Need help deciding: 993 4S for a DD?
10-20-2011, 11:08 PM
#1
Need help deciding: 993 4S for a DD?
Just looking for some pros and cons of using a 993 4S for a daily driver. I currently own a 997.1 that is somewhat of a garage queen. I'm hesitant to use it as a daily driver -- especially in inclement weather.
I guess my question is, how practical is it to use a 993 4S for a DD? How reliable and durable are these cars? The 993 I found has been properly maintained and has never had an oil leak, CEL or any other major problem. It currently has 70k miles. What would average yearly maintance be on this car? Do most people buy a car like this (with this many miles) for weekend use only?
I guess my question is, how practical is it to use a 993 4S for a DD? How reliable and durable are these cars? The 993 I found has been properly maintained and has never had an oil leak, CEL or any other major problem. It currently has 70k miles. What would average yearly maintance be on this car? Do most people buy a car like this (with this many miles) for weekend use only?
10-20-2011, 11:16 PM
#3
Very reliable if the maintenance is kept up. The cars are getting older but if the previous owner has done the maintenance, and you get a good PPI, these cars are nice DD. They arent as 'civilized' as your 997 but you definitely have a feel for what the car is doing when you are in them.
10-20-2011, 11:17 PM
#4
IMHO sell the garage queen 997 and get a garage queen 993. Buy a beater 997 to use as a DD.
I think you have them backwards, as the 997 will follow the path of the 996. The premium for a low mileage 996 is very very low. The production numbers are doing this to the new world Porsches.
No offense, just my honest opinion.
I think you have them backwards, as the 997 will follow the path of the 996. The premium for a low mileage 996 is very very low. The production numbers are doing this to the new world Porsches.
No offense, just my honest opinion.
10-20-2011, 11:17 PM
#5
My 993 C4S has been my daily driver for nearly 7 years and almost 50K miles. Solid as a rock, and costs the same, or less, to maintain than any other car I've owned. That's the great thing about these old 911s: build quality. Probably better made than the 997 you're driving now.
As long as the maintenance is done on these cars, higher miles shoudn't matter; they're built to last. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country tomorrow if I had to.
As long as the maintenance is done on these cars, higher miles shoudn't matter; they're built to last. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country tomorrow if I had to.
10-20-2011, 11:54 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
This many miles? To bore everyone yet again, 10K in winter/snow use alone with mine last year. Zero issues. Can we nuke the internet, and all the mileage-phobia will go away? (I'm not saying at all that mileage doesn't severely impact price, just that a "1" in the leading digit of the odo isn't a death sentence for the car.)
10-20-2011, 11:54 PM
#7
I am the original owner of my '96 C4S. It has been my daily driver, has never let me down in 101,000 miles. I stay up on maintenance and, after deciding to keep it, had a motor teardown and split case reseal (along with SAI clean out) about 3 years ago before I had a issues with it.
Trending Topics
10-21-2011, 12:20 AM
#8
80k miles on my '95 DD since I bought it new.
Not as rigorous as most about maintenance; no issues at all up until about 3 years ago.
Brakes went spongy, turned out to be some kind of one-way valve in the brake line in the rear end someplace.
Last year immobilizer problems cost me almost $3k.
This year, two new rear axles due to cracked CV boots, about $2500.
Been struggling with HVAC system for a couple of years, have most of it kind of patched up and working, though I need a new aux fan in the rear and a couple of those troublesome air damper things.
One set of brakes, two batteries, two sets of belts, one set of spark plugs.
Gordo
Not as rigorous as most about maintenance; no issues at all up until about 3 years ago.
Brakes went spongy, turned out to be some kind of one-way valve in the brake line in the rear end someplace.
Last year immobilizer problems cost me almost $3k.
This year, two new rear axles due to cracked CV boots, about $2500.
Been struggling with HVAC system for a couple of years, have most of it kind of patched up and working, though I need a new aux fan in the rear and a couple of those troublesome air damper things.
One set of brakes, two batteries, two sets of belts, one set of spark plugs.
Gordo
10-21-2011, 02:00 AM
#10
Funny guy, want my commute.
It's really pretty hard on the car....mostly winter or stinky weather driving, cold-*** starts on many days as the car sits in the office parking lot. Garaged at night at least. Mostly short trips (5-10 miles).
Harley in the summer and another mode for longer trips, so it doesn't see lots of nice day driving.
Incredible reliabilty, considering.
Every day is like the first day.
It's really pretty hard on the car....mostly winter or stinky weather driving, cold-*** starts on many days as the car sits in the office parking lot. Garaged at night at least. Mostly short trips (5-10 miles).
Harley in the summer and another mode for longer trips, so it doesn't see lots of nice day driving.
Incredible reliabilty, considering.
Every day is like the first day.
10-21-2011, 06:41 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
that's reason enough to own one...and I couldn't agree more.
16 months of ownership, and 16K miles for me and my 4S. I currently have too short of a commute to consider it as my DD, but last year it was.
To the OP, mileage is of no concern, if the car has been cared for. It won't be as comfortable, or as fast as the 997..many people will think it's just as new. However, the sounds, smells, and tactile feel of the car...will be NO comparison.
16 months of ownership, and 16K miles for me and my 4S. I currently have too short of a commute to consider it as my DD, but last year it was.
To the OP, mileage is of no concern, if the car has been cared for. It won't be as comfortable, or as fast as the 997..many people will think it's just as new. However, the sounds, smells, and tactile feel of the car...will be NO comparison.
10-21-2011, 11:07 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
No offense meant here, but buying a 993 C4S to use as a daily beater so you can preserve your 997.1 is pure silliness, IMO. You should be doing just the opposite. Besides, as the previous owner of a 997.1 as well as a current owner of a 993 C4S, I can attest that the 997 is a far better daily driver.
