Porsche virgin looking for 993 buying guide/tips
Discussion
For as long as I've had any interest in cars, I have aspired to owning and driving a 911. After 3 1/2 years of S2000 ownership, I've got the itch for a change. I've mulled over a move to TVR-dom and a used E46 M3 but am now wondering whether the 911 dream is achievable.
I love the 993, so that's ideally what I'd want. Budget is £20K tops, so I realise that I'm looking at the bottom end of the 993 market, but it seems that it's not unachievable judging by a couple of the PH classified ads and a few I've seen in the 'Trader.
What I don't have any feel for is how likely mechanical issues are going to be, how much I should be budgeting for servicing each year (assuming 8-10K miles) and what I need to be looking for if/when I come to buy.
Can anyone point me towards a 911/993 forum which may be able to assist, or an online buying guide/FAQ?
Ta!
>> Edited by Lurking Lawyer on Friday 6th January 11:01
I love the 993, so that's ideally what I'd want. Budget is £20K tops, so I realise that I'm looking at the bottom end of the 993 market, but it seems that it's not unachievable judging by a couple of the PH classified ads and a few I've seen in the 'Trader.
What I don't have any feel for is how likely mechanical issues are going to be, how much I should be budgeting for servicing each year (assuming 8-10K miles) and what I need to be looking for if/when I come to buy.
Can anyone point me towards a 911/993 forum which may be able to assist, or an online buying guide/FAQ?
Ta!
>> Edited by Lurking Lawyer on Friday 6th January 11:01
20k probably would give you an ok ish lhd coupe or rough rhd at a push having had mine for a little while now I would watch out for the following :
Door check straps (1K)
Body work generally should be ok
Wiring loom (check it has been renewed)
Tyres about 500/ 800 a set rears 6k from 12k
Needs full alignement check every year (would want documentation)
Service about £400 from independant
Have a search but they are fairly basic points
Door check straps (1K)
Body work generally should be ok
Wiring loom (check it has been renewed)
Tyres about 500/ 800 a set rears 6k from 12k
Needs full alignement check every year (would want documentation)
Service about £400 from independant
Have a search but they are fairly basic points
£20k will get you a nice car - my '93 lhd 993 C2 was very clean and with just 60k miles on it and i got a whisker over £20k for it. Iris blue with grey leather, 6 speed, air con that worked, etc.
If you pick up the second issue of Total 911 you'll see the 993 guide in there, those photos are of my car (they're on the total911 website too).
You may have to go and look at a few dogs to get an idea of what's out there, but it's definitely possible to pick up a decent lhd 993 coupe for £20k.
>> Edited by verysideways on Thursday 5th January 22:15
If you pick up the second issue of Total 911 you'll see the 993 guide in there, those photos are of my car (they're on the total911 website too).
You may have to go and look at a few dogs to get an idea of what's out there, but it's definitely possible to pick up a decent lhd 993 coupe for £20k.
>> Edited by verysideways on Thursday 5th January 22:15
phib said:
20k probably would give you an ok ish lhd coupe or rough rhd at a push
That doesn't bode well - but I rather feared as much
I can see my resolve is going to be sorely tested if I am to stick to my vow not to add any more money to what I can get for the S2000 and associated bits when I come to buy its replacement! Thanks for the pointers.
But in reality a few £'spent in purchase will save a lot more than generally trying to put an average / not so good car right only from my limited experience.
All however I can say is once you get a good one you may be well and truly hooked like some of us on here !!!!! and struggle to change it for anything else !!!
All however I can say is once you get a good one you may be well and truly hooked like some of us on here !!!!! and struggle to change it for anything else !!!
Had a C2 for a while.... clutch pedal used to stick on gear changes this was very annoying, also on my TT the heating / ventilation sometimes did not work.
They are cheap to run as long as you have a good relationship with an indie or happy to do DIY.
Cars are excellent though, built to last and very pretty, remember seeing a cabriolet in an indie up North and thought wow if i could afford two, would have a coupe for tracking and a cab for posing....
Good Luck
They are cheap to run as long as you have a good relationship with an indie or happy to do DIY.
Cars are excellent though, built to last and very pretty, remember seeing a cabriolet in an indie up North and thought wow if i could afford two, would have a coupe for tracking and a cab for posing....
Good Luck
I think you'd get a nice LHD Carrera comfortably for that - there were a couple in 911&PW at about that in the January edition.
Great choice ... pics of my left hooker here ...
www.picturehosting.org/gallery.php?u=tertius&g=993-Carrera
Also from your profile you are in Cheshire, it might be worth having a word with Colin at 9m - he seems to hear about cars that are coming up for sale.
However as VS says take some time, and look at a few to get a good feel, for what's out there.
The other common problem is creaking from the windscreen, can be fixed by having teflon tape fitted under the seal, in the end a new windscreen sorted it for me. Mind you the fitter had to come back three times to get it fitted properly ...
Great choice ... pics of my left hooker here ...
www.picturehosting.org/gallery.php?u=tertius&g=993-Carrera
Also from your profile you are in Cheshire, it might be worth having a word with Colin at 9m - he seems to hear about cars that are coming up for sale.
However as VS says take some time, and look at a few to get a good feel, for what's out there.
The other common problem is creaking from the windscreen, can be fixed by having teflon tape fitted under the seal, in the end a new windscreen sorted it for me. Mind you the fitter had to come back three times to get it fitted properly ...
Hi Lurking Lawyer,
I'm hardly a knowledgable owner as I only bought my first Porsche a few weeks ago. But it's certainly something I'd recomend and I wish I'd done it sooner.
I'd always wanted a 911 and was advised that if I wasn't planning to use it as my daily car, then an air cooled 993 was the best option. I bought a bog standard carrera2 coupe and I absolutely love driving it.
Anyway, having spent weeks and weeks looking at quite a few 993's I think you'll have no trouble getting a decent one in RHD if you could stretch your budget a little to, maybe, £22kish. I found it was a great time of year to be a buyer as not many of the cars a shifting very quickly. I just did a search on Autotrader plus Piston heads etc, and spotted many of the cars I had seen advertised back in November as still being available. So there's every chance you can make an offer and secure a good 993 if someone is looking for a quick sale.
One last thing. I used Peter Morgan to do an inspection for me after seeing a recomendation on PH. He was great value.
I'm hardly a knowledgable owner as I only bought my first Porsche a few weeks ago. But it's certainly something I'd recomend and I wish I'd done it sooner.
I'd always wanted a 911 and was advised that if I wasn't planning to use it as my daily car, then an air cooled 993 was the best option. I bought a bog standard carrera2 coupe and I absolutely love driving it.
Anyway, having spent weeks and weeks looking at quite a few 993's I think you'll have no trouble getting a decent one in RHD if you could stretch your budget a little to, maybe, £22kish. I found it was a great time of year to be a buyer as not many of the cars a shifting very quickly. I just did a search on Autotrader plus Piston heads etc, and spotted many of the cars I had seen advertised back in November as still being available. So there's every chance you can make an offer and secure a good 993 if someone is looking for a quick sale.
One last thing. I used Peter Morgan to do an inspection for me after seeing a recomendation on PH. He was great value.
Since you have no experience of 911s, whatever you budget for, get a good inspection. Have a look at a few to get an idea. I would think that you will need to spend around 22-25K for a half decent 993.
On the other hand, you could put yourself in a top 911-964, and still have a couple of grand left over from your £20k. It looks the same from the inside looking out as a 993. Again, have someone inspect it. A
On the other hand, you could put yourself in a top 911-964, and still have a couple of grand left over from your £20k. It looks the same from the inside looking out as a 993. Again, have someone inspect it. A
Hi LL, recognised your name from the S2ki forum (as a previous s2k owner I used to hang around on there quite a bit).
I had the same dilemna as you, sell my S2000 and try not to add too much on top to buy a good 993.
Well that plan went out the window and I ended up spending 10k more than my "limit".
But I have to say I don't regret it one bit. The 993 is a top, top car. Very different from the S, but faster and less frantic.
I think you'll be hard pushed to find a good RHD 993 for 20k. If you could stretch that to 23-25k you'll have a much better selection of cars.
I too can highly recommend Peter Morgan for an inspection - www.petermorgan.org.uk
I can also recommend Nothways as a dealership, no pressure, decent cars, sensible pricing - www.northway.co.uk
Good luck with your search.
>> Edited by sbrewster on Friday 6th January 12:23
I had the same dilemna as you, sell my S2000 and try not to add too much on top to buy a good 993.
Well that plan went out the window and I ended up spending 10k more than my "limit".
But I have to say I don't regret it one bit. The 993 is a top, top car. Very different from the S, but faster and less frantic.
I think you'll be hard pushed to find a good RHD 993 for 20k. If you could stretch that to 23-25k you'll have a much better selection of cars.
I too can highly recommend Peter Morgan for an inspection - www.petermorgan.org.uk
I can also recommend Nothways as a dealership, no pressure, decent cars, sensible pricing - www.northway.co.uk
Good luck with your search.
>> Edited by sbrewster on Friday 6th January 12:23
I'll beat Henry to 'buy on condition' - I've had 3 993s and the second one I bought was very keenly priced at the time. Shortly after, it needed a new clutch and discs and pads all round, which was a couple of grand.
Make sure the consumables are up to scratch when buying. If you buy from an indie with a half-decent warranty, then the usual 993 knackered air-con can be fixed under warranty (well my claim worked out on the last one! ) whereas no warranty covers consumables.
A new set of tyres, clutch and brakes will duff up your budget limit so ensure you don't pick one that needs all that done.
Apart from that, they are the best cars in the world
Look after it well, use good fuel and oil and it will last for a very long time. One tip - go for 15w/50 Mobil 1 or equivalent rather than the 0w/40 - and also if you're buying privately, ask the owner what oil he/she prefers and how often it's replaced. Oil is everything in air cooled engines (as they're oil cooled really) so any 'dunno' or 'whatever's available' answers should put you off the car!
Make sure the consumables are up to scratch when buying. If you buy from an indie with a half-decent warranty, then the usual 993 knackered air-con can be fixed under warranty (well my claim worked out on the last one!
) whereas no warranty covers consumables. A new set of tyres, clutch and brakes will duff up your budget limit so ensure you don't pick one that needs all that done.
Apart from that, they are the best cars in the world
Look after it well, use good fuel and oil and it will last for a very long time. One tip - go for 15w/50 Mobil 1 or equivalent rather than the 0w/40 - and also if you're buying privately, ask the owner what oil he/she prefers and how often it's replaced. Oil is everything in air cooled engines (as they're oil cooled really) so any 'dunno' or 'whatever's available' answers should put you off the car!Thanks for all the pointers so far, folks - much appreciated.
Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me to find a decent RHD car within my budget. I'd love to stretch that little bit further to £22-25K but I've sold the swap to 'Er Indoors on the basis that it will be (broadly....) cost-neutral. I shall have to work on her and see whether there's scope to chuck a couple of grand more at this project.
To some extent, this is all academic unless I can shift the S2000 - and I'm sure I don't need to tell you how much harder it is to offload a rag-top during the winter. Fingers crossed I can do so come Spring time.
I'm not very mechancial-minded so a good inspection is going to be a must if I find a car that looks decent to my untutored eye. I suppose I shall just have to go and see a few and start to pick up what to look out for and how to tell a poor car from an average one or a good one.
Interesting to note that the bottom of the 996 market is almost within range of my budget too. I still much prefer the looks of the 993 though.
Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me to find a decent RHD car within my budget. I'd love to stretch that little bit further to £22-25K but I've sold the swap to 'Er Indoors on the basis that it will be (broadly....) cost-neutral. I shall have to work on her and see whether there's scope to chuck a couple of grand more at this project.
To some extent, this is all academic unless I can shift the S2000 - and I'm sure I don't need to tell you how much harder it is to offload a rag-top during the winter. Fingers crossed I can do so come Spring time.
I'm not very mechancial-minded so a good inspection is going to be a must if I find a car that looks decent to my untutored eye. I suppose I shall just have to go and see a few and start to pick up what to look out for and how to tell a poor car from an average one or a good one.
Interesting to note that the bottom of the 996 market is almost within range of my budget too. I still much prefer the looks of the 993 though.
aerostar said:
On the other hand, you could put yourself in a top 911-964, and still have a couple of grand left over from your £20k. It looks the same from the inside looking out as a 993. Again, have someone inspect it. A
I'd thought about the 964, but only very briefly. I confess to not knowing much about them and how different they are to the 993. My immediate assumption was that, being that bit older, they would be more likely to have mechanical issues and therefore cost more to run and maintain. But I suppose being a few years older shouldn't matter too much if it was a properly-looked-after model which had been cherished. I prefer the look of the 993 to the 964 - but that's not to say that I dislike the 964 by any stretch of the imagination.
More research on 964s required, I think!
I had a similar dilemma when I started looking for my then second 911. I had figured on a 993, but I'm a fussy bugger, and wanted a top example, owned by someone a bit like myself, i.e. get things done on the car when they need doing, and have the cash to maintain it. At the time, 2 years ago, this meant looking at 993s which were in the £33K region. But, 964s were about 60-70% of the price, and I started looking at those simply because I didn't want all that cash tied up in a car. I found a lovely, 48K miles 964 owned by someone with too much money. It's had one or two problems, but nothing too serious, and since it had a OPC service history, I've kept that up, but had the clutch and flywheel done elsewhere. I've had a couple of projects too, including uprated brakes, new alarm etc.
Anyway, the thing is, in order to get a really good 993, you'll have to spend the dosh. I still reckon top 993s should be about £27-32K. All 964/993 will need new clutches, flywheels, bushes, and oil leaks fixing, so either you buy cheap and do them, or buy one with it all done. A 964 with these items done should be £18K, one that hasn't, at around £16k. There should be no difference in price from dealers or private ads either.
I really do like the 993, and have recently almost put myself into a 993TT. But I reckon on C2/C4 993 prices dropping in the next 12 months, and 993TT are just a little too expensive for me at the moment. The 964 is a good car, and although not as pretty as the 993, it's looks have grown on me, and it still sounds fabulous. As I said, the interior is the same as a 993, so from the inside, you can't tell anyway.
Anyway, the thing is, in order to get a really good 993, you'll have to spend the dosh. I still reckon top 993s should be about £27-32K. All 964/993 will need new clutches, flywheels, bushes, and oil leaks fixing, so either you buy cheap and do them, or buy one with it all done. A 964 with these items done should be £18K, one that hasn't, at around £16k. There should be no difference in price from dealers or private ads either.
I really do like the 993, and have recently almost put myself into a 993TT. But I reckon on C2/C4 993 prices dropping in the next 12 months, and 993TT are just a little too expensive for me at the moment. The 964 is a good car, and although not as pretty as the 993, it's looks have grown on me, and it still sounds fabulous. As I said, the interior is the same as a 993, so from the inside, you can't tell anyway.
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