Riad

I've never owned a 993, but wish I could have both.

It's almost as if they are two different brands of auto, both worth having for different reasons.

Fred R. C4S

After 2+ years of ownership, I'm glad I bought the TT. More power and lots more torque. It is a more comfortable car to drive. I miss the big tach, the sound the doors made when you close them. The 993 was probably the last of the "hand built" 911's. It's sportscar. The TT is a GT car. My Clubsport gearbox with steel Porsche Motorsports synchros and the LWFW made for about the smoothest shifting transmission I ever experienced. Rev matching on downshifts was almost telepathic. I never get passed by a 993 at DE's.

Every design is a compromise. I gave up the raw nature of the 993 for a TT that has mind bending performance. TT = everyday supercar!

Cheers,

Mark Wilson

Luis (and others who say '02 model), I'm just starting the education process on the 996 and know that the headlights were changed, but what else is different on '02 up that causes you to say this. What is the price range low to high on a well kept stock '02 C2?

Is there a place that shows the changes by year for the 996?

Riad

The front end changed as you mentioned. The interior really changed, glove box, better more solid feel to the materials in general (and the plastic that is used is a satisfying flat black, not shinny black that looks terrible imho) but the engine also was increased in HP from 296 to 320... which you can feel.

rcg412

FWIW I would go with an 01 rather than an 02... Most importantly, it is the last year of the 3.4L engine so it seems all the gremlins were worked out. Secondly, it has some of the minor stylistic changes of the 02... like LEDs for interior lights, revised bumper (improved airflow)... the only main difference is the front headlights and no glovebox.

10 GT3

If you check the other threads on this, there are quite a few more changes on the 02' than just headlights switching headlights and adding a glovebox. There are much more sustantual body changes than indicated with most of the body being different including both bumpers front fenders and rear quarters that reduce lift 15% in front and 40% in back. Unfortunately, none of these changes existed on the 01'. There are substantual suspension revisions and chassis reinforcements. Not only was the displacement increased, but also the Variocam Plus system with adjustable timing AND valve lift was added. The Bose stereo is a huge improvement over the previous digital sound...and yes it has real cup holders. The unfortunate side is a MY02' carries about a $10K premium over a comparable 01'.

10 GT3

I like some of the quirks too in my older S/C likewise, but I would feel insulted if they still existed in the new cars today. My S/C is a true drivers' car built very much like a kit car with simply nothing there that isn't there for a purpose. The only thing that separates the back of the gauges from the trunk is carpet. There are no fender liners. There isn't much insulation, just carpet glued to the floor. It isn't a car that is enjoyable driving in the wet, when it is cold, when it is hot or piddling around in traffic. It is a great extra car when the weather and conditions are just right and rewards the driver with a unique experience. By comparison a 996 can be driven daily like any other luxury car all the time.

bellwilliam

I never understood "character" and "quirks", always thought that is an excuse made up by English / Italian car owners.

anyway, it is not too difficult to put more "character" in your 996.

1. install narrower wheel, and skinnier tires.
2. permanantly disable PSM.
3. permanantly disable heat seater.
4. take out some of freon, so Air won't blow so cold.
5. install smaller sway bar
6. install same size tires all the way around, to create more oversteer.
7. install old 70s SC seats (for more feel on butt)
8. block a couple of vents, so heater also won't work too well.
9. gut the muffler for more character sound.
10. install Pep Boy's audio system, for inferior sound.
11. disable electronic ignition, install points.
12. install carburator instead of fuel injection.
13. take out the carpet insulation.
14. remove sound deadening material.
15. disable keyfob remote
pretty sure there is a lot more to upgrade to better "character"

Mark Wilson

02 Carrera - you make some great points. I'd love to consider the '02 up, but part of the beauty of an getting an early 996 is that I sell the 993, put $$ in the bank and still have a newer car. I may get a later 996 in the future, but if I do a trade soon, I'll prolly go with '99/'00. Maybe the '02 can be the next step. These pics are my Porsche progression so far- 70E, 79SC, 97 C4S.

rcg412

I think a lot of the changes on airflow went into effect on the 2001 - but werent very publicized... I could be wrong... The cupholders are a joke on any 911, but i actually think the 01 and before is better. Dont get me wrong, the -02+ are better evolved... as is an 00 over a 99. . . .But i would avoid any 911 with a new engine design. Lastly, the 10K premium is not worth it... if you are going to get an 02+, do an 03...

Generally, the years to get are 01, 03 and 04 (Best one).

missmy993

I had '95 993 and now '99 C4, all of the above mentioned differences are true, but for the the biggest difference was my mindset betweent he cars, the 993 was a "classic" and it felt like every mile was destroying the value of the car, no track, autocross or driving in the rain. Driving the car became sort of an event. The 996 on the other hand is no classic, the market has beat these cars up for no good reason, the technology is current, I drive this car all the time-more is better- signed up for my first DE event, have and will autocross, take trips, drive in the rain, park on the street, forget to wash it sometimes (not often) and even have started doing some basic maintenance and mods. I'm having a blast with this car because it is a 996. But drive both and decide for yourself.

mrsullivan

the things that you list are the very things that many enthusiasts dont give a crap about... be careful, you just made the case for owning a Lexus, not a Porsche...not to mention some of your facts are off -- you think that my rear tires are narrow????

nothing personal... (you started it )

Rob in WA

Not to make a big deal about 4 hp, but MY99 has 296 hp, MY00 and MY01 have 300.


I like what missmy993 said, that's how I feel going from a MY82 to my MY01.

There are some pluses to the 3.4l 996, less weight, no variocam plus surge - Some are subjective, I don't like the turbo headlights on narrow bodies and I prefer the cleaner look of the interior w/no glovebox & cupholders.

I was all set to get a 993 when I decided to upgrade my SC. I couldn't stand the way the 996 looked.......and then I drove one.

Nutbeem

When I owned my 1994, it actually seemed a bit softer than the C4S. The steering was lighter, the shifting was lighter. The C4S is a rocket, more like a slot car than a piece of automotive history.

Kevin H. in Atl..

Some interesting reading from the 996 and 997 PET Catalogues:

98-00 model year 3.4's are rated at 220kw, which = 299.12hp DIN, 295.02hp SAE.
01 model year 3.4 is rated at 221kw, which = 300.48hp DIN, 296.37hp SAE.
So there was only a 1.36hp DIN difference between the earliest 3.4 and the latest.

Seems PCNA marketed the early 996's with SAE ratings and the later 996's with DIN ratings. PCNA also frequently uses 0-60 times for some cars and 0-62mph (100kph) times for others, creating confusion, as for a car in the low 5 sec range, the difference between the two is about .2sec. For a car in the upper 5sec range, the difference is about .3sec, which, when bench racing, seems like a lot.

Also interesting is that the '02 3.6L is rated at 232kw, which = 315.43hp DIN, 311.12hp SAE,
and the '03-'05 (yes, '05 997) 3.6L's are all rated at 235kw, which = 319.51hp DIN, 315.14SAE.

FWIW, the 997 3.8 is rated at 261kw, which = 354.86hp DIN, 350.01hp SAE.

I've also noticed that some publications listed the 996Turbo as 420hp, some as 415hp. This also is the difference in the DIN and SAE rating for that engine.

YMMV, of course.