epbrown01

I don't know about Michigan, but in IL the flat rate sales tax on a 10-year old car is $25, while it's 9% of purchase price/FMV on a 96 or newer. That's a few grand saved right there.

Emanuel

Mark in Baltimore

Another vote for a '95 here. I specifically sought an OBDI car to avoid any CEL issues. I also wanted a late model build '95 without the basket handle, ideally in polar silver/black. I got lucky and found my car in two weeks.

I also figured any performance differences I gave up by not having varioram could be made up with the Rennsport System/Steve Weiner chip.

Nearly three years later, besides oil, tires, brakes, fluid flushes, a bit of TRG here, a dash of Moton there and a spoonful of GT3 seats and some other goodies, my car has been bulletproof. And, so far, I've been able to skip over the many SAI/CEL issue threads.

WRT emissions, at least here in Maryland, if your car is too low, they will issue a two year waiver and give your car a pass. Those of you considering '96's might want to get PSS9's or some such and make sure the ride height is super low. It might mean having to get EVO uprights to compensate for bump steer but look at the added benefits!

97Targa

Try test driving a MY95 and a '96 or later and see which one you prefer. I don't know if you can FEEL the difference, but I'm pretty sure you'll HEAR the difference when the varioram opens up. It puts out a nice howl. Especially if it has a MS or aftermarket air box cover.
Good luck in your search.

InTheAir

In Michigan, the threshold is 15 years old.....so, the 6% rate applies to our 993's.

CalvinC4S

I am addicted to the sound the varioram makes when it opens up. That sound is worth all the OBD2 BS to me. The howling scream the car makes at 6,000 raises the hair on my arms. I personally would not own a 95 because of that alone. Or, that scream could just be my SAI system getting clogged up?

Father of 3

To me, SAI is a red herring, especially since the chemical flush seems to work fairly well. Think of it as adding $500 to each major service. A lot of money but not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. The real issue is valve guide wear which is a crap shoot, unless you know and can trust the prior owner. That being said, if you find a nice 95, go for it. I just think focusing on one model year is pretty limiting.

texas911

My 95 has the scream but it starts at 4000rpm.

MonkeyBoy

My 95 also makes a GREAT roar right at 4K. I went for 95 because I've got enough stress in my life and worrying about the CEL wasn't something I wanted to invest money or frustration in. $6K to me is a big deal, and I test drove 5 or 6 cars and found zero correlation between varioram and pull - some non-variorams were faster, some variorams were faster.

Livefreeandrive

Can someone explain why varioram would contribute to our well enjoyed howls? My 95 with RSRs, motosound airbox+ K&N airfilter REALLY howls at 4k when your back is really getting pinned to the seat in 2nd and 3rd gear! Fellow owners and Rlisters ask me at NHIS what I am running.
Steve

TheOtherEric

I personally think this is an urban legend. After owning a '96 and now a '95, I think they sound the same. But I also don't notice any difference in sound when using an open fabspeed-style airbox, so maybe I'm deaf...

97Targa

There are sections of the varioram that open up at higher rpms to effectivley change the configuration of the intake plenum.
1st section @ ~5k rpm. 2nd @ ~6k rpm.
Someone who knows the exact rpm will chime in?

Livefreeandrive

I understand the concept of changing the distance from airbox to cylinder and why it helps low rpm torque, but how it would change the actual sound is baffling to me?

97Targa

Like the slide on a trombone I suppose. Reminds me of my muscle cars when the four barrel opens up. But more exotic.

CalvinC4S

I remember when the first V-ram 993s where comming in, I didn't feel much change in power, but I could hear the change. When the intake air is rederected you can hear it.

vjd3

Ditto on the power ... had a 97 C2 and a few 95s. Little more midrange oomph, it seemed to me, in the 97, but a chip should offset that.

Vic
95 C4