ammo_collector

I'm having trouble deciding between a 1999 996 and 1996 993. They both have between 30-40K miles, with the 993 having better options (motor sound, CD, TechArt exhaust, 18" wheels, carbon fiber, TechArt Turbo S wing, and TechArt front splitters). The 996 has the hifi CD sound and traction control. The 996 is priced approximately 7K more.

I like the exterior looks of the 993 better, but the interior of the 996 better. Both drive very well with the 993 feeling more "sporty", but with the 996 slightly edgeing out the 993 in the torque department.

Any advice?

993RS

Both are great cars. Advice? Get what you personally like best.

brandon

I was in the same boat - liked the 993 body better (996 too slab sided & the '99 looked like a boxster from the front). Both are a kick to drive. 996 a wee bit faster. WRT the "traditional" interior of the 993 - I was initially a little put off by it...grew to absolutely love it - living history - fully functional - racing heritage.

Good luck!

Jack Ennuste

I depends on what do you seek.

If Your Porsche is Your main car, You'd propably prefer 996. It is comfortable, quiet and easy car.

If You are going to race and look for a toy, then 993 is right choice. More sportier, noisier, harsher, not so sophisticated. It smells like sportscar, it feels like one.

Ron

The 996 is more refined, aerodynamic, ergonomic, with lots more low end torque. Having always wanted a Porsche and driven many over the years I found the 996 not to my liking. So I bought a 993.

The 996 is a great car it just was not my preference.

993Widebody

Choice is pretty obvious, 993 is the best of the air cooled, 1999 996 is the worst of the water cooled.

spinning disc

if you've driven both, what are your driving impressions?

just curious. i had the same issues; however i noticed that pre-2002 3.4litre watercooled engines did not seem different in character (more torquey or not) than the 3.6litre aircooled motors. i did notice, however, that the 3.6litre watercooled engine (320hp) is a real screamer.

JPS

As you can see, you will get a variety of opinions. This is of course the 993 board, so factor in any biases you might have.

Bottom line, they both are great cars. They are both, after all, the 911. I think the 996 is more refined, and that can be good or bad, depending on what you are looking for.

Both have the split personality...you can go to the track, or go get a quart of milk. In the 993, the milk might be a bit more shaken up by the time you get home . I personally like milkshakes, so this suits me fine.

Can't go wrong either way, in my opinion.

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ammo_collector

Hey guys, thanks for all your responses. I am leaning towards the 993 because of three factors, looks, sound, and price. The main stopping point is the engine. From my memory, the week spent in a friend's 3.4 996 left me with with one word to describe the car: TORQUE. A few more questions:

1. Am I exaggerating the torque difference between the 3.4 996 and 993? Anyone have had both?

2. This will be my weekend toy so being comfortable and quiet is not high on my list. However, I am worried that the car will not be suitable for long trips such as going up along the coast from LA to San Francisco due to harshness. Anyone have experience with long trips?

3. I like the engine sound and exhaust of the 993 than the 996. Anyone else have the TechArt exhaust and notice any resonance?


3.

Craig W.

993, enough said.

red targa

My 96 Targa came with TechArt exhaust. Sounds really nice, don't usually notice any resonance, except for one time when I drove with roof down around 55 mph. At that time, notice a rumble-like, low frequency resonance(?).

Haven't notice it for a long time, maybe just got used to it?

My preference goes with 993, because it is the last of the air cool. There will always be newer, faster, better water cooled 911 coming in the future. So I decided to buy the best air-cooled Porsche.

Just my 0.02


Good luck with your choice, both are pretty good anyway...

Jack Ennuste

Complaints about 993 torque???

993 3.6 torque 340 Nm (pre vario ram 330 Nm)
996 3.4 torque 350 Nm

Maybe the torque curve is different, but anyway, Porsche is not ment to drive at 2000 RPM.

If 340 Nm is not enough, put TPC supercharger ontop (US6000) and get at least +100 Nm.

Ron

The 2002 996 is a screamer as Cokey said. I don't know how much torque it has but it sure seems like a lot more than my varioram 993. The torque on the 2002 966 comes on at a much lower rpm more like an American muscle car. I think it came on strong at about 3000 rpms. I drove a 2001 996 and it clearly lacked the torque curve of the 2002 motor, that is it was not as strong at say 3000 rpms as the 2002.

As far as harshness goes that's really subjective. My car has H&R coilovers, front strut brace, has been lowered slightly and is to me quite firm.

As was said the 993 is the best air-cooled Porsche produced and certainly the most developed.

Whirlwind

Long drives?

I just flew to Houston last month to pick up my new (to me) 1996 C4S. I drove it home to Indianapolis - 1054 miles. I drove one day from 3pm until midnight, slept 6 hours, and drove ffrom 6am until 1pm.

My backside felt fine, my back felt fine, and the ear to ear grin still hasn't worn off!!!!

I thought the car was very tolerable on even the longest of trips. I'd think a couple of hundred miles on a reasonably smooth road would be a joy in a 993 any day.

Rolo

Go with the 993. You will be happier in the long run, I had the very same choice. Bought a 993 4s over a 99 996. Not even close for me.