Horns of a dilemma

[paultje]

OK, so this is the dilemma; shortly I might 'upgrade' my current car a 993 C2,(used as a 'toy'),and I'm beginning to have doubts about the way to go. In the past I've made the relentless progress up the power curve- going for more bhp with each successive car. With a little more to spend, should I stop the trend towards a 996TT and,horror of horrors , go back to a 356 cab, speedster, or something similar? With today's traffic the power is often less useable and perhaps I would be better off,(and my licence safer)driving a 'classic'. An A1 car will probably cost the same, be as much fun, more loveable, and won't depreciate as much as a new 997s, 996TT, or similar. Trouble is I do enjoy the POWER HELP!! .. Am I going mad or is common sense finally hitting home?

[verysideways]

Simple - use your 993 C2 every day. That's what i do.

I've had a normal car and a toy for about 8 years now, apart from twice. Both times, my "normal" car was a 993, so i just haven't needed a toy.

And a 993 does not cost the earth to run as an everyday (20k miles a year) car.

VS

[turbobloke]

This isn't meant to be a criticism of any Porsche but your dilemma seems to be lowest common denominator against highest common factor. So you can't always use the performance of a 996TT, so what, surely that's not the point... The highest common factor of a 996TT would be my choice in your position, and if you can get one it's also my advice fwiw. They're a fantastic piece of kit, ask DAZ and anyone (like me) who's sampled the delights of passengering in his well driven 996TT X50.

[oldtimer]

Explain where a 356 fits in. Have you owned one before ? Its definitely not an everyday car. I used to run one back in 1968-74 , the rust and the 6v electrics were a nightmare. If you are bored with the 993 and want to put more money into it for a user friendly fast machine then its hard to see where a 996 tt will let you down. If you want hardcore aircooled knee trembler with classic shape to remove the boredom without needing bags of power get a 964RS...

[MOD500]

If you can the 996TT is a great bet.

Though have you thought about modding your 993? Maybe fit a supercharger, or a sports exhaust or muffler by-pass to change the feel and sound of it. Fit pss 9 suspension, etc?

If you are really unsure, then modding your present car is sensible?

[paultje]

oldtimer said:

Explain where a 356 fits in. Have you owned one before ? Its definitely not an everyday car. I used to run one back in 1968-74 , the rust and the 6v electrics were a nightmare. If you are bored with the 993 and want to put more money into it for a user friendly fast machine then its hard to see where a 996 tt will let you down. If you want hardcore aircooled knee trembler with classic shape to remove the boredom without needing bags of power get a 964RS...

The 356 will be the new 'toy' with an everyday car running along side it. The 356s I have seen have all had 12v conversions and been kept up to scratch, but I take your point. That's the reason I asked for advice.
I'm not 'bored' with the 993 C2 -it's a good car, but as usual the thought of an upgrade (in value) and fun(?) is ever present.

[granville]

MOD500 makes a good point: I became significantly bored enough of a standard 993tt after 3 months that, despite it's indominatable nature, a search began for something more engaging and raucous.

Someone suggested changing the exhaust system which simply added noise but it was enough of a 'ooh, that's good' moment to set me upon a path of uneconomic upgrades which, whilst entirely against my normal instincts and quite contrary to the traditional values of many within the Porsche inner circle cognoscenti, proceeded to yield a quite different motoring experience.

It's far from the best handling 911 and light years behind any PSM-equipped Boxster or 996/7 ito any reasonable notions of recovery following 'iffy' outcomes of maximum attack operations but, it's enormous fun, imbues the thing with a certain character and leaves one wondering precisely how you could replace it or better the repertoire, short of spending £300k on a Zonda.

Time for the dilithium crystals, methinks!

[paultje]

derestrictor said:

MOD500 makes a good point: I became significantly bored enough of a standard 993tt after 3 months that, despite it's indominatable nature, a search began for something more engaging and raucous. Someone suggested changing the exhaust system which simply added noise but it was enough of a 'ooh, that's good' moment to set me upon a path of uneconomic upgrades which, whilst entirely against my normal instincts and quite contrary to the traditional values of many within the Porsche inner circle cognoscenti, proceeded to yield a quite different motoring experience. It's far from the best handling 911 and light years behind any PSM-equipped Boxster or 996/7 ito any reasonable notions of recovery following 'iffy' outcomes of maximum attack operations but, it's enormous fun, imbues the thing with a certain character and leaves one wondering precisely how you could replace it or better the repertoire, short of spending £300k on a Zonda. Time for the dilithium crystals, methinks!

Where can I buy significant amounts of Dilithium??

[paultje]

MOD500 said:

If you can the 996TT is a great bet. Though have you thought about modding your 993? Maybe fit a supercharger, or a sports exhaust or muffler by-pass to change the feel and sound of it. Fit pss 9 suspension, etc? If you are really unsure, then modding your present car is sensible?

A good point and one I am thinking of; how did your insurance co. take to the mods??

[davemiddleton]

Before my current 993TT (430BHP), I had a 993 C4 which I modified via re map, exhaust, filter etc.
It was still light years behind the TT in terms of power and fun. Both were (are) my everyday car. I do not own another. Only difference in my mind on running costs is fuel consuption of the TT (but then I do have 130BHP more than my modded C4!)

[MOD500]

Paul...I think the attitudes to mods differs wildly between insurers, best bet would be to ask your ins co or broker.

I think Cyberface said that his ins co didn't mind about the S/C kit?

Thanks


Martyn.

[singh911]

I'm in a modded 993 C2 - love it to bits.

Have you thought about a GT3?

Just my 0.02, but i found the sheer ability and speed in the 996TT fast but not as much fun. I think it was the lack of noise - no doubt there's some suitable sports exhaust out there....

Cheers

[paultje]

singh911 said:

I'm in a modded 993 C2 - love it to bits. Have you thought about a GT3? Just my 0.02, but i found the sheer ability and speed in the 996TT fast but not as much fun. I think it was the lack of noise - no doubt there's some suitable sports exhaust out there.... Cheers

What have you had done?? ...and which mods seem to work better than others?

[paultje]

verysideways said:

Simple - use your 993 C2 every day. That's what i do. I've had a normal car and a toy for about 8 years now, apart from twice. Both times, my "normal" car was a 993, so i just haven't needed a toy. And a 993 does not cost the earth to run as an everyday (20k miles a year) car. VS

I'm beginning to think that way myself now Pete...The 993 on the cover of the new mag is yours isn't it?
Were the pics the result of a request for a 993 for photos in this forum a few months back? Looks good mind..

[cyberface]

MOD500 said:

Paul...I think the attitudes to mods differs wildly between insurers, best bet would be to ask your ins co or broker. I think Cyberface said that his ins co didn't mind about the S/C kit? Thanks Martyn.

ho ho (not to you Martyn). I started a lairy thread about this: I got a quote from Liverpool Victoria because they claimed they didn't care about mods as long as the cubic capacity didn't change. 5 days before the old policy expired, I called LV to pay and they reneged, saying that they changed their mind.

Of course with only 5 days left, it was a bit tight. Unfortunately virtually no-one was interested in insuring a supercharged 993, even though I've got some history with quick-ish cars (check profile).

Ended up continuing with Privilege (current insurer, have used them for 7+ years). Premium hiked by 200-odd quid, could have been a lot worse but the supercharger only adds 17.6% bhp (they didn't ask about the torque )

Still pissed at LV now

I seem to recall some of the insurers wouldn't quote a decent price since I don't have a garage, so if you do have secure parking it may be very different.

Don't let this put you off a supercharger though, they are fantastic and improve the 993 massively. I love mine

[welshchris]

paultje said:

With today's traffic the power is often less useable and perhaps I would be better off,(and my licence safer)driving a 'classic'.

A 993 C2 is a classic - What more do you want?

Just keep it and enjoy!! driving:


Chris

[singh911]

OK, mods (had the car 5 yrs now, these have happened gently over time):

Car is on factory M030 btw.

First came the strut brace. HArd to say how effective that was.

Then I found that I got brake fade on track so I had
techart brake cooling ducts fitted into the fog lamps at the front. Hugely effective mod. No fade since then, even at Le Mans trackday last summer in 30 degrees plus weather.

Had 9m do a remap. Car much more eager throughout rev range. They put a K&N filter in.

Found the steering wheel way too big, got a RUF one, feels brilliant, its the wheel that should have been on the car in the first place. One of the best mods.

Wanted a throatier sound so got RSR mufflers (Gert does them)

Wanted meatier exhaust tips - got Fabspeed big ovals, look great (after having had hayward and scott ones for a couple of yrs).

Car came on 17s, so now fitted the 02 Carrera 18"s - these really suit the 993 - and loads of brake cooling space too!

Removed the rear wiper cos it spoils the line of the car. Now looks far sleeker somehow from the back.

Fitted a steering rack support brace (for track use, 18s, pre 96 car)

Fitted carbon kevlar (porterfield) pads - brilliant, use racing blue fluid.

Changed the shocks to Bilstein HDs after toying with the idea of Pss9s but decided against cos, firstly, i've got M030 and second, couldn't see myself adjusting suspension anyway once i found a happy setup.

Got RS front splitters to put on next.

Then a single mass flywheel when it comes to clutch change time. cars on the original one, 77k miles. Mixed track and road use.

Word of caution, the way i see it, mods are for one's own satisfaction, very very unlikely to recoup much if any of the (not insubstantial) outlay if i ever sell the car.

Cheers

Ajit.

[kickstart]

Have you thought about an M3 these are fantastic cars and have 343 bhp as standard - for £30k you can buy one about 12 - 18 months on with all the toys - I thought this was a much better car than my 3.4 996

[paultje]

kickstart said:

Have you thought about an M3 these are fantastic cars and have 343 bhp as standard - for £30k you can buy one about 12 - 18 months on with all the toys - I thought this was a much better car than my 3.4 996

It's a thought ..but no thanks.. too much bling!!

[paultje]

I was thinking about a new 997 and forgetting about a 'toy'...now I'm not so sure...no RMS probs with a 993 C2.