993 vs 996

[sleep envy]

cardigankid said:

So I just do not understand where the 996 criticism is coming from.

I can however only comment on the 993's appearance as I have never driven one.

that'll be why

IMO, having owned 3 993 and currently own a 996 I've got a fair idea of the differences

I've used my first 993 as a daily driver, driven it all over Europe and loved every minute. Within reason, it's a practical car that if looked after will be all the car you'll ever need. Good ones are far and few between these days. Sure the interior isn't a textbook example of ergonomics but it works. A/C is a nice to have but on the warmest days it does struggle and borders on weak even in tip top condition.

The 996 has, in areas, been built to a budget. The dash whilst more modern does let the car down. Yes, there's well known problems associated with the model but do your homework and you'll bag a good car.

Wrt aesthetics, for me, the 993 narrow body wins hands down every time but then that's subjective so who gives a stuff.

As has been said they're totally different cars so you need to drive good examples of both and make your own mind up. Personally, I'm glad I started with the older cars as I can work through the models.

[6C4GTS]

I've got a widebody 996 with PSE which I think is fab but I have never owned a 993 so I am not going to add to the debate, however here is one piece of advice for anyone with your quandry or for the rest of us a bally great morning of fun.... Porsche do a driving experience for 275 quid at Silverstone called the Evolution 911 which lets you track a 997 993 and 80's Carrera 3.2 with around 30 minutes in each.
Personally I think this is perfect if you have a 911 itch but do not know what will scratch it.
http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience-o...
If you arrive in a 996 or 964 you get 4x911 in less than 2 hours.

Edited by 6C4GTS on Tuesday 14th September 20:38

[jackal]

My RS'd C2 is an old car from a previous bygone era. It will never be precise and pointy and as physically effortless and agile/nimble like a 996 GT3. The GT3 as a tool aces it in all departments. By comparison it is actually distinctly heavy footed, clumsy almost, and even with fast modern road suspension, RS geometry and uprated suspension arms and tie rods, slightly ponderous and blunt. Cars came a long long in the last 15 years, especially in the suspension department.

But the GT3 will never have the 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 harmoniuosly mechanical.

The truth is you need a 993RS and a 996RS and and any given day you choose depending on mood.






(p.s. cant speak for the standard cars as ive had limited time in each)

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 14th September 20:52

[sleep envy]

Apart from the nostalgic noise I think you may be wide of the mark on the 993 rs -v- gt3 comparison.

[jackal]

sleep envy said:

Apart from the nostalgic noise I think you may be wide of the mark on the 993 rs -v- gt3 comparison.

Strong words !

You can disagree if you want to. That's how I find it & we're all different.

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 14th September 21:01

[sleep envy]

For sure

eta - not really that much a sense of strong words

as you said, it's your opinion and I've owned both so I've got my opinion

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 14th September 21:05

[lynchygt3]

My 996 is a much better car than my 993 was but I miss my 993 like an old friend ! That's the best way I can describe my views on the matter ! I'll never own a 993 again but I'm so so glad I had the 2 year pleasure of owning one

[jackal]

sleep envy said:

eta - not really that much a sense of strong words

What I meant was it was quite abrupt the way you swept aside everything i said in one short sentence. It's also worded as if you are the undisputed bearer of absolute truth, like an oracle of sorts. I think you could have done it a bit more gracefully, at the very least by stating that your findings different or using 'IMO' for example. There again, maybe your intention was to deliberately offend.

[markcoznottz]

Good 993s must be getting harder to find nowdays surely?

[sleep envy]

Not really but you seem to take offence to every post I make which doesn't fall in line with your pov.

I don't profess to be an oracle and as I'm posting on a phone my posts will be brief.

btw, I thought the words 'i think' would have been a good substitute for IMO, maybe I should be clearer in my posting.

[Battlecat]

Golden fleece said:

jackal said:

they are so so different

its hard to believe they are actually contiguous models and one way made th next year after the other

make sure you drive both

any decision should start from there rather than a forum post IMO

I totally agree with this advice! I regularly drive a friend's 993 Carrera 4 and to be honest, apart from it sounding glorious (with the 'RSR' mod) and feeling like it's been hewn from granite, it does seem (to me) that it's a couple of generations behind the 996 and belongs in a museum!

For a weekend car though (and no regular commuting) - I'd probably want a 993.

I agree with the above. I appreciate that the topic concerns the C2, but before buying the 996 Turbo I considered the 993 Turbo and thought the 993 was about 20 years behind the 996. The 996 just seems like a big step forward.

[mollytherocker]

I am a big 993 fan.

- Sense of occasion
- Noise
- Mechanical engagement
- Interaction
- Reward (but requires effort)
- Pure/simple/fun/intoxicating

The 996 has a lot of the above deisgned out by the NVH brigade to hit a wider market. They sold loads, so they were right to do so.

However, for 10000 miles a year even I would probably go with a 996. Still a great car but easier to live with day to day. I wouldnt do it without a warranty though.

Wow, I'll be recommending a JAG next!

MTR

[turbo-ww]

Dear God, how many times? They are different.

Drive both!!!!

Then if you still have questions, ask.

[Test Driver]

996 = underrated

[RudeDog]

I am just venturing in to Porsche ownership for the first time (having been a fan of the brand all my life) with a Cayman S purchase. I have always imagined that I would own a 911 at some point and the 993 is the one I desire most. By the time I get round to actually buying one, I expect the 993's to be too old to use as a daily driver so a 997 is more likely. I have never lusted after the 996, mostly because I think its a bit overweight and ugly (overweight in terms of looks that is) however my interest was raised recently when I saw a few 996 Turbo's advertised on PH for less than £30K.

You know what though, if I am honest, its the Boxster headlights that put me off the most.

993 gets my vote

[shoestring7]

FWIW I was chatting with the Virgin's brother about this sometime last year.

He mentioned that "most" of the would be 993 buyers that turn up there end up purchasing a 996. Unless you are a certain type the early car feels old, and the VFM argument of a faster, more refined, decade younger 996 for a similar price is compelling.


SS7

[GGS]

Buy a nice 964

[aby76]

Thanks for all the advice........it's certainly a lot of fun looking through the classifieds! Will drive both as per the advice. I was expecting the 996 to be a subtle evolution from the 993 but it seems that this is not the case.

[kayc]

996 a crock of ste build wise ..ive had 4 of them..to even compare a hand built air cooled Porsche with a mass produced(we are going bust if we dont do it)range is ridiculous.Build cost of a 996 was 70% cheaper than a 993...drive and work on them both and you can see where the corners were cut.Imo of course.

[Mousem40]

Risotto said:

.

I found >>this<< a handy summary of 996 checkpoints. Not exhaustive, but it collates most of the common problems into a single, brief document which you can use as the basis for further research.

Cheeky bloody sods! That's mine and Richard Hamilton's check list from our buyer's guide that we wrote for PCGB! I'll be having words.