mrsullivan

Hi, I am a visitor from the 993 board. I have a pristine 1998 Carrera S that I love very much. I love the old air-cooled sounds, smells, connected feeling. If money was no object, I would never ever sell this car. However, having just become a father, I am considering a more "practical" move to a 996....specifically, to the 40th anniv. All the extra goodies and the 345hp make this quite a value in my mind. Definitely not decided on the switch yet, but am seriously considering it. There are several of these 40th anniv cars out there, in the less than 5k mile category, for near the $65k mark.

I guess what I am looking for are general impressions of the difference in performance from the 345hp, detailed pics of happy owners, general thoughts, etc.

thanks, Jonathan

Moogle

why is the 996 more practical? doesnt your current car have backseats?

second hand 40th anniversary cars are certainly a steal, they have experienced terrible depreciation and discounts at the time of the sale.

for 60~k you may be able to pick up a C4S

Fast40th

Jonathan: I am a very happy owner of a 40th Anniversary. I truly enjoy this car. Last Sunday I entered my first PCA Concours and won big time. Here's some previous posts with pics, and initial impressions which are still true to this day: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/209378-my-40th-anniversary-gets-best-in-show.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/163905-as-promised-pics-of-new-ride.html

I too am a father of a young child, so I can relate to that part of your story. He was just entering todlerhood when I started looking at the purchase of a 911.

The 40th Anniversary is a very special car indeed, in many ways it is raw and highly refined at the same time. The rawness comes from the added hp, lowered suspension, the sound at high rpms is simply intoxicating, and one look at the mean front gets my heart pumping. The refinement is all in the details -- paintwork in GT silver is amazing, the uniqueness of the wheels, the full leather appointments throughout the entire cabin, the silver details all over, and unique leather finishes on the seats, steering wheel and column boot, are constant reminders of how special the car is. I have ZERO regrets from this purchase. It meets all the requirements in my book as to what a Porsche 911 should be and feel like, and marks a great milestone in Porsche's history. It also fits my family "hauler" needs. I can easily fit a booster seat in the back for my son. He's comfy and happy there, just as my wife and I are in the front. There's certainly more room for all compared to a 993.

Now with that said I want to make sure you exercise your emotions as well, since all purchases of 911s are tied to emotions. Here's a few reasons as to why you shouldn't consider a 40th Anniversary:

• Compared to a 993 the interior luxury in the 40th is radically different: I have no problem with this. But if your idea of the ideal 911 is less is more, you may have a problem with this.
• Also think how comfortable you will be with a little kid in the back: Some 911 owners cringe at the thought of having a little one in the back with crackers and a sippy cup. I could care less. It is life and I bought the car to enjoy it with my family. Just remember there's more to "cringe" about in a 40th vs. a 993. My only rule is shoes come off. And plastic mat protectors work great!
• Some people like big butts in their 911's: The 993S has a very nice butt, the 40th has a distiguished svelte butt -- kind of like Paris Hilton's butt... sorta
• Some people argue that the 993S is the pinnacle of what a 911 should be -- and consider water-pumper 911's junk. I'd say whatever!... but do consider the potential future collector's value inherent of the 993S... not sure how the 40th will do collector wise, IMHO too many 40th's were built (1963).

Anyway, visualize what you want, especially with the family. Drive the 40th as much as you can, and if you decide on a 40th -- never look back!

I initially contemplated getting into a 993S, then I moved into looking at a 996 C4S, and then I discovered the value and uniqueness of the 40th -- I couldn't resist!

Best of luck!

fast1

Fast40th: That was a great writeup. You gave a very fair appraisal of the 40th Anniversary strengths as well as the shortcomings, ecspecially from the perspective of a happy 993 owner.

mrsullivan: I agree with Moogle. Why is the 996 more practical? Although I'm guessing, I can't imagine that the rear seat area in a 996 is much different than a 993.

Zed.

The only thing you will miss in the 993 is the sluggishness of acceleration

peachboy

I agree with everyone. I have a 6 yr & a 4 yr old who loves to ride in the car. You just need to purchase a Brittax Star Raiser seat (Exact same a Porsche minus the logo). It's a daily driver for me where I put approx 700 Km per week on it. I don't have a single complaint..okay I had one, the sound of the engine but a new Fabspeed fixed that. At 65K US$ I think it's a steal. I paid at a discount the equivalent of $95 K US last October....which was already a discount. I love the car so much that I don't even think about the depreciation hit I took since I don't forsee selling the car anytime soon.

Sanjeevan

Jonathan, just a quick note, AlonC of rennlist did just the opposite, he went from a 40th to 993C2S, you may want to p.m. him,
Jeeva

grizzy

I agree as well..Its a great car and everytime I think was it worth it (the car) I go for a 30min ride and come back with a grin ear to ear. It becomes intoxicating-but my new "family"car in 2 weeks will be a M3 convertible--I cant wait to evaluate and compare these two.

Mike

fast1

I think you have exactly the right attitude regarding depreciation. I would much rather own a car that I loved for three years even though it depreciated significantly, rather than own a boring car that held its value.

Enjoy your car and forget about depreciation.

JimB

I'm a big fan of 993s and own one but if I could only have one car to drive everyday and at the track on weekends it would be a 40th. The 3.6L X51 makes great power. A huge improvement over the 993. I have the package in my race car.

Buy it and enjoy.
Jim

wknopf

I have had four Porsches, and my 40th is by far the most satisfying to drive. I never had a 993, but it is as quick to 100 as my 3.6 turbo (964 based) and about ten times more refined. Less surprising at the limits, too. I paid $90k for mine and couldn't care less what it is worth today since I won't be selling anytime soon. If you can, add PSE and X73 and the results will amaze you.

Fast40th

Actually the rear seat area in a 996 vs. a 993 is quite different. 996 is wider and with more headroom. Wider is great since sometimes is tough trying to fit a child seat in the back of a 993. No issues with a 996.

Cheers.

fast1

Fast40th: Wow, I didn't know that. I never looked at either car from the perspective of a child seat. I just knew that neither car can accomodate an adult.

Carrera Mike

I'll move to a 40th in a heart beat. Specially from a 993 to a 40th Anniv 911. I sold my 993 too half a year ago and never regreted it. My first upgrade though if I get a 40th aniv (just my personal preference) is to replace those chromed 5 spoke carrera wheels.

Lizard1

I completely agree!