Which to buy: 964 RS America vs '98 993 C2S
06-05-2013, 08:16 AM
#16
Rennlist Member
RSA VS Carrera S
I too do not get why the RS America (RSA) commands a premium...I confess I do like the model sans air conditioning, radio and sunroof, with just LSD as an option.
Suspension: The RS America rear suspension is so dated, based on 1963 technology. The C2S LSA suspension is a work of art, and it works well.
There were very limited, if any, wheel options on the RS America, with 7" front and 8" rear wheels on a 2900 Lb car...I prefer the 8" and 10"X18" wheel option on the 993. Heresy: The 7" and 9" wheel combo in 17" actually is the best street option for the 993. I know you can get an 8" front on the RS America, but a 10" rear would be a challenge.
Brakes, 993 brakes are bigger and the ABS is more sophisticated compared the RSA.
Power steering, its a must for me...not available on the RSA. Compare ease of parallel parking on these two cars....for me this was never an issue, I would never parallel park any Porsche. That would mean the car would be the "meat" in a sheet metal sandwich.
993 is a 6 speed tranny, VS RSA 5 speed, # of speeds is a matter of preference.
RSA manual valve adjustment, VS 993's hydraulic lifters? I have 80,000 miles on my 97 993...never have had a lifter problem...I have never had the valves adjusted, don't need to.
The track: I have a pal with a RS America with close ratio gears, aftermarket chip, and weighs about 2,780 Lbs dry. It has no sunroof, no air sans radio with just the LSD option. The car has headers and a free flowing muffler system, with a RS America tail and 964 RS (RoW) front splitters. It is one very fast little car, and puts out about 250 HP to the rear wheels. The RS America can be a great track car, but few are willing to put it in harms way. On the other had, I digress, the 964 Carrera stripped to RSA spec, with the above mods, 8" and 9" X 17" wheels is a great track car...fairly cheap to develop...aad you'll have power steering....
Just drive them both over the same roads...that will make your mind up.
Suspension: The RS America rear suspension is so dated, based on 1963 technology. The C2S LSA suspension is a work of art, and it works well.
There were very limited, if any, wheel options on the RS America, with 7" front and 8" rear wheels on a 2900 Lb car...I prefer the 8" and 10"X18" wheel option on the 993. Heresy: The 7" and 9" wheel combo in 17" actually is the best street option for the 993. I know you can get an 8" front on the RS America, but a 10" rear would be a challenge.
Brakes, 993 brakes are bigger and the ABS is more sophisticated compared the RSA.
Power steering, its a must for me...not available on the RSA. Compare ease of parallel parking on these two cars....for me this was never an issue, I would never parallel park any Porsche. That would mean the car would be the "meat" in a sheet metal sandwich.
993 is a 6 speed tranny, VS RSA 5 speed, # of speeds is a matter of preference.
RSA manual valve adjustment, VS 993's hydraulic lifters? I have 80,000 miles on my 97 993...never have had a lifter problem...I have never had the valves adjusted, don't need to.
The track: I have a pal with a RS America with close ratio gears, aftermarket chip, and weighs about 2,780 Lbs dry. It has no sunroof, no air sans radio with just the LSD option. The car has headers and a free flowing muffler system, with a RS America tail and 964 RS (RoW) front splitters. It is one very fast little car, and puts out about 250 HP to the rear wheels. The RS America can be a great track car, but few are willing to put it in harms way. On the other had, I digress, the 964 Carrera stripped to RSA spec, with the above mods, 8" and 9" X 17" wheels is a great track car...fairly cheap to develop...aad you'll have power steering....
Just drive them both over the same roads...that will make your mind up.
06-05-2013, 08:47 AM
#17
Three Wheelin'
I have owned both and 97 c4s and a 964, both are great cars. I would buy which everyone speaks to you, after a few years of maintenance and potential mods the price difference between the two will be very small.
The wheel options are same for a NB 993 and 964, lots of folks are running 8" and 10" on their 964s.
The AC systems is the same in the 993 and RSA.
Good luck in your search, there is no wrong answer!
The wheel options are same for a NB 993 and 964, lots of folks are running 8" and 10" on their 964s.
The AC systems is the same in the 993 and RSA.
Good luck in your search, there is no wrong answer!
06-05-2013, 09:05 AM
#18
06-05-2013, 09:46 AM
#19
Power steering is overrated, the 993 rack will start leaking at some point, how many times are you really parallel parking anyways? Air conditioning is overrated depending on ur view on that.
I'd get the 964 RS!
Plus it's red. Which is cooler. There are 6 million "silver" 993s out there. Pictures of both please
I'd get the 964 RS!
Plus it's red. Which is cooler. There are 6 million "silver" 993s out there. Pictures of both please
06-05-2013, 12:01 PM
#20
Three Wheelin'
I own both an RSA and a 993 so I certainly know the pro/con of each and LOVE them both!
With that siad, I always find it funny how owners get very "protective" of their respective model. My attitude is that Porsche didn't make a "bad" air-cooled 911. Certainly some have more known issues (although every generation has issues be it SAI, valve guides, head studs, rust, etc, etc.). I enjoy SWB cars, long hoods, middies, SC's, 3.2's, 964's and 993's. We could argue all day about the semantics but two major themes jump out to me:
- Owning and driving an air-cooled 911 of any variety will be unlike any other type of vehicle. It will inspire and amaze its owner with each passing day.
- every person will find a particular model which really "grabs" them, find that one and put it in your garage. For me my 71 "E" is THAT car, but I love the others so if you can own multiple that's the best solution!
With that siad, I always find it funny how owners get very "protective" of their respective model. My attitude is that Porsche didn't make a "bad" air-cooled 911. Certainly some have more known issues (although every generation has issues be it SAI, valve guides, head studs, rust, etc, etc.). I enjoy SWB cars, long hoods, middies, SC's, 3.2's, 964's and 993's. We could argue all day about the semantics but two major themes jump out to me:
- Owning and driving an air-cooled 911 of any variety will be unlike any other type of vehicle. It will inspire and amaze its owner with each passing day.
- every person will find a particular model which really "grabs" them, find that one and put it in your garage. For me my 71 "E" is THAT car, but I love the others so if you can own multiple that's the best solution!
06-05-2013, 12:33 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
And where is anyone in the US getting a 964RS? There are what, 2 or 3 street versions over here?
I own both an RSA and a 993 so I certainly know the pro/con of each and LOVE them both!
With that siad, I always find it funny how owners get very "protective" of their respective model. My attitude is that Porsche didn't make a "bad" air-cooled 911. Certainly some have more known issues (although every generation has issues be it SAI, valve guides, head studs, rust, etc, etc.). I enjoy SWB cars, long hoods, middies, SC's, 3.2's, 964's and 993's. We could argue all day about the semantics but two major themes jump out to me:
- Owning and driving an air-cooled 911 of any variety will be unlike any other type of vehicle. It will inspire and amaze its owner with each passing day.
- every person will find a particular model which really "grabs" them, find that one and put it in your garage. For me my 71 "E" is THAT car, but I love the others so if you can own multiple that's the best solution!
With that siad, I always find it funny how owners get very "protective" of their respective model. My attitude is that Porsche didn't make a "bad" air-cooled 911. Certainly some have more known issues (although every generation has issues be it SAI, valve guides, head studs, rust, etc, etc.). I enjoy SWB cars, long hoods, middies, SC's, 3.2's, 964's and 993's. We could argue all day about the semantics but two major themes jump out to me:
- Owning and driving an air-cooled 911 of any variety will be unlike any other type of vehicle. It will inspire and amaze its owner with each passing day.
- every person will find a particular model which really "grabs" them, find that one and put it in your garage. For me my 71 "E" is THAT car, but I love the others so if you can own multiple that's the best solution!
06-05-2013, 01:48 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
993 hands down best choice for what you have told us your intended use will be.
06-05-2013, 03:13 PM
#25
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06-05-2013, 03:20 PM
#26
He said he's not tracking the car. Manual steering, who cares. It will not leak or fail. No power steering belts either.
06-05-2013, 03:23 PM
#27
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
As somebody else posted, drive both and decide for yourself. They are very similar yet different. A/C is the same on 964 and 993 cars. But on the RSA it was optional so may not even be there. Manual steering rack can be a nuisance in a parking lot, but not an issue on the road. 993 is a little comfier but heavier. RSA stock seats are the best sport seats Porsche put in a car, evAr.
Regarding increase in value, they both are heading up. So it is likely you won't lose much money on the purchase. But I've never seen an RSA go for $25K unless there was something really wrong with it. There is a bigger market for the 993 however, when it's time to sell.
With the risk of repeating myself, drive both and decide for yourself
Regarding increase in value, they both are heading up. So it is likely you won't lose much money on the purchase. But I've never seen an RSA go for $25K unless there was something really wrong with it. There is a bigger market for the 993 however, when it's time to sell.
With the risk of repeating myself, drive both and decide for yourself
06-05-2013, 03:28 PM
#28
Three Wheelin'
I also own a 76 and I can think of lots of great things to say about it:
-Light- mine is a crank window, no roof, no air car. About as pure of a driving experience outside of a longhood but for 1/4 the $$.
-76-77 are fully galvanized so much lower incidence of rust as opposed to earlier cars.
-Classic narrow-body aesthetics, deco trim, etc.
Sure they have well known issues with the 2.7, but solve those issues and you fundamentally have an amazing car. Like I said earlier every generation has its issues, know what they are, address them and enjoy the car!
Here is my 76:
-Light- mine is a crank window, no roof, no air car. About as pure of a driving experience outside of a longhood but for 1/4 the $$.
-76-77 are fully galvanized so much lower incidence of rust as opposed to earlier cars.
-Classic narrow-body aesthetics, deco trim, etc.
Sure they have well known issues with the 2.7, but solve those issues and you fundamentally have an amazing car. Like I said earlier every generation has its issues, know what they are, address them and enjoy the car!
Here is my 76:
