shmark

I'm starting down the slippery slope and looking for advice. I've found p-car.com and a few things on this site, but looking for a contrast on the above models. The 95s seem to be quite a bit less, and I've heard about some "check engine" lights on the later models, so what's the scoop?

I also haven't found a buyer's guide/checklist and I know it's out there. My search abilities seem to be lacking.

pchak

There are a lot of posts where there's some fine details, so, I'll just give you my personal reasons for pulling the trigger on my '96 over a '95.

The '95 rear suspension is a tire eater. It was changed in '96. You can upgrade, but there better be a big enough difference in price to cover it.

The Varioram in the '96 gives you an add'l 12 hp.

The '95 suffers from the same potential CEL/SAI issues. It just doesn't let you know about them, since it doesn't have OBDII.

Of course, once you get on the slippery slope, a lot of your mods could make these points moot!

There was a post on buyer's guides a few daays ago:
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/255302-porsche-993-buyers-guide.html

cheers,

InTheAir

Generally speaking, it's 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

1995:
- OBDI computer that will NOT flag a Check Engine Light if the Secondary Air Injectors get clogged
- 272 bhp

1996-1998:
- OBDII computer that WILL flag a Check Engine Light if the SAI's get clogged
- 282'ish bhp
- Varioram Induction ( http://www.instant-g.com/Products/36...sion/VRAM.html )

The CEL flag may be inportant to you if you live in a state/country/territory/province/district (you get the idea) that conducts emissions testing.

Two other threads on the subject:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/252070-best-year-993-a.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/219262-95-vs-later-varioram-wtb-a-993-should-i-go-95-a.html

SCMomentum

Use the Search feature on the site (between "New Posts" & "Quick Links".....this has been thoroughly covered. Good luck on your search.

Bill Verburg

I agree, state or local emissions inspections can be a killer for '96 up OBD2 cars. Around here the first thing they do is plug the car into the state net, any codes will be flagged then you have to pay x amount of dollers to attempt a fix. Doesn't matter if it gets fixed(at least untill the next time) you just need to spend the $

vjd3

Go for the 95 ... spend $400 for a chip if you want the extra 10 hp, and rest assured that when your SAI valves get clogged, it won't mean a thing to your wallet.

My understanding is the alignment settings for the rear was changed for 96, not the suspension itself; you can align a 95 car to the 96 settings. I haven't noticed any difference in rear tire wear between the handful of 95s and the 97 car I owned.

AOW162435

Also, it's my understanding that clogged SAI passages will in no way affect the engine, performance wise or anything else.

I've heard the same regarding the rear suspension and had mine aligned to the revised settings last year. Tire wear looks normal after 5,000+ spirited miles.

Andreas

InTheAir

But you miss out on those pretty Varioram pipes..

SCMomentum

The '95 cars have a "rear suspension geometry" difference that cannot be aligned to '96 settings. It is my understanding that there is significantly more to it than that. That being said, I'm a certain that, except for minority few, it would be extremely difficult to tell a difference.

The other difference that I had a harder time with was the 'basket handle' third brake light. Late model '95 cars were manufactured without this but are much more rare. Is it worth the OBD/CEL/SAI issue? Opinions vary....for me I really wanted a widebody, which did not appear until 1996.

RallyJon

How about this: Find a '95 roller / bad drivetrain. Import a Euro OBD1 varioram engine and G50-21 'box and install them. Varioram and better gears and emissions invisible.

Ray Calvo

You've got the scoop. Find the best car you can for what you want to spend - irregardless of year.

Mark in Baltimore

Varioram can always be installed later since the car should have the new wiring harness. If not, Porsche will replace it for free.

TheOtherEric

That's simply not true. Heck, I can align my '93 Saturn to a 993 '96 settings if I want to. (hmmm...) I think what you meant to say is that you can't just tweak a '95 alignment settings to recreate the same suspension geometry in a '96. There are in fact minor geometry differences, yet nobody seems to know anything about them, such as exactly WHAT changed, or how MUCH it changed.

Edward

Varioram is nice, and the mild add'l midrange torque is never a negative. But this is not the tipping point, IMHO. Drive a good 95 and a later car back to back (I have) and it just isn't dramatic. Even the "numbers" bear this out. The added spectre of OBDII problems, not just the CEL issue but the added "fussiness" inherent to OBDII system (like the 4 O2 sensors!!) is a negative to anyone in a smog-reg state like California. But would this stop me from buying a good 96+ ...not at all. As Ray C. alluded, far more important than model year is your personal budget and condition of the car. FWIW, years ago I ended up passing on a rare, nice teal 96 because the owner refused to move on his price; I then stumbled onto my current 95 in beautiful condition. I have never regretted it a bit, and later found some real advantages to the 95.

Edward

Deanriffs

I drove several '95-'97s and could not tell a material difference prior to purchase. I agree that the condition/appearance of the car is paramount to the 993's model year.