Thursday 22nd August 2013

Porsche 993 Turbo S: Spotted

If you thought the handling would be terrifying, wait until you see the price

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So with our 991 Turbo review imminent, a delve into the classifieds was due. We've done the cheaper end of the spectrum with the £20K 996 last year so the upper echelons of used Turbos warranted inspection.

What's it to be? The 90s icon...

But apparently there are special 911 Turbos and then special 911 Turbos. Oh sure, a late 80s 930 G50 is a rather lovely thing, and there are a couple of highly desirable 993s available on PH too.

From those 993s though, one rather stole the show. It's a 1998 Turbo S, one of just 23 RHD cars and perhaps the ultimate air-cooled turbocharged 911. Upgrades over the standard 408hp car were comprehensive; as well as the bodykit and wing the brakes were uprated and included six-piston calipers, the suspension was stiffer and lower (by 15mm) and the power was upped to 450hp through bigger turbos and a new exhaust. This was a proper Porsche special, which is more than can be said for some recent editions...

... or the pimped-by-PH 991? Price is the same!

The price? It's currently on POA but, as your diligent servants, we made the call. The figure that came back was, err, significant to say the least. Put it this way: a raid on the 991 Turbo S configurator, creating a monstrosity in Lime Gold metallic with a £2K stereo upgrade, a £1,500 sunroof and more leather-covered surfaces than your local SCS (full spec here) only just put us in the ballpark for the 993. We were told an offer in the region of the £165,000 would secure the 1998 Turbo S.

The predictable reasons contribute to that astonishing price; as well as the rarity, this Turbo S has covered just 3,500 miles since 2002 and only 23,000 in total. Of course, the history is exhaustive and it has been maintained regardless of cost by three owners.

Spoiler and those arches create one mean 993

There's the provenance to consider also; will the value of air-cooled cars rise as the 991, with its electric steering and PDK gearboxes, appears to remove the 911's intrinsic appeal to aficionados?

It's hard to know. Harder still to judge is whether DK Engineering's beautiful Turbo S will be sold for somewhere near its suggested price. It would complement any car collection but, when Turbo S ownership can be this fun, which would be a shame. A more usable 993 Turbo is available for £42,995.

And if you do decide to take the plunge on this car, or any other 911 Turbo, be sure to check out our buyer's guide first!

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PORSCHE 993 TURBO S
Engine:3,600cc twin-turbochraged flat-six
Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 450@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 433@4,500rpm
MPG: 18
CO2: 373g/km (standard Turbo)
First registered:1998
Price new: £129,950
Yours for: c. £165,000 (officially POA)

See the original advert here

[V8 FOU]

£165K? Eh? Other cars are available, etc..

[turbo-ww]

Wow!!!

But then I would say that.....

[epom]

Bit pricey for my liking.... nice car though all the same

[ecs0set]

I'd like a 993 but bloody hell have you seen the prices for even the standard ones? £19k for an example with 180k miles on the clock:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

I'm OOT!

[Dr G]

advert said:

a near faultless service history

Piece of rubbish, it's probably exceeded 3,000 RPM too[/porsche forum]

Only kidding, that's bloody lovely

[0llie]

Fantastic looking car, would love to know what it's like to drive.

But £165k?! That's XJ220 money

[Urban Sports]

I'd rather have 8 996 turbos.

[tomellingham]

Dreamy looking that thing.

[brizza]

My all time dream car

[aka_kerrly]

0llie said:

Fantastic looking car, would love to know what it's like to drive.

But £165k?! That's XJ220 money

Interesting point, I guess the XJ220 perhaps has wider appeal as a motoring icon that most people can identify. Too many people would fail to appreciate the significance of the last of the air cooled turbo 911s.

As a result both would have to be on the lotto win list!

[Garlick]

Art. If I could, I would.

[anything fast]

the price is fair in my view...

this is a very rare car and with that mileage it is a museum piece not to be compared with a regular car.

I have seen reasonable ford escort rs turbo's for sale at £3000 and ultra low mileage moth ball wrapped ones asking as much as £20,000 (I Kid you not there is a red S2 on ebay for £22,000!!!) now thats inflation

[Arun_D]

3500 miles since 2002......Thats just criminal.

[Sexual Chocolate]

hmmm one of those or one of these.



Not being a big porsche nut but are these old 993 turbos really worth the money?

[Speed_Demon]

Goodness me. That is wonderful to look at. I didn't know they were as late as 1998. Certainly would think about it if I could. Appeals to me much more than the current supercars around for that money, something to do with the squat shape and in your face aggression... I think.

[GranCab]

At that price the best place for it is in a static collection - as I recall contemporary road tests weren't too complimentary about the ride quality ...

[MyCC]

Doesn't matter as to the sense or logic of this asking price, it is a case of simple supply and demand. A 991 Turbo is only going one way and that's down, so purely from an investment point of view this elderly car makes far more sense, as there ain't gonna be anymore!

Regards,

MyCC.

[GranCab]

Now this - to me - is a much more iconic 911 Turbo - yours for £45K

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[tbc]

Good Luck to the seller with that one

pull a number from a hat and hope some walt will pay it

[161BMW]

That is one for the serial Porsche collector and wow a lot of money. I wonder how the performance of 993 Turbo S Coupe would compare with 996 Turbo and 997 Turbo.

For me I would choose a really nice useable 993 Turbo which I could use regularly or every other day and have bags of fun and save loads of cash alongside E46 M3 :-)