Going crazy - Cannot decide 993 or 996
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 461
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From: Napa Valley CA
Originally Posted by CWay27
Considering the SLK-350 would also imply a sex change IMO 
And as for the Elise, I don't think it would fall in the "daily driver" category.
And as for the Elise, I don't think it would fall in the "daily driver" category.
SLK-55 would work nicely though.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 18
From: The Aloha State
I first bought a 911 RoW cab and it is a blast to drive. I love the driving feel of the car as it is without power accessories. I bought a 996 last month on a whim and it is a great car for a daily driver. LOTS of power and of course good ac and everything else. I drove it around for the first few days and thought about selling the cab. Then I drove the cab and was in love again. My cab is a much better driving car, but the car is also lowered with turbo tie rods...whereas the 996 is bone stock. The 996 is way faster and does it easily, eventhough it is a tiptronic.
As everyone else has said, drive both cars to see which you prefer. In the end, you will have to be happy with your purchase.
As everyone else has said, drive both cars to see which you prefer. In the end, you will have to be happy with your purchase.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 71
From: Seattle, WA
As someone who has gone through the transition of upgrading from an '89 to a '95 and now in a 2003 car, the two you are comparing are quite different.
If you are coming from a 944, my first thought is that the 996 will actually feel more similar than the 993 to your current car. The 993 will - at first - feel far more mechanical. It has more in common with the 911 cars which came before it than the 996. The driving position will be very upright and sedan-like. I happen to really like this driving position, but some folks don't. The interior will appear like something from the '60s... which won't be too far from the truth. It'll baffle you as to why the intermittent wiper switch is where it is.
The 996 exceeds in areas of NVH when compared to the 993 model. It can be driven all day with little driver fatigue. I'd say that I can drive faster and with greater confidence in a 996 than a 993. Ergonomics are also better, things like the climate control unit to the more usable trunk space. However, interior plastics aren't as nice. And, styling wise, I do miss my 993.
While a lot of folks praise the reliability of the 993, it is an old car now, things go wrong. In fact, it was the reason I got rid of my car. Nothing fundamentally wrong, but just a series of things coupled with high repair costs pushed me to a 996 (and the bumper to bumper warranty).
Peter
If you are coming from a 944, my first thought is that the 996 will actually feel more similar than the 993 to your current car. The 993 will - at first - feel far more mechanical. It has more in common with the 911 cars which came before it than the 996. The driving position will be very upright and sedan-like. I happen to really like this driving position, but some folks don't. The interior will appear like something from the '60s... which won't be too far from the truth. It'll baffle you as to why the intermittent wiper switch is where it is.
The 996 exceeds in areas of NVH when compared to the 993 model. It can be driven all day with little driver fatigue. I'd say that I can drive faster and with greater confidence in a 996 than a 993. Ergonomics are also better, things like the climate control unit to the more usable trunk space. However, interior plastics aren't as nice. And, styling wise, I do miss my 993.
While a lot of folks praise the reliability of the 993, it is an old car now, things go wrong. In fact, it was the reason I got rid of my car. Nothing fundamentally wrong, but just a series of things coupled with high repair costs pushed me to a 996 (and the bumper to bumper warranty).
Peter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,225
Likes: 33
From: Tobacco Road, NC
I guess one of the knocks on the 996 holds true WRT the cheapo interior. But I have FULL LEATHER in both my 996CAB and my GT3. It makes a WORLD of difference. But in my GT3 with the upright fixed euro seats and the center console delete it feels (and mechanically sounds) like a raw car remeniscent of the 993 era. Best of both worlds. But as most woud say, drive BOTH and as korny as it sounds, one WILL talk to you more and that is the one you will buy. If it was up to me I would have one of EVERY car Ferdy made. They all have their character and are representative of what we all have in Porsche--passion.
Addict
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From: Boston
There's more to it, though ... I, for one, having owned a 99 C2 cab and an 02 Targa, was pretty disappointed in the overall build quality of both cars ... materials, sure, there's more plastic and so forth (I had full leather in the 99), but also the overall feel of how the thing is put together. The 993 has that nice, hand-built feel to it, solid, like a bank vault, much like the older 911s I've owned (911SC, 3.2 Carrera, 930, I am no newbie to Porsches); it's evident in how things fit together and how solid it sounds when you close the door. Both 996s were prone to rattles (particularly the Targa) and just had a more assembly-line feel to them. Little plastic pieces would come loose, the plastic faux-aluminum trim around the shifter would scratch, the trunk and hood switches on the 99 looked awful from getting in and out of the car, etc. Grab the shifter and it would rattle a little even in gear. That sort of thing.
Performance-wise, the 996 is faster, more powerful and more forgiving. The technology is terrific. The cabriolet top in the 996 puts the 993 to shame. But I returned to a 993, and I, for one, am still impressed that a 10-year-old example with twice the miles feels tighter and more solid than the 4-year-old Targa I had last summer. Porsche cuts costs to produce the 996 -- not prices on the car itself -- and while it certainly helped the company thrive, it didn't do the car any favors. In my opinon as an "airhead."
I think you could be happy in either car. Drive them both.
Performance-wise, the 996 is faster, more powerful and more forgiving. The technology is terrific. The cabriolet top in the 996 puts the 993 to shame. But I returned to a 993, and I, for one, am still impressed that a 10-year-old example with twice the miles feels tighter and more solid than the 4-year-old Targa I had last summer. Porsche cuts costs to produce the 996 -- not prices on the car itself -- and while it certainly helped the company thrive, it didn't do the car any favors. In my opinon as an "airhead."
I think you could be happy in either car. Drive them both.
GT3 player par excellence
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From: san francisco
Originally Posted by AC993C2S
Having driven a 996 GT-3, and several 996 TTs for some time (the GT-3 is awesome by the way)...you would probably call me a "993 guy" as described above. I just like the old school rawness of the 993, and even more so the 964 "rawnesss." The newer 996, and 997 even, dashes and interiors just don't ring true to a sports car for me...and especailly not in classic Porsche styling. Again, just my opinions...YOU have to make the decision as to whether you are going to be a water-head or an air-head. I am proud to say that I am definately an air-head. :-)
compared to normal 996's, yes 996 is softer. but compared to GTx cars, 993 is way soft, US spec gearing is way way way way too tall and it is NOT raw at all. try a 911 sc. street prosches are not RAW since quad cam 356's and spyders.
now if you are talking about solidity and craftsmanship, then yes 993 has it in spades.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 2
From: Newport Beach, Ca.
How many miles a year? I put 25-30k miles per year on mine....I have all the creature comforts of a modern car....More performance than any normally aspirated air cooled car and a VERY inexpensive car to maintain. Also when I wanna hit the canyons, I have a VERY capable canyon carver....When my engine goes, I drop a new one in for 8k....this price will probably get cheaper and cheaper...I have even seen rebuilds for 3k....A new air cooled engine can be in the 20's.....If you are putting lots of miles on it...go 996 for sure.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
Seen this happen before. He's heard the hype and wants a 993 yet cannot justify paying a premium for an an older car. Is it really worth it when he can get a much newer, albeit different generation car?
Been there, done that and made my choice...996. You'd think, by listening to the 993 guys, that the 996 drives like a minivan compare to their aircooled predecessors. You want an investment, put your cash in a CD.
The best thing is to drive a 993(you've driven a 996, no?) and look for that bit of rawness that is lacking in a 996. When I test drove both, I looked and I couldn't find it, although the windows were up on the 993.
For me, my cars are investment in the enjoyment of life. I measure my returns in miles and smiles, not $$$. If I want my car to feel like a 993, I'll mount skinny tires on the rear and lift in the turns. Otherwise, when I want raw, I'll jump in the 2800lbs stripped and SC'ed 85 928 5sp.
BTW: I'm looking into an SC for the 996 should I ever come to the conclusion that it is not the "Sports" car that the 993 was.
One more thing, Did you take a look at the 993 board? Take a look...
https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...5&postcount=21
Been there, done that and made my choice...996. You'd think, by listening to the 993 guys, that the 996 drives like a minivan compare to their aircooled predecessors. You want an investment, put your cash in a CD.
The best thing is to drive a 993(you've driven a 996, no?) and look for that bit of rawness that is lacking in a 996. When I test drove both, I looked and I couldn't find it, although the windows were up on the 993.
For me, my cars are investment in the enjoyment of life. I measure my returns in miles and smiles, not $$$. If I want my car to feel like a 993, I'll mount skinny tires on the rear and lift in the turns. Otherwise, when I want raw, I'll jump in the 2800lbs stripped and SC'ed 85 928 5sp.
BTW: I'm looking into an SC for the 996 should I ever come to the conclusion that it is not the "Sports" car that the 993 was.
One more thing, Did you take a look at the 993 board? Take a look...
https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...5&postcount=21
Last edited by Dave Howerdel; Jan 1, 2007 at 03:40 AM.
Burgled
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From: Altamonte Springs, Fl/Gwynns Island, Va.
I have a 996 and a 964 which isnt all that different from a 993. The 996 feels like a very large car in comparison. The 964/993 is very dated inside and are not much different then they were in my 77S. I like the interior of the 996 however mine is all leather. As far as door sound there is a difference but not something that really means much. At least you wont have to worry about welding your door straps back together on the 996. The 964 is fun for those times you like the small car feel but for a daily driver I would pick the 996. As far as RMS problems you can replace it 5 or more times then the cost of one top end rebuild on a 993 for bad valve stems or the CEL problem. Water pumper or aircooled is highly over rated in my book. I like them both for different reasons. My choice is the 996 for a daily driver more for the comfort and less maintenance. The 993 for a weekend/evening cruiser.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
I'll echo everyone else this is mostly an emotional purchase, otherwise we'd all be driving Corollas. Dirve several. I get nostalgic for the 993 and then I drive one and realize how big a jump the 996 design was.
Odley enough though, I'm looking for an 87-89 Carrera. That's the 911 shape I lusted after as a kid. I really do like the way they feel and drive. I know that performance wise the 996 walks all over them, but these are the years that really say 911 to me. You've got to find out which one speaks to you.
Odley enough though, I'm looking for an 87-89 Carrera. That's the 911 shape I lusted after as a kid. I really do like the way they feel and drive. I know that performance wise the 996 walks all over them, but these are the years that really say 911 to me. You've got to find out which one speaks to you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 3
From: CURRENT: Audi TT / Audi A3
The 996 effectively combines the qualities of sports car handling along with the comfort of a grand touring automobile. Each succeeding generation of the 911 has been designed to a higher level of refinement in the areas of noise/vibration/harshness/comfort/convenience, and you'll find this true in the development of the 996 vs. the 993. Some Porsche owners welcome this evolution, while others regret it.
If these types of improvements are important to you, then the 996 would be a good choice. If you want a car that is more reminiescent of previous generation design, then the 993 might be worth a look.
Good luck in your search.
If these types of improvements are important to you, then the 996 would be a good choice. If you want a car that is more reminiescent of previous generation design, then the 993 might be worth a look.
Good luck in your search.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 198
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I had '95 993 and now '99 C4, both good cars, 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. I do kind of miss the sound of the air cooled engine tho.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 461
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From: Napa Valley CA
Don't fool yourselves either about a 996 being soft, I have JRZ coilovers with GT3 seats, Kinesis wheels, Porsche sport exhaust with out baffles and bypass valve delete (among otherthings) and my car is as raw as any 993.
It just takes a little tweaking and a little $$$.
It just takes a little tweaking and a little $$$.