CagS

I'm new at this, and I've been asking around and I have heard many conflicting arguments whether to go for the 996 C4S or 993TT. I think i am leaning a little towards the 993 but I am not totally sure.
Which one serves as a more practical car to drive? Most of my driving would be to work. I drive 30 minutes to work on rural highways that are not at all straight
Thanks for your help in making my decision.

dcpmark

I just went through this myself, and after driving a 993tt for the first time, I'm going with the C4S. However, the 993tt was much better looking on the outside, MUCH faster than the C4S, and overall more fun to drive.

So why did I decide on the C4S? For the same money, you get a NEW car with warranty, updated interior with navigation, the latest technology, less creaks, and a more civilized ride. It will all depend on your use as a daily driver, but drive both over the roads that you would use, and see which one you like better.

CagS

Thanks for your reply. I have driven both the 996 (plain old 2002 Carrera) and the 993TT. I also think that the 993 body is much prettier. The Twin Turbo gave me the feeling that I would have to grow as a driver as I drive the car more, but the 996 felt like it was ready to go from the beginning, which is not exactly a feeling that I am sure that I like.
I appreciate your help in my decision.
-Steve

993tt

I would go for the 993TT anyday. I drive mine every day through out the summer. It's a very practical car but still incredibly fast.

This summer I went for a short holiday, visiting a friend of mine. After 9 hours in my TT I arrived. Of course my friend, who never driven a TT, wanted to take it for a spin. Since he owns a 996 C4 cab I thought that I would try that one out (never driven a 996 before)
Not a chance I would have driven the 996 instead of my TT on my 9 hour drive. It felt like I climbed in my Volvo V70 AWD.

Go for the TT

Anir

Steve,

Welcome to the board. Here are my thoughts.

I use my 1997 993TT as a daily driver, and as a "family car" with car seats in the back for my 2- and 4-year old children. We've taken trips as far as 5 hours away, and it's been a good (and of course, fun) ride. With its ability to carry 2+2 and its AWD, it has been as practical as a true sports car can be. I drive it every day in the winter (with Pirelli 240 Wintersport tires), and it has performed flawlessly.

On the other hand, it would be difficult to deny that the 996 is a more practical car: larger back seats, factory warranty, added adverse weather benefits of Porsche Stability Management in addition to the AWD.

In my family, we attempted to solve this "practicality" dilemma by getting a 2002 E46 M3 for more family-oriented outings. Definitely a bit better for road trips, without losing too much of that sports car feel.

Of course, either the 993 or 996 will be a blast on that twisty, rural drive to work (and on the track , should you choose to go)! Good luck with your decision.

Martin S.

Above was posted, "So why did I decide on the C4S? For the same money, you get a NEW car with warranty, updated interior with navigation, the latest technology, less creaks, and a more civilized ride."

The above is a good point, however, keep in mind that the C4S is slower than a C2, not by much, but it is slower. There is a little added weight (I believe) and some added drag.

Another consideration, a C4S is a lot cheaper than a 993TT. These TT cars are holding their value. I doubt if you can get a TT for less than $90,000. IMHO, go for the 993TT, a super fast car and very special.

RSRRacer

Not less than 90K??

Loads (well, relatively speaking) of 993TTs are out there for very low 70s. Nice ones, too, with mileage in high teens to high twenties.

Chris

Viken

I think Martin was referring to the 993 Carrera 4S which is less costly than a 993 Turbo.

dcpmark

The comparison initially was for a 2002 C4S.....MSRP is $80,200 without options, although full leather interior and 18" wheels are standard, as is power seats.......when I did my research, nice, low-mile (5k to 20k) 993tts were advertised between $80,000 and $90,000......

Interestingly enough, Kelly Blue Book has the 1997 993tt in the mid $80,000s, and Edmunds has them in the mid-to-high $60,000s!

This being the 993tt board, probably no one will agree with me that $80k to $90k seems like a sh!tload of money to pay for a used car without a warranty, no matter how gorgeous and fast it is....

fc-racer

It's very interesting and timely that you say this. I was having the same conversation with our local Porsche specialist about the 964/993/996 series and what the next generation will want to purchase.

My thinking is that the newer generation of Porsche buyers will actually desire the 996 over the 993, whereas the older generation (which includes this young buck) will prefer the air cooled, more aggressive bodies of the 964/993, especially the 993. What I've noticed is that the younger Porsche fans all want a 996 GT3, whereas, I'd much rather have a 993 GT2, but given the choice, they'd take the newer car.

I found this very interesting because most of the older Porsche owners I know prefer older cars rather than the latest and greatest whereas the young 'uns want the latest in navigation systems, TC, PSM, e-gas, etc, etc.

I do have to admit though, the 996 in GT2 form would make one hell of a street/track car *and* you get a new car warranty. It's tough to beat the logic of having a warranty on a high dollar purchase.

To top it all off, a 1996 993TT is still a five, oops, make that six year old car now. I'm hoping the market falls in love with the 996 so I can buy a 993TT in 3-5 years

Happy New Year everyone!

fc-racer

Phil

just a thought!, but in all reality, when was the last time anyone had a "major" malfucntion in a 993?. but has I type, I remember something, a 2000 MY, would know be out of warrenty! assuming it was purchsed 2 yrs ago!

Viken

Phil,

The 986 and 996 cars have had a 4-year/50,000 mile warranty since they were introduced.

As to major problems with the 993, there weren't any to speak of. This is mostly due to the fact that almost the entire car was the result of a 30-year old evolution and has had most major problems resolved before its time. The 996, on the other hand, was a completely new car made with completely new manufacturing methods. I think you'll see that the newer versions will be mostly problem-free compared to the car's first two years of production.

Dan89_930

CagS (Steve):

Which car to own is your personal preference (as you will see from the posts above). I just purchased a '97 993tt w/ 10K miles and am thrilled with the decision.

By the way, Happy Birthday!

CagS

Hi Dan89_930,
Thanks. I hear that you are very knowledgable about Porsches, and I have read many of your posts. I was just wondering what you thought about the warranty on the 993TT's as compared to the 996 cars. Just joking. Glad that your loving your new car.
-Steve

Anir

Actually, it could be construed as a "good deal" compared to what second-hand Ferraris command in the U.S.