Discussion
Hi i am currently a owner of a 1997 993 targa love it to bits and have always thought of the newer 996's as too refined compared to the 993 especially as it is one of the last air cooled engines however, recently i have found myself drawn to my local porsche dealer and taking out a 2003 996 c4 cabriolet what a difference car was fantastic the drive, having a full convertible, inside was equally plush.Is it a good idea to upgrade to a newer 996 (the car i drove was 45k too high for me) or stick with the 993 i have around 35k to spend so will be looking at an older pre 2000 996 i have heard they have some build issues that were corrected in later cars i am in a quandry any ideas
john
john
Hi
We all know how many problems 996 have especially the early ones just get it well inspected as you would any car,
and get a full OPC warranty on the vehicle..
i am a specialist in knutsford cheshire if you are local i may be of some use to you.
The 996 C4 Cab is a great car and as long as you have peace of mind then i would say upgrade.
We all know how many problems 996 have especially the early ones just get it well inspected as you would any car,
and get a full OPC warranty on the vehicle..
i am a specialist in knutsford cheshire if you are local i may be of some use to you.
The 996 C4 Cab is a great car and as long as you have peace of mind then i would say upgrade.
Blimey guv, that's a can of worms and no mistake!
The relative benefits of the two models have been much discussed on this forum, at times in a most animated manner! To summarise some of the oft-repeated dreck:
993s vs 996s
Pro 993
- air-cooled classic, last real 911 to the beardie purists.
- reduced depreciation relative to 996. This year will likely see the clear value cross-over, with 993s worth more than 996s.
- less 993s made than 996s.
- 993 last of the porkers built the old ways - supposedly more than twice as many man hours in a 993 build than a 996 as Japanese production techniques were adopted for the latter. Hence 993 reputation for better quality.
- better looking than the 996 (subjective of course).
- bulletproof reputation, compared to RMS/lunched engine image of earlier 996s.
- not wet...
Pro 996
- more modern, better equipped, improved ergonomics.
- more benign handling and PSM.
- cheaper servicing.
- 996 suspension/alignment maybe less delicate than on 993 which was the first 911 to use the Weissach rear suspension design.
- can still be covered by Porsche warranty (up to 9 years).
- cheaper to buy because much depreciating has already been done.
Others will be along to disagree with me and add other points of view...
The relative benefits of the two models have been much discussed on this forum, at times in a most animated manner! To summarise some of the oft-repeated dreck:
993s vs 996s
Pro 993
- air-cooled classic, last real 911 to the beardie purists.
- reduced depreciation relative to 996. This year will likely see the clear value cross-over, with 993s worth more than 996s.
- less 993s made than 996s.
- 993 last of the porkers built the old ways - supposedly more than twice as many man hours in a 993 build than a 996 as Japanese production techniques were adopted for the latter. Hence 993 reputation for better quality.
- better looking than the 996 (subjective of course).
- bulletproof reputation, compared to RMS/lunched engine image of earlier 996s.
- not wet...
Pro 996
- more modern, better equipped, improved ergonomics.
- more benign handling and PSM.
- cheaper servicing.
- 996 suspension/alignment maybe less delicate than on 993 which was the first 911 to use the Weissach rear suspension design.
- can still be covered by Porsche warranty (up to 9 years).
- cheaper to buy because much depreciating has already been done.
Others will be along to disagree with me and add other points of view...
There you go, a man that has had 2 of each & he says the 996 wins
As for 993 going to be worth more than 996, what a load of tripe.....
unless you are one of the chosen few that can afford £25k+ to have a weekend car tucked up in the garadge, the normal person is always going to go for a 996..
Good 993 are for specilasts and lets face it as more of them get stacked, it's obviously the remaining ones will go up in value, but by then you will have the choice of 2004 996 C4S V's 1994 993...1994 was a LONG time ago.....
As for 993 going to be worth more than 996, what a load of tripe.....
unless you are one of the chosen few that can afford £25k+ to have a weekend car tucked up in the garadge, the normal person is always going to go for a 996..
Good 993 are for specilasts and lets face it as more of them get stacked, it's obviously the remaining ones will go up in value, but by then you will have the choice of 2004 996 C4S V's 1994 993...1994 was a LONG time ago.....
Here is my 2p worth.
I owned a 993 C4 and now own a 996 C4S, and when I try to distill all the emotion and engineering into a simple phrase I find that I am forced to look at the difference in the following way.
If the car is primarily for you, and you love driving, and being in touch with the car, then the 993 is for you.
If you enjoy driving, and like to have a rather nice interior for passengers to enjoy, possibly to include family, then the 996 is for you.
Yes, in pure speed terms the 996 is probably faster, and in comfort terms is is more comfortable, but the 993 will always have something for the driver that the passenger will never appreciate, while the 996 will have something for both driver and passenger.
I hope that helps.
I owned a 993 C4 and now own a 996 C4S, and when I try to distill all the emotion and engineering into a simple phrase I find that I am forced to look at the difference in the following way.
If the car is primarily for you, and you love driving, and being in touch with the car, then the 993 is for you.
If you enjoy driving, and like to have a rather nice interior for passengers to enjoy, possibly to include family, then the 996 is for you.
Yes, in pure speed terms the 996 is probably faster, and in comfort terms is is more comfortable, but the 993 will always have something for the driver that the passenger will never appreciate, while the 996 will have something for both driver and passenger.
I hope that helps.
The more of the following criteria you fit....
1) If you're a shallow person,
2) listen to R n B music
3)Are a driving enthusiast as long as it doesn't mess your hairstyle up or intrude on listening to Marriah Carrey, Celine Dion, rap...
4)have previously ever owned 'The New Mini'
5)and/or an Audi TT
6)and/or the 'New Beetle'
7)If you're concerned about ride quality, driveline 'shunt and shuffle'or idle speed smoothness
8)If you live in a sixties or 70s house
9)If you're more concerned about the quality of your stereo/radio,
10)Climate control or Sat Nav than you are about engine noise, steering with feedback
11)If you're sure that NEW is always better than old because
a)the industry has done a good 'job' on you
b) you believe newer never fails to impress anyone
........Then the 996 is definately the one for you!
Does a runner!
PS: for a more informed/balanced account see NELS post, however I've found there's no real REASONING with the 996 brainwashed!
[above comments don't apply to 996 turbos, GT2s or GT3s!]
>> Edited by Marquis_Rex on Tuesday 23 May 13:59
>> Edited by Marquis_Rex on Tuesday 23 May 14:52
1) If you're a shallow person,
2) listen to R n B music
3)Are a driving enthusiast as long as it doesn't mess your hairstyle up or intrude on listening to Marriah Carrey, Celine Dion, rap...
4)have previously ever owned 'The New Mini'
5)and/or an Audi TT
6)and/or the 'New Beetle'
7)If you're concerned about ride quality, driveline 'shunt and shuffle'or idle speed smoothness
8)If you live in a sixties or 70s house
9)If you're more concerned about the quality of your stereo/radio,
10)Climate control or Sat Nav than you are about engine noise, steering with feedback
11)If you're sure that NEW is always better than old because
a)the industry has done a good 'job' on you
b) you believe newer never fails to impress anyone
........Then the 996 is definately the one for you!
Does a runner! PS: for a more informed/balanced account see NELS post, however I've found there's no real REASONING with the 996 brainwashed!
[above comments don't apply to 996 turbos, GT2s or GT3s!]
>> Edited by Marquis_Rex on Tuesday 23 May 13:59
>> Edited by Marquis_Rex on Tuesday 23 May 14:52
jonny996 said:
As for 993 going to be worth more than 996, what a load of tripe.....
Quite apart from what seems to be happening on the market already and my own opinion, a french porker specialist magazine that does periodic market reports noted that this is the year when the price crossover becomes clear "if current trends continue".
I suppose if you want to reduce the comparison to a pristine 1994 993 compared to a pristine 2004 996 then it will not be the case for a while, but try comparing the price of a good '97 993 with that of a good '98 996.
Bit sensitive aren't you...
I just like what I see & most of that time it is the interior, I did not buy the car for others to look at. It is my main form of transport so a 996 tip works for me so much better than a 993 would.
Funny how there are lots of people saying " I USED to have a 993 now I have a 996 " dont see to many going from 996 to a 993.
The 993 is a very good car but it is a one trick pony in my book.
Funny how there are lots of people saying " I USED to have a 993 now I have a 996 " dont see to many going from 996 to a 993.
The 993 is a very good car but it is a one trick pony in my book.
Oh come on, it's a 993 debate, i have to chime in 
Gotta agree with nel - look at prices for '97 rhd 993 C2S for example, versus '99 996 C2, and there's a gulf apparent already. The 996 is available and plentiful at less than £25k, the 993 is tough to find for any less than £30k.
As regards the ongoing 993 v 996 debate, it's pretty simple in my mind. Drive both. Forget other people's opinions, when you drive both it will be instantly clear to you which one you want. You'll either find the 993 archaic and tiring, or you'll find yourself absorbed by it. Either way, you'll have a very nice car...
VS
Gotta agree with nel - look at prices for '97 rhd 993 C2S for example, versus '99 996 C2, and there's a gulf apparent already. The 996 is available and plentiful at less than £25k, the 993 is tough to find for any less than £30k.
As regards the ongoing 993 v 996 debate, it's pretty simple in my mind. Drive both. Forget other people's opinions, when you drive both it will be instantly clear to you which one you want. You'll either find the 993 archaic and tiring, or you'll find yourself absorbed by it. Either way, you'll have a very nice car...
VS
It's gotten to the point where good LHD 993s in Germany fetch a similar price to good RHD 993s in the UK. That was previously unheard of! Germany was always the market where Porsches were cheaper. Still I could barely make a saving selling my 993 turbo in the UK to try to pick up a German one- similar mileage ones to mine HERE continue to fetch from 58,000 (may be in a not so nice colour) euros to 68,000 euros. In the end it wasn't worth me selling mine and yet I had every motivation to switch to a LHD car.
What about 996s- I hear you ask? Well they're MUCH cheaper than they are in the UK.
I mean you expect a similar price equalisation to Germany with old cars like E30 M3s and 930 Turbo LEs (brace yourself Johhny996- terrible cars - they're now 17years old
and don't have ABS shock horror!), but I didnt expect to see it so soon with 993s!
What about 996s- I hear you ask? Well they're MUCH cheaper than they are in the UK.
I mean you expect a similar price equalisation to Germany with old cars like E30 M3s and 930 Turbo LEs (brace yourself Johhny996- terrible cars - they're now 17years old
and don't have ABS shock horror!), but I didnt expect to see it so soon with 993s!
Marquis_Rex said:
4)have previously ever owned 'The New Mini'
Oi!! That's enough of that now...
Only problem here, is that the thread starter has a 993 already and may well feel like a change. The 996 is an itch that probably has to be scratched sooner or later by most 964/993 owners. I've owned 993s and 996s. My old 993 Targa is probably the only car I ever owned that I still really hanker after. The 996s that followed it were undoubtedly better cars by any objective measure, but they weren't as 'nice' at all IMO.
Best I can offer, is that if you're looking to replace your 993 Targa, but are in doubt, the 996 Cabriolet option is probably a good idea. At least then, if you're disappointed with the new car, you can put the roof down and you mightn't feel so bad about your decision.
Edit. Make sure you get a manual though. If you can find a manual Cabriolet.
>> Edited by loach on Tuesday 23 May 14:58
loach said:
4)have previously ever owned 'The New Mini'
Oi!! That's enough of that now...
Only problem here, is that the thread starter has a 993 already and may well feel like a change. The 996 is an itch that probably has to be scratched sooner or later by most 964/993 owners. I've owned 993s and 996s. My old 993 Targa is probably the only car I ever owned that I still really hanker after. The 996s that followed it were undoubtedly better cars by any objective measure, but they weren't as 'nice' at all IMO.
Best I can offer, is that if you're looking to replace your 993 Targa, but are in doubt, the 996 Cabriolet option is probably a good idea. At least then, if you're disappointed with the new car, you can put the roof down and you mightn't feel so bad about your decision.
Edit. Make sure you get a manual though. If you can find a manual Cabriolet.
>> Edited by loach on Tuesday 23 May 14:58
I'll let you off! You own a Z3M coupe and have a hankering for a E9 CSL
verysideways said:
My '98 993tt went back to Germany last month
Yours was for sale around the same time as mine, but I think it had a slightly higher mileage. I was gunning for an RS at the time, looking back I could have been wise to sell mines and get yours.
The fact that yours went BACK to Germany sort of reinforces my point!
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