mikefitz6

I am wondering if I would be happy with this move. I currently have a 1989 911 Cabriolet and I think I would like to move up to a 1999 Cabriolet that is for sale locally.

I just finished a Porsche rally where ours was the slowest car - at least on paper. I never got left behind in the group rides, and it seemed that I could pass other cars about as quickly as everyone else. Then again, everyone was polite and did not try to leave me behind.

I am wondering about the upgrade for several reasons. Increased safety features (not sure if all of these are part of the 1999 Porsche - roll bar, air bags, better brakes), increase HP 295 vs. 214 + about 15 for new chip 229, 10 years newer with less wear and tear (85,000 miles on 1989, about 40,000 on 1999), quieter (may be negative - love the engine sound!), easier to put down top - will use more (no boot to attach after the top is down), more area in the trunk for storage. The 1989 is starting to have little things go wrong with it. I also may be looking at new brakes and shocks in the near future - that will run about $4000 which is almost half way to the 1999 model. That is all I can think of off the top of my head.

On the other hand, I kind of like some of the 1989 quirky controls and the look. The front does not look like a boxster. Oh yeah, it is paid for.

I guess I am wondering if I will see a real performance increase. Would it be better to save a little longer and go for a newer model like a 2001 C4 that is also local?

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks

Mike

auto-xr

When I looked for a 911, I test drove a 993 and was pretty impressed. I test drove a 996 next and LOVED it. It was faster and handled better. I have no regrets.

Dennis C

One of the guys in our local PCA just sold his 1989 and bought a 2001. He seems very pleased with the decision, from what I can tell.

Barn996

I would suggest that you drive the 'newer' 996, or better yet several of them and then decide compared to your 1989 911. There should be plenty of choices out there for you. GL

redridge

^^^ +1

Marc Gelefsky

Best advice!

They are VERY different cars.

Botsy67

I have an '00 cab and my dad has a '02 cab, both are stock and I can definitely feel the extra 20hp from his '02 pulling a lot stronger than mine, especially in the low-end torque acceleration. Like others have said, try to get an '02 or newer if you can. GL.

goliver

I've owned several air cooled 911s in the past and then spent 10+ years driving different 928s. In any event, I too love the air cooled sound and believe it or not, somehow the engineers got the sound in the 996s. Seriously, It sounds like the fan is still back there. Drive a 996 and I doubt you will want to keep the air cooled car anymore.

I was looking at 964s and 993s holding out for the air cooled engine and the charm of the "old cars." The 996 has all that and refinement as well. They are a total hoot. The safety features are way more evolved as well.

Drive one and i'll bet you will be hooked too.

Brucechas

In an earlier post the person stated that it is better to purchase a 2002. Why is this? Is it a better engine? Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanking you in advance,

Bruce

Meister Fahrer

Well, the model changed slightly to Mk II, the different headlights and some engine updates with +20hp or so.

To the OP, I'd ask if you need a C4 for winter driving, otherwise a C2 is lighter.
You might want to look for LSD option which has its own benefits.

Get a sport exhaust for a few more ponies plus you'll have all the beautiful sounds you could ever ask for.

We can definitely help you justify a 996, but your current 911 sounds nice too.

Yoops Racing

Because there are some on here that believe the 1999 is a lemon. Motor failures/RMS issues....blah blah blah....I proudly own a 1999 C2 that has zero issues and has had no RMS issues. I am the original owner. Make sure whatever year you buy that the owner has kept great records of service and find the lowest mileage you can.
Right now is a great time to purchase a 99-02...they are cheap

mikefitz6

Thanks to all for your comments.

Dave, I smiled when I read your comment that you can help me justify a 996. My current car is very nice. There is no strong logical reason to upgrade, but owning a Porsche has nothing to do with logic anyway - in my case of course. I would not attempt to speak for anyone else. My weak logic for upgrading? I have a 20 year old car with 20 year old problems. Nothing that can't be fixed. Logically I know that going to a newer car does not mean less problems that need to be fixed. So why upgrade?

A newer car would have more HP - logically - so what! I can only go 55 to 75. Getting their 1/2 second quicker is more likely to get me a ticket or accusations of a midlife crisis. (Although one lovely co-worker remarked after I bought my Porsche that it must not be a midlife crises because I was too old for that!)

I have read that it may have some handling advantages.

The Cabriolet lines in the 996 are much smoother than my 1989. No boot to put on the top.

The trunk appears to be larger. My wife noticed how much bigger the suitcase could be on a 996. (That may be the sole reason I get to buy a new car!)

Add another dozen reasons for going from one impractical car to another.

I guess it can't hurt to look and it won't hurt to stay with the '89. So many choices and none of them wrong.

Mike

mgmarsh39

sorry don't mean to be too OT, but is there a thread that explains the differences more completely between the 2001 and 2002?

Meister Fahrer

Hey Mike, yes the C2 996 has a good sized trunk, you might know the C4 trunk is smaller.

I've been driving mine more recently, every other day, and it can putt along at low rpm's with the a/c on and the stereo.
Or if the traffic opens up, take the revs up to 4500 or 5k and feel the power and hear the "Helmholtz" resonator kick on.

I've never driven an early 911 "in anger" but the 996 is pretty forgiving (tell your wife "it's safer") but it's still a 911 and all that implies.... fun stuff.

Barry Lenoble

Hello,

IMHO, the 996 is way more civilized than the 89. It has very good heat and A/C. Many have seat heaters. It is much safer and easier to drive with ABS, PASM (if equipped), airbags, roll bars, etc. It is very easy to raise and lower the top (press and hold the button). The shifter is WAY better than the older cars.

It is also a lot more complicated and more expensive to work on.

Regarding speed, for a street car, just about any Porsche is too fast anyway.

Good luck,
Barry