993 vs. 996
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From: Orange County
gilead:
The responses received echo my sentiments. Like ROW, I came out of a C2S (with some suspension mods, light track use) to a 02C4 Cab.
Coupe to Coupe I would take the 993S. I like the way it sounds and looks. It was not a daily driver, and I appreciated the visceral feel.
Cab to Cab is a coin flip. I would probably go with the 996. More room, top storage, quieter etc.
There are some very pleasant creature comforts on the 996. Try to get one with an extended warranty.
It sounds like you might be most satisfied with modified (suspension/exhaust) 996.
Good luck & be happy. What a great situation to be in. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
Tom
02C4 Cab
The responses received echo my sentiments. Like ROW, I came out of a C2S (with some suspension mods, light track use) to a 02C4 Cab.
Coupe to Coupe I would take the 993S. I like the way it sounds and looks. It was not a daily driver, and I appreciated the visceral feel.
Cab to Cab is a coin flip. I would probably go with the 996. More room, top storage, quieter etc.
There are some very pleasant creature comforts on the 996. Try to get one with an extended warranty.
It sounds like you might be most satisfied with modified (suspension/exhaust) 996.
Good luck & be happy. What a great situation to be in. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
Tom
02C4 Cab
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I actually have a 996 GT3 on order, and test drove a C4S - in the handling department Porsche still has the magic.
Mike, ...and PAG should be the most profitable car manufacturer at the prices they charge... $180k for a GT2, $15k for X50 option, $700 for a stainless steel exhaust tip...
Mike, ...and PAG should be the most profitable car manufacturer at the prices they charge... $180k for a GT2, $15k for X50 option, $700 for a stainless steel exhaust tip...
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From: Bay Area, CA
Gilead, this will likely only make your decision more difficult, but you if you possibly can you should try a 996 with the ROW M030 sport suspension. Closes some of the gap in visceral
"sportiness" between the stock 993 (higher) and 996 (lower), while widening it in performance.
On the other hand, not many cars by any maker match the build quality of the 993 in terms of fit and finish, especially the exterior. After 30 years of making them, Porsche pretty much mastered that aspect of building the car! They are getting better, but few, I think, can credibly argue the 996 is in the same class as the 993 on this score.
There are exhaust options to suit nearly any preference in sounds for the 996. If you decide you prefer the car otherwise, this is an easy thing to dial in later.
"sportiness" between the stock 993 (higher) and 996 (lower), while widening it in performance.
On the other hand, not many cars by any maker match the build quality of the 993 in terms of fit and finish, especially the exterior. After 30 years of making them, Porsche pretty much mastered that aspect of building the car! They are getting better, but few, I think, can credibly argue the 996 is in the same class as the 993 on this score.
There are exhaust options to suit nearly any preference in sounds for the 996. If you decide you prefer the car otherwise, this is an easy thing to dial in later.
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From: The Flying Turtle Ranch
Metalsolid
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"> "and PAG should be the most profitable car manufacturer at the prices they charge... $180k for a GT2, $15k for X50 option, $700 for a stainless steel exhaust tip..." </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Then just wait til they start selling the Carrera GT.
With it's pricing, PAG will soon be acquiring DaimlerChrysler.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"> "and PAG should be the most profitable car manufacturer at the prices they charge... $180k for a GT2, $15k for X50 option, $700 for a stainless steel exhaust tip..." </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Then just wait til they start selling the Carrera GT.
With it's pricing, PAG will soon be acquiring DaimlerChrysler.
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I was at this same point a month ago, deciding whether to go with a 2000 996 C2 or a 97 C4S for roughly the same $$$'s. I drove the 996 and absolutely loved it, but I didn't fall in love with the exterior, which is the part I found the most mesmerizing about the 993 C4S. That body and those J Lo curves are just so beautiful.
I just bought a 96 C4S last week at Luxury Motors in Chicago (for $40,450, 59k mi) and am soooo happy I went with the less comfortable, less easy to drive, less HP but much more outwardly enticing 993. It was all about that look over the shoulder after I parked it that drew me to the older 993.
As others have said, drive them back to back and you'll know. For me, I am going to be stuck in this car for 10 years (so says my wife), so I went for beauty over comfort and newness. In 10 years I hope to get a used slabsided 2003 996 Turbo - TIP! It'll be old man time by then (52 years old
).
Good luck with your search,
Steve
I just bought a 96 C4S last week at Luxury Motors in Chicago (for $40,450, 59k mi) and am soooo happy I went with the less comfortable, less easy to drive, less HP but much more outwardly enticing 993. It was all about that look over the shoulder after I parked it that drew me to the older 993.
As others have said, drive them back to back and you'll know. For me, I am going to be stuck in this car for 10 years (so says my wife), so I went for beauty over comfort and newness. In 10 years I hope to get a used slabsided 2003 996 Turbo - TIP! It'll be old man time by then (52 years old
).Good luck with your search,
Steve
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From: Detroit, Michigan
Dammit...I just don't know WHAT to do. 993...996...993...996. And you guys aren't making it any better. On one hand I hear, "buy the newest one you can, (C4 Millenium Edition), on the other hand I hear, "the 993's are bulletproof and this and that and the other, AND you've got that body. Hmmmm...eenie, meenie, mynee, moe...
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Detroit, Michigan
Dammit...I just don't know WHAT to do. 993...996...993...996. And you guys aren't making it any better. On one hand I hear, "buy the newest one you can, (C4 Millenium Edition), on the other hand I hear, "the 993's are bulletproof and this and that and the other, AND you've got that body, (96 C4S). Hmmmm...eenie, meenie, mynee, moe...
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From: yorba linda, ca
There is alot to be said about current market value of the 993 vs. 996. I have noticed 96 or 97 C4S or even the 2wd S' are fetching about the same money as 99 and 2000 996's.
At first I didn't like the looks of the 996. In fact it had taken me this long to start 'digging' them. Now if I see a 996 with aero-kit or a Turbo, I really like them so much more. I guess its one that took time to grow on me.
I love my 993, its like a treat to get to drive it when I do, but, if the situation came up, I wouldn't mind having a 996. This is a VERY tough choice for you. Good Luck.
Chris
At first I didn't like the looks of the 996. In fact it had taken me this long to start 'digging' them. Now if I see a 996 with aero-kit or a Turbo, I really like them so much more. I guess its one that took time to grow on me.
I love my 993, its like a treat to get to drive it when I do, but, if the situation came up, I wouldn't mind having a 996. This is a VERY tough choice for you. Good Luck.
Chris
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The 993 is the only Porsche I haven't owned. I loved the looks but,after testing it an autocross, thought it was too soft versus my RS America (it took buying a GT2 to get over that car). So (for really reasonable $) go find a 996 with the X51 package ,or wait for the GT3. You will not be disappointed.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Spain
YellowC4S,
Maybe you should explain what specific characteristics do you value most from a car (confort, performance, looks, reliability, re-sale value, safety, luxury, etc). Because its easier to judge them this way than globally.
Maybe you should explain what specific characteristics do you value most from a car (confort, performance, looks, reliability, re-sale value, safety, luxury, etc). Because its easier to judge them this way than globally.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Switzerland
by my side a more than a year ago i was with the same question, i got in one hand a black C4S '96 and mine, a black 996 C4 '99, , i drove them both, it was a hard choice, I made a list pro-cons. then by my personal choices I took the 996, I couldn't be happier. by far, no regrets now.
i almost sell my baby end december 02(for other reasons), but as i said, i gonna keep it!.
Gilead : follow what your heart says ..
Good luck !. 
i almost sell my baby end december 02(for other reasons), but as i said, i gonna keep it!.
Gilead : follow what your heart says ..
Good luck !.