993 vs 996
Author
Discussion

cavers

Original Poster:

28 posts

263 months

Saturday 16th October 2004
quotequote all
i am currently in the market for a 911 origanaly a 993
but as i look around i notice i can get a 996 for the same price or less up th 30k ish
will the 996 lose more money with the arrival of the 997
the 996 looks like it has bigger back seats but a smaller boot than the 993 i have 2 small children

any advice would be nice thanks

turbobloke

116,770 posts

286 months

Saturday 16th October 2004
quotequote all
There will doubtless be a lot of technical and financial replies so I'll give you the gut alternative. Basically would you like the last of the old world 911s or the first (ish) of the new world?

sb-1

3,370 posts

289 months

Saturday 16th October 2004
quotequote all
Phill,

This subject has been covered previously.Do a search on 993 or 996 on this forum to see the replies.

Steve

>> Edited by sb-1 on Saturday 16th October 17:01

singh911

957 posts

267 months

Saturday 16th October 2004
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Hi - FWIW I'd recomend that you drive both. Then weigh up how serious you reckon the RMS (rear main seal) issue with 996 is. Bear in mind that it does not affect the 996 turbo or GT3 models.

Personal view but if i ever sell my 993 for a 996, it will be 996 TT or GT3 - consciously steering clear of RMS. Lets hope they've sorted it on the 997...

cyberface

12,214 posts

283 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
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Agree with turbobloke.... they're not immediately comparable cars, apart from the fact that they're called '911' and made by Porsche....

The 993 was the culmination of shed-loads of experience with the air-cooled 911 concept. It also cost a load to build as it was allegedly built with attention to quality first, and cost second. As a result it was more expensive new than the new water-cooled 911s.

The 996 uses the water cooled engine and the early ones are therefore the first generation of a new design. Obviously for Porsche, they are faster than the 993 and handle 'better' - as all revisions have been going forward.

Personally I love the 993 because of it's character, and even though mine is 10 years old, it was originally built so well that it still seems new now. However if you're used to 'new' cars then the 996 will feel better.

For me - after the 993 the 911 has been getting bigger, just like the old Golf GTi. The best thing about the 911 was that it had a big engine in a small car - once the car becomes big, there are so many alternatives to choose from.... with the engine in a more sensible place, with better packaging, etc.

Let's put it this way - if the 911 had always been the size of a Subaru Impreza or similar - I doubt I'd have fallen in love with them quite as much as I have done.

Drunken rant as usual Do a comprehensive search on Pistonheads and you'll probably find I've said the same thing before. Hic. Sorry

popov123

4,084 posts

261 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
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As already said - youve got to get in and drive'm!!!

It should become easier to make the decision based on what you head and heart say after that!!! Enjoy!

kent993

385 posts

269 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
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cyberface said:
....For me - after the 993 the 911 has been getting bigger, just like the old Golf GTi. The best thing about the 911 was that it had a big engine in a small car - once the car becomes big, there are so many alternatives to choose from.... with the engine in a more sensible place, with better packaging, etc.

Let's put it this way - if the 911 had always been the size of a Subaru Impreza or similar - I doubt I'd have fallen in love with them quite as much as I have done.


I've been wondering why I'm so besotted with my 993 and so sure I wouldn't swap it for a 996. Now I know! Cyberface has hit the nail on the head. The 993 is such a neat and attractive package that fads like 'modern dashboard layout' and water-cooled engine don't offer enough improvement to counter the added size. No one could mistake the Porsche experience inside a 993, but several people have commented that being inside a 996 is more akin to the BMW experience. I know that's not true in terms of performance, but how often (apart from trackdays) do we really get an opportunity to prove that performance?

I've followed the various discussions about the design failings on the water-cooled 3.4 engine with misgivings, too. I'm not sure I could live easily with the thought that I could find myself having to replace such an expensive engine at my own expense. Perhaps not a problem buying from new, but you would never know whether a previous owner had thrashed the car. I'll stick with the bullet-proof reputation of the air-cooled 993.

cuneus

5,963 posts

268 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
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996 - it's just so GT dear

(bet the yanks love it though)

sorry dogsharks!

shadowninja

79,750 posts

308 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
quotequote all
cavers said:

the 996 looks like it has bigger back seats but a smaller boot than the 993 i have 2 small children

any advice would be nice thanks


i'd advise against trying to fit your kids in either car's boot

oddman

4,029 posts

278 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
quotequote all
shadowninja said:

cavers said:

the 996 looks like it has bigger back seats but a smaller boot than the 993 i have 2 small children

any advice would be nice thanks



i'd advise against trying to fit your kids in either car's boot


Joking aside - you can fit a travel cot in the boot of a 993 which enables us to use it for weekends away with 2 kids. You'll be surprised how much you can pack if really determined. Porsche kid's seats are the same whether 993 or 996. Non Porsche options are probably greater with 996 as the seats are bigger.

As said before drive both. Both great in their own way. Both unmistakably 911s IMO (you never forget where the engine is) 993 much 'rawer'.

Why do you think 996 prices are dropping past 993?????

Have fun choosing.

T

abarber

1,699 posts

267 months

Sunday 17th October 2004
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Drive 'em! I did and knew instantly.

If you're after that classic 911 feeling and sound, 993. Thoroughly modern car, get the 996.

Nice decision have to make

grant3

3,673 posts

281 months

Monday 18th October 2004
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Get a 99MY 996 Carrera 4 with clear lenses, POSIPS side impact protection, PSM and 4wd all standard for that year. With kids on board it's modern, safe, fast, functional BUT STILL GREAT FUN !!!

oldtimer

300 posts

282 months

Monday 18th October 2004
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will endorse what grant3 said, the 996 is a great car and it will not mist up on you when the family is all present and strapped in on a typical wet UK day. Because the aircon works!
For the record it is meant to be an advance on the older car... lighter but stiffer, more crash protection features , quicker , quieter, and has a much improved turning circle compared to the 993... if its going to be your daily driver all of the above are important.
And yes its losing money quicker than a 993 and people will tell you its not a real 911....have fun choosing