Love My '95
141,000 miles

 

For your viewing pleasure:

 

I recently paid a deposit on a new Cayman. Platinum Silver was going to be collected on the 24th. Then I reflected on how I felt after owning my first Porsche a 996 C4. After 40k kms I sold as it was not as involving as I expected. I realized that the Cayman was great but going to be a similar trip.
Your comments helped me decide at 4am this morning to cancel the Cayman.
Also read an article in Bloomberg online " We are going to put you in an old Porsche" yesterday that made me think.
Now to put on those miles/kms! Only 73k kms at the moment!
Relief!!

 

I've read the entire thread and everyone feels their Porsche year is the best. However, I've read reports and reviews that state the '95's and '96's have had distributor belt issue, however, they claim the '97's and '98's were bullet proof.
So, what's the general consensus? Which year is the most bullet proof 993?

 

I have no clue how Dist belts after '96 are any more dependable.

 

The consensus is the most well maintained is the best year. Mine is 98 4S which was well cared for by the previous owner who had it for 13 years. The main work done was new coilovers and SAI cleaning. The engine is very strong and smooth. Easy to get into triple digit speed if you hold gas for too long (on closed course of course) I posted before that the PPI shop said the engine is in good shape for 30k mile engine and amazing for one with 70k miles on it.

 

There are a few small differences between model years on the 993. Varioram, OBD-I/OBD-II etc. However, reliability is the same across all the 993 model years.

At 15+ years out, reliability at this point will be based on how any one individual car was maintained. Back in the day, these 993s were built in small numbers by a small automaker and made to last if taken care of. Nowadays however, new Porsches are built by a savvy multi-national corporation by the tens of thousands whose main concern is that they last exactly 3 years/36,000 miles.

 

I think the bumper cover and the hood are probably still useable. Even if they have a hole or two in them I would leave them in as it will certainly impress people who stop to look at your car in public. A Bonnie & Clyde vanity plate would be a plus!!

Andy

 

Hi, this is the one area I have not checked, the distributor belt, should I worry about it and get it replaced? the car only has 31K but it is 17years old!
E

 

I agree with the 996's I kept mine until it reached 38K mikes and got rid of it. My 993 has been very reliable so far and honestly based on what I know about these cars it will never let me down. All they need is regular and preventative maintenance and they are good for many years and miles.

 

"So, what's the general consensus? Which year is the most bullet proof 993?[/QUOTE]

All 993 model years are bulletproof, in that a catastrophic failure is very rare.

Eventually, all will likely have troubles with HVAC and other systems since no single model year is immune to aging electrics.

A reasonable amount of preventative maintenance will keep these cars on the road for a remarkable number of miles.

My opinion remains; early 95's without immobilizer and with OBDI rather than OBDII will probably be less troublesome since they are slightly simpler cars.

Gordo

 

How many miles are you up to now, Gordo? If I recall you drive yours year-round in AK, that's a great testament to how good these cars are.

And another vote for early '95 (no immob, w/ basket handle.) Just about to turn 140k miles on mine.

 

Hi Cat.
88,500 miles.
Ride Harley during summer as much as possible, so don't build that many miles on the 993.
Most of my winter driving is short trips....3 miles to work, 5-20 miles a day running errands.
Lots of cold starts, the worst they say for wear and tear.
Engine still strong and uses little oil, but suspension is getting really tired from our rough winter roads.
Paint is holding up incredibly well (wife surprised me last week with a wash and wax and she commented how much better the quality of paint is than her MINI).
She and the Porsche clean up well.

 

Wormer,
Consider highly NOT getting a targa. I just came down this road----I just purchased a 97 Targa with 111k miles which checked out well prior to purchase. Unfortunately, after having owned it for about 3 weeks, the targa then became stuck in the wind deflector up position.

Somehow in my research in looking at 993s I had not come across that the most expensive items to break in this car are the TARGA top (which was not made in a way which repairs are easily done) and I guess engine rebuild will be needed at some point given mileage (though apparently those posting before me have been extremely lucky to avoid).
The other thing is maintenance costs on this care are a bear.

Long story short, the targa cost me >$4500 to fix, and thats only if you're able to find someone to handle it--dealers apparently will not be familiar with this anymore given that its an older car. This is aside from the cost that was really hard to swallow after just taking ownership.
Oil changes will cost about $400 as well----not sure if thats inline with other Pcars. Apparently theres 2 oil filters and one of them is a b#tch to get to and never gets changed by most mechs...

If I could do it over again, I would consider spending a bit more money for perhaps a 997 car or if you're really set on a 993, def go without the targa and either do cabriolet or coupe--less complicated parts. Just my opinion of course.

 

The line starts outside my garage for anyone willing to part with $400 for an oil/filters change