!!WARNING your 996 may need a TOTAL Engine replacement!!!! Read on...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 994
Likes: 254
From: Bellevue, WA; '26 MacanGTS, '18 Macan S, '10 997S, SPASM, 6spd
Anybody notice the irony here? We're arguing about whether the 996 is "better" than the 993 with a guy who owns a (beautiful) 951. 
I too find these discussions frustrating, but I can't help but get drawn in. I place the most weight on the opinions of guys who currently own both. Otherwise, the opinon is going to be skewed towards justifying the most recent purchase (myself included). I literally shopped for 911s for 2-3 years, driving multiple 993s (and 964s and 3.2l carreras). Each time I went in with a romanticized idea that the 993 was the ultimate 911, and came out seriously underwhelmed by the driving experience. No, not because it was "hard core", but rather because it was obvious to me that while it had been updated, it was based off of a 20 year old design. Progress is progress. the game moved in those 20yrs. All it took (for my wife and I) was one drive in an '02+ 996 to seal the deal.
I still think the 993s are beautiful, although honestly I think the 993 is (understandably) aging, and the 3.2l Carreras are a better looking car. I'd love to have one of the classics in the garage someday, next to the '03. It would be a fun car to spend a sunday afternoon with.
I too find these discussions frustrating, but I can't help but get drawn in. I place the most weight on the opinions of guys who currently own both. Otherwise, the opinon is going to be skewed towards justifying the most recent purchase (myself included). I literally shopped for 911s for 2-3 years, driving multiple 993s (and 964s and 3.2l carreras). Each time I went in with a romanticized idea that the 993 was the ultimate 911, and came out seriously underwhelmed by the driving experience. No, not because it was "hard core", but rather because it was obvious to me that while it had been updated, it was based off of a 20 year old design. Progress is progress. the game moved in those 20yrs. All it took (for my wife and I) was one drive in an '02+ 996 to seal the deal.
I still think the 993s are beautiful, although honestly I think the 993 is (understandably) aging, and the 3.2l Carreras are a better looking car. I'd love to have one of the classics in the garage someday, next to the '03. It would be a fun car to spend a sunday afternoon with.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stiles_s
Anybody notice the irony here? We're arguing about whether the 996 is "better" than the 993 with a guy who owns a (beautiful) 951.
All it took (for my wife and I) was one drive in an '02+ 996 to seal the deal.
.
All it took (for my wife and I) was one drive in an '02+ 996 to seal the deal.
.
Also I think you highlighted the difference between the 996 and the 993 when you said your WIFE and you took one drive, of course the 996 is an easier car to live with day to day and it is a much more advanced car than the 993 (design wise) but it still IMHO isn't a better built car. Just my 0.02 cents....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 994
Likes: 254
From: Bellevue, WA; '26 MacanGTS, '18 Macan S, '10 997S, SPASM, 6spd
Originally Posted by jsonnen
Well I also own a Dinan M5 turbo and a Mini cooper s and have driven both a 996 and 993 and have good friends who own both but it doesn't really matter, as I only stated my opinion, nothing more.
Also I think you highlighted the difference between the 996 and the 993 when you said your WIFE and you took one drive, of course the 996 is an easier car to live with day to day and it is a much more advanced car than the 993 (design wise) but it still IMHO isn't a better built car. Just my 0.02 cents....
Also I think you highlighted the difference between the 996 and the 993 when you said your WIFE and you took one drive, of course the 996 is an easier car to live with day to day and it is a much more advanced car than the 993 (design wise) but it still IMHO isn't a better built car. Just my 0.02 cents....
FWLIW, my wife wanted the 993, and gave me bloody hell for not buying one, because she liked the looks. She liked the way they drove.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 492
From: Rustbelt
Let's keep it going, the number of views is exponential.
On another note, my '04 anniv. is gettting the Armourfend treatment today before I get any of those nasty stone chips.
Kinda like my grandma sealing her sofa in plastic which I hated cause you stuck to it like tape in the summer months. But that sofa still looks new after 40 years.
On another note, my '04 anniv. is gettting the Armourfend treatment today before I get any of those nasty stone chips.
Kinda like my grandma sealing her sofa in plastic which I hated cause you stuck to it like tape in the summer months. But that sofa still looks new after 40 years.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Every Era of 911 Owner Explained in One Sentence
Verdad Gallardo
Thinking of Buying a Porsche? Do These 10 Things First
Joe Kucinski
Pixar Pals Turned Into 1-of-1 Porsches!
Michael S. Palmer
Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build
Verdad Gallardo
Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile
Joe Kucinski
10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap
Joe Kucinski
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes
Verdad Gallardo
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917
Verdad Gallardo
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario.
Originally Posted by LVDell
Seriously though, I am a noob that shares only one thing with you guys (for now anyways
) I have loved 911s all my life. Finally its my time to own one, but I am not going to rush into it right away as I dont know if I want a "Previously enjoyed" one or a new 997 in a year or so.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Wilmslow Cheshire U.K.
Originally Posted by SpeedStateG35C
Because some noob had concerns and did a search 
But its upto you guys if you want to jump out of a plane with no parachute be my guest...I just think that knowlege about the pros and cons is important. I know what a great car Porsche is and what pleasure it gave me to drive it but when it goes wrong and the fault is not mine and its clearly that of Porsche then Porsche should do the right thing and pay up
All i can say is that i have now done me research, no thanks to guys like u and found porsche deficient in may areas including their engines. If you care to check out the the Porsche Club of GB website regarding RMS then you may come to see that porsche are not building quality engines and failures are very high.
Finally as for the Aston i have had no problems from that end. When a few years ago my DB7 had a piston that need to be changed, Aston did not make a fuss gave me another car and fixed the problem for free.
This is to all those that are still wearing the rose tinted glasses... it may be you next that will need to do the searchs.......
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 492
From: Rustbelt
Wow Doc,
I appreciate your frustration and concern, having suffered through a 91 C4 911 with numerous factory induced motor issues. I wouldnt own any Porsche without a warranty, factory or private, if it were my sole source of reliable transportation. So there is a way out if you still desire to have a Porsche in your garage and still sleep nights while it seeps.
regards,
-Richard
I appreciate your frustration and concern, having suffered through a 91 C4 911 with numerous factory induced motor issues. I wouldnt own any Porsche without a warranty, factory or private, if it were my sole source of reliable transportation. So there is a way out if you still desire to have a Porsche in your garage and still sleep nights while it seeps.
regards,
-Richard