996 C4S to a 993

[A11UUH]

I've had my Seal Grey 996 C4S for about 15 months now, I've done about 7000 miles with no issues what so ever, it's mainly a weekend toy but because it's so usable it does get used during the week and I think that's where my problem lies, I think it's too refined!

Having had a Griff 500 in the past, which is very raw and have a Audi A5 currently as a daily drive, I'm of the mind that 993 will sit somewhere in the middle, I want a bt more rawness but not a TVR bone shaker.

Has anyone gone from a 996 to a 993 and what was your thoughts, I'm even swayed towards a targa as I quite like the best of both worlds (coupe shape with open top feel) I know I need to go out and have a look at a few to make my own mind up but I'm interested in your experiences.

Cheers

[barriejames]

Nothing to be gained going to a slower less comfy 993 car with less peformance IMO The 993 brigade will be here soon to tell you how it is the last of the true Porsche air cooled cars, but I would say the same if I had the thick end of 20-30k or more invested in one too.

[mollytherocker]

Indeed. Newer is always better than older. I mean, its progress, right?

MTR

[jackal]

A11UUH said:

Having had a Griff 500 in the past, which is very raw and have a Audi A5 currently as a daily drive, I'm of the mind that 993 will sit somewhere in the middle, I want a bt more rawness but not a TVR bone shaker.

S'about right i'd say if i recall my 4.3 and 5 litre Griff test drives correctly. 993 feels a fair bit more complete and far less kit-car. In this day and age though it's still an old feeling car and when you get into even a 996 (let alone a 997) its quite startling that the two models were made consecutively. Such was the mammoth change at the factory from 993 to 996. As ever, try all and decide for yourself, people will just generally recommend what they personally own.

[Schnellmann]

I went from a 996 GT3, to a 964 to a 3.2 to a 997C2S before settling on another 993. So yes, you can go backwards.

All depends what you like. I only use the 993 at weekends and for me in my current situation it is just about right: has enough of that old-school 911 feel to please me but is still modern enough to be comfortable taking wife and daughter out for a spin too. Also fairly depreciation proof and maintenance not that expensive.

They may not have the straight line acceleration of newer cars but on country roads I find that I'm limited by what could be around the next corner (and the legal consequences of excessive speeding), not a lack of pace.

If you try a 993 it would be good if you can get a long test drive because it can take a while to appreciate their quirks, particularly if you are used to the newer 911s. However, if you do get the bug it can become a life-long afflication!

[bridey0]

A11UUH said:

I've had my Seal Grey 996 C4S for about 15 months now, I've done about 7000 miles with no issues what so ever, it's mainly a weekend toy but because it's so usable it does get used during the week and I think that's where my problem lies, I think it's too refined!

Having had a Griff 500 in the past, which is very raw and have a Audi A5 currently as a daily drive, I'm of the mind that 993 will sit somewhere in the middle, I want a bt more rawness but not a TVR bone shaker
Has anyone gone from a 996 to a 993 and what was your thoughts, I'm even swayed towards a targa as I quite like the best of both worlds (coupe shape with open top feel) I know I need to go out and have a look at a few to make my own mind up but I'm interested in
your experiences

Cheers

Fwiw I went from a 997s to a 993 and in many ways preferred the the 993 and found I didn't miss the 997.
One bit I did miss though was the power so I moved on again to a GT3 which ticks the boxes for me.
The problem with 911's is you Need a hangar to put one for every mood/eventually in!!!!

[hendy]

Not made the move myself, but the next owner of my old 996 C4S was considering the move and there was an article written about his experiences in Total 911. There are links to all the pages at the bottom of my post.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=831...

[Wozy68]

I bought a 993 coming from a 968CS about 2 months ago.

I love it, but saying that they are an old fashioned car now. Mix between the older 911 (that can feel verrrrry old) and the DNA feel of a newer model.

I agree with a poster above. You need a damn good test drive to see if you're keen.

Even after the CS which was an old car, the 993 felt dated. FWIW I love mine, and the whole air cooled experience, after owning a few aircooled before, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them.

If you do test drive, careful of the interior colour. I know that sounds mad but a few months a go I tried a 993 which had a beautiful exterior colour but the interior was in Chesnut ........ blimey it made the interior look old and dated and put me right off the cars at the time.

The biggest thing however, is imo they are just so damn pretty and now I'm used to driving her I enjoy every minute. Saying that though, my mate who's into modern cars would hate to drive it.

[MadMark911]

First off (and most importantly), stand in front of the mirror and visualise yourself with a beard. If that's a positive experience - then you can proceed!

[blindminkey]

Gone from 996 targa to AMV8 to Morgan then back to 993! Morgan was very beard, however the 993 c4s is more 90's designer stubble! Its the best combination of car, period looks, modern reliability, character and going up in value! IMO, try and find a solid low mile 993 for any less than a 997 well specced! Plus its their 50th birthday next year! Try it, if you dont like plenty of beards out there to buy it from you!

[HardToLove]

MadMark911 said:

First off (and most importantly), stand in front of the mirror and visualise yourself with a beard. If that's a positive experience - then you can proceed!

You get todays comedy Gold star

[Pickled Piper]

Not sure where the bearded 993 owner stereotype started.

As somebody else stated we are more "designer stubble" than full beard.

pp

[A11UUH]

Thanks for the comments guys, I understand the need to have a long test drive in one, having said that how do you get he opportunity to do that? If someone wanted a long test drive in mine to 'explore ' it fully I'd probably think they were out for a jolly!

Also re the comments below, I feel you may have nailed it, I have this year grown, albeit a stubbly one, a beard!!

Do you think these 993 thoughts will dwindle after a Gillette experience?

on a serious note, how would you gain a longer test drive without messing people around?

MadMark911 said:

First off (and most importantly), stand in front of the mirror and visualise yourself with a beard. If that's a positive experience - then you can proceed!

[Crimp a Length!]

A11UUH said:

I've had my Seal Grey 996 C4S for about 15 months now, I've done about 7000 miles with no issues what so ever, it's mainly a weekend toy but because it's so usable it does get used during the week and I think that's where my problem lies, I think it's too refined!

Having had a Griff 500 in the past, which is very raw and have a Audi A5 currently as a daily drive, I'm of the mind that 993 will sit somewhere in the middle, I want a bt more rawness but not a TVR bone shaker.

Has anyone gone from a 996 to a 993 and what was your thoughts, I'm even swayed towards a targa as I quite like the best of both worlds (coupe shape with open top feel) I know I need to go out and have a look at a few to make my own mind up but I'm interested in your experiences.

Cheers

I have had a 993 C4S.
Very boring IMO prefer the vehicle you have better all round.
If you want a classic air-cooled car for the weekend how about a nice 911 3.2c?

[A11UUH]

Crimp a Length! said:

I have had a 993 C4S.
Very boring IMO prefer the vehicle you have better all round.
If you want a classic air-cooled car for the weekend how about a nice 911 3.2c?

That's a possibility, I do like the look of the viper green 911 in the classifieds now.

[Crimp a Length!]

A11UUH said:

Crimp a Length! said:

I have had a 993 C4S.
Very boring IMO prefer the vehicle you have better all round.
If you want a classic air-cooled car for the weekend how about a nice 911 3.2c?

That's a possibility, I do like the look of the viper green 911 in the classifieds now.

Stunning, agree with you on that

[bridey0]

A11UUH said:

That's a possibility, I do like the look of the viper green 911 in the classifieds now.

Only that's not a 911

[johnycarrera]

Test drive a "few", if the geo is out or the suspension a bit tired then they're awful. Set them up right and they are fantastic fun however

[xftdr]

mollytherocker said:

Indeed. Newer is always better than older. I mean, its progress, right?

MTR

[A993LAD]

bridey0 said:

A11UUH said:

That's a possibility, I do like the look of the viper green 911 in the classifieds now.

Only that's not a 911

And It's sold I think.