billh1963

Have you ever been in a position where you couldn't make up your mind?

Ever since I sold my '96 C4S last December I have hated being Porscheless. I'm now in a position to buy another one but I can't make up my mind! My budget is capped at around $45k to $50K so the options available are:

2002 996 - great driving car with loads of nice amenities and factory warranty. These cars are now becoming available for under $50K. The higher horsepower 3.6L engine, better headlight treatment, etc. make them superior to the 993 in almost every respect (except character and engine reliability!)

1996-1997 993 C4S - the car that pulled me into owning Porsche's. To me it's the ultimate NA 993 and is the pinnacle of the air-cooled breed. Good reliabilty, great depreciation rate (minimal), and phenomenal looks

1996-1998 993 C2 - excellent value proposition. Multiple thousands less than a C4S yet still a heck of car. And yes, in my opinion a better driver than the C4S!

So, where am I? Still flip-flopping between the 996 and another 993. My head, seat of the pants, etc. pulls me to the 996. My heart (maybe nostalgia?) and financial side pulls me to the 993.

Since I can't have both what criteria should I use? I have even thought of buying a higher mile 993 C2 and a higher mile 996 and having both but that's not really practical. For those new to the 993 world who have recently faced the same dilemma how did you decide?

911

Bill,

I know you still miss your Turqoise Blue C4S, so......Get another one! Have fun in your search.

Rich

rcwelch

Bill...I really can't compare a 996 with the 993. I personally feel that the 996 is way more creature comfortable and advanced but I know that is exactly why I don't like them, along withthe way they made the body loose all its old style character. I can just sit for hours and admire the flowing lines of the 993(and mines only a C2 narrow body). Having had one,I know you know what I mean. At local events when I park next to a 996, almost everyone comments about how nice the 993 looks, while the 996 owner is standing right there too. Just my $.02 worth. Good luck!

paradisenb

I just bought a 98 C2S. For me it was an easy decision. I don't feel the soul of a Porsche in the 996 model. I wanted the pinacle of Porsche air-cooled technology. That's the 993. You will likely find pleasure in both cars. Picture yourself driving both. Set up various senarios. Change cars. How do you feel. Buy the one you feel best in when you are dreaming. Then make the dream a reality.

I for one place high value on a pensive, calculating mind. Valuable asset. Use it well!

Jastx

If you will use it every day, having a warranty is nice (yeah I know people use their 993 every day). I chose a 993 because I plan to keep it, in a way like a modern 356. The aircooled history was a factor in my decision. If I were buyng to use as my regular car, I would strongly consider a 2002 car with warranty (and better performance) over a '98 with no warranty for the same money. However, the new cars without a warranty are a scary proposition to me. I would buy an extended warranty or plan to get out of it before the warranty expired. The 993 doesn't seem to have the same risk of gigantic repair bills. $50K is not a small amount. It's an important decision.

billh1963

I think everyone is probably right...I'm leaning towards the 993 because of the same reasons I bought before...looks, reliability, and character.

The pull of a warranty, higher horspower, etc. is powerful, however.....

rcwelch

Don't listen to the whisper of the witch...she knows not what she speaks....the only truth is the car with the soul.

Cloud964

996 is very nice, but I can't find any 911 soul in it. If you want a 911, get a 993. A 996 is a very nice modern GT, sought of like what Nissan will build if they want to upgrade their 350Z.

993RS

Come on, stop pretending! You are seriously asking a 993 board whether to buy a 993 or a 996?
If you were seriously considering a 996, you would have asked the 996 board....

Steve 96C4S

Hey Bill (aka Flip Flop)- I can't believe you're back, after all that! Congrats on your great fortune in that you are able to have to make this decision all over again. The only thing I can tell you is that you might want to consider getting something very different than before, like maybe a 98 C2S (last of the air-cooled so maybe you'll want to keep forever) OR how bout a 98 Targa for something completely different? Those glass roofs are soooo cool to me! They are very unique as well as I think they only made 122 that year.

As to buying a 2002 996, I can't offer any experience on that. They sure would be more reliable, but I didn't buy my car for reliability, or even ultra comfort for that matter. I bought it for visceral feel, the lovely simple interior that so attracted me to my 88 911, and that heavenly body. The body of the 2002 does absolutely nothing for me. It's nice looking, it's still a Porsche, but I don't pine away for one. I took a very long test drive in one once and they are nicer than my car in almost every respect, except for looks - and looks is why I ended up with my car.

You know this already because every time you cleaned your ole C4S you stood back from it when you were finished and smiled from ear to ear. You had the most unique looking C4S in your whole town!!! You loved that aspect of it, I'll bet. If you do get a 2002, maybe you could at least get a speed yeller one

Good luck with your decision.
Steve

cecil

i found my self wanting a luxury GT car. I want a different car every few years and I've had my 993 forfive so I was due for a change. The 0993 is a sports car in every way and I really wanted a luxury GT this time so I'm getting a BMW 840ci. I not sure how this answers your question but I don't think of the 996 as a true luxury GT. It may be closer than a 993 but it's not there in my view. The 993 will be sold to make room in the garage for the very low mileage 840 auto. Not sure what or when my next Porsche will be but it may be one of the 4 cylinder, crank window, heater like a match versions

lexpilot

Because of the extra trunk space and quieter interior you may find that you drive a 996 20-50% more than you drive a 993. The 996 is comfortable for a 300 mile trip noise wise whereas the 993 tires me out. Of course, if you're driving a thousand miles take the Lexus, you'll be much more rested.

billh1963

It looks like several of you have me figured out....the 993 is my vision of the perfect Porsche so it's back to the 993 I go.

Steve's right about looking at some other options....I am seriously considering a targa in the mix. Prices look good and although they don't have the big reds and turbo twists I love on the C4S, they are interesting and relatively rare.

Okay, I'm back in the hunt for a C4S, C2S, or a Targa (condition and price are greater determining factors than model at this point). Any leads other than the usual ebay and autotrader ads (which I monitor daily)?

Naturally, I prefer interesting colors!

Steve 96C4S

How bout this 15k mi 98 Targa in Ocean Blue/ Grey at Rocky Mtn Autosports for $56500: (you are checking out www.cars.com too, right?)


Then there's always the good ole standby 38K mi 97 C4S in a familiar color to you for $54900 on Rennlist classifieds which would be kind of boring, having the same exact car AGAIN! Go for something different!


Oh the joy (or pain) of finding another car. We both know this will be a tough one as we've been through this together before. It's hard to trust what people say about their cars in general. At least that's what I've found. The pics on the internet sometimes look better than what turns up in alot of dealer showrooms when you visit these cars in person .

Steve

billh1963

Thanks for the leads, Steve.

I'm hoping to stay in the mid-$30's to mid-$40's in this hunt. I doubt I'll find another car as cosmetically and mechanically excellent as my C4S was but I'll try. Time is on my side. I really don’t want a garage queen and mileage in the 40k to 50k mile range is acceptable. I’ve seen several targas in various mags and on ebay in the mid $30K range that would suit me nicely.

As you know from your own hunt almost two years ago there is a wide range of vehicle conditions in the price range I want to be in.

The biggest challenge is the old “value” game. What I (the buyer) and what the seller think a car is worth has to be somewhat close. I looked at a car this weekend that proved that point. It was a 38K mile low optioned ’96 C2 in very good condition that the seller wanted $44k for. I told him it was a nice car but my similar conditioned C4S sold for the same price over a year ago. I offered him a realistic high $30’s. He told me he’d burn the car before he sold the car for less than $43k. He’ll be sitting on that car for a long time.

Anyway, the ecstasy and the agony begin again….