Karen

Gentlemen,

I am interested in getting into a 993 twin turbo. I am wondering where I can find a list of the build options and their prices so that I can educate myself before making a huge purchase decision. Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Karen

Anir

Karen,

<a href="http://p-car.com/technical/option.html" target="_blank">Robin Sun's p-car site</a> might be a good place to start.

Best of luck with your search.

jessejames

[quote]Originally posted by Anir:
<strong><a href="http://p-car.com/technical/option.html" target="_blank">Robin Sun's p-car site</a>

</strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree. My clueless dealer Herb Chambers in Boston told me my aluminum gauges were not factory and would not repair the clock under warrantee....until I printed Robin's page with X71 -&gt; Aluminum gauges. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />

Jeff 993TT

Now is a great time to buy a TT. Prices have fallen so much that you can get a great car at about 20% lower than 1 year ago. That's bad for me, but good for you.

Jeff

Anir

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff 993TT:
<strong>Now is a great time to buy a TT. Prices have fallen so much that you can get a great car at about 20% lower than 1 year ago. That's bad for me, but good for you.

Jeff</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jeff,

You're not the only one who purchased before the fall. No regrets here, since it's a great car that I'll keep forever (never was an "investment", if any modern production car could be considered such!!).

pig4bill

Anir, how do you like the M3? My spot on the wait list is coming up, but I plan to delay until MY 2003 hoping the first year bugs get worked out.

Jeff 993TT

[quote]Originally posted by Anir:
<strong>

Jeff,

You're not the only one who purchased before the fall. No regrets here, since it's a great car that I'll keep forever (never was an "investment", if any modern production car could be considered such!!). </strong><hr></blockquote>

I guess that I should just be happy that the value _only_ went down 20%. If I had the money in the stock market, tt could have Enron'd on me. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Jeff

Karen

Thanks for the info. We're very excited about getting a 993 TT. It has been a dream car for ever. We look forward to participating in this board as a proud new owner soon. Anybody got one they want to sell to us? We live in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Thanks,
Karen & Scott

Anir

[quote]Originally posted by pig4bill:
<strong>Anir, how do you like the M3? My spot on the wait list is coming up, but I plan to delay until MY 2003 hoping the first year bugs get worked out.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Our 2002 M3 has performed flawlessly during its first 2500 miles. BTW, except for SMG II, 2002 is actually the second model year for the E46 M3.

A search of the archives will turn up several reviews of the M3, including mine.

Dick in TN

Hi Karen,
The Turbo option list is 11 pages, if you'll send me a fax # I'll fax it to you. Meanwhile, some of the most common options are:
Special exterior color $1917
Exterior color to sample 3113
Sport seats 0
Digital sound 1145
In dash CD 315
Remote CD 813
Heated seats 578
Oval SS exhaust tips 697
SS threshold palels 432
Alum Instr dials 1096
Alum shift **** & handbrake 813
Porsche crest embossed seats 194
Supple leather 398

Good luck on your search!

Jeff 993TT

[quote]Originally posted by Karen:
<strong>Thanks for the info. We're very excited about getting a 993 TT. It has been a dream car for ever. We look forward to participating in this board as a proud new owner soon. Anybody got one they want to sell to us? We live in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Thanks,
Karen & Scott</strong><hr></blockquote>

Some common places to check are:

Rennlist Classifieds
PCA ( Porsche Club of America ) Classifies ( <a href="http://www.pca.org" target="_blank">www.pca.org</a> )
eBay
local Porsche Dealer

Take a look at <a href="http://www.iqthost.com/orpcax/buying.htm" target="_blank">http://www.iqthost.com/orpcax/buying.htm</a> for more 993tt buying gotcha's.

Definately get a Pre purchase inspection ( PPI ).

Some additional things that I would look for are:
a) Get a 1997 model, if possible. The 97's had a stronger 1st gear than the 96. Also, the 97 computer brain ( ECU ) is chippable. As opposed to the '96 where you have to replace the entire unit.

b) If the car has chromed wheels, move on. They are not a good thing to have on hollow spoke wheels.

c) Try to get as many options as possible.

Feel free to contact me offline if you want more information. There is also a lot of info in the archives here about what to look for in a 993tt.

Jeff

Rick in Portland

Hiya Jeff,

Instead of using the <a href="http://www.iqthost.com/orpcax/buying.htm" target="_blank">http://www.iqthost.com/orpcax/buying.htm</a> URL address, use <a href="http://www.993tt.com" target="_blank">http://www.993tt.com</a>

The 993tt.com is easier to remember

Rick

Karen

Are factory chrome wheels a bad idea? I just looked at a 97 with full leather and wood in L.A. with only 15000 miles on it, but it does have the chrome wheels.

Ran

Karen & Scott,

I didnt know that factory chrome was an option. Check the option codes on the underside of the hood. If indeed it was then it is probably okay from a structural soundness point of view but I've never seen one done by factory - the turbo S had a factory polished finish, not a chrome finish. I did not consider chrome wheeled cars so never looked at option codes and cant help with the actual code if any.

Some other points to note.

1) as Jeff mentioned the 97 is chippable (can be modified) if you want to go that way. I keep mine stock since I like the built in Porsche overengineering. However you might want to buy a new DME if you want to go the chip route so as to keep your old stock one around in case you want to return to stock settings. If you do that then it probably does not matter if you go with a 96 or a 97 model yr. If however you want to save money and reprogram the existing chip then you have no option but to get the 97 model year.

2) I believe the 96 suffers from gear warpage if subjected to extreme abuse and drag launches. (Actually I have heard of even the 97 suffereing from this but perhaps not as many examples). However the cost to fix it was quoted at about $2K and most 96 models seem to reflect that built in price differential so you are probably okay as long as you check to see if there if first gear behaves okay and as long as you dont abuse the car.

3) Visit <a href="http://www.993tt.com" target="_blank">Rick's page</a>

4) Talk to the owner of the car and see if he/she knows about maintaining his/her turbo.

5) Important things include regular scheduled maintenance, alternator belt pulley update where applicable, oil check,

6) The turbo came with lots of things as std options including sports suspension (US or RoW depending on where the car was sold). Some options
-- sports or std seat options
-- delete sunroof option.
-- heated seats
-- leather or partial leather,
-- wood to aluminium finishes or carbon fibre
-- crests on wheels,
-- painted wheels
I think the offer by someone to fax the list will help you. Also visit <a href="http://www.p-car.com" target="_blank">Robin's page</a>

7) Try to get acquainted with all the little items that came with the car - air compressor, spare, wheel remover (dealer usually has master but good to have one yourself...), books, rennlist membership )) , PCA membership etc.

All the best

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by Karen:
<strong>Are factory chrome wheels a bad idea? I just looked at a 97 with full leather and wood in L.A. with only 15000 miles on it, but it does have the chrome wheels.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Karen,

The factory never offered chrome wheels. What you see is either dealer installed or purchased by the owner in the aftermarket. Automobile manufacturers insist that the chroming process will weaken an aluminum wheel but plating companies still do it. I have never heard of a chrome wheel fail but I have seen a lot of inferior finishes. If you like the look, go over the wheels closely to see if the finish is pitted or dull.