Nutbeem

We just added a third child to our family last month, so the 964 has been lounging in the garage more or less the last two months. This last weekend, I washed it up - tire dressing and all, tonneau cover in place.

Top down, I pulled into Starbucks yesterday morning, up next to a black 993 cab. I studied both cars closely over my latte, and I have to say I see absolutely NO reason that the 993 should be valued 12 or 15k over mine. From the drivers seat up, the 964 is a better looking car, and mechanically, the 993 has some enhancements, but I've never had a 993 leave me behind, so the practical differences are marginal at best.

Has anyone thought about moving to a 993?

DaveK

I have thought about it several times.

I think the "better looking car" is a personal thing. While I like the 964, I believe the 993 is far more beautiful.

I thought about changing to one not too long after buying the 964 - but at that time, I didn't like the 964 dated interior and wasn't willing to pay £10-15K for a car with the same interior. Later, I learned to like the interior of the 964 - but had then spent so much money on my car that it made no sense to spend £10-15K on a 993 just because it looked nice. Although they obviously have some other advantages, chances are most of them need more money spending on them than mine does these days.

If I didn't have a 911 now and I wanted one - then without question I'd buy a 993 (993 TT if I was feeling really rich). But since I have a 964, there is no point in buying a 993.

epbrown01

I think the 964 is a great value, but the 993 is the nicer car to me. The '96+ cars have a useful power bump, and while I think the 964 cab is better looking than the 993 version, no 911 has bettered the look of the 993 coupe - not even the 997. I'm hoping the crashing prices on the 996 will push 993 prices down somet - you can already get a '99 for less than most 96-98s, I'm seeing.

Emanuel

DerkBarrington

I like the way the 993 looks but not enough to pay the $10,000 + premium over the 964 to get into one.

I was wondering if any one ever thought of updating the 964 to the 993 body style? I know the front hoods are the same.... are the fenders and front bumper, fenders interchangeable with minor modifications?

Andy Roe

Actually, I think the only panel which is the same, is the roof!! Bonnet/Hood is different - the windscreen washers on a 993 come out of it.

I have seen 964's with 993 front fenders on though, but don't know how hard it is to do.

DaveGordon

Hi,

Thought about it. Did it. Went from a '91 C4 with 130k km to a '97 Carrera S with 42k km. Cost more than twice what I sold the 964 for in the end.

I like the wide-body look of the S, and it has a lot of nice go-faster bits. I like the varioram engine, and supposedly the servicing will be a little cheaper. The biggest difference really was the way it drives - agreed, mechanically pretty similar, buy my new one is 6 years newer and you feel that when you drive it.

Dave.

DarrylH

Count me in the "I like the 964 better" camp. For the additional scratch it would take, I'd keep my 964 and add an older 911 before I'd trade for a 993. I like the classic lines of the earlier cars. But that's the great thing about taste - there's no right or wrong!

DaveGordon

I know a guy who built a 993 GT2-a-like race car from a 930. Don't think it's a big deal.

jimq

I like the looks of the 993 but probably will skip over buying one for my next Pcar. To much the same car with different fenders and a few horses more and way overpriced for the age and miles they are getting. Air cooled is not worth a large premium to me and I have had 3 911's over the years.

Nutbeem

I think it's an interesting question. A 993 coupe is spectacular to behold, as is Dave's Carrera S. I have to say, though, there's a purity and straightforwardness about the 964 coupe - look at Dave K's or Andy's avatar - super clean shape, absolutely beautiful lines.

I've driven a 95 993, and it drove exactly the same as my 94 964. A 98 Carrera S might be a different story, but I could buy a 964 cab and a coupe for the price of one of those. My wife would love me.

TRWright

If monetary value were not to be taken into consideration, I would take a 964 over a 993 hands down! My next Porsche will probably be a 964 turbo. I am a big fan of the "classic" 911 look, though. (Plus the fact that the 964 turbo is RWD. . .)

Red rooster

I like the 993 screen wipe system ,964 wipers are cr*p.Driving a 993 ,I miss the aim point given by the 964 fenders even though the 993 can look better outside. So I guess each has its plus and minus points.The clincher for me is the 964 C4 4WD system .The cheap and cheerful "various" 993 system does not give that planted , I am going there, feel.
Geoff

Jagbuff

I think there is a straightforward answer, it's a newer car (less depreciated!!), has improved technology, and is the final evolution of the aircooled 911. In ten years the spread between the two will probably be less, but the 993 is the last iteration so (right or wrong) it will maintain a premium ovee the 964.

Euromagination

I almost bought a 993 instead of my 964. I was actually looking for both, as long as the car was clean, well-cared for, white, black, or silver, manual tranny, not tan interior, had pwr steering and abs for daily driving's sake, and of course it had to be air-cooled. That's all I cared about. I also wanted an OBD I car so the only 993's I would look at were the '95s.
I think each car (the 993 and 964) looks just as good as the other for what it is. If you want the classic look, go for the 964, if you want a newer looking car, go with the 993. It's simply a matter of preference and will never be a set-in-stone thing. I don't see any reason why I would ever want to give up my 964 for a 993 except for a more "fresh" look.

Anyway, I see no performance reasons why 993s are valued higher either, but let's face it... mostly everybody wants to drive the newest-looking car they can. (Think of how people will buy a NEW Kia instead of a 6 year old Honda, which is a more reliable and better car. They just want the Kia because it's newer.) That said, since the 993 is newer-looking AND air-cooled, it's really no wonder their resale value is higher.

I know for sure that the next Porsche I buy will be a 993, hopefully a turbo, for I want to stay air-cooled so the cab stays stinky for nostalgia's sake. I like the air/oil-cooled stink a lot and almost wish I could put it in a cologne bottle so I could spray it in my Evo VIII.

Tough breaks. Just don't sell your 964 and you'll never have to worry about resale value.

kris

OMG, you just compared the 993 to a Kia (here they have a Chevrolet badge nowadays I think, hilarious). When the 993-boys will hear this they will be calling out for a posse in no time. If you want to flee the country and come this way I could give you shelter in my attic for some time.