Stealth 993

My C4 stays outside all the time. I wash her once a week, & wax every few months. In the summer I have 2 window shields one for the front & one for the back. My car still looks great!

The worst part is how it gets dirty from just sitting there. We will be building a carport soon.

helmet993

I think I should never post topics again, sorry for not being clear

Seems like I never take enough time to put all the info down in a clear format when requesting the insight of the rennlisters. Sorry

I hate typing long things but on the other hand I like to talk Porsche, so therein lies my problem!

So to clarify...I have a 97 993 S and we are buying a 996 Turbo for my wife within the next few months. Those two would be in the garage

And turns out I need to buy myself a daily driver, which will have to be stored in the driveway. Trying to decide between a 993 and a 996 for the daily driver duties.

The driveway would have my wife's SUV also, and my daily driver.

So, 4 cars...3 Porsche and 1 Hyundai.

As I type this it is starting to sound expensive!

mongrelcat

In Laguna Beach (heaven on earth, consider yourself very fortunate....) I think I'd use a light cover to keep the sun off.

Will the car be parked in the shade or garage while at the office? If so, that's only 1x to remove/replace the cover per day. And as long as the paint/trim is protected w/ sealant and/or wax I can't see how a light cover would itself cause any wear.

993c4_Toronto

I have a 993 as a daily driver. It's in the garage at home at night but outside at the office all day.

It's worth exposing it to the elements to enjoy it each day. I love it and sometimes visit it when I need a break from my desk.

Priceless

I like your problems! Sounds like you need to go in with a couple of other car guys in your area and buy an old building for your toys

Alcav5

If I may chime in again, and aside from my embarassingly large and obtrusive earlier post, I have to say I was in a similar situation a few months ago where I needed (wanted) an enjoyable daily driver through the winter months here in NY.

So like you, the only consideration for me was another porsche. Damn I love those cars!. I too was focused in on a 993 (never drove one but heard plenty) or another 996 (but coupe and 6 spd, since I have a tip cab for the summer). And regardless that I do have another spot inside the garage I resolved that this car was going to be my work horse, my station car, through all types of weather (except deep snow or torrential conditions), I would have had no problem leaving it out in the driveway. It is outside all day during the day anyway. In other words the effects of the elements were not in my consideration and shouldn't be in yours. The only thing in consideration was which type of ride did I want to enjoy, practically every day for the next 6 - 8 months.

So what I'm saying is that regardless of the car's resale value, regardless of the elements, pick the car that you will enjoy the most and just polish it up once in awhile. I bet a 993 or a 996 outside will hold up as well as the other car it sits next to.
My two cents..
Al

Priceless

...in this market, you may do well in 10 years with that building & the depreciation on your DD could be a wash

Leon993

I would use a 996 as a daily driver. A liquid cooled engine does not expand and contract with temperature changes as much as an air cooled, making it nice for stop and go daily driving. Basically you get in and go.

And I would not feel as bad watching a 996 wither away in the elements as I would a 993.

vincer77

I don't like to leave any cars outside, but I would rather leave a 996 in the elements instead of a 993. Sure, there are alot of 993s but there are even more 996s. The 993 is the ultimate evolution of the air-cooled 911s whereas the 996 is seen as a less than perfect, first stab at a water-cooled 911.

Quadcammer

Oh?

where'd you hear that?

Stealth 993

NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING 2 993'S!

Don't worry so much about keeping it outside. The real question is can you keep up with keeping it looking good? That is real commitment. Wax & trim protectant will keep the exterior 100% the real issues is keeping the heat out of the interior.

I love having the C4 as a DD & find it hard to find a another car that would be better (997.2 GT3 would work).

Flying Finn

I disagree.

Not if it's a 996 TT vs. N/A 993 but if you compare regular 996 Carrera vs. 993 Carrera, there's no doubt 993 is more worthy.

993s are more expensive today even though they are older and since there was so many more 996s made, that gap is going to stay that way and in long run most likely get even wider.
And the fact that 993 was the last air-cooled 911 is also something that makes it more "collectible", hence expensive in the future.

Quadcammer

If you go only by monetary value, ok (depending on the model of 996).

Benton

There's also the rubber panel trim to worry about on the 993, as well as things like tail lights that will degrade and will cost more to replace, if desired. OTOH, my dad has a 996 that is outside all day at his office; his plastic windshield cowling needed to be replaced, and his plastic headlights are yellowing (both obviously don't apply to 993). Basically, the 996 doesn't have as much exposed rubber trim of a 993. So regardless of classic value or sentimental value, a 996 is more apt to be parked outdoors.

I think a win/win would be to find a high-mileage 993 as the DD. You don't have to worry about keeping it cherry because it isn't a cherry car.

BigMikeATL

Really? It's a damn car. Keep wax on it and get a sunscreen for the windshield and enjoy the ever loving crap out of it every day you get in it to go to work.