Hello 993ers,

I just sold a pristine 964 and I have an empty spot for a 993... I'm hesitating between 993 C2S (1997) or 993 Turbo (1996). Both in similar conditions, similar mileage, etc (very good condition). For me, both are collectable pieces. The Turbo is obviously more expensive (13K$ more). Since I'm looking for long term, I would like to know your tought about the mid or long term cost of ownership and value. I'm not a heavy user. I'm in Canada, will use it for 3000 miles/years approx. Both are of interest to me and I don't want to have the turbo performance absolutely.

1- Will the Turbo be more complicated to maintain and expensive to use? I assume it will cost a little more but is this like twice the cost?

2- In term of resale, which one will hold it's value more? The rare C2S or the "sublime" Turbo ?

Thanks guys!

Pierre

 

Hard to know which will cost more to maintain but I seriously doubt a turbo will cost 2x to maintain. I've had mine 6 years and it has been virtually trouble free.

Since you aren't going to pile up the miles, I think both will retain their value about the same.

If you're not that interested in the extra power of the turbo, why soend the extra $$? You won't go wrong with either one.

 

In terms of pure production numbers, I think that a 2S will be more collectible, no? Less made?

 

You're right Jonathan, officially, there is more 993 turbo than C2S. There is also many C4S with the Turbo look (whale tail spoiler added) so on the street, you can see much more 993 with the whale tail than the split grill C2S. For purists, I think this make the C2S desirable. But as you all know, the Turbo 993 is probable the air cooled flat 6 at it's best ;-). Keep posting your toughts, I'm interested !

 

I think you should also think about where you drive your 3K. Around town a bit or longer stretches. I like a modestly powered naturally aspirated car for mixed driving but if you are going to stretch it's legs alot a turbo may be more satisfying. Which do you like driving better? I think both are holding values well so it is really a matter of taste for you, perhaps.

 

Thanks Andy, good point. Most of my milleage was done on highway and country road. So this is a plus for the Turbo. About wich one I like the best, well, I can't say because I never drove the Turbo 993. I never owned a Turbo and I only test driven a 930.

 

^^I only owned a 996 turbo for a few months and sold it for my NA 993. Less power but more satisfying to me in many ways (direct feeling, useable power, etc). I have never owned a 993 turbo though...I have heard they are great. Tough choice!!! Good luck...

 

I think desirability trumps rarity in this case, so the Turbo will be "slightly" more collectible. I am in the exact same position as you and have decided to look at both and I'm sure I will know the right car when I see it. You can't go wrong with either....

 

For sub 75mph areas with tight corners, I prefer the NA. On the highway I prefer the turbo. I think the cost of maintenance is roughly the same unless you have some type of turbo issue (too much oil). Both of my girls (turbo and C4S) have equally low maintenance costs. As far as long term value, the 993 in general has done very well. Test drive them both in the situations that you will be normally be enjoying you car. I love the sound of my C4S, but the extra kick of the turbo is very nice. Either way you are getting a vehicle that is the last of its generation.

 

Hard to know which will cost more to maintain but I seriously doubt a turbo will cost 2x to maintain.

 

Hi, would have to say to the collectible aspect of your purchase that the less made the better the value. Over double the turbos made than the c2s's. Have had my S for over 3 years and drive it about the same as your going to. Values are higher now on them than when I bought mine in 09. As far as repairs a ppi will help but don't always trust everything the dealer says, half the things I was told were bad were not. Figure about 40 cents a mile for overall yearly repair costs.

 

My take: drive both and buy the one you like. If you like the look of the turbo tail and want the power, don't buy a C2S or C4S and expect to be satisfied. If you like the split grill and the NA power is enough for your needs, then spend your money finding the right C2S or C4S.

I went the C4S route and found a gem: exactly what I wanted in a car. However, I find myself yearning for more power, and for a $10-13K nexus -- and all of the other aspects of my car equal (condition, paperwork, etc.) -- if I could do it again, I would probably lean towards the turbo.

Having said that, I am in love with the split grill look, and it wouldn't make sense to do that to turbo.

-bg

 

I love my old school design of the 993 and it is faster than 95% of the cars out today.

 

I have owned both. I bought a C2S and kept it for two years then bought the 993TT for the extra power. Both are great cars, but I really do miss the C2S.

My Turbo has been more expensive to maintain than my C2S, and that's with doing a lot of the work myself. That could be because they are more expensive to maintain or it could be just the fact that the turbo had more issues to sort out.

I will say that I don't think you need the extra 150 HP on most roads around me but it is nice to spin the wheels in third gear like a high school kid from time to time. I also do DEs with the PCA and for me the C2S is too nice to track and the 993TT is waaaaaaay to fast for my crappy skills.

 

This is not scientific, but it feels like 993T prices have remained pretty constant over the past 5 years, while C2S prices have gone up. Who would have thought you'd see $50-65,000 pricing for a 14 year old C2S? But the farther Porsche gets from the "classics" the more desired the older models become.

For the "old fashioned" Porsche enthusiast I would think that NA and RWD are going to be desired long-term. We've seen it in the 997 forums since 2005 - the age old debate between RWD and AWD.

So my pick, and I considered Turbo, C2, and C2s, was a 1997 C2S with low miles. Still grinning, don't miss the extra power my 997s all had, don't yearn for more power or AWD. Happy...