95-98 993 which is best?
12-15-2009, 04:02 PM
#31
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All 993's are today between 12 and 15 years old, so they are all "old" cars. The difference between a so-so one and a prestine one lies more in the condition of the car than the model year. The old Porsche recomendation "buy the most expensive one you can afford" also applies to the 993. So mileage, maintenance and general condition should count over the model year.
Having said that, there are differences over the production line that should be taken into account. The 96 to 98 MY VarioRam intake gave a few more HP (on paper), but no performance gain. The VR intake is more complicated with a lot more moving parts, and sooner or later this will become a maintenance issue. Also the VR cars have SAI issues, that will cause smog test to fail. The VR intake is also heavier than the non VR motors, additional weight where you want it the least.
The MY 94-95 non VR cars are more responsive and responds also better to chipping (MY-96 can not be chipped or reflashed). The non VR cars, and a few early MY96 cars, have the more efficient Bishoff exhaust system, that both perfoms and sound better than the later Gillet system. Performance wise both VR and non VR cars are more or less identical, even if the VR cars have more torque on lower rpm. But who buys a 993 to run on low rpm?
The slighter less weight and more responsive motor makes the MY 94-95 more fun to drive than the MY 96-98 cars. And that is what it's all about, to have as much fun as possible when you are out driving your Porsche.
Unless you think that the VR air intake is the coolest thing, or you must have a wide bodied C4S or C2S (I guess the Turbo is not in this discussion), buy the best non VR car you can find.
Having said that, there are differences over the production line that should be taken into account. The 96 to 98 MY VarioRam intake gave a few more HP (on paper), but no performance gain. The VR intake is more complicated with a lot more moving parts, and sooner or later this will become a maintenance issue. Also the VR cars have SAI issues, that will cause smog test to fail. The VR intake is also heavier than the non VR motors, additional weight where you want it the least.
The MY 94-95 non VR cars are more responsive and responds also better to chipping (MY-96 can not be chipped or reflashed). The non VR cars, and a few early MY96 cars, have the more efficient Bishoff exhaust system, that both perfoms and sound better than the later Gillet system. Performance wise both VR and non VR cars are more or less identical, even if the VR cars have more torque on lower rpm. But who buys a 993 to run on low rpm?
The slighter less weight and more responsive motor makes the MY 94-95 more fun to drive than the MY 96-98 cars. And that is what it's all about, to have as much fun as possible when you are out driving your Porsche.
Unless you think that the VR air intake is the coolest thing, or you must have a wide bodied C4S or C2S (I guess the Turbo is not in this discussion), buy the best non VR car you can find.
12-15-2009, 04:08 PM
#32
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). I've yet to meet a 993 I don't like. Some I may like as a project car but I still love them all!
Last edited by timothymoffat; 12-15-2009 at 09:34 PM.
12-15-2009, 04:23 PM
#33
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I believe that the ownership history has more to do with "which one is best" than the actual model year; particularly at this point in the 993's life-cycle.
Good luck with the search!
Good luck with the search!
12-15-2009, 04:30 PM
#34
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I'm curious about this as well, since I've learned my car was made on the very last production day, 12/19/97. The last four digits of my VIN is 1276, but I know there is a 1285 per that spreadsheet available in the "Post Your VIN!" thread.
Last edited by Ed Burdell; 12-15-2009 at 04:41 PM. Reason: Wrong build year cited.
12-15-2009, 04:46 PM
#35
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Yes, the RoW cars started as MY94. Mine is a swiss car from early 1994 with some parts stamped with late 1993 production dates.
12-15-2009, 06:13 PM
#37
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12-15-2009, 06:16 PM
#38
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12-15-2009, 06:58 PM
#41
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OK, someone stated there were only 993 C2S's. So it's actually 1285. Didn't Sienfeld get one of the last 993s? Don't remember what it was though? Well, it's still pretty cool that you got one of the last. Hold on to that car.
12-15-2009, 09:08 PM
#44
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The 1998 911 Carrera S Coupe is the favorite of the 993 production..............I'm just saying.
The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity makes no mention of series production numbers, etc. Did J. Seinfeld receive the last official production 993?
My last four serial number digits are 0351 with a August 27, 1997 build date.
The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity makes no mention of series production numbers, etc. Did J. Seinfeld receive the last official production 993?
My last four serial number digits are 0351 with a August 27, 1997 build date.
Last edited by M. Schneider; 12-15-2009 at 09:25 PM.
