Mrdi

Looking at the purchase of a 993 I'd like the variable valve timing (96 first year); it seems the 98's are the most highly prized because of being the last year produced. That leaves me thinking that perhaps the ideal year for me would be the 97, staying away from the first year, 96, of the variable valve timing.(Typical first year problems?)
I'm sure many here have entertained the same thoughts, and was hoping some would comment on the differences between these models to consider and the direction they chose in relation to same.
Thanks,
Mrdi

Robert Henriksen

The Varioram was the only major change in '96. So 94/95 was really the shake-out-the-bugs year. I don't know of any failings in '96 that were corrected in 97/98.

I was happy to find an ideal '96, as it had the Varioram, yet was the oldest of the 96-98 line, so I saved some money on the purchase over a newer model.

Mdrury

I'd echo Robert's comments ( I bought a '96 ).
A reference guide I found handy at the time is the "Porsche 911 Red Book" ISBN 0-7603-0723-7. Retails at $12.95. It has enough detail to help you understand what you're looking at. Good hunting.

Curtis - '97 Targa

Mrdi,
The feature that was new in '96 was VarioRAM. This is essentially an intake manifold that adjusts the plenum length according to load and rpm.

I don't believe that any 993's had variable valve timing VarioCAM.

Curtis

Ray Calvo

Mrdi, I'll go along with Robert's and Michael's commments; I know of no unique/added problems on '96 vs. later 993's. '96 thru '98 are very similar. So, with the chance to save a couple of thousand $$$, I would definitely say include the '96 cars in your selection.

CC993

Mrdi...

I would urge you to take your own advise as posted on the 911 board and buy the nicest 993 you can afford...if you can go for a 98, do so...instead of a couple of months, it may be a couple of years but you will never regret it...an investment in a nice 98 993 will be tough to beat...

GratefulJED

Lonn:
Could not have said it better meeself, although I learned the hard way after I bought my 96 fast for little cash and had to dance my way out of it and into my present p-car before the value and the car went south...

thorander

OK,
Which 993 is the best one?
Very difficult question, but in my point of view it would be the '96 Coupe 2 wheel drive European Style, not just because I have one but according to these points:

1. It has VarioRam which '94-'95 MY does not. The midrange torque, 2500 - 4000 rpm is greatly increased which makes the car much more 'drivable', less shifting...
2. It's narrow body which is lighter and has less graf than the wide body version - it's faster...
3. It has, which is most important the G50/21 gearbox whith shorter gears, the '97 - '98 models do not. example: in fifth gear between 50 - 75 MPH, it takes almost 8.6 sec. for the '97 - '98 MY but only 6.8 sec for the '96 MY. The 996 time is 6.7 sec.
4. It does not have the stupid american extra lambda sond system that only causes pain

Since the only changes they made during MY 96-97-98 was for the worse, in my opinion, in order to reduce noice, emissions, etc. Why pay a premium for a 'newer' car. What counts is the milage and/or how the car has been treated. A well treated '96 with say 40k on the clock might be a much better buy than a '98C2S if you are looking for driveability and speed. For Porsche S does not mean 'Sport', it's more 'Special' but for me it's not that special.

Peter C2 '96 Coupe 18" Hollow spokes