Am I crazy for thinking about trading (or selling) my 996 for a 930 to use as a daily driver (not my only vehicle, though !) ??

TIA

 

It would be fine if you don't mind the heat, because normally the AC is not great. And also if you don't see many traffic jams or stop lights, because these air cooled relics don't appreciate idling in the heat, they like to move.

The other concern, which a few people at this board will verifiy, is that most all of these cars need a few months to sort out some of the little problems that they accumulate over the years and the prior owner doesn't mention to you and the PPI inspection doesn't notice either. You would be a rare bird indeed if you buy a 930 and it doesn't need anything.

But once the car is fully sorted out, it will run like a top. It will thrive on daily exercise. In my opinion, with a few mods it will be more exciting than your 996, or just about any car for that matter.

The 930 has no safety features to speak of, of course. Unless you count the seatbelt.

 

Yeah, I would plan on wrenching on it more depending on how it was maintained in the past, although didn't the 996 have it's own quirks?

A 930 would certainly be more of a head turner, that's for sure

 

I concur with what Dave said above. However, I notice you live in Atlanta and I know you have traffic issues there too. I'd suggest test driving the 930 if you have an opportunity to do so. My guess is that you would want to get the 930 because it is an exciting car to drive, but for the Atlanta rush hour traffic I know your 996 is a better choice.

 

I can't really comment on the 996 as I have no real experience to draw on. I can, however, say that you're not crazy for driving a 930, daily! I do it in my '87, and the guy who lives one street over from me, does it in his '84! In fact, he was my proof that it could be done...he's nearing 150,000 miles on his!

I do park my car in a corporate parking garge at work (that helps in avoiding too much sun exposure for the interior parts), and I don't ecounter stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic.

I also grew up in FL, driving early VWs, MGs, Triumphs, Healeys, etc. so I'm pretty well adapted to suffering in the summer months with no AC.

I've also removed nearly every damn part in the engine compartment that wasn't absolutely necessary, to make servicing my car a piece of cake.

It's really tough to say. The 996 is really thought of as more of a daily driver while the 930 is your weekend worrior. For me, it was important NOT to drive the car that everyone else is. The parking garage at work is filled with BMW, Acura, Lexus, Porsche Boxsters, etc, but I'm the lone air-cooled fool. Beyond my neighbor, several months will pass before I see another 930...I like that. I also want my kids to know what it means to own a car that doesn't f_cking drive itself with all of this technology bullsh!t! I like getting my hands dirty, plain and simple.

As was pointed out earlier, you will need several weeks to get the right 930 sorted out to daily driving status.

 

I have a 996 for daily driving, and a 930 for fun. In my opinion, the 930 (79) doesn't work well for me as a daily driver where I live. Doesn't have good A/C (it's in the 90s and HUMID) , runs hot in traffic and I wouldn't want to drive it in the snow. That being said, the 930 is a great car and is huge fun to drive - far more soul than the 996!

 

I drive mine almost everyday of the week. Even here in Orlando its a great car around town. In fact, when it sits like it did for 5 weeks while I was in England it has more issues than if its driven every day!

 

I drive mine pretty much everyday. Unless it is SUPER NASTY outside. then I take the beater. I love that the older cars such as my 79 930 doesn't have an airbag.. so the littleones car seat is up front with me faced back so she can look at me the entire trip.. The rear has no belts.. so she has to be up front with the old man. I figure she'll grow up with fond memories of old 930's... and she'll get mine when I check out for good! besides as they say! LIFE IS SHORT! if you don't enjoy it someone else will when you're DEAD! hahha!

 

Thanks for the great replies, guys !!

When I say daily driver, I mean 4-5 days a week- never really sit in traffic, so that's not an issue. I have the mercedes suv which the girlfriend an I share- so its not like I would HAVE to depend on the 930.

I have driven many- just never owned one.

I daily drove a 944 turbo with race seats and suspension for a while and I could handle that.

My only concern is this talk of poor air conditioning. I have owned a handful of aircooled 911s over the years-- ac was okay in most, but that was when I lived in the northeast. Here in atlanta I couldn't handle not having cold air. . .

So, who wants to trade their 930 for a pretty, tip 996 cabriolet ??

 

You can make the AC work if that is all that holds you back, but you would probably want to go with a Griffin or some other aftermarket solution. I really know nothing at all about that because I am going to remove mine at the first possible opportunity and save 60 pounds of weight.

A well sorted out 930 with the right suspension is every bit the grand touring car that a modern BMW is, just a little more firm and taut and with a touch of turbo lag.

 

I've driven mine in and around Atlanta and it is not a happy puppy sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. Just the wear and tear on the clutch and tranny alone is enough to make me not to want to do it. Plus the wear and tear on your clutch foot/leg. I think it would be a great daily driver if that condition, heavy traffic, is not in your life. I just put in a new A/C and will let you know how it turns out soon. I learned a lot of little things that I know would be of help to any of you that are about to replace your A/C system.

 

Ted, You have seen my 930, I drive it less than 1000 miles a year. Due to Atlanta traffic and heat, it's not a car to drive daily. Before you make a decision, maybe you can take a ride in mine to see how different it is from the 996.

 

A 930 cannot get anymore 180 degree diff from a 996.
930's are bully's.. and mean azz ones at that.. they are race cars.. the shifting is nice and notchy and the clutch is a bit on the tough side.. but they are one of the very few Porsche around that should have big hairy ballz hanging from the backside hahahaha! there is a reason you see very few guys driving 930's everyday and even fewer if any ladies driving them daily . they are simply old school'er Porsche. back when Porsche made only sports cars. I wouldn't have a 930 anyother way.

 

Thanks. That is exactly why I want to get rid of the 996.

John-- I love your black 930. It is a beautiful example. We may just have to toss it around the block when I pop over next week.

I thought the 996 would be a better car for a daily than any bmw or mercedes that I liked--- and it is. Which is the problem. Too much refinement for me !!

My only concern is the AC.

 

I missed this post the first time, but very well said!!!! I have the morning school drop off duty and my nine year old son rides up front with me! In a few weeks, my four year old daughter will be making the morning commute with us! I've installed rear shoulder belts in mine and she loves the way she fits in the back!

My fondest memories as a boy were driving around in the sports cars my father was so fond of! To think he used to drive around in this old Porsche 356 while I stood on the passenger seat with my head sticking out of the sunroof!!! GAD! Let's not even talk about how little side protection there is on a Triumph TR3A! As a ten yeard old, I think I could reach down and touch the asphlat with my hand, the "doors" on that thing were cut so low!!! I guess I was lucky (maybe lucky to be alive)...