996 to 993 swap ???
06-04-2008, 04:17 PM
#1
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996 to 993 swap ???
I have had a 2000 996 for two years, and am thinking about a swap to a 993. The 996 has quality issues, especially on the motor side. The 993 is bullet prof, and overall build quality is better. Also, it looks like the 993 prices have bottomed out, while the 996 is still falling pretty steep. And the looks of the 993 is the best 911 ever. Are there anyone out there who has gone from a 993 to a 996 or the other way around, who can express their opinions and feelings, comparing the two types of 911's?
06-04-2008, 04:38 PM
#3
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It's like a different club. Owning 2 Air Cooled ones ( a 993 and a SC) I had the opportunity to drive a 996 and a 997 a few times and my conclusion is that 996/997's are like any other modern car without the original rawness of the air cooled ones. If you like a noisy engine screaming at your back and a mix of oil and gas smell around your car (I love it !) than go for the 993 and you'll become a purist ! 
06-04-2008, 05:07 PM
#4
Hi there Fly ,
I owned a '99 996 for 2 years , and the more I learned the more I realised I'd purchased the wrong car. I could see the 996 (in general rather than my 996 specifically..) was heading toward several build quality issues , namely that engine (ovality of cylinders which had flimsy liners , intermediate shaft bearing failures , hivo chain failures , varioram failures), coolant leaks , crummy radiators , weak pinion gear on the diff , weak gearbox synchros etc etc.
I sought the opinion of folk who I felt were experts in the field of all things 911 , they were unanimous , the 993 was the best Porsche has produced. It won't be without it's issues given the age of the car , but they all ALL small ones , easily remedied or left 'til next service.
Personally I believe that the true son of the 993 is the GT3 .. Similar bottom end (ish) similar gear box (ish!) , suprisingly more similar to drive compared to the wet sumped 996 , definitely similar design ethos of 'make it strong enough to take track punishment'.
Anyway , I digress! Having had the 993 since last October I can honestly say that there hasn't been one moments regret.
If you have build quality as a top priority
If you really want a car that DRIVES
If you want a low production classic
If you want a car that's not plummeting in value
If you want a genuine thing of beauty;
You'll be wanting a 993 then Sir!
Please let us know what you decide to do.
I owned a '99 996 for 2 years , and the more I learned the more I realised I'd purchased the wrong car. I could see the 996 (in general rather than my 996 specifically..) was heading toward several build quality issues , namely that engine (ovality of cylinders which had flimsy liners , intermediate shaft bearing failures , hivo chain failures , varioram failures), coolant leaks , crummy radiators , weak pinion gear on the diff , weak gearbox synchros etc etc.
I sought the opinion of folk who I felt were experts in the field of all things 911 , they were unanimous , the 993 was the best Porsche has produced. It won't be without it's issues given the age of the car , but they all ALL small ones , easily remedied or left 'til next service.
Personally I believe that the true son of the 993 is the GT3 .. Similar bottom end (ish) similar gear box (ish!) , suprisingly more similar to drive compared to the wet sumped 996 , definitely similar design ethos of 'make it strong enough to take track punishment'.
Anyway , I digress! Having had the 993 since last October I can honestly say that there hasn't been one moments regret.
If you have build quality as a top priority
If you really want a car that DRIVES
If you want a low production classic
If you want a car that's not plummeting in value
If you want a genuine thing of beauty;
You'll be wanting a 993 then Sir!
Please let us know what you decide to do.
06-04-2008, 06:33 PM
#5
Fly,
I went from an '02 996 C2 to a '96 993 C2. The 996 just did not do it for me. Although it was faster and still a Porsche, it had much less personality. I will say, changing the oil was much easier. The 993 is just awesome. It is much more intimate with lots of personality and history. When I look at 911 race cars from the 60's and 70's (like those of Mark Donohue and Peter Gregg to name a few), I see my 993. I have no regrets with my decision. It seems that you have the bug so good luck. Also, these cars are over 10 years old and require maintenance but I think that is half the fun. They are built to last with German engineering at its finest.
Bob
I went from an '02 996 C2 to a '96 993 C2. The 996 just did not do it for me. Although it was faster and still a Porsche, it had much less personality. I will say, changing the oil was much easier. The 993 is just awesome. It is much more intimate with lots of personality and history. When I look at 911 race cars from the 60's and 70's (like those of Mark Donohue and Peter Gregg to name a few), I see my 993. I have no regrets with my decision. It seems that you have the bug so good luck. Also, these cars are over 10 years old and require maintenance but I think that is half the fun. They are built to last with German engineering at its finest.
Bob
06-04-2008, 07:35 PM
#6
Drifting
Personally I have never driven a waterpumper Porsche. Never felt the urge actually.
What everyone else says, the 993 just looks right, feels right and can still give you a bit of a scare to let you know that you are still alive.
No one can deny that 993 smell as you first open the door either.
And besides, to me the 996 has next to no character in how it looks. No curves.
Good luck with the pending, and almost inevitable 993 purchase.
What everyone else says, the 993 just looks right, feels right and can still give you a bit of a scare to let you know that you are still alive.
No one can deny that 993 smell as you first open the door either.
And besides, to me the 996 has next to no character in how it looks. No curves.
Good luck with the pending, and almost inevitable 993 purchase.
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06-04-2008, 08:38 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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My 997 ownership experience was a disaster, from relatively benign shoddy interior trim quality to major mechanical problems. I gladly walked away from the car and back into a 993. Not as fast and not as comfortable as a 997, but 100 times more fun to drive. The 997 is perceived by some to be an improvement over the 996 - I'll pass.
Last edited by JasonF; 06-04-2008 at 09:58 PM.
06-04-2008, 10:17 PM
#13
Drifting
LOL Cac! I drove an older 911 Carrera this weekend and it felt really raw and slightly un-fast compared to the 993. I drove the 993 later in the day and even my unmodded, plain-jane 993 felt like it had a ton more power just driving the car normally, not in the power band at all really. The power steering is nice too. It's easy to take for granted what you have gotten used to I guess.
