RustyRotors

I am new to the board and seek your advise. I currently own a '01 Boxster S and a '90 944S2. Both daily drivers. I am potentially selling the 944 and have an opportunity to purchase a one owner '96 993. 70k miles. Meticulous service records all from dealer. Silver with full read leather interior, 6 speed, upgraded sound, sunroof etc..I do not have the full details but there was a substantial repair done at 50k for excessive carbon issues. The repair was expensive but covered by Porsche.

So help me out. What do I need to concern myself with? I know lots about the Boxster but admit I am a little shy on the 993 product.

Price is $38k - perhaps you could enlighten me as to value.

Thanks in advance.

Ron

chris walrod

The good: typical carbon build-up problems already addressed and complete records are great to have.

The bad: pricing of $38K is a bit on the high side, but you can always negotiate

1996 993's are more expensive to 'chip', but is the first year for VarioRam, which is ~12 more ponies. Otherwise, these cars never had large changes, just small, very small refinements. Great car all in all..

GrantG

Ron - Sounds like a beatiful car (same colors as mine ). I think the price is slightly high (more than I paid and mine had 1/2 the mileage), but if it's nice you'll love it. Make sure you have an extensive review by a good mechanic. I might pay $35k if it's really nice.

See when/if the shocks were replaced/upgraded. This is a must have for a car with this mileage...

RustyRotors

My wife has not seen the car and I forgot the camera when I looked at it.

Thanks for the tips.

- Ron

Mark in Baltimore

I agree that the price is on the high side, but if it's a one owner car, has never been hit, has had the SAI issue rectified, has had good maintenance and seems sound all-around, the value of the higher price may lie in the lack of maintenance issues down the road. 'Course, you can always negotiate, too.

I also think the silver/red interior would look pretty cool, much better than boring, old black.

Ty Smith

I don't think $38k is so bad. I searched for almost a year and recently got a '95. The potential carbon build up problem really bothered me on the '96+ years.
I owned a '90 944 S2 too, great car, but the 993 is a dream.. You'll love it..

993inNC

Ty, you have the same carbon problem on your '95, the only difference is that you have the OBDI system which doesn't read signals for the SAI problem. It's an emissions reading during the first minute of start up.....until and if it ever gets really bad, you won't see any real difference in performance and unlike the '96 and later cars you won't get a CEL code thrown. But don't think you don't have the same problem we do.


38K does seem a little steep.....unless the car is pristine, but sounds like a nice car.

Ty Smith

Hi Chris, Yes, I agree. Just don't get the check engine light on the '95. I was looking for any low miles Guards Red 95 - 97. Just happened to be a '95. The CEL issue was a plus for the '95, for me.
Love it by the way...

Berkley

these clean examples are getting hard to find.....so you pay a 10% premium...the intangibles you mentioned are worth IMHO

Okay Ty...when do I get my ride????????????????????????????????

RustyRotors

So once the carbon issue is fixed for the first time is it likely to come back? Ever? Is this recurring or a permanent fix?

Thanks
Ron

90 944S2
01 BoxsterS
99 Boxster - sold
85 911cab turbo look - sold

GrantG

I would guess that it will have been restored to new condition, since it was fixed at the dealer. So, the problem with probably recur, but not for 50k miles or so (just like a new one). I think it would take an aftermarket fix to make it permanent (like bigger SAI ports or some way of defeating the system entirely).

Note that this carbon problem does nothing to affect the way the car runs and you can just buy a code reader at Pep Boys for $80 that will turn off the Check Engine Light - so it's not very serious...

trojanman

The carbon build-up problem, although very annoying and potentially expensive to repair, is really not the "big ticket item" on these cars... worn valve guides are, and '95s are no more immune to this issue than any other (nor are '96s more prone than any others).

The big question is "is the car burning oil?" If it's burning a quart more frequently than every 1,500 to 2,000 miles, that's too much and a sign that the guides may be worn. This is a major repair... ask me how I know.

I'd find out from the maint. records what was actually done to "fix" the SAI issue... did they take the engine apart? did they physically ream the SAI ports or just flush them? was the top end rebuilt (i.e., new guides/valves)?

Keep in mind that, for the most part, plugged SAI ports are only a symptom of other problems (some of them minor, some of them not).

Just my $.02 as someone who's been through the wringer on this issue.

trojanman

Them's fightin' words...