Matt Lane

...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.

Makmov

993 Air/oil cooled
997 Water cooled

Drastic difference in price.

Dry sump returns in 2009

You might have to narrow it down more. There are so many things to talk about.

The GT3s

over 100 body changes from the 996

Retro interior from the 996

More powerfull engine in the 997

Chris L

A 993 is way closer to the bottom of the depreciation curve than a 997.

Matt Lane

Maybe a bit of a clarification. Obviously the 997 is safer, bigger, newer, faster, more comfortable, with more modern options, handles better. No discussion there.

Looking for the other major build and ownership features that make the 993 significantly different from a 997.

How about "the last of the original window-framed doors that close like a vault?"

M

Priceless

How 'bout her cute butt...993 that is...

Dwane

2- No driver Aids
3- The older cars "feel different"
Tell him to drive the different models.
I prefer driving the CaymanS to a 997.

Terry Adams

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Heraclitus

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man."

Were it not for my left hip, replaced 3 months ago, I would still be in my manual 993. At 161K miles, though a bit long in the tooth, it was still nimble, frugal, and solid. Give or take a couple hundred HP and 400+ pounds, it did everything I need at 95% of the 997.

I think the 997 fixed the door strap check issue, but we shall see. There are a few other niceties, but the overall comfort and handling is not a huge plus.

Makmov

Yeah, I think if was to getter a new or newer Porsche it would be a Cayman S, too

Wilder

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

Terry Adams

It's a Metzger block, and the 997.1 TT has it. But you are correct about the entire lineup.

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-turb...1-engines.html

Wilder

Hi Terry. I know it's often miss spelled here on RL but it's actually Hans Mezger who designed the block. And you're correct in that it is available in both the 996 and 997 turbo and GT3 variants but not the entire lineup.

Terry Adams

Thanks Avid, did not realize the spelling and origin.

I do miss my 993, but 1 quart per 8-10K miles in the 997 is not a bad thing either.

I guess if Porsche was aiming for the demographic that aged as it traded in, they hit a bulls eye with the 997.

95C4VanIsle

"Selective quote" from an automotive forum comparing a 993 to a 997:

There's no disguising that the 993 hails from a different era, yet there's also an integrity about the cabin that no modern car can match. The substantial action of the doors as they slam close, the depth of the carpets and the quality of the switchgear are nothing less than extraordinary from our perspective today. This car is 16 years old, but everything works and feels like it's a step beyond the current car, not two steps behind.

Wilder

Not to mention aircon that works. I like all GT1 cars.

Ed Burdell

I can only think of five significant ones, a mix of quantitative and qualitative differences:

1. Size
2. Gadgetry
3. Comfort
4. Performance Stats
5. Cachet