KNS

Well, for a little less horsepower, I'll take the simpler '95 all day long.

This thread will go back and forth - just find a well maintained car. You'll love it no matter what year you end up with.

red67vert

Great info, thank you! Most of what you said the seller has already told me, regarding "95's but it was good hearing it from you guys. What oil leaks, if any are common in engine bay?

golfnutintib

many - search 993 board - lots and lots of info... and i mean a lot...

DiegoR

Looks like some 95's got the OBD II port (mine) fitted and some earlier 95's didn't, although is still a OBD I system.

rrc715

Just find the cleanest well kept 993 you can afford and buy it. I'm in Cali so my 95 /OBD I is a good thing for DMV but lots of guys have 96-98. The guys on this site are probably your best experts for finding the right car and/or vetting out a possible purchase. Good luck on your hunt. RRC715

six gun

FWIW If you join us (paid member) you will have unlimited access to the search function. It will awnser most if not any question you may have, and be a great aid in your search.

rconnon

I have a very late build '95 which has no basket handle (does have 3rd brake light), and has keyless entry + immobilizer.

In this market, i'd focus on finding a well sorted car in your price range, the differences between 1995 & 1996+ aren't worth nitpicking IMHO, and specially not worth passing over if you find a good car. All of them are awesome, just slight differences in HP and complexity as others have mentioned, unless your looking for a WB car, then you have already narrowed your search on MY.

Martin S.

You can chip a 1995, not so easy on the 96 - 98.

Put X pipe and sport cats, and a chip on a 1995, it will scream, not that it doesn't already.

If $$$ is no object, get close ratio gears or a numerically higher ring and opinion.

Better yet, just leave it alone, drive it and be happy.

JCPerformance

What's the chip to get for a '95?

Seems like a '95 is a simpler, more reliable car?

Good info...

ilko

I prefer the later cars for the Varioram alone. Power gains are very real and torque increase is quite noticeable in the mid-range. I've owned 2 of those already, by choice. SAI hasn't been an issue and neither has been the immobilizer.

That being said, if I were in the market and the right '95 showed up I wouldn't kick it to the curb. They are all good cars.

993c4_Toronto

1995.2 do not have the basket handle 3rd light and do have the immobilizer. Not sure what the experiential difference is between 172 vs 185 hp from 1995 - 1996-98 for most uses. I autocross and do 1-2 DE days a year and I have plenty of fun with my lowly 172 hp.

Foxman

It's kind of like choosing between a beautiful blonde or a beautiful brunette - either way you win. That said, I'm in complete agreement with Ilko that the the torque increase on the varioram is quite noticeable (and a blast) in the mid-range. If I had two identical cars to choose from - one with and one without v-ram, I would go with the varioram all day.

RodKnock

Also owning a alloy-bodied Cobra weighing 2,100 lbs with a 600+ HP engine, I thought the difference between 272 and 285 was negligible. So the power difference between a 1995 vs. 1996-1998 is all relative IMO. For those serious racers, I'm sure it makes a difference. For us mere mortals, I think it's 6 of one, half dozen of another.

What was important to me was the emissions testing in CA, and the best low mileage car I could find, and an original owner helped, so I bought a 1995.

Buy the best 993, no matter what year.

Railmaster.

I have a 1994 without sunroof and basket handle, makes it faster than the varioram cars!

DiegoR

Pardon my ignorance but trying to figure out what is "basket handle"?