Bouzoukikid

18 months ago I purchased an slk350.
It was a toss a of a coin between this and a late 993 varioram targa (same price at the time). I think I may have made the wrong choice. The slk has been a great car but it's just too polite and lacking that special something that the 993 has (I think). Raw character.
I have recently seen another late 993 cabrio. It's now more money than my slk but I think I'm now going to bite the bullet and go for it. Am I doing the right thing ie. will the buzz of driving a 911 outway the cost and maintenence of running an
"older car" as apposed to the slk.
I guess been a porsche forum you will say to me go for it.
Thanks for any input/advice.

e9stibi

YES! Just test drive one and you will understand my answer.

95 NC 993

Yeah, you have the right feelings about your SLK350. A beautiful car but very refined and polite. Driving the 993 is a unique experience and a car I desired for many many years without being able to afford one. It all started when I test drove one after being a fan of all the Porsches I saw over the years racing in Daytona, etc.. The driving experience was unreal! Drive one and you will see. I have been an owner for almost a year now and the feeling does not change at all. If there was anyway possible for you to keep both cars, that would be a real win, win unless you have another daily driver. Some owners do use their 993 as a DD but it isn't for everyone.

theporscheguy

I transitioned from a 5 series BMW to a 993 and never looked back. The 993 is a great car which you will thoroughly enjoy. Whether you drive the SLK or the 993 you will have routine maintenance costs. I would check the service history of the vehicle of interest to make sure that it has been maintained properly.

henkinc

I have max'd the handling of my cab within OEM equipment limits (and 17" wheels) by installing Bilsteins and Rest Of World sport suspension on my cab. Any used 993 you buy with 30-50k miles is likely to need shocks replaced in any case, and the labor for that + alignment might as well be applied to getting the suspension right. Even so, a 993 will have intial understeer in many corners and to get the car oriented correctly takes a different driving approach. That said, it is great sport to drive, tossable, stable as well in the limit (if the road is dry).
Now a caution - putting either the ROW OEM springs on or the Sports version is desirable to lwoer the car a bit and put it as the designers inteneded in Germany. But the sports suspension is a bit stiff! So pick one based on road conditions you will experience.
The 993 cabs of course have soft tops, unlike yours, but I have found mine to work great. Apply a sealer tothe top if you will drive in the rain.
Charlie

Bouzoukikid

Thanks guys for all the advice and encouragement.
I am going to give the car a test drive tomorrow and am pretty much looking forward to it.
It has 48k on the clock and good history.
It is a 97 Tiptronic-S, Noooo!!!!!!!! I hear you cry. However I do not intend to use it on a track and is mainly for weekend driving on nice days. I just mainly want to hear that glorious noise of the engine and experience the great build quality.
If it is not the right car, the search will go on.
I'll let you know how I get on.

brabo66

As you said, wrong quesstion in the right forum. The 993 is a hell of a better experience than the SLK. My brother in law had the 350 SLk and now after testing my 993 cabrio, he is out there.
GL

CalvinC4S

Can't believe you even need to think about it... DO IT

e9stibi

reconsider the TIP ...

Monique

Dont buy a 993 with a TIP.

WIMP!

Bouzoukikid

Hi everyone. I'm back and now the owner of a beautiful 993 cabrio.
Hurrayyyyy!!!!!
Saw a few cars and finally ended up with this one (1997, 31k miles, full opc history). My slk has now gone and I can now appreciate why you are all so passionate about your 993's.
@ I know I'm a wimp but I intend on keeping her for the next 40 years and cannot imagine myself driving a manual in my 80's.
She's here to stay!!!!!!
Regards to all
Costa.

TRINITONY

congrats man, enjoy hers, she's ah beauty.

theporscheguy

Nice cab. I see you optioned for the tiptronic. Have fun.

95 NC 993

Congratulations! Excellent choice and nice low miles too. By the way, never apologize for owning a Tip. To each his own. Even though I do own a 6-speed 993 I also own a Z3 with a Steptronic and it is a nice change once in awhile, especially when you have city driving to contend with. On the rare occasions I venture into Atlanta it is a pleasure not to have to shift in stop and go heavy traffic.

Cactus

Nice and love the old Benz.