SKM

Simply said, supply and demand.

IXLR8

Do they?

Ed Hughes

Take one look at your 996 headlights, compare them to the 993, and tell me that ain't worth $10k alone.

Warpig

Cant stand the shape of the rear end of the 996. She lost all her curves...
Also like many others.. really cant stand the headlight's.

ultimately I like the front end of the 964 just a tiny bit more than the 993...
...but nothing is even close to the rear end of a 993. From the A pillars back the 993 is perfection! HELL! from the front of the front wheels back it's perfection! drool

The 996 looses out to both the 964 and the 993 in my book

Nick

mazetto

Don't get me wrong, the 996 is still a great car, but I would take any of the air cooled cars over a 996. From '63 to 98' with the '95 to '98 being the preference.

kilodawg

The key elements have pretty much all been stated.

The 993 is the culmination of the original 911 design from basic shape, interior ergonomics, air-cooled etc.

Technology also enabled the designers to retreat from the add on bumpers that ruled from '74 on in a way that harked back to the long hoods. Sorry 964's don't count here.

Performance was also a culmination of everything Porsche could put into the air-cooled engine and suspension at the time.

Ever look at the visual similarities to the 959? The connection is unmistakable and back then every Porsche fan had loved the 959 for years.

Then there is the cost of the car. Very expensive to build with a lot of value based on the quality (relatively hand made) and the small numbers built.

Then realize that not only was it manufactured before the 996 and the radical changes that were not well received by the purists of the day but also recall that it was made after 20 years worth of impact bumper cars. Those factors have the 993 poised prominently at a unique point in the evolution of the model. While the 911 concept continues to evolve the 993 will always be the high water mark of technology and design for the original air cooled branch of the 911 evolutionary tree.

justin993

they would probably 10-20% more expensive if the world didn't collapse

TNR911

Indeed. But if government spending is not reigned in inflation will hit very hard. Its already started. Then there may well be some bargains out there to be snapped up. Not a political statement, just an opinion.

TRINITONY

3 page; where's the OP?

NC TRACKRAT

SANDERSD probably got a lot of car for $28K but the "Desireability" factor enters the equation. How many 996 owners look over their shoulders after parking just to admire their car? How many 996 owners just go to the garage for a chance to do a little more "bonding"? How many 996 owners just can't wait for the excuse to get in their cars and go somewhere? Even the earlier 997's are depreciating at a rapid rate while the 993's are holding their own.

Ed Burdell

Three words: Chicks dig it.

Seriously, some of my best friends have 996's, but the 993...pure sex on wheels it is, with the bona fides to back it up. Only a Ferrari trumps it on style, but you have to get into a whole 'nother realm of burning money just because you can, and nobody wants that...well, maybe some of us want that, but the point is, the 993 is a no-compromise vehicle on all fronts, from looks to performance to reliability to nostalgia to cachet. So naturally it costs more.

vincer77

Funny, I met a guy at a PCA meeting who said he bought a 997 'cause he couldn't afford a 993. He did find a smoking deal on a 997.

I love the 993! Everytime I walk up to it I am just enthralled with the simple beauty of the car. It kept true to the initial concept but has the day-to-day amenities of a modern car. It does not have rotundness of the 996, It is svelte and agile.

All that said, I drove a 996 and it is an amazing car in itself. It is in between the rawness of the 993 but does not have the BMW-sedan ride of the 997. The early 911 guys will laugh at my characterisation of the 993 being raw. When you look at lap times for the cars, the 996 and even the cushy 997 can really show up a 993 at the track.

Before buying my car, I considered a 73 911S, a 911SC, an RS America and 996 and 997. Still happy with my choice. A 996GT3 or S cab are great cars for the money.

'Bout time to change the avatar I'd say.

Cactus

When I was younger and pretty poor I remember walking in to the dealer and saw my first 993. Red Turbo that was lowered and I think I had tears in my eyes thinking how awesome it was and I might never have one. Then I remember seeing my first 996 in the same showroom and the tears were worse because I knew the 993 would be harder to get someday.......

Shake

I used to extremely dislike the styling of the 996, but now when i look at a nice clean example, without comparing it to former 911's, it's not a bad looking car at all. At some point, way way in to the future, the 996 will go up in value.

timothymoffat

Me too. The local dealer's 1st shipment of 993s included a blk/blk coupe, GR/blk coupe, and a Riviera/blk cab. I think I spent several hours checking them out. And I distinctly remember a feeling of sadness knowing that I`d never be able to order a new one. To me, automotive perfection, then as now, comes in the form of a 993.