Fred2

I have been looking at used Porsches, and the feedback that I am getting is to get a 993 or a 997.
Is there a deep dark secret here that I am missing?

SANDOVAL

Please, Be more specific who is giving you the feedback? The 993's are the only porsche ever made crowd? I have news for you the 996 is a much better car IMHO. The 993 is dated and the 997 is going to cost you some coin. With the 996 you are going to get a lot of car for the money. With the release of the 997 and the number of cars built you're going to find some great deals. It does not have that many flaws IMHO. Don't get me wrong the 993 is a great car. You have to figure out which car you like the best, what can you afford and what are you going to use it for. If this is a daily driver there is no way I would buy a 993 over the 996.

Look out for the 02's I have been reading that some people are getting incredible deals. The 02 was the first facelift year and 3.6L engine.

evo_333

Feedback from who? That might answer your question

Eli K

Unless shopping for a brand new car, I'd pick a 996 over a 997 anyday. JMHO of course...

LVDell

Oh Lord.....here we go again

Fred2

Hard to say who was giving the feedback, as it was on a non-porsche car site.

I am leaning toward a 996, as it feel it is a more modern car than the 993, and I am not looking for a hard edged sports car. ( I have one of those)

I am looking for a reliable, sporty daily driver, and while attracted to the Cayman, would prefer somthing that is further along its depreciation curve.
I am also under the assumption the the 996 is more refined than the Cayman, in terms of having a quieter interior.

Alan C.

Just sold the 993 track car and picked up an 02 996 for the street. Seems to be a very nice car.

Fast40th

Well earlier today in this forum we learned that Bill Gates' daily driver is a '99 Cab 996 (link) and his toy is the exotic 959. Uber P-car collector Jerry Seinfeld has pretty much a sample of every Porsche ever made, and from what I understand his favorite is still a beat-up all original 356 from the 50's.

So probably the only thing you're "missing" is seat time behind the wheels of all the P-cars you're considering. You are the only one who can decide which one is best for you. Just like Bill and Jerry have.

blk on blk

I think the 996 is a great car. I think the 993 was a great car. Seems that people treat the 996 with some degree of cynicism because the 1999-2000 looked so much like the boxster. People were not happy about that. I think the 2001 onward cars seperated themselves a bit. Who is to say really? Dirve them and buy the one you like best. Simple as that. No one can tell which you should like best.

kilrgt

I am happy I went with the 996 over the 993, soo many reasons why. Its a better car in everyway..HANDS DOWN. Its faster, its way more comfortable, its lighter , its modern, and I love the way the 996 looks. With that being said the 993 is a great car, But may I suggest if you buy one stay away from most other 993 owners as they will turn you into hater too.I have said this in the past I like the 993 , just most of the owners are dick heads.

Riad

I see your banghead and raise you a

4sound

Don't you love the internet ? You can get an opinion form someone who may have no clue what they are talking about. How many times have any of us heard someone tell you about Porsches, and yet that person has never owned or driven one. ( Then when you tell them you own one they kinda change the subject.)
I am new here at Rennlist. What I like about this place is the positive attitude of most here and the constructive suggestions, and of course the sharing of experiences and knowledge regarding Porsches.
993 vs 996. Here is my opinion.
The 993 has less plastic than the 996. The engine is more durable. Internal engine / transmission parts are more available. Of course you don't have to worry about any coolant issues. What I don't like about the 993 are oil leaks. This can cost a few bucks to repair. 993 has issues with secondary air codes, which is a subject by itself.
The cabs have issues with the cables from the motor to the cab top transmissions shrinking, thus becoming shorter. Sometimes the points where the cab top transmissions bolt on to, will break away. I love the look of the 993.
996. Easier car to drive. More user friendly. The air condition really works ! The price of a replacement engine is actually quite reasonable. In terms of cost, the cost of a Porsche factory 996 rebuilt engine is less than the cost of rebuilding a 993 engine. A concern I have with the 996 deals with the cooling system. I have seen various issues, such as intermix with coolant and oil. Recently saw a TIP trans cooler allow coolant into the trans. I have noticed deposits building up in radiators, which may lead me to believe that it may not be a bad idea to change the antifreeze every couple of years.
I personally like the 996 a little more. But then again if you cant decide, maybe you will have to buy both.

SR71BLACKBIRD

4sound: Well said and Ditto on everything except I just like the 993 a little more but in general I love all 911s no matter what series they are

Dick AKA "Scott"

b_creative3

if you do a search, you'll find tons of biased feedbacks. Drive them and go with what you like, not what other people like. As for me, I like the rear end of the 993 2s/4s/turbo. As for everyday driver, the 996 is my choice.

Nicolaasdb

Porsches suck...ALL OF THEM....
they:
can't be driven "out of the box", you need to mod, mod, mod,
they make your wife jealous, because of all the attention you will give the 996
they make you want to move far away from your job...so you have an extra long commute (which makes your wife even more angry...divorse is imminent)
they are timeless...so even when you buy one 10 years from now it will still look great,
they give you problems every other car can give you...flat tires, oil leaks, strange sounds etc,
you can't leave them in the garage, because it's will haunt you in your dreams!!
it hates to be dirty, so you have to clean it every day......
993,996,997 they all have the above problems and more....so if I was hesitating, don't buy a Porsche because you are going to be in trouble one way or they other!! Buy a Toyota Camry consumers report best buy for the last 5 years!