CP

Hi Folks,

Thanks for all the tips on the distinguishing features of the 993. Armed with your observations, I went back to Flat6 and studied all those cars again, and discovered the main difference bewteen the flared wheel-wells of the 930 versus the enhanced butt of the 993. I now also pay much more attention to the shapes, locations, and sizes of the bumpers.

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the 993 has the best 'flowing' lines of all the 911 models. It also has the best proportions in terms of length, width, height, and the cabin above and below the belt-line. Somehow, in the 993, Porsche managed to combine a wide body design, yet with pronounced, flared, wheel-wells. It is all in one sexy and aggressive. That's a stroke of genious.

I now see that all prior 911s, up to the 964, has almost up-right headlights. Much like the up-right, flat wind-shield of the old VW Beetle, that look conveys the by-gone days. Whereas the 993, with less obtrusive head-light tunnels, sloping, yet round headlights, looks so much more modern, yet unmistakeably Porsche.

I am not a fan of the tear-drop shaped head light housing on the 996. That's not classic Porsche. It doesn't help that it is a shared design element with the Boxster. Also, the 996 looks longer, flater, (I'm thinking Porsche thought it is 'sleek') and much less curvaceous than the 993.

Gosh, just love the way the 993 looks. What a design, what a car. I always realize that I love the look of the 993, now I can even explain why.

Thanks everyone.

CP

jago

what i keep coming back to when looking at the 993 design , is that the car can resemble a 40-year old exotic design , while still looking so sleek and up to date.

ca993twin

I parked my car outside a stripmall tonight, in front of some sort of a salon with a large blue sign saying "Curves". I must find a way to photograph my car in front of that sign, or get that sign reflected in the Porsche's "curves".

csertich

Good one Steve. You really should get those pictures. Your car is beautiful.

On the 993, the car appears sculpted as opposed to manufactured. The bulge of the rear fenders (narrow or wide) and the way the round headlghts melt into the front fenders. Looking down the side of the car, you see various curves that are integrated so well. Had the same feeling in looking at this body work as I did when I saw my first 1963 289 Shelby Cobra. I was thirteen, rode my bike to the dealer the first day it got there.

OOPS. Rambled again.


But the 993 is one of the most beautiful automotive shapes to me. Just my opinion.

chuck

os993

Even after having my 95 993 coupe for over four years, and it being my daily driver, I still turn around and stare at it after I park it everytime!! I do it so no one really sees me (seems silly to turn around and do a few double-takes of your parked car day-in and day-out..), but I do.

My 993 is such a pleasure to look at (driving it is another story and another thread), that I still can't take my eyes off it's perfect shape, beauty and functionality. I love my 17" cups, narrow-body coupe lines, powder coated calipers, dual exhaust, well you get the picture...

No disrespect to the newer Porsches, but they just don't do it for me the same way - just my personal opinion and what inspires me. I LOVE my simple interior, form-following-function design, beautiful engine bay and old-school heritage (yes, even to to beloved air-cooled VW's).

If I won the lottery tomorrow, I wouldn't have to worry about buying my dream car - I already have it!

CP

Oleg,

For 109k miles, your seats look brand spanking new. Or were those pics when the car was new?

Great looking car, love the rear spoiler.

CP

Jober

***************
993 is not beautiful, it's gorgeous! Why?

It still has *****.

***************

I totally agree ..!!!

os993

LOL, ....CP, you're great! Those pics were taken at 100k miles, but at 109k miles, seats still look awesome - I thank Porsche for that (I also do Griots leather conditioner once every 3-6months - great product, bty..)

I need to update my pics to show-off my PSS-9's - stay tuned...

Life really starts after 100k miles.

CP

Oleg,

My in-coming car started life in December 1994 as a MY 95 993 C2. In August 2000, it went through a complete RUF conversion and emerged as a RUF BTR-2. It now has roughly 95,000 miles on the odometer, even though the car had only accumulated 25k miles since the RUF conversion. Thus mechanically, it's practically new.

I have always wondered if an odometer reading of 95k miles is a detriment to the car, especially reading how most borad members have, or are buying, cars in the 16k to 45k miles range. It intrigues me about the driving habits of owners who accumulate only 30k miles over some eight years of ownership. I have always averaged about 26k miles per year, usually spread amongst two cars, yet my commute is only 12 miles one way. I drive A LOT for fun.

So it's enlightening to see your thought on the mileage issue. I probably will never sell the RUF, so the heck with the odo reading.

CP

Terry Adams

Check your rear view mirror when stopped at a light. The people in the car behind you, not necessarily car freaks or gear heads, are often engaged in a conversation about the shape of the 993. How I know is not by reading lips, but watching their hands describe the curves.

Blizzard

I love to see a 993 on the highway and just get behind to enjoy the view. I am usually driving my Explorer when I do this and hope the P car driver understands why I am chasing him down the highway.

Caveman

Hi Guys,

I agree with everyone's comments though if I am totally honest I think the current turbo and 4S look excellent Just as the 996 is bowing out they are getting the shape right! If you download the Porsche screen saver from their main web-site it morphs an early 911 into a 3.2 into 964 into 993 into a 996 and is that a 997 at the end (?!). You can clearly see the bumper line getting higher up the wings and the wheels growing. It makes quite addictive viewing....

Cheers,

David

blackcat

Speaking of looks, what do folks think of the Carrera GT? I like some of the styling elements (headlights, the 'negligee' over the engine compartment), but taken as a whole I don't think it looks balanced - the huge air scoops at the rear need something done with them, for one thing...

ca993twin

Words fail me...

Seljan

It's hard to beat that arena red turbo in the looks department