robingb

it seems i need to get a 1995 car to avoid smog/cel/sai issues here in calif. i understand that i won't being getting the engine update of later cars. i think this means less torque and power. is that right? how much of a difference is that? thanks, gary

Mike J

The reason I put this here is this has been discussed to death in multiple threads. The best way is do some reading using the search function, and then get back to us if that does not meet your needs.

Cheers,

Mike

Keadog

I will just say that after a '98 and '97 over a total of 8 years, having a car without the "immobilizer" would be worth more than 12 HP to me, especially if it was a late '95 without the basket handle.

Zed.

I have both and can't honestly tell the difference, albeit comparing the early 2 wheel drive to the later AWD wide body. The lack of immobilized is a huge satisfier.

Mark in Baltimore

Late model build '95's did come with the immobilizer.

IMHO, the immobilizer is no big deal. I have it on my late build '95.

NC TRACKRAT

As you can see, I've got both and they each have their merits but, at the end of the day, I really think the '95 is my favorite. With a "tweaked" ECU, the power differential is negligible. It's just such a pure no "bells & whistles" Porsche with an "old school" feel to it. I could probably drive it to Hell and back and not get bored.

Bill Verburg

The difference is mostly going to be in the midrange, vram will be much torquier in daily driving,

a '95 w/ OBD1 is far easier to modify and get past any smog checks, it's a snap to bypass the immobilizer on a '95 but not so easily accomplished on a US 96-98

RoW were all OBD1 and are as easy to deal w/ as US '95s except tor the turbos which are all OBD2 no matter where they were sold.

RocketJohn

I wanted a simple, light, no frills, reliable Porsche 911. I ended up with a Sept 1994 build 993 with a 6 speed that seems to fit that bill.

I would put other things first over the 95 vs 96-98:
1) no wrecks
2) lack of paintwork
3) service records
4) no corrosion
5) color combinations you won't get tired of
6) transmission choice
7) was it actually cared for nicely over its life (garaged, detailed, maintained)

Engines and electronics can be repaired and replaced...

robingb

thanks to all that replied for the input. i also found another post that helped. in my mind it comes down to foregoing the mid range torque (and of lesser concern addt'l HP) of a later car to avoid the cel/sai issues of a later car. as a calif resident, cel/sai issue scares the poop out of me. because car will be for street driving sometimes in traffic. how big of a deal is the reduced mid range torgue. i have a 964. how will the 95 993 mid range torgue compare to it? thanks again, gary

Bill Verburg

It will be marginally better, the difference hp/torque between a 964 and a non vram 993 is small

Kika

I have a 96 in CA.
I have smogged it 3 times, most recently yesterday. I have never had a problem getting it smogged. The technician told me that my car was as clean as a new car.

I have had my share of CELs, but , I simply reset them. I do the drive cycle IF I am near getting it checked.

I understand your concern, but it has never been an issue for me.

JM993

You can also add vram to a 95 and have the best of both worlds. More info in the link in my sig.

Cheers,
Joe

EMBPilot

BLASPHEMY !!

doc_porsche

From what I gathrer from all the reading 95 are great other then the VRAM. How many out there with a c2s or c4s prefers the 95 over the wide body? I only ask because I'm getting ready to pull on a 96 c4s but always wondered about the 95

Mike J

hmm - widebody vs narrowbody. I have had both - and much prefer the stance of the widebody from the rear - but a tail can make a big difference on the look.

Funny question though - you figure if someone with a widebody S likes a NB 95 instead, why don't they switch?

BTW, I have driven several 95's and Varioram cars, and you can definitely feel the low end grunt of the Varioram.

Cheers,

Mike