texas911

I have had both, just traded the 997C2S for the turbo, but I think I can comment. Its night and day between the 993 and 997. Good and bad. The 993 just feels classic. The clack of the door, the upright driving position, the smell, the floor mounted pedals. Loads of character and the aircooled engine sound is great! Driving, at least my 993 C2, also feels classic as the steering is slow and the shifter feels like a VW. The gearing is so tall that it makes the car accelerate leisurely. Handling is OK, but I have the stock suspension on and it may need new shocks. Body lean is present. But the experience is classic and I love driving it around and pretending I'm reliving my youth! The specter of high dollar maintenance is very present though, so you should think about that, before buying.

The 997 feels more like a sports car, you're very low and wide, windows sills up high, very coupe like. Feels like a ALMS car. Steering with the variable rate is very precise. Turn in very sharp. Acceleration is phenomenal at any gear. I wouldn't say it was a GT, just because it has the trappings of modern day life. The 993 had an power steering, auto A/C and CD players but no one called it a GT. I also like having PSM. I also love that its an everyday supercar as it just common enough to not elicit a second look, at least in Houston, that's reserved for the Ferraris and Lambos. You can get a used 997 CPO'd and add some warranty, so at least for a few years you won't have to worry about it.

If you could, get both, they complement each other very well. But either way, you win, because both models are true Porsches and are great cars.

Ron Adair

They're both 911s. To me that's what they have in common. The 993 feels lighter & more nimble. The 997S is definately more luxurious & powerful. Both are sexy.

texas911

Hey Ron, the 993 feels lighter, but they are about the same weight.

Ron Adair

I should've been more specific...

I've lightened the load of my 993 a bit (removed headlight washer system, rear seats & belts, carpet etc from trunk, lighter battery, wheels).

texas911

So that's why.

500

+1

Sgt Angus

Thank you for your response texas911. Sounds like many of you have thought this through quite a bit.
This is the element that I am looking for. Low and wide and feeling like I'm driving a race car. (without the tin interior and carbon fibre bucket seat)

This is a fantastic forum.

joe 997

If you really want a air cooled toy car you should consider a long hood car. The 69-73 are the best (longer wheel base). The 72S is the cream of the crop but a good one is as much as a 993. I love my new 997C4S big improvment over the 996.

larrytrk

Up to "75 watch for rust!!

blk on blk

I personally would always go with the newest option I could afford. for the 997S is the best Porsche built to date. I did not own a 993, but i did own a 996. I can only imagine based on the variance between the 997S and 996C2 that is is magnified to an even greater extent between a 997S and 993. I do like the looks of the 993, but no way it performs close to a 997S.

CAHRERA

I really like the 997 especially the GT3 and RS. Definitley a dream come true. The 997 is prbably the closest thing to the 993 by looks. The only thing that I wish the 997 could have is the Sound, even with the aftermarket exhaust they just don't have that awesome sound of the Oil/Air cooled Porsches. They sound to non-Porsche for me. I guess it's something that I'll have to get use to.

2ndof2

Two totally and completely different cars. I've driven a few 997's and no question they are faster, more comfortable, and much more modern. I personally like the spartan cockpit and the (seemingly) more nimble feel of the smaller 993. For the money I just don't think you can beat it. If the dollars required for a 997 purchase were as affordable I'd probably go with a 997 but I know I'd miss the 993 alot. The car gets compliments every weekend when I take it out for a spin and there's virtually no visible differences to mine versus a stock 993 to a casual observer. Definately a car that I think of as a pretty good performing classic with great looks. I view a 997 as a high-end top performer for those with more $$$$ to throw around and for those who prefer the latest and most modern P-car. I'd love to have one of each.

Sgt Angus

This is what got me started on the question. There are several nice 97-98 C2s around for $47-56K and then I see examples like this.

In my opinion these prices are now too close for an 8 year difference and the same miles.

rome

The reason is simply supply and demand. There are hundred of 997's available with those miles (for e.g. almost 1,000 997's for sale on auto trader nationwide), but to come across a 993 C2S with low miles is much more difficult (there might be a couple dozen for sale in the whole country at a given time). There were only 1700 993 C2S's imported to the US and a small number of them were kept as garage queens such that they can now be found for sale with 30K miles or less.

These economics, plus the looks, nostalgia and other stuff people have mentioned make the 993 a very interesting, and still valuable, car.

That said, though it is a perfect weekend/hobby car for me, there is no way I'd want to use my 993 as a daily driver (which for me means commuting to a big city each day). Too raw and not enough creature comforts. I think a 997 would be much better for that task, or better yet, a Cayenne S or Cayenne TT.

hddude