dascar

Well, the wife got addicted at a recent club DE and now agrees how awesome it would be to upgrade our 84 911 coupe. Assuming a budget in the low 40's, I am debating between a nice 1995-1996 993 or fall back a couple years and get a 1991 Turbo 964 (930). I love the body style and look of the 993 (especially with the new 997 looking even more like them), but the amazing power in that Turbo is hard to pass up - especially considering most of the underpinnings are 993 anyway. I am worried about future maintenance costs and I don't really want to help my insurance agent get a new condo in Hawaii. Has anyone out there been in this same boat? I'd love your expertise gentlemen (and ladies)...

DrJupeman

I guess all of us who have purchased our Turbos recently faced the same decision. I opted to pay a little more and get a 3.6 Turbo. Why? I like the more classic shape of the 964 and it is hard to deny the thrill of the turbo. That said, I hope to buy a 993 to complement the turbo sometime in the future... You won't be disappointed with either purchase!

bjb

dascar,

I own a 1997 993 and a 1992 C2 Turbo. If I had to own only one or the other, I'd probably keep the 993. As a daily driver, it's better. It rides better, is more "responsive" around town, and gets substantially better fuel mileage. The Turbo goes like a bat outta hell when the turbo kicks in, but around town you don't get much chance for that. Here in Pennsylvania, the Turbo costs about 40% more to insure, and maintenance costs are higher because of the need for valve adjustments. Either will put a smile on your face.

bjb

cobalt

dascar,

As stated both are great cars. The turbo is a special car that appeals to only a select few. The 993 is more manageable around town and has better response at lower rpms/speed. For a daily driver you should probably think of the 993. For all out fun there is no car like the turbo and the power is amazing.

In both cases you need to worry about maintainance. The turbos require a great deal of attention. The 993's especially the earlier years have specific problems that you will need to make yourself aware of. Many 95 models have had engine issues early on in life, they also have issues with wiring harness recalls that need to be attended to properly. If the 993 you are looking at has not had the wiring harness replaced it may be problematic later on. I have heard numerous issues were the harness was replaced only to leave the owner stuck with constant nagging issues that were the result of the replacement. I have also heard of people owning early 993's and had complete engine failure to the point of no return with only 80k miles on the odo.

I would attempt to test drive some of these cars to get a real feel of what they are like.

Good Luck in your decision,

Doug H

Turbo is cooler and more fun, but the 993 more practical and nice looking too. Low 40s about right for the 91 turbo, but you can get a 95 993 a lot cheaper than that. If coupe, maybe around high 20 to low 30s. Maybe try and get a 97 if you budget is in the low $ 40s.

hanfrac

As a former 1998 993 owner (Targa) and current 1991 965 owner, I have to say I like this car significantly more than the other one. But mine is a second car and therefore I can enjoy it as such. If it were my first and only car, I'd still opt for the 965 and endure the loss of low-end grunt and creature comforts. In my mind, it's a more interesting ride with more character.

John S.

As a lucky owner of both, I'll give you my $.02. The 993 is an evolution - in some ways, it's much more modern - like the air conditioning works, and in others it's still the 911 we know and love. One thing I noticed that I don't see too many people commenting on is a bit of a drop in interior quality from the 964 to the 993. The turn signal and OBC stalks seem much more robust on the 964. I like the stock steering wheel better as well.

The driving experience is quite different, and I have to say I like the Turbo better. I don't have a lead foot, and around town I don't really feel the "extra" torque of the 993 makes an appreciable difference. I like the clutch action and the feel of the 5-speed in the Turbo better as well. It may be that I need a short shift kit in the 993, but stock/stock, no contest in my mind.

Looks-wise, it's personal of course. I think the Turbo is so tough looking - especially with the RUF wheels, mmmm. Of course I like the 993 too, but my girlfriend is its biggest fan. When I suggested I would sell it and try to get a 993TT, she protested big time.

Old story: drive both and pick the one you like best. I don't think the maintenance will be so bad for the Turbo compared to the 993. We all know Porsche parts are expensive.

braol

Turbo, hands down.

budge96

Thats easy..if you like the looks of a 993 and the power of a 965 Turbo it's a no brainer find a 993TT
it has much better low end torque around town and on the highway nothing can touch it.
Of course the '91 has a rush like nothing but the earliest turbos ,most of us caan do with out the
surprise kick in the pants when we least expect it...just my .02 but then I have all three!

Metal Guru

For DE work I'd stick with what you have or move back to a lighter 911 ('74 to'83).
The Turbo doesn't make for a cost effective DE machine and won't be a lot of fun to drive on tight tracks. The 993 is overweight so it lacks the toss-ability of a lighter 911. Both cars are great on the street, however.

Gandara

Thats right!

Francisco Martinez

I used to own a 1995 993 and if you like to be fast, well let me put it this way, nissan Altima R option or whatever is faster than the 993 and I had a LWFW, CAT-BYPASS, and CHIP. If you are not looking for a fast car but like a well balanced and beautiful looking car,then 993 is good. Still, for my taste, the 964t is better looking anyways so for me it would be a no brainer.

slownrusty

Yessss sirr!

C2 Turbo

Holy Batman Cow for bringing back 6 years old thread ... I guess by now,his Kids probably be driving a 997 TT

Gandara

Most definately.