993 vs. 911
10-10-2010 | 03:22 PM
#32
Track Day
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I'm facing a similar choice, and rather than starting a new thread, thought I'd pose a few questions for you guys in here. I have heard that the running costs of the 993 will be higher compared to the 3.2 Carrera, but I'm curious whether those of you who have owned both can approximate the difference amount. I will only be driving this car during good weather (I live in the midwest), so the annual driving will likely be less than 5,000-6,000 miles.
10-10-2010 | 04:09 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,684
Likes: 955
From: Eagle ID
I'm facing a similar choice, and rather than starting a new thread, thought I'd pose a few questions for you guys in here. I have heard that the running costs of the 993 will be higher compared to the 3.2 Carrera, but I'm curious whether those of you who have owned both can approximate the difference amount. I will only be driving this car during good weather (I live in the midwest), so the annual driving will likely be less than 5,000-6,000 miles.
Except depreciation (I bought 993 new) and tires, the running costs per mile were very close.
10-10-2010 | 04:50 PM
#34
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Regarding the two styles of tops, I prefer the feel of my 3.2 with the top off to my current 993 with the top open, it feels much more open, not just because of the lack of metal over the side windows, but because the sun shade roll and wind deflector make the over-the-windshield-stuff more massive. That being said, when it gets hot or cold, or starts to rain, or when the phone rings, the glass top is far superior for obvious reasons. I drive it everyday, commuting, groceries, everything. The glass top makes life easier; eg. when you are pulling into the parking lot, hit the switch and the top is taken care of before you stop. I know this seems like a little thing, but when running a little late out of the house on the way to work sometimes I would just leave the top on my old car even on a really nice day. If its not a daily driver then this probably wont be an issue.
I also often leave the top open in light rains above 35 mph or so. The wind deflector creates such great aerodynamics… the top is very quiet when open, much quieter than an open window at speed
In daily commuting the cars feel very similar to me otherwise except for:
993 AC is actually usable
993 feels substantially more solid, even though the top can rattle or cause some wind noise like an older Targa
993 is much more powerful
993 has a nicer, more modern feel with the top closed
993 rear end behaves substantially better.
3.2 has no SAI system to clog
993 has no bumper bellows to clean and treat, although the cleaning effort is made up for by the stock Targa wheels on the 993
993 trunk is more usable in some ways—less in others. My golf clubs or skateboard wont fit in a 993 trunk, but will in a 3.2. A case of beer won’t work in the trunk of a 3.2. Dry cleaning is better in the trunk of a 3.2—in the trunk of a 993 you get wrinkles and a gass-ey smell imparted to the clothes
993 sometimes has the feeling that thousands of dollars in little breakable parts are hanging over your head... literal and figuratively. But this is more present in my mind I suppose because I have taken one apart and put it back together…
… and, this morning 11:30am PST I am off to the garage to fix my sunshade...
3:30 pm PST- Update, I have now fixed the sunshade.
By the way, all the problems I have had with my Targa top—including the problem that I just had with the sunshade—can be traced to someone the previous owner had work on the car. The top mechanism is indeed delicate and I think it was designed poorly, however if care is taken when operated, the tracks are kept clear, no lubrication other than a dry lube is used, and TSB recommendations are followed, the top should be very dependable.
I also often leave the top open in light rains above 35 mph or so. The wind deflector creates such great aerodynamics… the top is very quiet when open, much quieter than an open window at speed
In daily commuting the cars feel very similar to me otherwise except for:
993 AC is actually usable
993 feels substantially more solid, even though the top can rattle or cause some wind noise like an older Targa
993 is much more powerful
993 has a nicer, more modern feel with the top closed
993 rear end behaves substantially better.
3.2 has no SAI system to clog
993 has no bumper bellows to clean and treat, although the cleaning effort is made up for by the stock Targa wheels on the 993
993 trunk is more usable in some ways—less in others. My golf clubs or skateboard wont fit in a 993 trunk, but will in a 3.2. A case of beer won’t work in the trunk of a 3.2. Dry cleaning is better in the trunk of a 3.2—in the trunk of a 993 you get wrinkles and a gass-ey smell imparted to the clothes
993 sometimes has the feeling that thousands of dollars in little breakable parts are hanging over your head... literal and figuratively. But this is more present in my mind I suppose because I have taken one apart and put it back together…
… and, this morning 11:30am PST I am off to the garage to fix my sunshade...
3:30 pm PST- Update, I have now fixed the sunshade.
By the way, all the problems I have had with my Targa top—including the problem that I just had with the sunshade—can be traced to someone the previous owner had work on the car. The top mechanism is indeed delicate and I think it was designed poorly, however if care is taken when operated, the tracks are kept clear, no lubrication other than a dry lube is used, and TSB recommendations are followed, the top should be very dependable.
Last edited by Amfab; 10-10-2010 at 08:45 PM.
