Buying a 911 - 993 or 996TT
Discussion
Hi All,
I've been reading a few threads on this forum whilst researching Porsches so I thought I would post to gain some opinions on which 911 to go for. It's a car I've always wanted and now I'm finally in the position to own one.
I've had a nice variety of cars from an Elise 111S to Skyline GTR and EVOs etc. My current car is an RX-7 FD, standard and original looking but running circa 340bhp.
I really love the power and the handling of the car but my daughter is nearly too tall to fit in the back and it's far too thirsty to use as often as I'd like, plus it would be nice to have something I would have more confidence in using for continental holidays etc.
What I'd like is another 2+2 sports coupe with similar pace, handling and character as the RX-7, which led me to the 911.
My budget gets me a 993 C2 /C4 or a 996 TT (I've ruled out 996 non-turbos & 997s due to the engine issues, I know... rich coming from a rotary owner eh!).
I am yet to test drive either as I want to do a little more research first, my concern is that the 993 will feel too slow and dated compared to the RX-7 - or, will I be won over by the character and embrace the modern classic thing?
Then there's the 996 TT, not as pretty as the 911 and perhaps it won't appreciate in value like the 993 but does the performance out weigh this? Or do 996TT owners feel that they can't really appreciate the performance of the car on UK roads anyway? Are they any more spacious inside or more practical?
Would love to hear from people who have tried both.
Cheers
James
I've been reading a few threads on this forum whilst researching Porsches so I thought I would post to gain some opinions on which 911 to go for. It's a car I've always wanted and now I'm finally in the position to own one.
I've had a nice variety of cars from an Elise 111S to Skyline GTR and EVOs etc. My current car is an RX-7 FD, standard and original looking but running circa 340bhp.
I really love the power and the handling of the car but my daughter is nearly too tall to fit in the back and it's far too thirsty to use as often as I'd like, plus it would be nice to have something I would have more confidence in using for continental holidays etc.
What I'd like is another 2+2 sports coupe with similar pace, handling and character as the RX-7, which led me to the 911.
My budget gets me a 993 C2 /C4 or a 996 TT (I've ruled out 996 non-turbos & 997s due to the engine issues, I know... rich coming from a rotary owner eh!).
I am yet to test drive either as I want to do a little more research first, my concern is that the 993 will feel too slow and dated compared to the RX-7 - or, will I be won over by the character and embrace the modern classic thing?
Then there's the 996 TT, not as pretty as the 911 and perhaps it won't appreciate in value like the 993 but does the performance out weigh this? Or do 996TT owners feel that they can't really appreciate the performance of the car on UK roads anyway? Are they any more spacious inside or more practical?
Would love to hear from people who have tried both.
Cheers
James
I'd go 996 turbo.
The 993 doesn't have the classic 911 looks of earlier 3.2 Carrera or 964 (IMO) and dynamically isn't as good as the later cars. Having owned 2 x 3.2 Carrera and a 993 C4, I've moved to a 996 turbo (x50) which is head and shoulders above the 993.
It's probably the best value 911 available today, has had fantastic reviews from launch and is so usable.
But others will prefer a 993, each to their own.
The 993 doesn't have the classic 911 looks of earlier 3.2 Carrera or 964 (IMO) and dynamically isn't as good as the later cars. Having owned 2 x 3.2 Carrera and a 993 C4, I've moved to a 996 turbo (x50) which is head and shoulders above the 993.
It's probably the best value 911 available today, has had fantastic reviews from launch and is so usable.
But others will prefer a 993, each to their own.
I've had both. Originally a 996 turbo X50 and then moved into a 993 turbo. The 996 is the better daily driver - reliable, very quick and fun to drive. The 993 is more rewarding to drive, better built and certainly prettier..... but I use it less.
If you plan to spank it about, get a 996. If you want to keep it a while and cherish it, maybe a 993 would be better.
If you plan to spank it about, get a 996. If you want to keep it a while and cherish it, maybe a 993 would be better.
I have recently purchased a 996 turbo low genuine mileage in really nice condition & very well looked after! I was same as you fancied a car thought about range rover sport audi rs4 or rs6 had an earlier model rs6 before and s8, narrowed it down to porsche 911 in the end. Upon reading about 911s in the forums and although I'm sure there are lots of good motors out there I decided against boxster or 911 due to ims failures amongst other things.
I looked into turbo ownership as I've always wanted one since first seeing a 993 years ago, just such a gorgeous car. Anyway looked into that test drove a couple and I love the car for all it's looks and use ability but they seemed too dated for me. So I then looked at 997 and 996 turbos,I test drove some of both styles and whilst the 997 has it's merits on pure driving the 996 felt better to me, so I searched and waited searched and waited then bought a genuine low mileage very well looked after silver 2002 facelift model turbo with good option list. I love driving this car it is basically standard apart from remap to 480bhp and it's relentless in power and speed, the chassis is sublime and so much fun.
If you do go turbo take your time get a nice one sorted and have a pre purchase inspection to check everything on the car and you won't go wrong, I had one done on mine and it threw up some nice to know info re spec and need to do bits to make it mint;0)
I looked into turbo ownership as I've always wanted one since first seeing a 993 years ago, just such a gorgeous car. Anyway looked into that test drove a couple and I love the car for all it's looks and use ability but they seemed too dated for me. So I then looked at 997 and 996 turbos,I test drove some of both styles and whilst the 997 has it's merits on pure driving the 996 felt better to me, so I searched and waited searched and waited then bought a genuine low mileage very well looked after silver 2002 facelift model turbo with good option list. I love driving this car it is basically standard apart from remap to 480bhp and it's relentless in power and speed, the chassis is sublime and so much fun.
If you do go turbo take your time get a nice one sorted and have a pre purchase inspection to check everything on the car and you won't go wrong, I had one done on mine and it threw up some nice to know info re spec and need to do bits to make it mint;0)
I specifically stayed away from a turbo porsche as like you I've been there, done that to death on the jap scene. If you still crave that then it's still in your system. I must prefer the character of a NA nowadays.
Re 996 v 993 only you will know when you have driven them. For me it was a no brainer as it's not a daily. The 996 looks and interior will never appeal to me which is rich coming from a jap background lol.
Re 996 v 993 only you will know when you have driven them. For me it was a no brainer as it's not a daily. The 996 looks and interior will never appeal to me which is rich coming from a jap background lol.
Thanks for the replies, some interesting opinions and obviously quite 996 Turbo biased so far! I will be driving in all weathers so I guess the 4WD comes into play there, also the 996s appear to be a bit more spacious so ticks the practical box.
Would be interesting to see how the 993 would feel compared to my RX-7 in terms of handling, balance, feedback. Had my geo done last year and it is very surefooted and direct.
I think the next step would be to drive an example of each model, just a case of finding a local friendly dealer.
Will keep this updated
Would be interesting to see how the 993 would feel compared to my RX-7 in terms of handling, balance, feedback. Had my geo done last year and it is very surefooted and direct.
I think the next step would be to drive an example of each model, just a case of finding a local friendly dealer.
Will keep this updated
JimVVC said:
Thanks for the replies, some interesting opinions and obviously quite 996 Turbo biased so far! I will be driving in all weathers so I guess the 4WD comes into play there, also the 996s appear to be a bit more spacious so ticks the practical box.
Would be interesting to see how the 993 would feel compared to my RX-7 in terms of handling, balance, feedback. Had my geo done last year and it is very surefooted and direct.
I think the next step would be to drive an example of each model, just a case of finding a local friendly dealer.
That will be your problem - most 993s on sale today will not have a 'sorted' suspension, and driving a bad one will put you off the car. If done properly, there are very very few cars that are better than the 993 on 'handling', balance, feedback, control weight, 'rewarding the driver' yadda yadda - the geo on a 993 is critical.Would be interesting to see how the 993 would feel compared to my RX-7 in terms of handling, balance, feedback. Had my geo done last year and it is very surefooted and direct.
I think the next step would be to drive an example of each model, just a case of finding a local friendly dealer.
But the advantage of the 993 is that you can get them exactly to your taste.
However the child-in-the-back issue will only get worse over time. My mantra is 'Children can fold' until they are 17, then they can drive themselves.
I also come from ten years of driving an Impreza PPP, and now have a Legacy Spec.B, so do I miss the 4wd on the 993?
Never... because the engine weight is in the correct place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTMDJlxq44E
If you have a few quid you can speak to Ken at 9E and make one of these, then go shopping.
996 Turbo amazing cars
If you have a few quid you can speak to Ken at 9E and make one of these, then go shopping.
996 Turbo amazing cars
[quote=JimVVC]Would be interesting to see how the 993 would feel compared to my RX-7 in terms of handling, balance, feedback. Had my geo done last year and it is very surefooted and direct./quote]
This I can answer having had several goes on a friend's RX7.
The 996 Turbo will feel incredibly stuck to the road almost irrespective of whatever you do to it, which is far from what one can say about the RX!
This I can answer having had several goes on a friend's RX7.
The 996 Turbo will feel incredibly stuck to the road almost irrespective of whatever you do to it, which is far from what one can say about the RX!
I had two 996 turbo's.
Both manuals. Both remapped. Both were nearly new.
One was a k16.
One was a turbo S with x50, factory sport suspension and ceramics.
Great cars.
BUT... the 993 c2s i bought at the same time is still here. The other two are long gone.
993 is more 'porsche'. The sound (sport exhaust), the build quality. The atmosphere. The tactility. The sense of occasion. The beauty of the thing. etc etc etc
Both manuals. Both remapped. Both were nearly new.
One was a k16.
One was a turbo S with x50, factory sport suspension and ceramics.
Great cars.
BUT... the 993 c2s i bought at the same time is still here. The other two are long gone.
993 is more 'porsche'. The sound (sport exhaust), the build quality. The atmosphere. The tactility. The sense of occasion. The beauty of the thing. etc etc etc
Thanks again for all the comments and feedback, love the tuning options available but would be nice to have a standard one to start with. Insurance is only £100 more than my RX-7 which is a bonus.
Off to view a 996TT tonight! Very excited!
I've read a few buying guides EVO & PH, anyone know of a really in-depth one that I can print off and bring with me?
Off to view a 996TT tonight! Very excited!
I've read a few buying guides EVO & PH, anyone know of a really in-depth one that I can print off and bring with me?
ThirstyMoose said:
I've had both. Originally a 996 turbo X50 and then moved into a 993 turbo. The 996 is the better daily driver - reliable, very quick and fun to drive. The 993 is more rewarding to drive, better built and certainly prettier..... but I use it less.
If you plan to spank it about, get a 996. If you want to keep it a while and cherish it, maybe a 993 would be better.
You are misinformed if you think that the build quality of the 996 turbo is inferior to a 993.If you plan to spank it about, get a 996. If you want to keep it a while and cherish it, maybe a 993 would be better.
Don't get me started...
Moosh said:
ThirstyMoose said:
I've had both. Originally a 996 turbo X50 and then moved into a 993 turbo. The 996 is the better daily driver - reliable, very quick and fun to drive. The 993 is more rewarding to drive, better built and certainly prettier..... but I use it less.
If you plan to spank it about, get a 996. If you want to keep it a while and cherish it, maybe a 993 would be better.
You are misinformed if you think that the build quality of the 996 turbo is inferior to a 993.If you plan to spank it about, get a 996. If you want to keep it a while and cherish it, maybe a 993 would be better.
Don't get me started...
No comparison, to the OP test drive the 996 Turbo amazing cars far superior no issues with build quality either, they were just mass produced. If they's have continued with the 993, Porsche wouldn't be what it is today, tbh it wouldn't exist and its still ahead of its game.
If you want a classic 911 buy an impact bumper car pre-89, its pure old school air-cooled, the 993 is neither a classic 911 driving experience or a modern driving experience.
JimVVC said:
993 or 996TT
These cars are so different. Worlds apart. Even the blown 993 vs. NA 993 are worlds apart in terms of the experience you get and how you drive them and what you use them for. Then factor in between 93 and 96 you had the largest, biggest, almost unimaginable transmogrification at the fatcory, complete overhaul of suppliers, computer aided design .... hell this is like comparing Charlize Theron to Katy Price !Edited by jackal on Wednesday 14th May 17:42
Go for a 996 turbo X50 manual if you can find one, the manual is quite rare (most were tiptronic) and all the experts say it will become a good investment. Ask RSJ, 911 Virgin etc who will agree. Values are already £35k plus, you won't find one cheaper in manual unless its in bad condition/not original. None for sale that I can find presently though.
I've got an X50 and love it. I had a 993tt many years ago- nice but not even a patch on the 996 Turbo X50.
I've got an X50 and love it. I had a 993tt many years ago- nice but not even a patch on the 996 Turbo X50.
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