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. Has anyone out there been in this same boat? I'd love your expertise gentlemen (and ladies)...

Simon Shearer

Having owned a 91 964 and a 95 993 (albeit both normally aspirated, not Turbo), IMO I wouldn't hesitate - 993.

While I understand your desire for speed and Turbo's are soooo fast, there is such a ride and handling difference between the two MY's (apart from the much cooler look of the 993).

I really don't agree that the underpinnings are the same, certainly not in such areas as multi-link rear suspension (versus semi-trailing arm on the 964), completely new manual transmission (6-speed rather than the 5-speed 964), and even the engine was improved with lighter pistons and connecting rods, a strengthened crankshaft, and most importantly as a point of difference with the 964, hydraulic valve adjustment (noting the need to do valve adjustments every 15K on the 964).

Then there's this forum...it's just not the same if you don't have one!

Just my 2c.

Jeff

Dual air bags in the 993 was a big plus for my wife as she is normally riding shotgun.
Further, I don't think the HP differential is that much different -- the 993 is plenty fast enough to get you in all kinds of trouble and would cost substantially less in terms of maintenance (valve adj. on the 964 and if the turbo brakes -- look out).
I'd go for a 95' 993 in order to avoid the CEL issue, with the lowest miles you can afford and I'd buy it from the owner, not a dealer.
Good luck.

Feehliks

I think it is a matter of taste. I have never owned a Turbo, but to my impression its looks are addictive. I finally restrained from one in favor of the 993, because I need to rely on this car. I had the impression, maintenance and fuel consumption of the turbo turns it into a car you do not want to use ona daily basis. And as I was purchasing my first 911, I wished to gain some experience, first.

Now, as you own an Audi and will not be depending completely on the turbo, you might be the ideal turbo owner. But from all what I have heard, the turbo can be badly expenisve. It is not only a matter of the price tag.

Best regards,

Felix

Chaos

My choice was a 95 993 or 87 turbo.

I felt the newer technology on the 993 to good to pass up. I also feel it is better looking and cheaper(if possible) to maintain.
I have not regetted my chioce once !
Good Luck !

Mark in Baltimore

Have you driven either of them? I bought my 993 for its gorgeous looks and because it has always been THE 911 I've lusted after. However, a mighty, curvy 3.6 liter 964 T sure has great appeal for me, despite older technology and slightly higher maintenance costs. It's a turbocharged 911, after all, brought to you by the racing turbo specialists of the world. With 75 more hp than a 285 hp 993, it will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and probably does it in a different manner than my car.

But a '91 3.3 liter 964 Turbo only has 35 more hp more than a 993 and actually weighs about 210 lbs more than a 993, lessening the performance gap. Of course, a stock 3.3 liter motor could be modded much more easily than a NA 993 to kick out more juice. I'm not sure what the 0-60 specs of the 3.3 are, but I wouldn't be swayed by the smaller engined turbo. Present a 3.6, though, and you'd get my attention.

Good luck!

Simon Shearer

Mark: your attention or your money? Let's say you could get it $5k less than yours...given what I've seen (and heard) in your car, I bet you'd stay with the 993...once bitten it's hard to give them up!!

Mark in Baltimore

Simon,

Definitely my attention but perhaps not my money. Still, if both cars are completely stock, it would be close. I lusted for a 993 for years after I saw a blue one on I-95 near the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel nine years ago. Darn near went crazy when I saw it and declared it the sexiest Porsche I had ever seen. That's why the 993 gets the nod, that and the lower maintenance costs of a slightly newer car. But 360 hp from a turbo!

It's not that I'm at all dissatisfied with the 993; it's just that, as a 993 owner, the obvious answer is to choose a 993. But, for me, as nice as the 993 is, it's not the only Porsche I would love to own.

Rezal

Sounds like you need a 993TT now Mark! Best of both worlds. Maybe your sponsors can pitch in!

Mark in Baltimore

Oh, jeez, Rezal! Stop giving me The Thoughts.

If my "sponsors" doubled their contributions, I might be able to buy a set of tires. Bald ones, at that.

Seriously, I'm very happy with the 993 and have no intention of selling it for something else.

TomF

I'm with you Mark. The 94 3.6 Turbo is the car to have...although very pricey since it is a collectors item. The 993 is much more refined and easy to drive. For DEs, I swould take the 993 over the 964 Turbo. For Fun, and a not a daily driver, I would probably take the Turbo. There is NOTHING like the torque that they can produce- not quite big-block Corvette accelleration, but much, much more fun. It goes without saying that the 993TT is the ultimate incarnation of the species!

Patrik S

I have had both and here are my 2c:

The 964 3.3T was a supercar in 1991. It looks wild like the 911 LeMans cars and the turbo kick i great. It can also be used as a GT. On track itīs a challenge but a little to heavy. As itīs a supercar the service/maintenance bill will be a bit higher.

The 993 also looks great! Not as wild as the Turbo but more balanced. Itīs the last of the aircooled 911īs and in some sence I feel Porsche got everything right with the 993.
The 993 has less understeering and is also a lot more nice to drive on the limit. You can get it a little wrong without a disaster. It will powerslide without you having to change your shorts afterwards. It also sounds great with the Porsche sound package, much like my previous 964 RS with cup-pipe.

I did love the 964 Turbo but I love the 993 more. My choice of the 964T, 964RS and 993C2 is the 993C2

clubrcr

I had both a 95 993 and a 94 3.6 Turbo. They are different which makes them hard to compare, but I would advise you to get the 993. The car is better in so many ways thna the older 3.3 turbos, less expensive to own, a better daily driver and although I love the way the older turbos look, they are somewhat dated.

Just my two cents.