Majdomo

This was what I was thinking on the 993. Problem is if any other gremlins come up they get expensive quick, to be expected but if I want to stay (happily) married I'd do best to avoid it. I've already gotten the "what happens when it's in the shop for a week and you can't get to work!" speech.

Majdomo

THIS is what i need to know. Awesome.

I have an uncle (don't we all?) who DD'd his 1970something 914-4 for 33 years from Newport to DTLA. I asked him the other day, how many miles were on your 914 when it died? He said he couldn't remember, though it was 300K+ and only did one rebuild at 100K. When he retired he sold the 914 as a roller for $1K and got a 964 targa for $20-$25K 10 years ago, had 33K miles on it at the time and now has about 95K. On the one hand, kicking himself for selling the 914 out cheap, but I think he did alright with his 964.

It's stories like this that keep me coming back for more on this silly car.

gnat

Some classics on the subject:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...3-sort-of.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...he-middle.html

keviha

Lot's of good feedback. It's really going to come down to what kind of driving experience you're aiming for during your commute.

While the 993 and 996 are adjacent generations...the way you experience each is different in many ways. Not better or worse...just different. What 'checks the boxes' for you? Have you spent much time behind the wheel of each? If not, then find time to do so...that'll go a long way towards answering the fundamental question.

Other questions...depending on how long of a commute..do you want a relatively more 'modern' environment with cold a/c, electronics, etc. Would you see yourself being more concerned daily driving a 993 based on price or scarcity versus a 996 which are plentiful and relatively inexpensive?

I personally switch daily driving (20 miles a day) duties between a 93' (E34) M5 and 03' Targa. I love the variety...they're vastly different vehicles...but they scratch 'that itch' in their own ways.

Life is too short to drive boring cars!

Good luck!

Kevin

Nickshu

If I was going to DD a 993 I would only do it with a basketcase car or salvage title or something. A well sorted, well documented, lower mileage 993 at this point is too valuable to DD. They are collectors items now.

Kalashnikov

I suggest this as a compromise. It has interior quality of the 993, sound of the 996, and fuel economy of a prius. Comes with manual trans too!

johneecatt

This ^^^

I know a number of 993 owners.... none of them daily drive it.

Majdomo

Mmm...minty.

Majdomo

Too true. And the basketcase will end up costing me about the same as a nicely sorted one in the end. Same cost but higher miles? Meh.

But if I get a 993 I'd get to go to Luftgekult next year! /s

Mike Murphy

Seems like an easy decision to me. If you can afford a 993, go with a 993. I cannot see choosing a 996 over a 993 with cost being the same.

ejdoherty911

Well this won't change a really well sorted 996 costs HALF or less than half what a well sorted 993 is going to cost.

Excellent condition 996 turbo = $50k
Excellent condition 993 turbo = $125k- $350k.

Majdomo

I don't disagree. Some of the mechanics I've talked to though have taken the same position, that it's going to be more expensive to fix the 993 over the 996 and that any 993 you'd want to drive reliably is going to cost more in today's market.

I don't want to make it sound like cost is no object because it certainly is, and I can afford either but the question is whether I should. Admittedly that's a personal call but a really tough one to make.

dgjks6

I'm sorry. I hate to say this, but no one DD's a 993 and enjoys it. If they say otherwise they are not being honest. Sure, 20 years ago, it may have been acceptable. But now? No way. 993's have been relegated to the collector car and special occ car now.

The 996 has all the modern conveniences and comforts we expect in a brand new car. For a DD - and I mean a real DD, as in only car, every day, all day, there really is no comparison. The 996 is modern. The 993 is old.

That being said, you would be a bad *** if you really drove an air cooled car as your DD. And I mean really DD - 20,000 miles per year, etc. no back up car. I was going to do that with a 964 carrera 4 before I got my car, but while every time I test drive an air cooled car, I appreciate it, I could not seriously do it every day.

Majdomo

Yeah, that's the sense I get. Other buddy had a '78 targa he DD'd for like 2 months and it was cool for a minute, but ended up in a 997.2 after selling the targa.

I'd be happy to be a badass. Like, in June when it's cloudy all day. In September and October, when its 100+ for weeks? Not so much.

mrjonger

993 as one and only car in LA is tough but doable if you live/work in the right areas. Example would be live on the Westside, work in Southbay, park the car on weekends unless you going for an early morning jaunt in Malibu. Need to get somewhere through crappy traffic - bike/public transit/Lyft.

But if you're going through gridlock regularly, I'd say 996. Other option: 993 + motorcycle!