Top 10 differences between a 993 and 997
10-07-2010, 12:26 AM
#18
Track Day
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern California
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Dang...Louis J ripped it!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah... exactly what he said. IMO... most 993 owners are hands on were as most 997 owners are not. 993 owners know when their engine sound a little off and want to figure out why and how to fix it. 997 owners like the Porsche brand and will rather spend the money to have a dealership take care of any issues that might arise.
So Matt should ask his friend not what the difference between the two fine machines are but what type of image or owner characteristic fits his friend best.
So Matt should ask his friend not what the difference between the two fine machines are but what type of image or owner characteristic fits his friend best.
10-07-2010, 01:00 AM
#19
Rennlist Member
...not for my benefit, but was talking to a friend over the weekend.
He used a vintage Rolex analogy and said he's looking for the automotive counterpart, something that is solid, well designed, performs well and will retain value well over the long term. On that basis, he is looking at... a 997.
We had a good chat, and I did my best to share as much information as possible fairly quickly. If you wanted to paint a fair, accurate picture of the differences between these 2 models, what would be your top 10?
I will be following up with him to point him in the right direction, and would like to do so in a concise and factual fashion.
So ladies and gentlemen, let 'er rip!
OK, I'll start:
1. Dry sump lubrication
2.
He used a vintage Rolex analogy and said he's looking for the automotive counterpart, something that is solid, well designed, performs well and will retain value well over the long term. On that basis, he is looking at... a 997.
We had a good chat, and I did my best to share as much information as possible fairly quickly. If you wanted to paint a fair, accurate picture of the differences between these 2 models, what would be your top 10?
I will be following up with him to point him in the right direction, and would like to do so in a concise and factual fashion.
So ladies and gentlemen, let 'er rip!
OK, I'll start:
1. Dry sump lubrication
2.
The 993 may be too raw for many people looking for cool amenities and better A/C vents, built in Nav, etc. Personally, I'd love to have built in Nav and the cool amenities of a 997, but I own a 993 because it was economical and available at the time. If I had to do it again today? Not sure... the 997 is actually pretty tempting if you can do away with "raw" and "old school".
10-07-2010, 08:31 AM
#21
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Flyoverland - Central, Ohio
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993 is:
1) Last of the aircooled 911s
2) Last of the hand-assembled cars
3) Final design evolution of a 34 year-old chassis, the longest in the history of the automobile
4) The last of the 911s to use the dry sump, race-bred Mezger block in the entire lineup
5) The last of the 911s under Ferry's direction (he died in 98 along with the 993)
6) The last of the 911s that hold value
7) The last of the 911s that have that solid tank feel
8) The last of the 911s with the old analog dials
9) The last of the 911s without cupholders
10) The last of the 911s that have that intoxicating scent of warm oil on the outside and Porsche leather on the inside
1) Last of the aircooled 911s
2) Last of the hand-assembled cars
3) Final design evolution of a 34 year-old chassis, the longest in the history of the automobile
4) The last of the 911s to use the dry sump, race-bred Mezger block in the entire lineup
5) The last of the 911s under Ferry's direction (he died in 98 along with the 993)
6) The last of the 911s that hold value
7) The last of the 911s that have that solid tank feel
8) The last of the 911s with the old analog dials
9) The last of the 911s without cupholders
10) The last of the 911s that have that intoxicating scent of warm oil on the outside and Porsche leather on the inside
10-07-2010, 09:00 AM
#22
Rennlist Member
I have owned both at the same time: one for track/racing and the other for street and a couple of DE's (997). 997 is much better than the prior 996 and the power band much more healthy than the 993. Equally prepared the 997 is faster by a good margin, but not as easily setup for widebody RSR config as the 993 is. Trans and engine work, diff brakes all this on a 993 is much easier and cheaper to upgrade. Porsche seems to placed a dividing line between street and track with the modern car and added the GT3 as the dividing line. If you plan to leave the car in close to stock configuration the 997 will be faster while the 993 is easier to add performance mods. Value wise a used 997 is not much more than 993 right now. If you want the best of both get a used 6GT3.
10-07-2010, 09:48 AM
#24
Instructor
Currently owning a 993 and having had a 997: it's analog versus digital. I feel like I am really driving the car with the 993 whereas with the 997 there was a good deal of the computer's hand in driving it. Acknowledging that I am old fart, I just like the involvement I have with the 993. However, I used the 997 as daily driver, a purpose for which it was, IMHO, superb. I use the 993 for pleasure.
10-07-2010, 11:00 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Nice comments guys, thanks. BTW - I am not trying to sway him one way or the other based on what I think. They are both great cars, after all.
He's not very familiar with 911's, as one of his first comments was: "I know you want to make sure you get one of the water-cooled ones" (?) When he brought up the vintage Rolex example, he was clearly suggesting he want to own a classic, not a Quartz - which incidenatlly, I think Rolex makes as well, or at least used to...
Based on that, I want to share as much factual info about just how different these 2 are. Same brand, same model, VERY different cars.
Best,
Matt
He's not very familiar with 911's, as one of his first comments was: "I know you want to make sure you get one of the water-cooled ones" (?) When he brought up the vintage Rolex example, he was clearly suggesting he want to own a classic, not a Quartz - which incidenatlly, I think Rolex makes as well, or at least used to...
Based on that, I want to share as much factual info about just how different these 2 are. Same brand, same model, VERY different cars.
Best,
Matt
10-07-2010, 11:16 AM
#26
Rennlist Member
And 15 years ago, the then-new 993 owners were the weenies who couldn't do much of anything beyond starting the car, versus all of us with torsion bar era cars. 30 years ago, the then-new SC owners were the weenies who couldn't do much of anything beyond starting the car, versus all of us longhood (let alone 356 owners) guys. 15 years from now? I suspect Rennlist (or equivalent) will have been joined by a huge 996/997 DIY crowd.
10-07-2010, 11:36 AM
#27
Three Wheelin'
I love my floor hinged pedals. Heel and toe is so much easier than it was in my 996 - I have only driven the 997 PDK, but I have not read they changed the pedal arrangement in the 997.
10-07-2010, 12:51 PM
#29
Burning Brakes
1.) Words are useless. He must drive both.
2.) See above.
3.) See above.
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9.) See above.
X.) See above.
2.) See above.
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8.) See above.
9.) See above.
X.) See above.
10-07-2010, 01:31 PM
#30
Race Director
