Mike J

We should not have a thread on 996 bashing - its not polite. The 996 is a lot of machine for the money - if it looked like a 993/997 it would have been a different story. I have driven and serviced them - they are not a sports car, more of a GT type car, plenty quick but not much feel. While the 993 also has some flaws (SAI, valve guides, steering racks...) at least the bottom end of the engine does not grenade, and it can be DIY rebuilt (but not cheaply).

A buddy of mine has a 996 - it's funny how defensive 996 owners get when you tell them their cars are the poor in-between the 993 and 997's. To each his own I guess, but I will stick with my 993TT - !

Cheers,

Mike

ryanmac

I live in Vancouver too.. so perhaps I should take yours for a weekend.

Mike J

I am sure Knight will sell you his Turbo for $85K, and you can go from there! Then again, he may not, sweet car (I know, its been in my shop).

Cheers,

Mike

CarreraX

Im not bashing. Im just saying I didnt like either of mine. To me there is no comparison. That said, I have nothing against them, i just dont want one. I do have friends with them.........

Mike J

Sorry Mark, was not referring to you - it was a general statement.

cheers

Mike

Knight

I don't think I would get the car back!

Not sure how soon you plan on getting into your p-car, but we do have a decent size p-car community here in Vancouver. I'd also visit the numerous local used dealers (Weissach, Urban Garage, Auto One etc) and check out the different models.

If your still looking by summer, the annual Mike J BBQ/workshop will be give you great insight into 993s from very passionate owners!

I always thought this article was a great comparison old vs new:

http://www.insideline.com/porsche/91...rsche-993.html

Good luck, the discovering and search is def part of the fun!

CarreraX

I actually just sold my last 993 to a very nice RL'r in Vancouver.

993James993

I'd take a 996....TT.

Mark in Baltimore

I'll raise you two bags.

Falcondrivr

Or maybe a GT3 MK2

Brian said it best. Supply and demand. I think one year of 996 production (2002?) is more than all the 993 production. I think I read that somewhere...

rome

As others have said, the 993 represents the high water mark of 30 years of development of the air-cooled 911-- the most iconic sports car of our time.

Beyond that, the car was built to an ideal (as opposed to being built for profit). Porsche's goal at that time was to build the greatest sports car in the world (profitability was a distant second), and it almost bankrupted the company. BUT, the result of this approach was a product of uncompromising quality. If you sit in a 993 you can tell. Even the rubber/plastic parts are well made and durable. The leather is incredible. It simply reeks of quality. The 996, on the other hand, was designed with profit in mind and the cheapness of the interior says it all.

What's more, they didn't build all that many relative to the modern cars. In 1997, for example, they only built around 700 993 2S coupes for north america. For the 996 and 997 models they built thousands in a given year.

Driving a 993 is so different than driving the more modern 911's. Both are great, but the fun factor with the 993 is off the charts due to the sound, connectedness and visceral feel.

For all of these reasons, they are lusted after by enthusiasts, and hence the high price.

Ed Hughes

Anyone checked the 996 board yet? They gotta be discussing this thread over there.

I was looking at a few 996's simultaneously to looking at 993's, so a lot of side by side (so to speak) comparos. No contest. As noted above, they just don't age well.

camlob

Yeah the GT3 MK2 is a good car. I think EVO shaved off something like 12 secs over a 993 RS in their test track. There is a MK2 RS here, and its the only one in this country. Very tempting but also expensive. Going for the same price as 997 TT or a MB CLK63 black series Evosport!

The Brewmeister

tcsracing1

the 996 is the red headed step child of the 911 family....

truth be known they are decent , reliable and affordable 911s...

They may not look as curvy, or bug eyed or even ride as nice as the 997 but for the money they fit the bill quite nice.

The 993 has a higher resale than the 996 because it is the last of and the most refined of the small wheel base air cooled 911s.
The body is timeless and the drivetrain proven.

It is the body of many a porsche fan's dreams.....

You gotta have a small wheel base porsche to be a true porscheaholic... might as well be a 993

Consider 996s disposable..... except for the GT3...