peniscola to Zaragoza with the RSR set up exhaust system singing the sweetest music and the drive made me forgive any and every single issue i could think of, i just cannot think of a more visceral engaging experience behind of a wheel of a car short of a Ferrari 250 Lusso v12 at high revs or my old e30 m3 evo.
Interesting that you use the word "engaging" there Josco010, because that's what I tell people about my 993 when asked "what's it like to drive?"
I had a 997 Gen 2 before the 993, and whilst it was faster, more modern (obviously!) and roomier inside, it was a bit soulless. The 997 doesn't sound good - well, it doesn't sound of anything really! It doesn't smell either, unlike the 993 which smells a bit oily and mechanical, which I like.
The downside to a 993 is the maintenance needed to keep it tip top; not surprising given these cars are 25 years old or so. If the previous owner(s) have scrimped, you're looking at big bills to fix/refresh the air con, suspension, bodywork and minor oil leaks. And I probably wouldn't want to use a 993 as daily transport.
Someone else said that air cooled cars get under your skin, and I'd agree with that. The 997 never did that, and so for that reason I'd choose a 993 if I could only have one car.
I had a 997 Gen 2 before the 993, and whilst it was faster, more modern (obviously!) and roomier inside, it was a bit soulless. The 997 doesn't sound good - well, it doesn't sound of anything really! It doesn't smell either, unlike the 993 which smells a bit oily and mechanical, which I like.
The downside to a 993 is the maintenance needed to keep it tip top; not surprising given these cars are 25 years old or so. If the previous owner(s) have scrimped, you're looking at big bills to fix/refresh the air con, suspension, bodywork and minor oil leaks. And I probably wouldn't want to use a 993 as daily transport.
Someone else said that air cooled cars get under your skin, and I'd agree with that. The 997 never did that, and so for that reason I'd choose a 993 if I could only have one car.
I had a 997 c2s just after they came out. So through 2005 and into 2006. I loved the car because it was great. I even did a ridiculous European road trip in the middle of winter between Christmas and New Year because I was bored and had some time off. This was before I became a Winter tyre bore. So yeah that trip was hard work and I think enough to convert any die hard car guy into a Winter Tyre bore. Pics below.
Anyway I've now got an early 996 and Ok it's been a few years since 2006 so I can't honestly remember the exact feedback you get from a 997 but I am sure it is very different to that in the 996. The 997 feels more grown up and civilised but that means you loose some of the raw feeling. The 997 might be quicker too but as we know that hardly matters. I'm not saying the 997 is not a good car because I still hanker after one. But if you want that buzz and chatter from the car talking to you and telling you what's happening then you won't get as much of that in a 997.
Anyway I've now got an early 996 and Ok it's been a few years since 2006 so I can't honestly remember the exact feedback you get from a 997 but I am sure it is very different to that in the 996. The 997 feels more grown up and civilised but that means you loose some of the raw feeling. The 997 might be quicker too but as we know that hardly matters. I'm not saying the 997 is not a good car because I still hanker after one. But if you want that buzz and chatter from the car talking to you and telling you what's happening then you won't get as much of that in a 997.
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