porschemikeandnancy

Over the years, I've traded every car I've owned after no more than 2-4 years. My '95 993 has now been mine for 3. I've been thinking about when, if at all, it is time to move on. When I think of it logically, the 993 at present, has almost every modern feature any brand new car does. Anti-Lock Brakes, air bags (but only 2), cruise control, A/C, CD stereo, power windows, power convertible top, etc. A brand new car would also have tire monitoring system, more sophisticated electronics for handling (such as Anti-skid, anti-swerve, lane maintenance warning system, etc). But frankly, I don't miss any of them.

When I look at a 356, it is clear I would not want that car as a daily driver. Simply too primitive. I like and expect modern comforts. So the philsophical question is when do you all think the 993 will become so "behind the times" that it will no longer be practical as a daily driver? 10 years? more?

The more mundane stuff, such as needing to pass a smog test every 2 years does not concern me. The car has a modern fuel injection system which as long as the car is maintained, should pass just about forever. Plus you get to drive one of the best handling cars on the planet.

What do you all think?

gtroth

At $5~$6 / gallon

berni29

Hi

Interesting question. Fuel costs and eventually availability are a concern for sure. Also there is the DIY aspect to consider. I enjoy working on my cars, and the latest versions make that much less of a practical proposition due to the specialist electronics and control systems. I already have to hook a laptop up to my Alfa to reset things and it's just not the same!

From a driving perspective I think things should be OK for a while. In the UK we have many speed humps etc which encourage large 4x4's and discourage smaller more nimble vehicles like a 993. Also there is the threat of GPS tracking speed surveillance and the like. Maybe these systems will become law and require us to retro fit at our expense.

Some modern conveniences are great though. I love rear parking sensors. My 993 does not have them, but there are some aftermarket ones which are part of a number plate surround and work really well. I have them on my Alfa and are definitely going to get some for the 993.

All the best

Berni

JM993

Never. Of course this comes from a guy whose DD is a 1988 E30 325is with 210K miles.

Cheers,
Joe

Rinty

+1

It its use as a daily driver involves a lot of idling in heavy urban traffic, you could argue that the car is not practical right now, as the SAI ports may clog regularly.

JM993

He's got a 95. Us 95 guys could care less about SAI

Cheers,
Joe

NC TRACKRAT

Folks, get ready. It's not too far off. With the continued de-valuation of the Dollar, inflation and growth of gas-hungry nations, $5-$6/gallon gasoline is in the foreseeable future. European countries have been living with expensive gas for years. Nevertheless, life is too short to drive boring cars.

Fly911

The 993 is the ONE Porsche that has the best of both worlds, a moderns suspension, modern ABS, electric everything, and a very good and trouble free fuel injection system. But not too complicated, and simple enough for the DIY guy. And not to mention the bullet proof air cooled motor. And the 95 model is the best of them all. AS for fuel consumption, you will never get your money back on the difference between the 993 and a new Porsche, even if the new ones have 10-20% lower fuel consumption.
I see 996's, 997's, Boxsters and Caymans every day, but rarely one of the air cooled cars. Be proud of driveing the best sport car of all times, and show the world that you are not one of the main stream car buyers!

dcdude

I'm in the Alternate Fuel Vehicles business. Once we move off of gasoline, the 993 will not be "modern" anymore. As we speak, I have a few traditional gas station customers (Shell) installing natural gas dispensers (CNG) right along side the gasoline dispensers. Other technologies will also take hold, and this "transitional" period may last the rest of our lifetimes, but it has begun.

One of my favorite, carbon-reducing views of future, in use right now. The Swedes do it too:
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/02/milk-trucks-in/

TMc993

For me, it isn't any one particular factor that causes me to sell a car. Rather it is an accumulation of factors, many of them intangible, that eventually build to a "tipping point" that causes me to sell whatever I'm driving.

Like Mike, I usually keep a car 3-5 years and then get something else. I've had my 993 for almost 3 years now and it has been, and continues to be, a wonderful ride. But just the other day I was reading a car magazine and saw a road test on a new version of a car (I won't say what) and thought, "H-m-m-m-m-m...That looks interesting."

Right then I knew that I had crossed over into "Sell the 993" mode. I don't know how long it will take to act on the sale, but I can feel it coming on...Nothing lasts forever.

Flying Finn

Never if you're cut for it.

As soon as the government goes all "black box" with everyone's cars and starts to monitor etc. I'm going carburetor or something and won't have problems with it.

I now have 993, Jag XJ8 & F-350 but would not have a problem of daily driving for example the three cars shown below.

matt777

With the low price and NA glut of NG I wonder why it isn't more mainstream. I guess the markets jerk the prices around so much that the it can't get a toe hold. It will be many years before gasoline becomes a second choice IMHO.

JimPA

My 993 C2S has been a very dependable DD for seven years, including winters. I dropped it off this week for valve guides, top end rebuild, clutch, etc. I figure we're good for at least another five years together. At that point I'll probably be retired (assuming I can find another job in this economy) and, perhaps, driving less than the current average of 8K per year in that car (I've lived close to work). Fuel use is only fair but annual fuel cost isn't a big factor for me.

Yes, the 993 is older technology and lacks certain conveniences. However, the Ocean Blue still looks great (considerable TLC plus trunk and bumper cover respray), sounds good, performs well and turns heads. When parts availability becomes really troublesome or super expensive, that might motive me to consider alternatives. The 997 has more power and looks ok but I haven't been swayed and don't really want to spend the money now. Another German toy (think roundels) is 22 years old and parts are still generally available.

Ed Burdell

Say it isn't so, Terry! Say it isn't so!

I knew I should have come up there today and driven around with you!

2Many Cars

Add to that congestion, stricter law enforcement, and higher taxes. It will take a while but down the road I think many enthusiasts will abandon their hot street ride in favor of both a utilitarian transport vehicle and a more pure track appliance. This trend actually begain in the 60s as crash regs and emission controls put a end to real sports cars - cars that got driven to the track, raced, and then driven back home. That divide will continue to widen and cars in the middle, like 993s, will become less road usable as time goes by.