911 vs. 993 impressions
07-11-2001, 09:58 AM
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911 vs. 993 impressions
This is a follow-up to an earlier post, "Old and new - photos of '87 C2 and '97 C2S", which I posted on both the 911 and 993 boards (forgive me!).
First, thanks for all of the nice comments about my two white 911's. Second, a several people have asked me about the differences between them. I have greatly enjoyed my '87 Carrera, which I've come to appreciate even more after a few DE events. It's so immediate. Great throttle response, beautiful sound, great handling. I find it to be quite predictable, despite the baloney you read in the press about oversteer. It's easy to tell when I'm at the limits. I guess if I had to summarize the '87, it would be that it is an extension of my senses - the car communicates exquisitely by sound and feel. What a machine. So why did I buy a 993? First, I wanted more power. The '87 is good, but not great in this respect. I found myself wishing for more oomph when pulling out of a corner. According to everything I've learned on this BBS and in various books, it's very hard to reliably extract significantly more horsepower out of my '87. Second, while the brakes on the '87 are excellent, they could be better. Switching to semi-metallic pads and Super Blue brake fluid is a great improvement, but short of completely changing the brakes, they're as good as they're going to get, which isn't bad. Third, I love the look of the 993's, especially the S models. Having more modern climate controls, etc., would be nice, too. Thus, my thought was that a 993 would be a great replacement for my '87, and so I bought one.
Now that I've had it for a week, here are my impressions. On the positive side: (1) Power: Wow! There is a very big difference - the 993 kicks butt. It has more torque on the low end, and just rips when the tach hits 4-5k, with a corresponding howl from the varioram induction system that is addicting. This is my favorite thing about the car. (2) Brakes: Awesome. (3) Handling: Everything I expected, but I haven't had it on a track yet. So far, it appears to be as good as or better than the '87. (4) Looks: I love it. It's a majorly beautiful piece of art. (5) Amenities: Excellent. The climate control system rocks, and it doesn't require a Ph.D. in HVAC to figure out. The interior is very refined, squeek-free, comfortable, and a bit roomier.
Downsides: (1) The exhaust note is muted, and I doubt I'll be able to hear much with a helmet on. I've ordered Robin Sun's RSR modified stock mufflers, which are touted by many on this BBS to restore some of the exhaust note of the earlier 911's. (2) Steering feel: I don't like the power steering. At speed, the car is a bit darty compared to the '87. I'm sure it's variable assist, but there still appears to be significant assist at highway speeds, which is unfortunate. (3) Heel and toe downshifting: Harder. I'm going to adjust the pedals, which should help, but one thing that I can't change is the fact that the ECU doesn't let the RPM's fall quickly after a throttle blip as it does in the '87. Accordingly, it's more difficult to time a smooth downshift, i.e., the engine still has too much momentum after a blip. (4) Looks: The police like this car more than they like my '87. That's a story for another day. (5) The 993 that I bought is such a low-mileage cream-puff that I'm hesitant to take it to DE events. I'm sure I'll get over this, but still ... these cars are meant to be driven! (6) I am getting no end of crap about having two 911's (as well as a nice daily car and a BMW motorcycle). The neighbors, and even some friends, are pretty scandalized. Of course, it's my money, so whothehellcares, but I can safely say that if I had two beautiful paintings or pieces of sculpture (as opposed to one), no one would comment on it. I don't go for that sort of art, though. My 911's are the ultimate - not only are they well-engineered, fun-to-drive machines, they *are* art. Rolling sculpture.
Bottom line: I thought I'd want to sell my '87, but I don't. In fact, I appreciate it's unique qualities even more. For now, I'm going to keep them both. They really are quite different, and loveable in their own ways. Keep in mind that I've only had the 993 for a week!
Will
First, thanks for all of the nice comments about my two white 911's. Second, a several people have asked me about the differences between them. I have greatly enjoyed my '87 Carrera, which I've come to appreciate even more after a few DE events. It's so immediate. Great throttle response, beautiful sound, great handling. I find it to be quite predictable, despite the baloney you read in the press about oversteer. It's easy to tell when I'm at the limits. I guess if I had to summarize the '87, it would be that it is an extension of my senses - the car communicates exquisitely by sound and feel. What a machine. So why did I buy a 993? First, I wanted more power. The '87 is good, but not great in this respect. I found myself wishing for more oomph when pulling out of a corner. According to everything I've learned on this BBS and in various books, it's very hard to reliably extract significantly more horsepower out of my '87. Second, while the brakes on the '87 are excellent, they could be better. Switching to semi-metallic pads and Super Blue brake fluid is a great improvement, but short of completely changing the brakes, they're as good as they're going to get, which isn't bad. Third, I love the look of the 993's, especially the S models. Having more modern climate controls, etc., would be nice, too. Thus, my thought was that a 993 would be a great replacement for my '87, and so I bought one.
Now that I've had it for a week, here are my impressions. On the positive side: (1) Power: Wow! There is a very big difference - the 993 kicks butt. It has more torque on the low end, and just rips when the tach hits 4-5k, with a corresponding howl from the varioram induction system that is addicting. This is my favorite thing about the car. (2) Brakes: Awesome. (3) Handling: Everything I expected, but I haven't had it on a track yet. So far, it appears to be as good as or better than the '87. (4) Looks: I love it. It's a majorly beautiful piece of art. (5) Amenities: Excellent. The climate control system rocks, and it doesn't require a Ph.D. in HVAC to figure out. The interior is very refined, squeek-free, comfortable, and a bit roomier.
Downsides: (1) The exhaust note is muted, and I doubt I'll be able to hear much with a helmet on. I've ordered Robin Sun's RSR modified stock mufflers, which are touted by many on this BBS to restore some of the exhaust note of the earlier 911's. (2) Steering feel: I don't like the power steering. At speed, the car is a bit darty compared to the '87. I'm sure it's variable assist, but there still appears to be significant assist at highway speeds, which is unfortunate. (3) Heel and toe downshifting: Harder. I'm going to adjust the pedals, which should help, but one thing that I can't change is the fact that the ECU doesn't let the RPM's fall quickly after a throttle blip as it does in the '87. Accordingly, it's more difficult to time a smooth downshift, i.e., the engine still has too much momentum after a blip. (4) Looks: The police like this car more than they like my '87. That's a story for another day. (5) The 993 that I bought is such a low-mileage cream-puff that I'm hesitant to take it to DE events. I'm sure I'll get over this, but still ... these cars are meant to be driven! (6) I am getting no end of crap about having two 911's (as well as a nice daily car and a BMW motorcycle). The neighbors, and even some friends, are pretty scandalized. Of course, it's my money, so whothehellcares, but I can safely say that if I had two beautiful paintings or pieces of sculpture (as opposed to one), no one would comment on it. I don't go for that sort of art, though. My 911's are the ultimate - not only are they well-engineered, fun-to-drive machines, they *are* art. Rolling sculpture.
Bottom line: I thought I'd want to sell my '87, but I don't. In fact, I appreciate it's unique qualities even more. For now, I'm going to keep them both. They really are quite different, and loveable in their own ways. Keep in mind that I've only had the 993 for a week!
Will
07-11-2001, 01:26 PM
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Will,
Nice writeup. Thanks for sharing it with us. You might consider getting Armourfend on the front and mirrors, to protect against chips...then head to the track.
Nice writeup. Thanks for sharing it with us. You might consider getting Armourfend on the front and mirrors, to protect against chips...then head to the track.
07-12-2001, 06:32 PM
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Bill,
Would you tell us about Armourfend? I've looked into Stongard a bit. I gather Stongard uses 3M's Scotchcal - how about Armourfend? Where did you get it? Did you install it yourself? Any useful information would be appreciated. Oh, yeah. Cost? Thanks.
Will
Would you tell us about Armourfend? I've looked into Stongard a bit. I gather Stongard uses 3M's Scotchcal - how about Armourfend? Where did you get it? Did you install it yourself? Any useful information would be appreciated. Oh, yeah. Cost? Thanks.
Will
07-12-2001, 08:00 PM
#6
Will:
I'm also interested in Armourfend. I have seen it advertised in the back of 911 and Porsche Magazine and it is made in the UK. I haven't seen it offered in the U.S.
Jon
P.S. when I went to school in A2 in the early 80s, there were no Porsches or *any* foreign cars to be found, except for those driven by students from out of state.
I'm also interested in Armourfend. I have seen it advertised in the back of 911 and Porsche Magazine and it is made in the UK. I haven't seen it offered in the U.S.
Jon
P.S. when I went to school in A2 in the early 80s, there were no Porsches or *any* foreign cars to be found, except for those driven by students from out of state.
