Discussion
My wife is thinking of getting a 993, so we had a look at our first one today, not what she was looking for as it turned out to be LHD.
The thing that struck me tho' was how agricultural the interior is.
Can anything be done about this?
(I believe the 996's are better but would still prefer to point the wife at a 993 if poss.)
Brian
The thing that struck me tho' was how agricultural the interior is.
Can anything be done about this?
(I believe the 996's are better but would still prefer to point the wife at a 993 if poss.)
Brian
Why not drive it? something about mantlepiece and poking the fire or something 
You can buy various aluminium & carbon bits to jazz it up if you must.
Each to their own having owned various 911 including a 996, I am a fan of the 993 interior..large rev counter in front of you ...iconic!
You can buy various aluminium & carbon bits to jazz it up if you must.
Each to their own having owned various 911 including a 996, I am a fan of the 993 interior..large rev counter in front of you ...iconic!
Brian,
I would tend to agree with 'Clubsport', "mantelpiece and poking the fire", the car's interior reflects its character, it's more raw than a 996. Obviously they are not cheap, and maybe that has a bearing on your thinking. ie: expensive car, should have expensive looking interior, but all the 'money' is hidden beneath the exterior, drive it first before you finally decide, I had a choice of 996 or 993, after driving them both, it was an easy choice. Outside the 993 is a much better looking '911', and on the road, a very different proposition compared to 996, and yes that big central rev counter did it for me. if i can sum it up, with the 996, you drive it, with the 993, you pilot it. and something worth considering is how long you plan to keep it (for ever in my case), because after a while that basic, but oh so timeless interior comes into it's own, there is so much less periphery to concern yourself with so that you can get on with actually driving and enjoying the 'occasion', because that is the difference, it is always a sense of occasion when you fire it up, they lost something when they modernised that interior, it may as well be a Beemer or a Mercy interior nowadays, and as for the new 996's fly-by-wire 'feel', well there isn't one. If they are not careful, Porsche will eventually become just another upmarket car company and stand for nothing but 'upward mobility'
>> Edited by veewhy on Saturday 28th February 22:06
I would tend to agree with 'Clubsport', "mantelpiece and poking the fire", the car's interior reflects its character, it's more raw than a 996. Obviously they are not cheap, and maybe that has a bearing on your thinking. ie: expensive car, should have expensive looking interior, but all the 'money' is hidden beneath the exterior, drive it first before you finally decide, I had a choice of 996 or 993, after driving them both, it was an easy choice. Outside the 993 is a much better looking '911', and on the road, a very different proposition compared to 996, and yes that big central rev counter did it for me. if i can sum it up, with the 996, you drive it, with the 993, you pilot it. and something worth considering is how long you plan to keep it (for ever in my case), because after a while that basic, but oh so timeless interior comes into it's own, there is so much less periphery to concern yourself with so that you can get on with actually driving and enjoying the 'occasion', because that is the difference, it is always a sense of occasion when you fire it up, they lost something when they modernised that interior, it may as well be a Beemer or a Mercy interior nowadays, and as for the new 996's fly-by-wire 'feel', well there isn't one. If they are not careful, Porsche will eventually become just another upmarket car company and stand for nothing but 'upward mobility'
>> Edited by veewhy on Saturday 28th February 22:06
Ok guys perhaps it wasn't the brightest way of posting a question to a Forum dedicated to Porsche!. But oh those acres of plastic - I have no interest in stick on carbon fibre, but will search around to see if there are after market leather kits and carpets that fit.
Agreee with all the comments, if my wife goes ahead, we will keep a 993 for many years and it will always be the last of the air-cooled 911's. A 996 in 10 years will just be another superseded Porsche model. However I feel I will have problems getting her past that interior - she is used to TVR's.
Brian
Agreee with all the comments, if my wife goes ahead, we will keep a 993 for many years and it will always be the last of the air-cooled 911's. A 996 in 10 years will just be another superseded Porsche model. However I feel I will have problems getting her past that interior - she is used to TVR's.
Brian
Well, if you can get her past that interior Brian, you're on a home run. I couldn't get my wife to look past it, and while she didn't call it agricultural, her comments were 'of the earth'. This is why I ended up with a 996.
If you can sell her on the retrimming thing, go for it!
Kevin
If you can sell her on the retrimming thing, go for it!
Kevin
Its weird is'nt it? One of the best things about the 993 interior is that it is generally much better built than a early 996...
It may be a bit "agricultural" but it is very high quality and well screwed together.
But if you are used to newer soft feel plastics it can be a bit different I suppose.
Some have more leather than others - might be worth comparing a few.
But the quality is there , no doubt about it.
It may be a bit "agricultural" but it is very high quality and well screwed together.
But if you are used to newer soft feel plastics it can be a bit different I suppose.
Some have more leather than others - might be worth comparing a few.
But the quality is there , no doubt about it.
This was the #1 reason I chose a 996 over an 993 TT.
The interior isnt up to par on a 993. Not for the money being spent.
BUT, it seems to be like this across the board atm..
The new Murci, shit interior..
the Ferrari 360.. not exactly a work of art.. (tho can be very pleasing in the right colors) the 996 is a little 'uninspiring' but in the right colors is alot better...
Only TVR seem to have cottoned onto the idea that YES, we want a devastatingly fast, gorgeous car..
BUT, given we spend alot of time INSIDE, we would like to have some pampering there too.
the 996 can be v.nice when specced right..
the 993, I have yet to see one which is anything more than 'well, you cant have everything'
Still 993 is a stunning vehicle..
The interior isnt up to par on a 993. Not for the money being spent.
BUT, it seems to be like this across the board atm..
The new Murci, shit interior..
the Ferrari 360.. not exactly a work of art.. (tho can be very pleasing in the right colors) the 996 is a little 'uninspiring' but in the right colors is alot better...
Only TVR seem to have cottoned onto the idea that YES, we want a devastatingly fast, gorgeous car..
BUT, given we spend alot of time INSIDE, we would like to have some pampering there too.
the 996 can be v.nice when specced right..
the 993, I have yet to see one which is anything more than 'well, you cant have everything'
Still 993 is a stunning vehicle..
There should be some standard "convincing the wife procedure here" Clearly a bit of psychobabble is needed.
Here goes:
Start off be enthusing about the classic lines of the early 911. Take her to see some 1970s examples at Coys preview days and classic car shows. Especially the downmarket ones. When you meet with opposition to the Brown and Orange 70s Nylon interior. Be sympathetic and accept her point that it would be difficult to live with. Move on to the 911 SC through the 3.2 with G50 gearbox to the 964. By the time you get to the 993 she will be extatic about the interior and you will have no trouble in engageing her enthusiasm for such a modern variation of the mark. Of course this is useless for anyone who went to look at the 993 first
Here goes:
Start off be enthusing about the classic lines of the early 911. Take her to see some 1970s examples at Coys preview days and classic car shows. Especially the downmarket ones. When you meet with opposition to the Brown and Orange 70s Nylon interior. Be sympathetic and accept her point that it would be difficult to live with. Move on to the 911 SC through the 3.2 with G50 gearbox to the 964. By the time you get to the 993 she will be extatic about the interior and you will have no trouble in engageing her enthusiasm for such a modern variation of the mark. Of course this is useless for anyone who went to look at the 993 first
Yeah, as mentioned, I think the character of an older 911 is almost defined by that classic interior, the roots of which can be traced back to the stone age. Combined with a flat six wail, silly floor mounted pedals an upright screen and doors that shut like those of a bank vault, you have 'essence of 911'. That essence has been refined, yet somewhat diluted, with the 996. A far more capable car, but one with a tad less character than the older 'beetles'.
If you can get wifey past the pedals you will do well. Maybe a tiptronic would be a good bet.
If you can get wifey past the pedals you will do well. Maybe a tiptronic would be a good bet.
On first association, particularly for those with memories of twisted Blackpool rockery, 911s are indeed internally spartan.
But so is a Diablo; so was the Countach, the F40 et al.
However, it remains the most satisfying (non-track day special) production motor within which I've yet to squirt, more or less anywhere with vigour.
All great drivers' cars can, I suppose, in the right circumstances, seduce the charioteer into a petrolicized orgy of kama sutric dimensions.
This sensation of 'being spent' is very much part of the post-blast, recollective haze.
It is a phenomenal reality and refuses to do aught other than intensify o'er time.
But so is a Diablo; so was the Countach, the F40 et al.
However, it remains the most satisfying (non-track day special) production motor within which I've yet to squirt, more or less anywhere with vigour.
All great drivers' cars can, I suppose, in the right circumstances, seduce the charioteer into a petrolicized orgy of kama sutric dimensions.
This sensation of 'being spent' is very much part of the post-blast, recollective haze.
It is a phenomenal reality and refuses to do aught other than intensify o'er time.
Although I like the extra space of the 996 cabin plus the safety of airbags in doors etc, I was sorry to see the proper 911 dash lost. If there was an option when ordering to have a 911/964/993 look interior I would have ticked it.
Clearly Porsche want to sell more cars by getting everyones wife to like the interior!
DAZ
PS - I do like the digital mph in the 996 though, don't bother looking at the needle version though which has become superfluous.
PS2 - DeR, YHM in about 5 minutes
>> Edited by dazren on Sunday 29th February 11:51
Clearly Porsche want to sell more cars by getting everyones wife to like the interior!
DAZ
PS - I do like the digital mph in the 996 though, don't bother looking at the needle version though which has become superfluous.
PS2 - DeR, YHM in about 5 minutes
>> Edited by dazren on Sunday 29th February 11:51
Guys,
I agree with JamieB. After initially lusting after a 993TT I felt just couldn't live with the interior. Maybe I've been spoilt coming from a TVR cerbera which IMO has one of the best interiors ever. In the end I decided to wait and save-up until I could afford the 996TT.
I agree that the car is about more than how the dash looks or the feel of the buttons. However when spending more than £50K on a car why not tick all the boxes. Remember it's a road car not a track car. I'd much rather my passenger said oooh-that's nice rather than errr it's a bit 70's in here isn't it.
Steve, 996TT
I agree with JamieB. After initially lusting after a 993TT I felt just couldn't live with the interior. Maybe I've been spoilt coming from a TVR cerbera which IMO has one of the best interiors ever. In the end I decided to wait and save-up until I could afford the 996TT.
I agree that the car is about more than how the dash looks or the feel of the buttons. However when spending more than £50K on a car why not tick all the boxes. Remember it's a road car not a track car. I'd much rather my passenger said oooh-that's nice rather than errr it's a bit 70's in here isn't it.
Steve, 996TT
Are you mad? One of the worst features of the current generation of Porsche models is the cheap black plastic, affordable-Micra-style, dash. Then 2 days later you have to contend with another 8, impossible to identify or locate, rattles.
The 993 interior is dated, but the build quality is second to none. This reassures me that the people who designed and built my car had 101% focus on creating a great drivers car, rather than one that conformed to the 'Changing Rooms' school for interior design. MDF anybody?
The 993 interior is dated, but the build quality is second to none. This reassures me that the people who designed and built my car had 101% focus on creating a great drivers car, rather than one that conformed to the 'Changing Rooms' school for interior design. MDF anybody?
Modern TVR with great interiors!! what on earth are you lot on about, am I on an alternative planet or something??
They look like a set designer from Star Trek got pi$$ed & thought he'd have a go at a car interior. They stink of glue & resin, the leather looks like it has come from plastic cows & on a hot sunny day bits of the interior helpfully peel off & the metal dials burn your hand
Tell the missis its the 993 or a Ferrari 355- now that has got a dated interior- circa 1970s Lancia anyone
>> Edited by iguana on Sunday 29th February 13:32
They look like a set designer from Star Trek got pi$$ed & thought he'd have a go at a car interior. They stink of glue & resin, the leather looks like it has come from plastic cows & on a hot sunny day bits of the interior helpfully peel off & the metal dials burn your hand
Tell the missis its the 993 or a Ferrari 355- now that has got a dated interior- circa 1970s Lancia anyone
>> Edited by iguana on Sunday 29th February 13:32
I'm afraid TVR's idea of interior design was one of the strongest factors which put me off buying another TVR. To me, the interior of the current models all look like half-finished student projects.
The 993 interior is undeniably old fashioned. Indeed, if it wasn't for the fact that it was in production for 35 years without changing significantly, it would very probably be unacceptable. But ironically, because it is a direct descendant of the first 911, it suits the last air-cooled 911 totally. It's what makes the 993 like a reliable, fast incarnation of a classic car. I wouldn't have it any other way.
The 993 interior is undeniably old fashioned. Indeed, if it wasn't for the fact that it was in production for 35 years without changing significantly, it would very probably be unacceptable. But ironically, because it is a direct descendant of the first 911, it suits the last air-cooled 911 totally. It's what makes the 993 like a reliable, fast incarnation of a classic car. I wouldn't have it any other way.
JamieBeeston said:
This was the #1 reason I chose a 996 over an 993 TT.
The interior isnt up to par on a 993. Not for the money being spent.
BUT, it seems to be like this across the board atm..
The new Murci, shit interior..
the Ferrari 360.. not exactly a work of art.. (tho can be very pleasing in the right colors) the 996 is a little 'uninspiring' but in the right colors is alot better...
Only TVR seem to have cottoned onto the idea that YES, we want a devastatingly fast, gorgeous car..
...you forgot about Maserati - the current cars have beautiful, classy, well built interiors. It's just a shame the cars are flawed in the ride/handling department, otherwise I'd buy one!
a few points:
can the tvr drivers stick to the tvr forums. getting slightly bored of trevors breathing their germs and opinions over stutgarts finest cars and their drivers
secondly, can people stop going on about the 'spirit' of the 911 and models dating back to the 11th century as if they're in any way better than the 996. they;re not. give it up. in the same way the 997 is likely to be a better car all round than the 996, so the 996 is better - model for model - than its equivalent predecessor.
and yes i am a philistine.
>> Edited by 911nutter on Monday 1st March 14:38
can the tvr drivers stick to the tvr forums. getting slightly bored of trevors breathing their germs and opinions over stutgarts finest cars and their drivers
secondly, can people stop going on about the 'spirit' of the 911 and models dating back to the 11th century as if they're in any way better than the 996. they;re not. give it up. in the same way the 997 is likely to be a better car all round than the 996, so the 996 is better - model for model - than its equivalent predecessor.
and yes i am a philistine.
>> Edited by 911nutter on Monday 1st March 14:38
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