As long as it is a 993, be it a cab, targa, coupe or turbo, you can't go wrong.

 

Love my '95 cab - no varioram, no OBII, no immobilzer, no issues...

 

x2. It is a pleasure.

 

Very fair if everything checks out. Make sure there is a paperwork trial of maintenance. 30k service done??

 

Andreas,
I thought your car was a 6/94 build like mine?

 

Love my '96 coupe - varioram, OBII, immobilzer, no issues...

I would buy any 993 based on price, options and condition, not based on year. That being said, I feel the SAI issue is highly overated and would not hesitate to buy a Vram car.

 

'95's had more undertrays that allowed for better cooling.

 

What jtilden states here (quote above) is not correct. The 1994 and 1995 993 engine is different from the earlier 964 engines in many ways. The 993 has a lighter, stronger and stiffer crank shaft, lighter connecting rods and pistons, hydraulic valve lifters, a different and much more efficient (and better sounding) exhaust, a more efficient air intake and MAF sensor, etc, etc.

The 1994-95 models are by far the most attractive ones in every way. The obvious is the lack of OBDII and all the issues with that system. In many cases a 96-98 will not pass smog test in California and other strict states. Even if the Vario Ram air intake looks impressive, it is much more complicated with more moving parts than a non VRam. And for all "old" cars , the rule "something that you don't have, can not break" also applies for the 993. The VRam also adds weight where you want it the least.

When it comes to performance, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport tested the non VRam against the VRam in 1995. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h (62mph) was 5.2 seconds on both cars. Top speed was marginally higher on the VRam car, and bottom end torque was also slightly higher. But throttle response on the non VRam was quicker and better. According tot that magazine (and others), the non VRam felt quicker, due to throttle response and a better sounding (and more efficient) exhaust (different catalytic converters and manifolds on the 94-95 and early 96 models, Bishoff vs Gillet). The 13 HP (285 vs 272) and 10Nm (350Nm vs 340Nm) gain was more on paper than in real driving.

The non Vram cars also respond better to tuning, and tuning is also easier and cheaper than the VRam cars. The 94-95 models you can easily change the chip, the 96 model can not be chipped or re-flashed, the 97-98 models can have the ECU re-flashed. If you want to tune a 96, you would have to get a 97 ECU.

So when the VRam cars are considered more attractrive (for all the wrong reasons...), the non VRam cars are obvious a better buy for people that really knows what they want (and especially what they don't want).

 

So people who purchased Varioram cars did it for the wrong reasons and don't know what they want...hmmm, a rather bold statement I must say
I have driven many 993s, and find they all feel a little different. I surely would not pass on buying a 993 because of, or lack of, the varioram intake system, but would base my decision on how well the car drives, feels, options, and was maintained. You would possibly miss out on a lot of great cars if you were stuck on only one year.

 

FisterD, I agree that I came with a bold statement, but it seems that a lot of 993 enthusiasts see the Vario Ram air intake as "The Holy Grail" for the 993's, and that the VR cars are better. They are however newer, and that may of course be a good thing.
I also agree that the condition of the car, how it drives, and what kind of driving you are doing, et, etc, should count more than VR or not. But every time I get a question what I prefer, I will tell people why I prefer the non VR cars. But I hope that we all agree that the 993 is one of the greatest Porsches of all times, VR or not...

 

This we can agree on!
I don't know of anyone who thinks the Varioram is the Holy Grail for the 993. I think that term is reserved for such cars as the 993 RS, 993 GT2, and most definitely the 993 RUF Turbo R.

 

I wish people would stop linking Varioram and OBD-II together. Varioram is great for a street car with no major disadvantages but for a small weight penalty.

OBD-II, on the other hand, can be a real PITA. While all US 96-98 cars came with both Varioram and OBD-II, if you start with a 95, you can add Varioram and still have OBD-I. This is what the Europeans get, and it is the best of both worlds.