vincer77

So what is stopping you? The 993 is close to the bottom of it's depriciation curve, there are many well cared for specimens around and they have the true Porsche feel with modern reliability and comfort - and minimal doo-dads (nav, computers and the like). If you want a driver, the 993 is it. If you want a collector car - go a pre-73 longhood - won't lose your money there.

Vince

matt777

If you're deciding between a wife and a 993 I'd go with the later. Even with high maintenance costs it will be less than splitting your net worth 50/50 one day.

993Brendan

Buy one tomorrow. I recommend keeping either the Audi or the VW as a second car, although plenty of people 'round these parts daily drive theirs and wouldn't have it any other way.

bart1

Just pay up front to buy a good one and learn to wrench on it yourself. Makes the cost of ownership go waaay down.

Couple of threads to review:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...3-on-here.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...yncrasies.html (some are earlier car specific)

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...a-porsche.html

dave911rsr

I can't believe you guys complain about the cost of an oil change. Do it yourself.

dcdude

I life in which all acts are rational isn't really much of a life at all. By the same token, that would rule other other superfluous "wastes of money" like dining out, attending live events and traveling.

Life is short and meant for living. You are priviledged enough to have the means, all that's left is to execute.

Wilder

Top ten reasons not to buy a 993:

10 - Keanu Reeves drives one
9 - They come with a useless engine tray
8 - They sound like sowing machines
7 - You will not be welcomed at big truck and muscle car meets
6 - You may attract jealousy and admiration from those still driving VWs and Audis
5 - You will have to stop and make small talk from time to time with those few interesting people who know about and love these cars
4 - Your girlfriend will complain you drive an antiquated car
3 - If you don't have a girlfriend, your dates will tell you your car is cool until one of them becomes your girlfriend
2 - If Seinfeld collects them, they're clearly not a serious car

And the number one reason not to buy a 993...

1 - Why buy one when you can buy a 996

TRINITONY

to add...

Seat is off center...
Honda Accord is faster..
The interior is archaic...
You smell like a mechanic if you forget to wear cologne
The immobilizer is a stoopid#^# design and may leave u stranded..
When u go pump gas, folks will look at u fumbling to start your car.
There are NO NO cheap performance mods. What you see is what ya get!
You always have to have a spare 'tingy' in your glove box ...and a spare battery
You will eat rear tires like one of the biggest loosers....
The 996 guys won't wave at you.. in your lawnmower motor sounding car
you won't get a cup holder....
you will have to upgrade your head unit...
buy a 996 Its newer, cheaper, quieter, handles about the same, has more horsepower, and more comfortable in a big way
993 requires routine attention
you won't get a cup holder....
you will have to upgrade your head unit...
You will curse and swear when changing #6 plug...
Plug wires, well they ain't cheap.
You won't drive you car like you should, for fear of it loosing value.
You may end up in divorce as you now have a new flame..

dave911rsr

a 996 is not a real Porsche, except maybe the GT3 and Turbo version. Porsche got the feedback, and that's why the 997 is so 993-like. That's why 996's are cheaper than a 993, most people never warmed up to them.

cmoss

Dude, there s only so much cool out there. If you buy a 993, there's less-lots less--cool for the rest of us.

boulderbobo

We shouldn't dis the brethren.



Bob-

MarkD

One word: Cactus









(no idea why that sounded funny to me... just did. AOW, backup?)

95 NC 993

I also waited years and years, always admiring the air-cooled Porsches until I finally test drove one in the 90's. Then it became an obsession to own one but I never had the $$$. I still don't have the money but decided I was getting too old and the last air-cooled car was built 11 years ago. In April I took out a loan and bought one. It was now or never. You have no idea how pleased I am to be an owner. No more waiting (until I die because I will never have the money) and no more "I wish ....". I did it! No regrets and hopefully no major repairs for a few years as it is a 3,000 miles per year car for me. The beauty of these things is that you won't take a beating buying one. Even if you buy a nice one for $40,000 or whatever, you will get close to your money back even after a few years unless you destroy the thing. Even if you lost $10,000, who cares? You owned one. You did it. If I can buy one with no money you have zero excuses. Good luck with your hunt. This is the tough part but the fun part as well. Be patient. The prices are always better as Xmas and winter approaches.

Rinty

Tinman:

I think most of the negatives have been covered off, so here are some additional thoughts. I came at this question last year, from a slightly different angle. But in our happy little forum, the angles all slant in on the 993.

This is the big one, and eliminates, hopefully, the "guilt after purchase" factor. For many people, purchasing with cash enhances the enjoyment of ownership.

The next toughest question is: which Porsche to buy, but you've figured this out.

This is not a mid life crisis; you have liked these cars since you were a kid.

Looking after your emotional needs is eminently practical. And you already have practical cars for your daily drivers.

You didn't "like" any women when you were a kid, only girls. The liking of Porsches does not need to conflict with the liking of women. All you "need" is to have a woman who does not dislike Porsches, or at least, is neutral on them.

While many women are good at figuring out how to get in touch with themselves, and helping guys get in touch with themselves, how tuned in to Porsches are your female friends? I suggest that you canvas the opinions of some of our female 993 owners here.

Anyway, good luck with your purchase. And by the way, there is a rare Granite Green Metallic, low mileage, 993 for sale in this month's Pano, at a very reasonable price.

NC TRACKRAT

Reasons not to buy a 993:
-You'd rather buy a Buick and age gracefully into becoming an old geezer
-You're a masochist
-You want to say on your deathbed "I really wish I'd bought a 993"
-You really don't want to be bothered with people giving you "thumbs up" as you drive by or, while at the gas station, have folks ask "How do you like your Porsche?"
-You'd really hate the sound of the 993's distinctive, high-performance engine coming to life behind your back as you turn the key, then run it through the gears.
-You'd rather put your money into CD's and watch as inflation makes it worth less.
-You really don't want to be a part of the demented members of RENNLIST!