Air cooled coolness?
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Race Car
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: 6th gear!
I think you guys aren't quite getting what I'm after...
I think the 993 is great...that's why I'm going to buy one.
What I'm philosophizing about is whether the enthusiasm we all share for air cooled cars is just a function of our point in time or will future generations find this a meaningful distinction in Porsche's history as well?
Consider this...imagine Porsche goes all electric in 2020. The the combustion engine vehicles could likely be grouped together and no longer would air vs water cooled be as interesting as simply combustion vs. electric.
I'm just shooting the crap here for fun.
I think the 993 is great...that's why I'm going to buy one.
What I'm philosophizing about is whether the enthusiasm we all share for air cooled cars is just a function of our point in time or will future generations find this a meaningful distinction in Porsche's history as well?
Consider this...imagine Porsche goes all electric in 2020. The the combustion engine vehicles could likely be grouped together and no longer would air vs water cooled be as interesting as simply combustion vs. electric.
I'm just shooting the crap here for fun.
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From: Boston, MA
And the older the car is, the more expensive it gets. Which is not the case at all with _any_ watercooled Porsches going back to, what, 1972? It's not, of course, purely air vs. water. It's the fact that watercooling of 911 coincided with Porsche going to mass production.
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From: Boston, MA
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Joined: Dec 2011
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I think you guys aren't quite getting what I'm after...
I think the 993 is great...that's why I'm going to buy one.
What I'm philosophizing about is whether the enthusiasm we all share for air cooled cars is just a function of our point in time or will future generations find this a meaningful distinction in Porsche's history as well?
Consider this...imagine Porsche goes all electric in 2020. The the combustion engine vehicles could likely be grouped together and no longer would air vs water cooled be as interesting as simply combustion vs. electric.
I'm just shooting the crap here for fun.
I think the 993 is great...that's why I'm going to buy one.
What I'm philosophizing about is whether the enthusiasm we all share for air cooled cars is just a function of our point in time or will future generations find this a meaningful distinction in Porsche's history as well?
Consider this...imagine Porsche goes all electric in 2020. The the combustion engine vehicles could likely be grouped together and no longer would air vs water cooled be as interesting as simply combustion vs. electric.
I'm just shooting the crap here for fun.
That being said I also have a 996 (trying to sell it since I got the 993), but I recently decided to drive it since the 993 heat was blowing weak. The 996 was comfortable, had cup holders, and was silly faster since i have a lightweight flywheel. But it doesn't sound like a sports car. it doesn't handle as great and it just does't feel as cool or fun to drive. It just has that thing that is hard to describe... My 2 pence.D
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From: Roseville, CA
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From: Raleigh, NC & North Myrtle Beach, SC
It's a car. Either enjoy it or collect it . Doesn't matter. I'd put my car on blocks, but that's not good. 993's are getting more & more valuable. it's fun fun to watch the rise. I think they will outstrip water cooled models for the short and long run. I'd sell my car, but I would want a huge premium.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Brentwood, Tennessee
Based on pricing today (14 years after Porsche made its last aircooled car) the answer is fairly obvious. The demand for aircooled cars is much greater.
And the older the car is, the more expensive it gets. Which is not the case at all with _any_ watercooled Porsches going back to, what, 1972? It's not, of course, purely air vs. water. It's the fact that watercooling of 911 coincided with Porsche going to mass production.
And the older the car is, the more expensive it gets. Which is not the case at all with _any_ watercooled Porsches going back to, what, 1972? It's not, of course, purely air vs. water. It's the fact that watercooling of 911 coincided with Porsche going to mass production.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: DFW
Now if I was a licensed pilot and could afford my own private jet, or it was my own DC8, you might get a different answer from me.BTW other's perceived "coolness" was never a reason for why I own an aircooled Porsche, nor do i think that will be a major reason for future owners.
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From: Los Angeles
If somebody offered me a brand new 991 for my 993 but I had to keep it for the rest of my life I wouldn't accept it. Anything past the 993 doesn't really do it for me.
To each his own. Part of the appeal of these cars today is that many guys who grew up or were young when these were being produced couldn't afford them. Now they can. I'm sure that will always happen with cars but it seems that overall there is a decrease in auto enthusiasm from the newer generations.
To each his own. Part of the appeal of these cars today is that many guys who grew up or were young when these were being produced couldn't afford them. Now they can. I'm sure that will always happen with cars but it seems that overall there is a decrease in auto enthusiasm from the newer generations.
King of Cool
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From: Miami Beach, FL
A car that I want to keep forever needs to be something I can do most of the stuff myself, and after 996 GT3 or TT, I'm afraid there's too much electronic stuff and just gadgets that over a long run will be too much to DIY.
Race Car
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From: Plano/DFW
Interesting discussion going on considering I'm in the same boat as SharpMan. I'm currently driving a 997S and have gotten to the point of referring to it as 'the appliance'. I've owned many cars - lots of Ms - but one of the high points was my '93 RSA. I still miss that car and it's the main reason I'm back in a 911 now. I wanted the power of the S, I wanted the 'back to basics' styling of the 997 over the 996s and I wanted something I could drive every day. After having the car for a little while, I'm growing bored mainly because it's so capable, refined and, dare I say, average. Around here, in Dallas, a 997 is nothing special - even Astons are almost ordinary. A 993 though, that's something all together different. Always brings a big smile to a car guy's face. It's a classic. I just greatly improved the sound of my 997 with the addition of Fabspeed 200 cell cats (with Gundo'd cans), but it's still no match for the sound an air-cooled 911 makes. It sounds good, quite good now with the cats, but it's still not the same aural sensation you get in a 964 or 993. I'm currently shopping 993 C2S and C4Ses and looking to flip the 997S, even though it is superior in every performance category and potentially/likely more reliable (minus the IMS issue in an '05). There's one other feeling that is missing when driving the 997 - it's not as cool (fun factor, recognition, smell, etc.) as a 993. It's just one of the 'later' 911s on the road - a jaded perspective, I know.