Analog Theory

My 1st Porsche was a 99 996 (Sept. 98 build). After two rear main seals, a failed clutch (a failure Porsche openly conceded was their issue), electrical gremlins and finally, a total engine failure at 23K miles, Porsche replaced it with a brand new 2001 996 (with over $15K more in options) for $5K out of my pocket. I was satisfied and the 01 was a better car by sooooo far, no complaints. However, 1500 miles from the 12 that were on the OD upon delivery, the rear main went. From there other than a voracious appetite for rear tires I was happy with the car but far from passionate. To this day the fried egg headlights are not attractive to me and I think in general, the overall design is not aging well at all. The 997 is the car that should have followed the 993. Moreover, I agree on the quality issues...enough said.

With that, it was a great daily driver but I am so glad I sold it. And although my nicely modded (by me) 993 is raucous, rough, loud, cramped (by comparison), dated (by modern amenity standards) and exhausting on long trips......I'm bonded to it in an almost unhealthy way. I wouldn't have it any other way as there is a passion and a soul to this car that just wasn't there (at all) with the 996's I've owned.

just my two cents.

Ed Burdell

I shopped 996's for almost three years and couldn't get it up for any of them. Color/facelift/coupe/cabrio - nothing would do it.

I began reading Leffingwell's 911 buyer's guide in chronological order. When I got to the 993's, it hit me. This would be my car.

I drove a friend's 996. Nice, but it didn't engender thewaves of envy and jealousy that it should have.

Then the right 993 came along, and the rest is history.

mborkow

wait until your mechanic hands you a bill for $6k to fix your SAI problem...

CarreraX

Better than $10k for a complete engine.....

1pcarnut

Been both ways. Had a 993 then a 99 996 back to a 993 then to an 02 996 and finally with the current 993. The 996 feels like a very fast Taurus, smooth quiet but lacking in intimacy and personality. As soon as I drove my current car, it really sank in, this is how a sports car should feel. Snug, close, alive.

DJF1

Get a 95. No SAI issues

1pcarnut

Yeah, but no varioram. You've got the slow year.

DJF1

I'll take that minus the 50 pounds that the varioram adds! Besides my 95 has dynoed higher than some varioram examples