OK Turboheads the question I'm posing is do I buy the 80's rare factory RUF below http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2422766769 or a new 993 and why.

PS I'm a little reliability sensitive. I may be the master of tuning car audio but I havn't really tuned a car that since they had dual SU's... and only occasionally do I screw with my 73 Bronco's 4 barrel. If that is an insight into me that helps you guys point me right end forward... Also EMBARRASSINGLY I've never driven a Porsche that isn't a C4... IT'S ALL I'VE OWNED

 

With no if ands or buts I would personally buy a RUF car over a 993 any day of the week. But I love RUF cars.

 

I'm not shocked on the 930 forum to have this response... But I'm really asking the ubiquitous WHY... And is a non gear head mediocre driver asking for trouble for with a 2 wheel drive RUF as opposed to a 4 wheel drive late 993TT...

 

And I would love to dump my VR4 and my 993 coupe and get a TT with the same 420 horses my VR4 has...

But is the 930 going to be a real driving "watch-out" from my 4 wheels VR4 and C4's...?????

And is the factory RUF going to be a pain to keep up.????

And lastly why is grey market - which I assume means not US warranted- an issue on a car this old except for maybe emissions/bumpers]???

 

Dude, buy the 993........trust me, you don't want to buy the RUF, sink a ton of money into it, drive it and then sell it for less. Whereas, with the 993 you can drive it, do schedule maintenance and the way the market is going you will either break even when you sell it or even make a few bucks.

 

Officemanager: (This is pretty long, sorry)

Here's my two cents seeing as though I have both an '89 930 3.4 with many Ruf upgrades (I think it may be a Ruf BTR, but previous owners didn't have the receipts to actually prove that it has a Ruf BTR kit installed) and a bone stock '97 993tt.

Your comments above lead me to my comments. First you say, "PS I'm a little reliability sensitive." Modified motors tend (my opinion) to be somewhat less reliable than bone stock motors assuming both are well maintained. Moreover, the age of the Ruf ('85) v a 993tt ('96 or '97) will also play a role in "things" needing to be replaced. Hoses, belts, and motor parts tend (my opinion) to wear out the older they are. My experience has been to have spent considerably more in upkeep and maintenance on my 930 than my 993tt so far (purchased the 930 in 1999 and the 993tt in 2001) - the 930 maintenance includes valve adjustments (which are not needed on the 993tt), many hoses/belts replaced due to just age, etc.

I've only had the oil changed on the 993tt in almost two years of ownership.

Still on reliability, you have to consider that there will be at least 11 model years more Porsche R&D / technological advancements in the 993tt than in the Ruf. The 993tt has AWD, 6 speed tranny, 400 hp stock. The '85 does not.

On driveability - the 993tt is much more "forgiving" than the RWD 80's vintage 930. One has to take the car much "further" to get the rear-end of a 993tt to swing around than in a 930.

"And is the factory RUF going to be a pain to keep up.????" Purely depends on what parts wear out due to age versus wear - and this depends on your driving habits and how well you choose to maintain your car.

If the prior owner has taken good care of the car, ask him what his annual maintenance costs are. Ask him how much he spends on "major" services (i.e. valve adjustment). When I have my majors done, the mechanic drops the engine and does a complete check of all hoses, belts, smog pulley, etc. My last "major" cost me $6K, but I don't expect to spend that much for a major for a long time - everything is in great shape now, and I am very happy.

"And lastly why is grey market - which I assume means not US warranted- an issue on a car this old except for maybe emissions/bumpers]???" Emissions might be a problem. Ask the current owner what he's done. I believe (but I may be wrong) that the car should have DOT documents. You'll need those. I'd strongly advise you (if the seller will allow) to take the car to your mechanic - let him have a look (you'll need to have a thorough PPI done anyway...). Ask him if replacing parts / providing service will be a problem.

So you think I'm concluding that you should go after the 993tt?? Nope. That depends. I'm fortunate to own both. I have my choice each time I want to take a drive. The 930 is unmitigated raw power. Get to 3000 (or so) RPM and WHAM! On comes the boost and I get thrown back into my seat. The 930 demands 100% attention from its driver - and I really like that.

The 993tt is much more "refined". Two small turbos spool at 2000 rpm and the boost comes on in a much more smooth fashion. Yes, you'll know you're at 400 hp, but the transition from non-boost to full boost is far less pronounced in the 993tt. The 993tt demands less to obtain full performance. It is far more technologically advanced.

Both cars are a blast to drive - for very different reasons. So, it boils down to what you want. Do you value the Ruf badge (make sure it is truly a Ruf with all its documentation and not just an '85 with some Ruf bolt-ons)? Do you want the raw power of the older turbo? You'll pay less for the Ruf than a 993tt, but you may make up the difference over time in repair/parts replacement costs.

Or do you want the sophistication of the 993tt? Smoother. Easier to drive. Newer so probably less worry about repair/parts replacement costs.

I will conclude by telling you that if I could only own one or the other, I would take the 993tt. I have great respect for the Ruf badge. I love my 930, don't get me wrong (heck, I get more people giving me "thumbs up" when I'm in my 930 than in my 993tt). But overall, the additional 8 years of Porsche R&D technology (AWD, 6 speed tranny, twin turbos, etc) would have me choose the 993tt.

Hope this helps. Sorry for such a long response.

Let me know if you have any other questions - I'm more than happy to respond.

Dan

 

Thank you Dan

That was really well thought out with an eye and ear to my needs and I'm grateful... You also confirmed what I suspected... Essentially technology has marched on and the move has in many ways not been lateral...

Thanx again for your time

 

Uhhh...nobody pointed out that you could buy two of these "RUF" turbos for the price of a 993TT. So if your choice was this turbo and a C2T (or say two C2T) OR one 993TT which would you choose?

I am not saying which I would choose - it is a tough decision. These are two totally different vehicles. An informed decision should include driving them both.

Just as an aside, there is nothing in the ad that convinces me this is a RUF. A true RUF is modified before it is released to the first buyer - as such it carries the RUF logo on the back lid where normally you would see the "turbo" It also carries a VIN different from those issued by Porsche. If you are still considering this purchase, ask to see the documentation.

Good Luck!

 

There is a long thread on Pelican about this so called "RUF" car. From the first time that seller listed the so called 'RUF" car on Ebay, it's suspected that the car is not really a ture "RUF" car. Its been listed several times. There has also been quite a few contradictions in the description on the car, I am not saying anything bad about this car just be careful with exactly what you're getting with it.

The 993 TT is so much more refined then its early brethren its not really much of a competition. But when price is thrown into the equation I love the older cars and cash in the pocket to do the mods and upkeep I want.

 

Trader,

I'm just curious...did you sell your turbo yet?

 

Done today

 

Congrats!