guiness

Good morning.

I am currently looking at both 996's and 993's, and while my driving preference is definitely the 993, I don't know if I should be worried about reliability of the 993 on long trips. I have been reading a lot about the 993 and know they can eat oil.

Here is a hypothetical situation. I live in SC and will occasionally drive 800 miles each way to New York. Would I be crazy to consider doing this in a high mileage 993 (lets say 95k miles 1995 C4) or would it be fine if I added oil as needed on the trip? Is there a high chance I would run into overheating issues on a long trip as well? Additionally, I would want to take the kids on 2-4 hour long trips into the mountains of NC to ride the twisties on the weekends.

I am currently tossed between a 1995 993 C4 Coupe w/95k miles and a 1999 C2 996 Cab w/29k miles. My wife keeps pointing out my 04 vette doesn't have back seats and I am more than happy to move up from a vette to a 911.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Adrienne

I would not hesitate personally. Mine has 138,800 at the moment. Overheating is not a problem. Just bring oil with you and keep an eye on the level.

You might also consider taking the list of region contacts with you that were in Panorama last month. That way if you have any problems on the road, you have a local contact that can help.

97Targa

+1
Not wanting to fan the flames of the 993/996 "debate",
imho I always am leery about the 1st year of production of ANY car mfg.s new model.

guiness

Agreed. It is a factor in my decision.

I have a coworker here who has owned his mid mid eighties 944 for 21 years and has had nothing but scheduled maintenance done to it. I know if they are maintained well, they last a real long time.

The 993 I am looking at was a corporate fleet vehicle under one owner for 11-12 years. The car is in immaculate condition.

AOW162435

Guiness,
Some oil consumption is perfectly normal with the flat six. Or any motor for that matter. Remember that the 993 has a dry-sump oil system with around 12 quarts total capacity. Unless you are slinging the car around a track on a consistent basis, being slightly low on oil will not harm anything.

Rather than spark yet another 993/996 debate, I'll refer you to the search feature. You will find quite a few threads discussing 996 engine failures. Each have there strengths and weaknesses, but I would take a well-maintained, higher-mileage 993 over a low-mileage, early-build 996 any day.

I found my 993 in Seattle and then drove it home to Maryland, via Canada. 3,200 trouble-free miles. And nearly 9,000 more since with no issues.

Andreas

guiness

Andreas,

Thanks for the info. I have been utilizing the search and have read up a lot on the RMS and shaft issues with the early model 996's as well as the top-end rebuild risks on the 993's.

This site has provided a wealth of information for me on my ongoing evaluation and decision process and will continue to do so.

Thanks!

briefescape

I have a 95 C4 with 112k miles and it runs strong. It is all about regular maintenance . Personally I would trust my 112k miles 993 over a 12k miles 993
on long , short and or "spirited" drives . IMHO

Cheers Guy

ScubaJKD

Just MHO but after doing a ton of research I think the need to do a top end rebuild anywhere under 100K is a bit inflated. Lots of guys running lots of miles with regular maintenance and no problems. Of course they have the tray off hahahaha.

schred

Either car will get you to your destination.. but you will never turn around to look at the 996 as you are walking away from it!!!

2ndof2

Bring extra oil, a spare tire, an air compressor and jack, an extra key and battery for your alarm remote, an extra DME relay, a cell phone (dialing 112 works like 411 on other networks if you are out of your service area), a AAA card, a few spare light bulbs, a cash reserve, and a credit card with high limit. That should just about cover it! IMO the only advantages a 996 has besides a little more hp is a lower drag coefficient and a more comfortable seating position. Most people believe a 993 will depreciate more slowly than a 996.

BS911

My 95 has now hit 165,000 miles and still going. I've had a few issues lately - like a failed starter - but otherwise it has been absolutely reliable. I just replaced one of my lower valve covers that was leaking (the other to do soon) and my oil consumption has shown to be about half a quart here in the last 1000 miles. I bet most of that is through the other valve cover.

On long trips, the temps hold steady as can be. It never gets tired. However, After a long jaunt I have been getting a hard starting problem when still good and hot. Thanks for reminding me actually - that is my search for the day.

97Targa

LOL. + spare window switch

ZombiePorsche44

At 92k my 993 only burns about a quart every 2500 mi, so I could drive from San Diego to New York and use a quart or less.

Not a problem in my book! but like some others here, I suggest keeping a spare DME in the car just in case it fails in Podunk, Iowa or someplace even more remote where you can't get one!

ZP44

richardew

I make 2-3 trips a month @ 1200 miles/trip. I use a quart of oil every 7500 miles or so. The only extras I carry are a battery for the remote and a radial tire repair kit and of course a credit card.

993Maineiac

Last June I drove my 95 from Phoenix to Bangor, Maine-no muss no fuss and less then one quart of oil down at the end of the trip. This summer I plan to bring it to Laredo from Maine and have no hesitency, I am looking forward to it.

Al