jasper

So I've been actively looking for my next Porsche and a 993 popped up on CL in my town. Advertised as proper minty and priced accordingly.

So I met with the owner and sure enough, it's factory fresh just a minor detail away from concourse winning. Brand new tyres, all serviced up, 40,000 miles...if ever I was going to test a 993, this would be the one.

So, out we go for a ride, he drives the first few miles and the windshield is rattling and creaking - "they all do that" he says. Yes, indeed they do. "It's going in for a proper repair" ok (the seller by the way is a genuine enthusiast no BS guy).

So then I get behind the wheel. I find a reasonable seating position and off we go. Clutch is nice and light, but catches only at the very top of the travel. Common for hydraulic clutch 911's and not adjustable. Annoying. Shift to second, then third, a bit balky I'd say. Find a piece of straight road to let it out a bit....geez not much power is there (280 hp of old school technology pushing a 3000 pound car).

A little bit of twisty road. US ride height and stock springs and the car is all over the place. *Not* a confidence inspiring set up.

Brakes....excellent.

So - back the sellers house - I admire the beautiful shape once more and say goodbye - truly determined to find a nice 996 for a few thousand less.

All that glitters gentlemen!

Quadcammer

doesn't sound like that 993 was as well sorted as the owner made it out to be.

ivangene

great to know, but then again.... the 993 is a "Real Porsche" so then we should have expected it to act that way

I thought they had manual brakes (no ABS) and if so then they lock the fronts on about every hard breaking point (or is that the earlier ones)
Anyhow, they are beautiful lookling and I would love to drive one for a year.... maybe

Tough to know what's "next" isn't it

Thanks for the story

Quadcammer

a 993 with no abs or power brakes?

not a chance.

ivangene

sorry, my mistake?

But I watched an older car run the cones and every hard brake point the front would lock up... several old school owners said "yea, that's normal on the older cars" I thought it was wierd, but didnt ask much more about it

jasper

No, I disagree. The car was unmodified and obviously well maintained to stock specifications.

The owner never claimed to have sorted the car, where I define sorting as installing performance suspension etc. This car was performing exactly as Porsche intended for the North American market in 1995, and I was disappointed.

As far as the motor power goes...that's all she wrote I'm afraid. Maybe a chip would help, maybe a lightweight flywheel, but to me it felt as though the little 3.6 was struggling a bit.

Don't get me wrong here - I'm not a pneumophobe. I flew the air cooled flag high for ten years with a liteweight SC on carbs and cams. That car would snap my neck back. This 993 most definitely did not. I constantly dream about building another 911 and one day when I'm a little less busy with family and work I will. But in the meantime I'm sticking to Variocam and other late 20th century technology.

AndyK

Amen!

tgt40

And from what I understand the 997 is yet another step. They're all good but the 996 is definately a step change. Aside from a turbo there's not much more I'd ask for......

AllanJ

Hey Jasper,

Go find yourself a GT3. That should keep a smile on your face until you can build another hot rod.

btw, your old SC is still getting out for some fun.

Cheers,

jasper

Hey Allan - unfortunately the GT3s are holding their value more than I'd hoped. Good news though is that the MkII 996 are not and I've located a 2002 with reman motor and newer transmission for a *very* reasonable price. I plan to be at the next autoX with it. Looking very forward to seeing the gang again!

chsu74

993s are heavier than 996s with less power...

jyoteen

You know, old cars and the driving experiences are like many songs. The memory of the song is better than the song itself, because there are so many good experiences that the song is attached to in one's memory.

redridge

abs first came out in the 964 and every model after that...

chsu74

or ex-girlfriends.

mooty

a 1-5 years old car is like new
5-6 years is one generation out and still ok
at 10 years, like most poster said OLD