Surprising Affirmation
06-05-2010, 01:09 PM
#16
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Agree with others here, especially Ken's comments WRT the difference between a T-bar 911 and our LSA 993s. That is a significant improvement where even if the ultimate grip were tuned the same for both cars, the LSA car would still be imminently drivable on the street, with nary a complaint. Just fughettabout it for a T-bar car!! Tuned properly for a track, she stays on the track (...unless I'm going out to get gas 'cause I refuse to pay track prices 
). No denying that my SC feels amazing on the street, though drivetrain is largely stock albeit with SSIs, but being a scant 2500lbs with suspension and alignment, she's more lively and arguably more fun than the 993 ...but again, you pay at every road irregularity (in greater LA, that's a euphemism for pothole!).
Back to the OP, I love the look of the 997s and when they first appeared I was entertaining the thought of a used one in a few years for the simple reason they look great. But now that I'm a bit more acquainted with them, I am re-committed to my first love of my 993. There just isn't $25K more "goodness" in a 997, IMHO.
BTW, good point about the size of these new cars. They don't look it on their own, but dang they are huge by comparison! (someone post a pic of side-by-side). I love the feeling of having a "modern" Porsche that still exhibits nearly all of its original 911 DNA!!
Edward
). No denying that my SC feels amazing on the street, though drivetrain is largely stock albeit with SSIs, but being a scant 2500lbs with suspension and alignment, she's more lively and arguably more fun than the 993 ...but again, you pay at every road irregularity (in greater LA, that's a euphemism for pothole!).Back to the OP, I love the look of the 997s and when they first appeared I was entertaining the thought of a used one in a few years for the simple reason they look great. But now that I'm a bit more acquainted with them, I am re-committed to my first love of my 993. There just isn't $25K more "goodness" in a 997, IMHO.
BTW, good point about the size of these new cars. They don't look it on their own, but dang they are huge by comparison! (someone post a pic of side-by-side). I love the feeling of having a "modern" Porsche that still exhibits nearly all of its original 911 DNA!!
Edward
06-05-2010, 01:45 PM
#17
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In isolation they don't look that big relative to the other tanks on the road. Parked next to any pre-water 911 they're like an elephant. An attractive, faster, and more competent elephant.
06-05-2010, 01:47 PM
#18
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(Finally got motivated to upload from the other thread at the factory that had all the 993 ads.)
06-05-2010, 02:01 PM
#19
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I know this is the 993 Board so I will get flamed but here it goes. I really miss my 993. It was a GREAT car and I loved the visceral feeling. The sounds and smell of that car are unmistakeable and unforgetable. That being said, the 997 S is a superior car especially for daily driving. It is faster, safer and handles better. The quality is not the same but it is still a well built car by today's standards.
06-05-2010, 06:32 PM
#20
Three Wheelin'
My purchase of a 993 is not the usual path.
Purchased a 997S (first porsche was a rs america that was a victim to no back seat a small children). Restarted DEing in the 997S-I was hooked again.
Realized that i was going to trash my 997S doing track events.
Decided this time around I would invest my money in professional instruction rather than upgrades to the car
Found a professional instructor and said "find me a car"
Was told " the 993 has the advanced suspension and not enough power to get yourself in trouble
(found out later that most crashes at the track were with GT3's, vettes, cobra's etc- guys with more money than talent-IOW cars with too much HP vs driver talent)
Bought a track 993-monoballs, cage, brakes, suspension etc for 40 cents on the dollar
The initial plan was that the 993 would be a transitional car-IOW don't get emotionally attached to it.
Learned to drive via the 993-jokingly called the miata of porsches.
Started kicking GT3's, vettes,. cobras, 997s's asses at the track-hmmm(maybe the most important upgrade is between the steering wheel and the seat)
Got emotionally attached to the 993- named her "rudaba"
Got into racing
Everyone at the race shop likes rudaba-tracks like a train on rails (this is from a guy who has driven and won the rolex 24)
Realized that the 997s felt like a lexus(the ultimate put down)-felt detached from the road compared to the 993.
Sold the 997s
bought a 993 and installed a short box transmission
lived happily ever after.
doug
Purchased a 997S (first porsche was a rs america that was a victim to no back seat a small children). Restarted DEing in the 997S-I was hooked again.
Realized that i was going to trash my 997S doing track events.
Decided this time around I would invest my money in professional instruction rather than upgrades to the car
Found a professional instructor and said "find me a car"
Was told " the 993 has the advanced suspension and not enough power to get yourself in trouble
(found out later that most crashes at the track were with GT3's, vettes, cobra's etc- guys with more money than talent-IOW cars with too much HP vs driver talent)
Bought a track 993-monoballs, cage, brakes, suspension etc for 40 cents on the dollar
The initial plan was that the 993 would be a transitional car-IOW don't get emotionally attached to it.
Learned to drive via the 993-jokingly called the miata of porsches.
Started kicking GT3's, vettes,. cobras, 997s's asses at the track-hmmm(maybe the most important upgrade is between the steering wheel and the seat)
Got emotionally attached to the 993- named her "rudaba"
Got into racing
Everyone at the race shop likes rudaba-tracks like a train on rails (this is from a guy who has driven and won the rolex 24)
Realized that the 997s felt like a lexus(the ultimate put down)-felt detached from the road compared to the 993.
Sold the 997s
bought a 993 and installed a short box transmission
lived happily ever after.
doug
Nice
06-05-2010, 08:28 PM
#21
I drive the crap out of my car daily. It sees plenty of revs every time I drive it. Every time. On-ramps, off-ramps, canyons, grocery store etc. Its a blast. I get on the highway and may run it up to 100mph for a quick second and lift back down to 75 or 80 if nobody is around. But generally, the speeds I hit aren't really that offensive.
Flashback to my 996 days....It was a blast up to 145 when no one was around. The ramps and spirited curves were at speeds that would take me straight to jail... no exceptions.
As much as I want one, I couldn't image the kind of trouble i may find in a new GT3. Surely end up dead, in jail, or worst of all, hurt someone else.
The last thing I need is more grip and more power.
Flashback to my 996 days....It was a blast up to 145 when no one was around. The ramps and spirited curves were at speeds that would take me straight to jail... no exceptions.
As much as I want one, I couldn't image the kind of trouble i may find in a new GT3. Surely end up dead, in jail, or worst of all, hurt someone else.
The last thing I need is more grip and more power.
06-05-2010, 08:52 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Having owned both a 993 (Ersatz RS clone) and GT3 (1st gen 997) I still have the 993. My reasons are much the same as many of the sentiments put forth herein. Make no mistake, the GT3 was amazing but didn't roll my socks up and down minute to minute like the 993 did and still does.
06-06-2010, 12:15 AM
#24
Rennlist Member
I can echo the sentiments about the Cayman S. I owned one for nearly 2 1/2 years and truly cannot find fault. Superior to the 993 in so many ways...except like a another member stated...CHARCOL does win over GAS and I now own a 993, not the CS.
I aslo had the chance to drive my buddy's 996 turbo the other day (another car I owned for only 3 months) and as great as it was, I was happy to drive my car again.
They are all Porches and all great in their own ways.
I aslo had the chance to drive my buddy's 996 turbo the other day (another car I owned for only 3 months) and as great as it was, I was happy to drive my car again.
They are all Porches and all great in their own ways.
06-07-2010, 01:44 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
I test drove a 997 S today. It was nice, but I was quite surprised how little of an improvement in performance it felt in comparison to my mostly stock 993. I was expecting to have a more noticeable difference in power, braking and handling.
??????????????????????????????????
Maybe I should try a GT3.
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Maybe I should try a GT3.
Handling? I've pushed my sweetie's 997.2 2S with PDK pretty hard a few times and it definitely has a better chassis than my 993 in stock form.
POWER? not even close. 385 hp vs 280. Trust me, the difference is notable.
biggest difference other than HP = transmission.
The 6 speed is more fun, the PDK is "better" in nearly any other quality (except perhaps maintenance concerns........................ ).
but, i would not choose the 997 over the 993 is limited to only one car.
Craig
06-07-2010, 01:53 PM
#27
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06-07-2010, 03:44 PM
#28
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The big difference between the 997 S and the 993 is how easy it is for a 'regular' guy to drive the 997 fast. The car takes care of the driver. That's good on the street. It's a problem (IMO) on the track. Inexperienced guys come to the track and drive WAY beyond their capabilities and the car just keeps them on the track thinking they can drive ... right up to the point of departure. The consequences of failure are much higher because they are going much faster.
I love the 997 S but I'm not trading my car for one. If there was an empty space in the garage the 997 S would fight a 996 GT3 for it. Maybe a 911 RS clone or 912. I guess it's a good thing I have only one space. It makes the choice easy.
I love the 997 S but I'm not trading my car for one. If there was an empty space in the garage the 997 S would fight a 996 GT3 for it. Maybe a 911 RS clone or 912. I guess it's a good thing I have only one space. It makes the choice easy.
06-07-2010, 11:44 PM
#29
Pro
Thread Starter
Craig, yeah, given that the curb weights aren't that different, I guess my "buttometer" wasn't very accurate (it was also a 2006/no PDK). It was only a 5-minute drive too.
Same here, hoggel. I just have one space, so it would likely be a 996 GT3 or 997S fighting for the space, and I can't see giving up the 993 at this point, even though I had previously seriously considered it. Or I could push the station wagon outside (MUUHAAHAA)! That wouldn't be good for marital relations, though.
I drove my 993 a lot more than usual in the past week, and after 5 years, I am enjoying it as much as ever.
Right now, I plan to keep it and maybe at some point build a larger garage!
Same here, hoggel. I just have one space, so it would likely be a 996 GT3 or 997S fighting for the space, and I can't see giving up the 993 at this point, even though I had previously seriously considered it. Or I could push the station wagon outside (MUUHAAHAA)! That wouldn't be good for marital relations, though.
I drove my 993 a lot more than usual in the past week, and after 5 years, I am enjoying it as much as ever.
Right now, I plan to keep it and maybe at some point build a larger garage!
06-08-2010, 01:03 AM
#30
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I took a test drive in a new 997s with PDK. Technology wise, the PDK is really slick. The car is fast. I had more legroom than in my 993. We took a really nice drive and I got to play with the PDK in various modes. Close to the end of the drive, I was thinking can't wait to get back into my 993 and drive her home.
I've never owned an auto trans car for my 'fun car' and I've never owned a gas grill. Charcoal is it.
chuck
I've never owned an auto trans car for my 'fun car' and I've never owned a gas grill. Charcoal is it.
chuck