cnrfan

Hello everyone. I am researching hard these days as I am about to get a 993, just weighing all factors to get the right car for me. I read in a buyers guide that the 96 and up models had some differences such as glued-in windows and OBDII. So my question is what are (if any) pros and cons between these model years and what are some year specific things to watch out for?
Again, thanks for any assistance, this site has been a HUGE help in my education!
Aaron

Edward

Hi Aaron,

Welcome to the board! There is LOTS on this question in the archives. Grab a drink and sit back. But for the record, 95s are simply better.
...ok, that'll get 'em started

Edward

cnrfan

Thanks for the welcome Edward. I also read 95's have problems with 17" and larger wheels, any truth to that?

97Targa

Nice shot across the bow Edward.

TRINITONY

Search is your friend....lot's info...maybe we should make thest topics a sticky..

97Targa

Ok I'll bite. The '96-'98 have more horse power and better rear suspension.

TRINITONY

right..

97 and up have a lil thing light switch to help you find the hole...ignition I meant.

Glacier White only in 97+

All cars subject to valve guide wear, but only OBDII won't pass smog because of a thrown CEL.

One year suffers from exploding rear glass..can't rem which.

All years are fine, buy the one that's in da best condition.

allill

as long as it's a 993!

TRINITONY

oh..all white cars are the fastest..strongest

some 95's don't have dat stoopid key fob.

Chipping is different, cost and method depending on year.

Basket handle on some 95's.

Rick K

Hey Aaron,

Lots of info around this on this site as well as PCA tech site for 993s. I just went through the same process a few months ago and ended up buying a '95 993.

As mentioned, the '96-98 has the potential for the "check engine" light problem which is roughly a $1500 fix every 60K miles or so depending how you drive the car (unless you take it to the dealer and they quote you 6K).

The '96-98s have more horsepower (don't quote me here but 10-20 HP I believe). Also, the '96-98s have updated rear suspension components (this has been discussed in length on this site and the PCA tech site). Porsche hasn't officially said why the suspension components were changed, but the common consensus is that at the limit on corners, the '95s have a tendency to wiggle and the car can come around on you. I actually believe I am struggling w/ some problems w/ this right now, as I have a higher mileage '95 and am having troubles w/ the rear suspension - although not sure its the same as I am getting wiggle when I left in the apex of the corner and when I come on the brakes at highway speed. Working on getting the suspension components updated in the rear right now, keep an eye out for a future post from me as soon as this gets resolved.

Either way you go, nice choice.

Butzi

'95's have better horns.

I had no problems smogging my '98, but a lot of Californians are trending to the OBD I of 95s.

Rick K

Forgot to mention, some folks have had problems w/ the '95 horns going off when they go around a corner - and the "fix" is to replace the whole airbag/horn system for 2K - although you can fab the replacement part (porsche won't sell it seperately) for substantially less.

Also, for most early '95 builds, in order to run larger 18" wheels, a $75 bracket needs to be installed b/t the front wheels (but, as I've read, only really necessary if you track the car - and even then, the thing is a small piece of metal about a 12" in length, not sure how much its helping anything anyway). But the late '95s and '96-98 have those brackets installed from the factory.

TRINITONY

$1500..details please..would luv to know the fix.

Rick K

There are some local mechanics that have dealt w/ this in the DC area, PM me for names.

I am by no means an expert here, but as I understand it, the problem of the "check engine" light comes from a build up of carbon. I have heard of folks spending a few hours, squirting some kind of fluid in the problem area, and using some sort of pipe cleaner contraption to clean out the carbon.

Apparently a real pain, requiring hours of labor, but do-able.

pcar964

wrong on rear suspension - only difference is alignment setting, which is already a non-issue after presumably multiple realignments since new.