Bought a 993...sort of.
06-07-2015, 12:36 AM
#76
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When I was was a kid I really liked summer. Years passed and I've learned that you can buy summer for money. Now I just really like money
06-07-2015, 12:37 AM
#77
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Not sure how Johnny Irish wound up here after buying a 997, but enjoy the semi-coherent rambling and photos of trappings from (obviously better) days gone by...
At least he hasn't worked in a reference to his most recent Amazon "book."
Enjoy! He's all (for reasons I still can't fathom) yours.
At least he hasn't worked in a reference to his most recent Amazon "book."
Enjoy! He's all (for reasons I still can't fathom) yours.
06-07-2015, 07:31 AM
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06-07-2015, 04:14 PM
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06-08-2015, 10:57 PM
#83
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However great the 997 may be, and it is a very good car overall, by nature it will never be an air-cooled Porsche. I suspect that is what is getting a lot of forum members up in arms. Congrats on a nice purchase, OP. But the domain of air-cooled Porsches is sacrosanct, and this thread dares tread into sacred territory with the notion that a 997 is the new 993. That, it is not, and will never be.
06-09-2015, 05:24 AM
#84
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I agree that my 997 will never be an air cooled 993...just as the 993 or the original 911 will never be a 356. However my comparison was originally made in (what I thought was) a very good television show on the 911 at 50. Two guys, big Porsche enthusiasts, drove 8 examples, the first 911, the SC, the Carrera, the 964, 993, 996, 997, and 991. Both of them compared the 993 and the 997 for their similarities. One liked the 993 best, the other liked the 997 best. Both respected the 991 but didn't love it, nor the 996 nor the 964.
The air cooled/water cooled thing is really silly. Porsche wanted to dump air cooled back in the 70s with the 928 and 924/944. Market forces kept the 911 alive (for which I am grateful)...but even way back then Porsche was using water to cool its top level race cars.
I still think the 993 is the best looking 911 and the perfect size 911. And for a street car you really need nothing more. But in the competitive auto market the 993 is no longer state of the art performance and engineering. I would venture a GTI and maybe even a Nisson and a Subaru to name just three would out run it.
The bottom line, in terms of driving quality, I got more bang for my buck with my 997 and my 996.
The air cooled/water cooled thing is really silly. Porsche wanted to dump air cooled back in the 70s with the 928 and 924/944. Market forces kept the 911 alive (for which I am grateful)...but even way back then Porsche was using water to cool its top level race cars.
I still think the 993 is the best looking 911 and the perfect size 911. And for a street car you really need nothing more. But in the competitive auto market the 993 is no longer state of the art performance and engineering. I would venture a GTI and maybe even a Nisson and a Subaru to name just three would out run it.
The bottom line, in terms of driving quality, I got more bang for my buck with my 997 and my 996.
06-09-2015, 10:21 AM
#85
Here's the video John references http://everydaydriver.com/porsche-911/
(not free)
I enjoyed it but, I was surprised they didn't like the 964 more. I'd love to see this expanded with more 911 variants: Turbos, RS models, GT3s, etc.
(not free)
I enjoyed it but, I was surprised they didn't like the 964 more. I'd love to see this expanded with more 911 variants: Turbos, RS models, GT3s, etc.
06-09-2015, 03:55 PM
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I have been bludgeoned by time and seduced by the dark side. Last night, driving home, I faced the fact that my reactions and coordination just aren't what they were back in my 993 days. What was once second nature I now have to work for and it still isn't the same.
Maybe this is what has been attracting me to the idea of a 993 with tiptronic. But when I drove one, it just couldn't make the sale...in my opinion.
At the same time the sirens kept singing the praises of the 997 and how it is the "new" 993.
So I stopped by a local indie dealer that has a large variety and also a full service department. I should pick up the car tomorrow. Oh yes...I did test drive it. A one owner 997 MY 2006 Carrera S...3.8 engine, bigger brakes, etc. 67k miles, has had the 60k service, new Pirellis all around, needs nothing.
So the money I was going to spend refreshing my 996 suspension is going into buying me this newer car. And to sooth my aging skills, I took the tiptronic. It is much better than the old 4 speed version in the 993 I drove.
Pluses...all of the above and it isn't a 991. And yes...I appreciate how the wider hips make the car look better...less long and more stubby and nasty.
Negatives...I still like the interior of my 996 much better. And I like the black/black of my 996 vs the Slate gray of this 997. And I like the black instrument faces of my 996 vs the white ones in the 997...though I understand I can change those out.
And I'll miss knowing I have a real spare tire...though I'll pick up one of the old 993-style inflaters and throw it in the frunk.
So to all who said I'd never buy a 993...you proved to be right. But for the same price as an "old" 993...I was able to buy a "new" one.
Maybe this is what has been attracting me to the idea of a 993 with tiptronic. But when I drove one, it just couldn't make the sale...in my opinion.
At the same time the sirens kept singing the praises of the 997 and how it is the "new" 993.
So I stopped by a local indie dealer that has a large variety and also a full service department. I should pick up the car tomorrow. Oh yes...I did test drive it. A one owner 997 MY 2006 Carrera S...3.8 engine, bigger brakes, etc. 67k miles, has had the 60k service, new Pirellis all around, needs nothing.
So the money I was going to spend refreshing my 996 suspension is going into buying me this newer car. And to sooth my aging skills, I took the tiptronic. It is much better than the old 4 speed version in the 993 I drove.
Pluses...all of the above and it isn't a 991. And yes...I appreciate how the wider hips make the car look better...less long and more stubby and nasty.
Negatives...I still like the interior of my 996 much better. And I like the black/black of my 996 vs the Slate gray of this 997. And I like the black instrument faces of my 996 vs the white ones in the 997...though I understand I can change those out.
And I'll miss knowing I have a real spare tire...though I'll pick up one of the old 993-style inflaters and throw it in the frunk.
So to all who said I'd never buy a 993...you proved to be right. But for the same price as an "old" 993...I was able to buy a "new" one.
Chuck
06-09-2015, 06:42 PM
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Yes, considerably especially with PDK SC and is quite nimble. They are about the same weight and the 991 has considerable more HP. I've owned 16 Porsches and the 991 is the best I've owned including 2 997s. That said, the 993 is a wonderful car to drive also is classy and has very acceptable acceleration. We really shouldn't be making a zero sum game of this, and just appreciate what we have.
Optional, but I wear a Moto 360 and I like that also, thank you.
Chuck
Optional, but I wear a Moto 360 and I like that also, thank you.
Chuck
06-09-2015, 09:03 PM
#90
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Yes, considerably especially with PDK SC and is quite nimble. They are about the same weight and the 991 has considerable more HP. I've owned 16 Porsches and the 991 is the best I've owned including 2 997s. That said, the 993 is a wonderful car to drive also is classy and has very acceptable acceleration. We really shouldn't be making a zero sum game of this, and just appreciate what we have.
Optional, but I wear a Moto 360 and I like that also, thank you.
Chuck
Optional, but I wear a Moto 360 and I like that also, thank you.
Chuck