996 Turbo After 993 C2 - Is It Worth The Change?
Discussion
Hi. I've had my 993 5 years now and I've been contemplating a change. However, it's difficult to work out what to go for next. I've really enjoyed and still do enjoy the 993 C2. I've spent some money on the suspension as I figured it was tired by now and it's now a great car to drive and I have a nice spec one with hard back sports seats etc. and the usual aircon and sunroof. It's a very rewarding car to drive.
However, I'm contemplating a 996 Turbo, because £28/29K would get me a good one I reckon. Has anyone gone from a 993 to a 996 Turbo and regretted the move? Anything I'd miss about the 993? I guess my main concern is that the 996 Turbo would be too refined in comparison to the 993 and I must admit I prefer the looks of the 993, but should I at least experience Porsche's flag ship Turbo at some stage anyway>
Your thoughts appreciated, because I believe a single test drive of a 991 Turbo isn't enough to make a decision really.
However, I'm contemplating a 996 Turbo, because £28/29K would get me a good one I reckon. Has anyone gone from a 993 to a 996 Turbo and regretted the move? Anything I'd miss about the 993? I guess my main concern is that the 996 Turbo would be too refined in comparison to the 993 and I must admit I prefer the looks of the 993, but should I at least experience Porsche's flag ship Turbo at some stage anyway>
Your thoughts appreciated, because I believe a single test drive of a 991 Turbo isn't enough to make a decision really.
I went from a wonderful 993 Targa that I serviced and worked on myself getting all the usual 993 jobs done to the extent that it was a really well sorted example to a 996 Turbo. I miss my 993 but do not regret the move. The best thing would be to have both. They are so different both giving pleasure in very different ways. I am thinking of getting another 993 in the future but will not get rid of my Turbo - one of each would be perfect.
Not 993, but I did go from 964 to 996 turbo - and for a couple of years, I did own both at the same time.
When I first got the 996 turbo - and for about the first year - I never thought I'd sell the 964, and I did think the 996 turbo was capable, but like you said - perhaps a bit too refined.
However, over time I got to know the car better (and a proper alignment helped a lot) and the 964 got used less and less. Rewarding though it was, it began to feel dated and the turbo seemed to do everything better than my 964 did. Eventually, through lack of use - I sold the 964. No regrets - the 996 turbo took time to grow on me, but is probably the best car I've owned.
When I first got the 996 turbo - and for about the first year - I never thought I'd sell the 964, and I did think the 996 turbo was capable, but like you said - perhaps a bit too refined.
However, over time I got to know the car better (and a proper alignment helped a lot) and the 964 got used less and less. Rewarding though it was, it began to feel dated and the turbo seemed to do everything better than my 964 did. Eventually, through lack of use - I sold the 964. No regrets - the 996 turbo took time to grow on me, but is probably the best car I've owned.
As said earlier, i think the 6T grows on you, i didn't really keep mine long enough.
As a massive 911 fan of all periods i don't to comparisons theres no point to be honest as its all subjective and different owners have different objectives.
Get a nice 6t floor it and you'll be grinning from ear to ear though.
If you want to be laughing get a GT2, These are just daft trust me.
As a massive 911 fan of all periods i don't to comparisons theres no point to be honest as its all subjective and different owners have different objectives.
Get a nice 6t floor it and you'll be grinning from ear to ear though.
If you want to be laughing get a GT2, These are just daft trust me.
Thanks for the replies so far. I've been told before that ideally you would have both and obviously they're are difficult to compare as they appeal in different ways. Perhaps I should say that I can't afford both as I do a decent commute everyday and have a 320d Tourer for that. So rather than compare the 993 with a 996t, I want to try and understand if I'd regret the move to the 996t, rather than form any comparison. Of course, again this is subjective and down to the individual I guess. I'm almost not prepared to take the jump, just in case I really regret it. 993's take time to sort and get them how they should be, quite simply because they're older and bit need replacing....mainly suspension is what I'm thinking of and I've done all that, so I need to be sure about the 996T and a single test drive isn't enough.
My 911 is used as a 3rd, fun/sunny day car.
I went from 993 to 997 to 996t & back to my current 993; they're all great cars, but as a keeper, it will be my current 993, I think
The 996t was a brilliant, incredibly quick car, and I'm really glad I had one, but after a while, I found it was for me anyway, a bit too quick for the roads of today.
As already said, I would like to have kept both my 996t & my 993, but if I'm keeping only one of them, it's going to be my 993.
You probably need to have a 996t to get it out of your system but watch your licence; I also think the 996t is slightly more expensive to maintain.
Good Luck.
I went from 993 to 997 to 996t & back to my current 993; they're all great cars, but as a keeper, it will be my current 993, I think
The 996t was a brilliant, incredibly quick car, and I'm really glad I had one, but after a while, I found it was for me anyway, a bit too quick for the roads of today.
As already said, I would like to have kept both my 996t & my 993, but if I'm keeping only one of them, it's going to be my 993.
You probably need to have a 996t to get it out of your system but watch your licence; I also think the 996t is slightly more expensive to maintain.
Good Luck.
carcrazypop said:
The 996t was a brilliant, incredibly quick car, and I'm really glad I had one, but after a while, I found it was for me anyway, a bit too quick for the roads of today.
The turbo is the first car I've owned where I felt that it really was unnecessarily fast after I'd bought it. That didn't stop me getting it mapped later on mind you.... but much as I love it, I do think it's faster than you need for UK roads.As for whether you'd regret it. As I've said, I was lucky enough to own my 964 and 996 turbo at the same time, and eventually concluded the turbo was much better (for me). However - if I'd had to sell the 964 to buy the turbo - I think I would have regretted it. They are very different cars, and it takes time to appreciate the qualities of the turbo (other than the huge speed). If I had only had that car - and been looking back at my 964 ownership with a healthy dose of rose tinted glasses - I wonder if I would have kept the turbo long enough to really appreciate it.
davek_964 said:
carcrazypop said:
The 996t was a brilliant, incredibly quick car, and I'm really glad I had one, but after a while, I found it was for me anyway, a bit too quick for the roads of today.
The turbo is the first car I've owned where I felt that it really was unnecessarily fast after I'd bought it. That didn't stop me getting it mapped later on mind you.... but much as I love it, I do think it's faster than you need for UK roads.As for whether you'd regret it. As I've said, I was lucky enough to own my 964 and 996 turbo at the same time, and eventually concluded the turbo was much better (for me). However - if I'd had to sell the 964 to buy the turbo - I think I would have regretted it. They are very different cars, and it takes time to appreciate the qualities of the turbo (other than the huge speed). If I had only had that car - and been looking back at my 964 ownership with a healthy dose of rose tinted glasses - I wonder if I would have kept the turbo long enough to really appreciate it.
either that or it gathers speed so fast that you have to reference the speedo to gauge your mph. ie you are going faster than your brain tells you to push the middle pedal.If you really like the 993 why not go for a 993 turbo?
I'm considering that move. My 993 c2 is great but I've never had a turbo 911 nor one with 4-wheel drive and I think the 993 turbo is an itch I should scratch.
I don't want to divert the topic too much but has anyone gone from 993 c2 to 993 turbo and regreted it?
I'm considering that move. My 993 c2 is great but I've never had a turbo 911 nor one with 4-wheel drive and I think the 993 turbo is an itch I should scratch.
I don't want to divert the topic too much but has anyone gone from 993 c2 to 993 turbo and regreted it?
Schnellmann said:
If you really like the 993 why not go for a 993 turbo?
I'm considering that move. My 993 c2 is great but I've never had a turbo 911 nor one with 4-wheel drive and I think the 993 turbo is an itch I should scratch.
I don't want to divert the topic too much but has anyone gone from 993 c2 to 993 turbo and regreted it?
I seriously considered a 993 Turbo and drove a few before buying my 996 Turbo - in the end I could not justify the extra cost which was considerable.I'm considering that move. My 993 c2 is great but I've never had a turbo 911 nor one with 4-wheel drive and I think the 993 turbo is an itch I should scratch.
I don't want to divert the topic too much but has anyone gone from 993 c2 to 993 turbo and regreted it?
I went from 993 C2 to a 993 Turbo and for me it was the right move. I just couldn't get on with the looks of the 996, not knocking them I just think they look awful. It's personal taste.
For me I knew exactly what I wanted and had to find the money.
It is a heavily modded turbo s though and I'll keep it forever!
The turbo cars are a great buzz on the road though, the overtaking power is a pure rush man
For me I knew exactly what I wanted and had to find the money.
It is a heavily modded turbo s though and I'll keep it forever!
The turbo cars are a great buzz on the road though, the overtaking power is a pure rush man
eagle1 said:
I seriously considered a 993 Turbo and drove a few before buying my 996 Turbo - in the end I could not justify the extra cost which was considerable.
Odd. Just checked and prices for the 996 tt vs 993 tt in the uk and there is a big difference compared to Switzerland where prices for the 996 are much stronger and closer to the 993.+1...
I have 993c2s and 996 turbo s. I could not choose btw the 2. Love them both. Keep the 993 and save more for the tt.
I have 993c2s and 996 turbo s. I could not choose btw the 2. Love them both. Keep the 993 and save more for the tt.
eagle1 said:
I went from a wonderful 993 Targa that I serviced and worked on myself getting all the usual 993 jobs done to the extent that it was a really well sorted example to a 996 Turbo. I miss my 993 but do not regret the move. The best thing would be to have both. They are so different both giving pleasure in very different ways. I am thinking of getting another 993 in the future but will not get rid of my Turbo - one of each would be perfect.
As another ex-996t owner I can comment on going from a 964 C2 to the turbo.
I know not a direct comparison for your situation, however it's close.
I found the turbo too fast and too civilised for our roads. You are also very aware that it is a heavyweight.
Yes it is a great car, however I found that there was no real occasion in driving it. The turbo shove is addictive for sure, it grips the road like nothing else in pretty much all weathers and at the moment is great value for money in the respect of purchase price. However the running costs are not cheap. But even with all the plus points I found it in a word, bland.
Now the 964. Every time I got in it was an event. Ok , it did not reach warp factor speeds like the turbo, but I think that is the point. You didn't have to be reaching the speed of light to enjoy a drive in it.
I now have a measly 120bhp Caterham, which of course cannot be compared to either of the above as it is totally different. However, it makes me laugh out loud at times as it is so much fun ( when it's not raining of course ! ) which takes me back to my 964 ownership days.
I know not a direct comparison for your situation, however it's close.
I found the turbo too fast and too civilised for our roads. You are also very aware that it is a heavyweight.
Yes it is a great car, however I found that there was no real occasion in driving it. The turbo shove is addictive for sure, it grips the road like nothing else in pretty much all weathers and at the moment is great value for money in the respect of purchase price. However the running costs are not cheap. But even with all the plus points I found it in a word, bland.
Now the 964. Every time I got in it was an event. Ok , it did not reach warp factor speeds like the turbo, but I think that is the point. You didn't have to be reaching the speed of light to enjoy a drive in it.
I now have a measly 120bhp Caterham, which of course cannot be compared to either of the above as it is totally different. However, it makes me laugh out loud at times as it is so much fun ( when it's not raining of course ! ) which takes me back to my 964 ownership days.
I think the above last comment hits the nail on the head totally. 996t's seem to have a reasonably high turnover of owners and of course they've depreciated badly, which in some ways makes them a bargain, but of course there has to be a reason why these cars are now at the price they are. While very good I'm sure, I don't think it'll ever be for me. This thread has really just helped to confirm that I already though. I don't think I'll give up my 993 C2 for one to be honest I doubt I'd go to the lengths of even purchasing the 996tt as a third car.
Interesting the other point about the 993C2 over the 993tt. They are I believe quite different, and I've also read this in many magazine publications.
Interesting the other point about the 993C2 over the 993tt. They are I believe quite different, and I've also read this in many magazine publications.
truckpdt said:
Interesting the other point about the 993C2 over the 993tt. They are I believe quite different, and I've also read this in many magazine publications.
In my experience, my Turbo is WAY more fun than my C2 was.The C2 was great (and I loved it dearly) once I uprated the suspension and got a Quaife Dif fitted, but the Turbo is laugh out loud/make your passengers sick fast. Mine suffers NO understeer and goes sideways just as readily as my C2 ever did. However I've not driven a standard one so understand Erics comment as he probably has, and others have often commented that the standard Turbo understeers a lot. I spent all I had to get my car but know that it won't lose any money so don't mind it being tied up with solid residuals.
I'm glad I made the expensive jump to the turbo, it's a special feeling to drive it, way more special than the C2 IMO only!!!
When making my decision, I also toyed with the idea of spending a large chunk of cash modifying my C2. This would have cost a lot less than my current car and I'm sure i'd have been happy doing that but I'm glad I made the move to the Turbo, it looks and goes fabulously.
Finally my 502 BHP is not too much for the road, you use it differently and don't have to wring it's neck to get the best of it, you only need adjust your driving style. Whatever you decide, the journey is always great fun.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff