SCMomentum

I don't own this car for it's luxuriousness, warranty, safety, etc. I own it because it is as aesthetically pleasing of a vehicle that I have ever seen. It's a 993 for God's sake.

People never mistake it for a Boxster....ever.

The last of the originals...the last of the air-cooled 911's....what more could a person ask for?

993RS

SCMomentum,
Agree with you fully. Same here. Whenever I look at the water-cooled models, then look at mine again, I still find mine aesthetically the most pleasing for my tastes.

Sonic dB

Most people rave about the exterior styling of the 997....but lets be honest: Primary difference is the Round Headlights.

If the 996 had Round Headlights....most people would love the looks of that one too.

Too bad that a lot of people cant see past that.

Im not defending the 996 so much as saying that other than the Round Headlights, the lineage from the 996 to the 997 is quite apparent.

Sonic dB

Oh yeah... some minor flares were added on the 997 too.... so in most Porsche lovers eyes....Porsche sinned with the 996 by not using Round Headlights and Flairs...

to argue over the benefits of Air Cooling vs. Water Cooling is absolutely ridiculous....

texas911

Why would that be a problem? Unless you're poser and are buying the 911 strictly for bling. The Boxster is on heck of a great car too, and its 100% Porsche.

SCMomentum

What's up with the name calling. Poser?...hardly.

My point being...a 993 is never confused with anything....a 996 often is.

texas911

Why would you care if someone mistaked your a 911 for a Boxster? I don't get it? Are you implying that people buy 911's just to let everyone know how much more they cost over the Boxster? What a lame reason to own a 993.

SCMomentum

You seem to keep on trying to put words in my mouth. Last time I had a conversation like this....oh never mind. I'm past that stage in my life. I have never said anything negative about the Boxster. Never.

I explained why I like the 993...it's aesthetically pleasing to me...... It also has a unique, one of a kind look, unlike other 911's. It's my humble opinion and as far as yours goes...why don't you tell us what it is instead of belittling others thoughts and feelings?

texas911

Oh gee, that's not a rip on the Boxster is it?

SCMomentum

Actually it's not...it is just a statement of fact. It doesn't look like any other car and is never mistaken for one. If I wanted to make it sound derogatory one would definitely know. If I offended you, I apologize...but there is no need to be so aggressive in addition to insinuating things that are just not true. Here, let me make this better for you:

Jastx

That the 996 looked too much like the Boxster was the big gripe in the market. It did. People who spent a ton more on a 911 didn't like that the average person couldn't tell the difference from certain angles. Frankly, neither could most Porschefiles. It was a legitimate gripe, it was confusing in the market, it was a mistake by Porsche (done to save $) and the main reason they changed the headlights in 2002. SCMomentum's comment about the 993 not being confused as something else is totally relevent and appropriate and has nothing to do with being a poseur or ripping on the Boxster. Give him a break. The Boxster is a fine car. The 911, however, is an icon. Regardless of the performance qualities of each, they should not be confused with each other.

Pzkw993

The interior of the 997 is also a tremendous advance over the 996, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this. I saw a Full Leather stitched interior 997 at Detroit and was gobsmacked.

I would take a new aircooled 911 (say, a car from a parallel universe where Porsche continued to develop the 993 until 2005) over a brand new 997 for one reason, however: the windshield and the intimacy of the interior. I like having that vertical glass twelve inches from my face, it enables me to make much more precise judgements when driving fast on the road. The 997 is just obviously a larger car.

But who am I kidding? The minute I have the extra money, I'll buy a 2002 996 with the bigger motor and park it right next to the 993. They're all wonderful cars.

mborkow

"the windshield"
i haven't been in either a 996 or a 997...is the windshield that different? i remember when i first got my 993 (my first p) that the windshield seemed like it was right against my face. are the new windshields placed more like other cars?

Ron PCar

For me, having driven both the 996 and 993, the biggest difference would be everyday driveability. The 993 is truer feeling 911 but it can wear you out, the 996 is easier shifting, etc thus a more everyday around town car, expecially where you have traffic. Thats the biggest diff for me at this point.

Like I said, i can rattle off 5 911 models I would love in the stable but for right now,it may be on at a time. I think my question comes down to do i keep my 993 to bridge to a used 997 when the come available in a few years, or take advantage of a 2002 996 with a $10k cushion to bridge me, and tool around in a different 911 model for a while. Maybe only i can answer that question.

But for the board, i will change direction. How many people, given the chance would ONLY drive their 993 or would take the oppty to instead drive a different version of the 911 breed (lets even say starting with a 356 or the 930) every year until every model up to the 997 was fully experienced and appreciated?

911

I don't think that was SCmomentum's intention. I believe he was making the point that these two cars (996 & 986) look too similar. When these cars first came out, it was very difficult to tell them apart from the front.