MeddlingKid

So if the short distances are going to be an issue, and I need to go water cooled, I suppose I'm looking at a 996. I can't really afford the 997s yet. What price movement do you all expect for the 993s and 996s over the next 2-3 years? I know that some people seem to be getting rid of their cars for solid bargains right now, given the less than stellar state of the economy.

Falcondrivr

MY .02, I think 993s are priced where they will stay for a long time. 996 will continue to depreciate like any mass produced car.

dryadsdad

They may settle down a bit more, but I am in general agreement with you. We're not into appreciation yet, but we are in the stage where condition determines the value. As they age, there will be greater spread between the cars as condition separates their market value.

Soon, IMO, we'll get into the more original the car, the higher the value.

Mike J

In the summer, even if I have a shorter commute, I drive the 993 just because.

When its raining, I drive my pickup. When its sort-of nice, its a crap-shoot.

If I have to haul people, or stuff, its the pickup. If its just the wife and I, its the 993.

I used to insure just one vehicle, and that can work, but I find with two vehicles on the road is quite a bit nicer to have choices. However, I drove only a 911 for three seasons a year to work and pleasure, with two kids, and it worked out fine. We always had the wife's car (at that time was a Pathfinder) so haul the bigger stuff.

One thing different here in Vancouver, B.C. The insurance for a really good driver for the 993 is still close to $2,000/year so it is a luxury to have two vehicles I can choose from on the road.

Cheers,

Mike

Rinty

Ouch!

Falcondrivr

Absolute agreement.
The day of the $10,000 996 is fast approaching however. That should be a sad day for all Porsche fans.

bobesser

My family has two cars, my wife's Prius and my 993. I daily drive my car and she daily drives her's - so, I essentially only have one car. It works fine. If it is in the shop (rarely) either rent or public trans and you are fine.

Bob

Mike J

Yup, that is pretty well as low as you can get it and still use it for work. Even pleasure only is $1500+/year. As a point of comparison, my wife's brand-new Forester is $1800/year and my 99 F250 SuperDuty 4x4 is around $1600.

Cheers,

Mike

dryadsdad

except for those who have air cooled nice examples

After all, we survived the 924.

Canyon56

It sounds like just a couple of people have their 993 as their only car.

A few months ago I went down to Staples to pick up a heavy duty paper shredder. It wouldn't fit in the 993. What do you do then?

As a daily driver but with a spare (and more utilitarian) car, sure. But as an only car, I guess it just means some strategic thinking sometimes.

That said, a friend of mine owns a BMW R1000 as his only mode of transport. But he ends up being dependent on other people for a lot of things

JimPA

I've covered 60K miles in eight years of ownership. Mine is a DD, summer/winter/rain/snow. For most of that time I had a 25 minute commute, mostly on secondary roads in NJ or PA. It's not the only car in the household so I have other options for hauling larger items.

I have extra wheels with Michelin Pilot Alpin snow tires. The front end is a little loose in snow but not unpredictable. Last winter we had two days of heavy snow (24" and 16") that kept the car in the garage but most other people weren't driving either.

Although I only hand wash the car, even during the winter, it still needs a thorough clean-up and detail each spring. Also, if there is a lot of sand on your roads during the winter, the front bumper cover and front half of the hood can get pitted after a few seasons.

johnsjmc

As I said before I can see a 993 as a DD but not the only car in the family. When I was in university I could fit everything I owned in a 911 or probably a motorcycle but I have too much stuff now.
The 993s are probably fully depreciated now. A good SC is selling for more than a low average 993. Prices will start to rise when people looking at older SCs and up cars. realize that. The 996 will continue to depeciate similar to a 928.The 928 cost more than a 911 when new.

bart1

Roof rack! I have a 968 and a Jeep, both of which can haul much more than the 993.

black ice

We're certainly not the majority, but there are plenty here that use their 993 as a DD. I'm driving 20K per year in mine and have put 90K on it since I purchased. Loved every minute.

Just had the front repainted on mine and the one thing I'd highly recommend for a DD is a clearbra.

Don't underestimate the cost to keep a 993 (or even a 996) running. If you run a stock alignment you'll get 20K max out of a set of rear tires, for example.

993s are getting older and require more TLC than one might expect, and it's not particularly cheap. Get used to dealing with small issues from time to time if you plan on making it reliable. Be ready to spend extra when the car goes to the shop. For example: had my engine out recently for a clutch job and there were about $500 worth of "might as wells" on the back of the engine - hoses, gaskets and what not. That's on top of the thousands it will cost you for the clutch parts and the engine drop. Unless you're prepared to do it all yourself.

Just make sure you really love the car if you plan on stretching your budget over it, be it a 993 or a 996. Neither is a good investment.



dave

dryadsdad

I'd think whether a 993 is a good DD would depend on the daily drive. My wife is roughly 6 miles to work in city traffic. Her 993 would be a terrible DD not due to the 993, but due to it being a low car with a 6 speed and the oil never getting fully warmed up. I find my 4 x 4 Toy truck a bit annoying due to the 5 speed but at least I can see well rather than being 'in the hole' like I would be in the 993. Mostly though, I'd not like to run the car day after day never getting the oil warm.

BTW, my DD is a motorcycle.