Are 993's depreciating slower than 996's?
Discussion
Am debating my next car purchase, and have to say the 911 is growing on me. I don't have much experience with Porsche having come from a TVR so would appreciate a bit of advice. I've probably got a maximum of around 35k to spend (after selling a kidney or 3) and for this seem to be able to get a 996 in C2 or C4 form, or bizzarely the 993 in C4 form (admittedly good examples thereof). Does this mean the 993 is a better bet depreciation wise or am I reading things wrong (very likely)?
I know I've got to get my arse along to a dealer to check these out, but does the 996 have a "nicer" interior? I'm after something a little more luxurious than my Griff....
I know I've got to get my arse along to a dealer to check these out, but does the 996 have a "nicer" interior? I'm after something a little more luxurious than my Griff....
Oh there are so many considerations...
Arguably the 993 has dated somewhat and the 996s interior is modern. Personally I think either is pretty darn nice....but I have only peered in to 993s. My BoxS interior is practically identical to a 996s - and its lovely. Positively oozes quality from every surface.
996s came with PSM and suchlike. Once you know what that does you simply have to have it...or, at least, I did. Its so much more than traction control.
I have always fancied a C4 996 myself. Go take a look. After a Tivver some things will stand out as being absolutely wonderful...others will seem a bit, well, ordinary...
Arguably the 993 has dated somewhat and the 996s interior is modern. Personally I think either is pretty darn nice....but I have only peered in to 993s. My BoxS interior is practically identical to a 996s - and its lovely. Positively oozes quality from every surface.
996s came with PSM and suchlike. Once you know what that does you simply have to have it...or, at least, I did. Its so much more than traction control.
I have always fancied a C4 996 myself. Go take a look. After a Tivver some things will stand out as being absolutely wonderful...others will seem a bit, well, ordinary...
993 is more outdated interior-wise, but arguably much more characterful - and more solid. The 993 doors shut with a real clunk compared to 996 ones.
I would get a later 993 than an earlier 996, if budget was tight.
The 996 IS a better car than the 993 in many ways, but the 993 has advantages over its more sophisticated brethren. Horses for courses in some ways. I suppose the 996 is a better GT, the 993 maybe a better sportscar.
Coming from a Griff, I would say the 993 would better suit your need for character.
I would get a later 993 than an earlier 996, if budget was tight.
The 996 IS a better car than the 993 in many ways, but the 993 has advantages over its more sophisticated brethren. Horses for courses in some ways. I suppose the 996 is a better GT, the 993 maybe a better sportscar.
Coming from a Griff, I would say the 993 would better suit your need for character.
I'd go for a 993 because they're as bulletproof as each other, especially since you'll be buying an early 996 for that money, so a 993 will be well-sorted (not that there's much to go wrong AFAIK.
Yes, I've got a 993 (I came from a TVR too) so an interest there, but I wanted a sports car not a GT. And maybe that's the answer to your question...
Yes, I've got a 993 (I came from a TVR too) so an interest there, but I wanted a sports car not a GT. And maybe that's the answer to your question...
I think its all down to what you are looking for in a car. Each person`s demands and expectations are so different, the practicality and performance duties asked of a sports car in the 1990`s changed a huge amount. Fast - just didnt do it anymore. Minimal - was deemed to be uncomfortable and a great handling car was no longer appreciated for its set-up...After all, many buyers just looked at 0-60 times and top speeds, took these as the norm and then looked for which one had the most leather and gadgets!
IMHO Porsche realised this and packaged the 996 perfectly, building a car that could satisfy the widest demands in the balance of performance and comfort.
Personally, I am the first to admit that I dont use my 993 every day. If I did, I might think about moving to a 996, because its built with that in mind at the forefront. When I use my 993, I want to get out having been worked hard, to extract the fun out of the car. I dont care about not having A/C, I dont mind the dated dash or that the passenger has to control the stereo.
At the end of the day, if you could combine the best attributes of both cars, then that would be one hell of a car...But unfortunatly Porsche didnt!
Forget about depreciation, ignore the £500 cost difference between the models and close your eyes to the P and R plates aganist the R and S plates. Go out and try them, then choose the one that "does it" for you.
IMHO Porsche realised this and packaged the 996 perfectly, building a car that could satisfy the widest demands in the balance of performance and comfort.
Personally, I am the first to admit that I dont use my 993 every day. If I did, I might think about moving to a 996, because its built with that in mind at the forefront. When I use my 993, I want to get out having been worked hard, to extract the fun out of the car. I dont care about not having A/C, I dont mind the dated dash or that the passenger has to control the stereo.
At the end of the day, if you could combine the best attributes of both cars, then that would be one hell of a car...But unfortunatly Porsche didnt!
Forget about depreciation, ignore the £500 cost difference between the models and close your eyes to the P and R plates aganist the R and S plates. Go out and try them, then choose the one that "does it" for you.
Ive been lucky enough to own both (have 996 now)
All I would say is that much is spoken of the 993s character etc etc. I loved it but all round the 996 is a far better car. Its much faster on track ( i do lots of track days) and then much more comfortabel to drive home after.
If you want the 993 character, ALL you need is to get a sports exhaust and get it lowered. Honestly, it makes soooo much difference.
Ive also found my running costs on the 996 significantly lower than the 993 though this is only my experience.
All I would say is that much is spoken of the 993s character etc etc. I loved it but all round the 996 is a far better car. Its much faster on track ( i do lots of track days) and then much more comfortabel to drive home after.
If you want the 993 character, ALL you need is to get a sports exhaust and get it lowered. Honestly, it makes soooo much difference.
Ive also found my running costs on the 996 significantly lower than the 993 though this is only my experience.
peterpeter said:
Ive been lucky enough to own both (have 996 now)
All I would say is that much is spoken of the 993s character etc etc. I loved it but all round the 996 is a far better car. Its much faster on track ( i do lots of track days) and then much more comfortabel to drive home after.
If you want the 993 character, ALL you need is to get a sports exhaust and get it lowered. Honestly, it makes soooo much difference.
Ive also found my running costs on the 996 significantly lower than the 993 though this is only my experience.
Having owned a 993, and having a mate who has a new 996 4S (with factory sports exhaust
), plus another who has a 996 C4 cabrio, I have to say that 996's leave me absolutely cold. The 4S is almost getting there, but still does not do anything for me. Early 996's just look plain dull to me, very slab sided and uninspiring, the facelift did address this, but not to a huge degree. Sure the interior is a *lot* more modern (but I kind of liked the old school 993 interior in some strange sort of way), ride is more comfy, and the car is alround faster (note here I am not saying the 996 is not a 'better' car), but for me it is just missing something. Would also agree with comments that the 993 is built like a bank vault compared to the 996. In essence I guess I prefered the 'raw' feel of the 993. All this IMHO though, as it is horses for courses, and each persons needs / wants are very different....
>> Edited by ek993 on Tuesday 7th October 22:26
ek993 said:
Ive been lucky enough to own both (have 996 now)
All I would say is that much is spoken of the 993s character etc etc. I loved it but all round the 996 is a far better car. Its much faster on track ( i do lots of track days) and then much more comfortabel to drive home after.
If you want the 993 character, ALL you need is to get a sports exhaust and get it lowered. Honestly, it makes soooo much difference.
Ive also found my running costs on the 996 significantly lower than the 993 though this is only my experience.
Having owned a 993, and having a mate who has a new 996 4S (with factory sports exhaust
All this IMHO though, as it is horses for courses, and each persons needs / wants are very different....
>> Edited by ek993 on Tuesday 7th October 22:26
Mine has been lowered 30 mm
It totally transforms the handling. Have you taken a 996 on track yet??
Ive taken both and the cars really arent that different other than the 99 having more grip and being faster.
I do agree that the base 993 is a stunning car compared to the base 996, but once the ride height is adressed it makes so much difference. Also the right wheels ans aerokit can make the car look stunning.
Ill be controversial and say that a red gt3 to me looks nicer than any 993.IMHO
Nick, I agree with your statement regarding the 996 GT3...Wonderful piece of kit for the chosen few!
But our man is looking at £35K, the bog standard cars, including a personal sacrifice of some key human body parts and he wants to minimalise his loss (if the venture doesnt work out)...Hmmmm 993, me thinks!
But our man is looking at £35K, the bog standard cars, including a personal sacrifice of some key human body parts and he wants to minimalise his loss (if the venture doesnt work out)...Hmmmm 993, me thinks!
peterpeter said:
peterpeter said:
Ive been lucky enough to own both (have 996 now)
All I would say is that much is spoken of the 993s character etc etc. I loved it but all round the 996 is a far better car. Its much faster on track ( i do lots of track days) and then much more comfortabel to drive home after.
If you want the 993 character, ALL you need is to get a sports exhaust and get it lowered. Honestly, it makes soooo much difference.
Ive also found my running costs on the 996 significantly lower than the 993 though this is only my experience.
Having owned a 993, and having a mate who has a new 996 4S (with factory sports exhaust
All this IMHO though, as it is horses for courses, and each persons needs / wants are very different....
>> Edited by ek993 on Tuesday 7th October 22:26
Mine has been lowered 30 mm
It totally transforms the handling. Have you taken a 996 on track yet??
Ive taken both and the cars really arent that different other than the 99 having more grip and being faster.
I do agree that the base 993 is a stunning car compared to the base 996, but once the ride height is adressed it makes so much difference. Also the right wheels ans aerokit can make the car look stunning.
Ill be controversial and say that a red gt3 to me looks nicer than any 993.IMHO
Both the 996 Cab and the 4S feel a lot quicker, and certainly handling wise are a step on from what my 993 was, its something more than that though, a fundemental feeling, that certain x factor that isnt there for me with the 996's. I can't get excited about them even though I know they are better cars. Odd eh?
There is actually one caveat to that, and that is the GT3. That does get my pulse racing. Not so great for day to day use unfortunately.
996's have depreciated quicker than 993's. between 1999 and 2003 the 993 values almost held steady, so if holding value is your target the choice is clear. However , nothing is for keeps, cars don't last forever and your own ideas about 'whats good' will change so pick the one you fancy in the colour you want at the price you are happy with and be prepared to swap it out at some future date.
I'd choose a 996 with 18inch wheels, having gone from a 993C2 to a 996C2
aircon works better, turning circle much tighter, much more comfort for daily driving...also quicker/ lighter/more powerful means track performance fine
I'd choose a 996 with 18inch wheels, having gone from a 993C2 to a 996C2
aircon works better, turning circle much tighter, much more comfort for daily driving...also quicker/ lighter/more powerful means track performance fine
But you don't get a revcounter the size of a habitat dinner plate right in front of you, goading you to redline it 
You do get doorhandles that don't look like they come off an Allegro, though
Horses for courses as everyone says. Try them both. I think the 996 is posher and looks more expensive, but isn't as 'classic' as a 993. Impress the neighbours or impress the anoraks? The choice is yours...
You do get doorhandles that don't look like they come off an Allegro, though
Horses for courses as everyone says. Try them both. I think the 996 is posher and looks more expensive, but isn't as 'classic' as a 993. Impress the neighbours or impress the anoraks? The choice is yours...
I currently run my fourth Porsche(996..GT3) All three previously owned were 911 `s in one shape or another. (Not 993) . One emormous advantage is the engine being water cooled as opposed to aircooled.I also drive a Griffith, a good car , but the Porsche is used every day , sometimes down sarf from Suffolk, I never tire of driving it, great brakes , adictive soundtrack , with a/c a good place to be.
I test drove a 996 C2 with sports exhaust and slightly lowered roadsprings, very impresive.
If the GT3 hadn`t been available I would have gone for the 996 C2,no question.
Get the 996, you know you want to.
I test drove a 996 C2 with sports exhaust and slightly lowered roadsprings, very impresive.
If the GT3 hadn`t been available I would have gone for the 996 C2,no question.
Get the 996, you know you want to.
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