993 C2 advice appreciated...

[Johnby]

Hi folks,

There is a '95 993 C2 with 58k miles, one owner, full service history etc... auto/tip for sale in a local garage, (not a Porsche specialist - but he does stock a lot of Porsches).
I am only recently new to Porsche having bought a 2.7 Boxster - and I like it so much I am tempted to go for the full 911 experience.
I was reading through the various posts on the forum here and elsewhere - I understand the 993 was the last of the air cooled etc, and I do not want anything too electronic,
I like to drive - so I am looking for something engaging. might have preferred a manual - but can live with auto.

So - given the above information - what do you think of the 993, is it easy to live with for everyday commuter use as well as a fun w/end?
Are the costs of keeping and running a '95 car particularly high?

Given that you all are 993 owners - what would you rate as the greatest pleasure you get from the car and what is the main pain point?

Lot of questions I know - but this is a really big decision for me, I do not want to rush into anything. I appreciate you taking the time to answer/help.

regards John

 

[eaurouge]

A demanding but rewarding drive, bullet proof mechanics, and relatively low running costs (if you find a good one,) whats not to like. Personally i'd steer clear of tiptronics as nobody rates them, but its whatever floats your boat.

Best bits - going round corners like nothing else, the sound of that flat six, and just admiring the graceful lines and compactness (which incidentally seem to have been lost on modern porsches.)

Worst bits - sitting in slow moving traffic (not a problem for an auto,) and getting into/out of tight parking spaces (no power steering.)

I'd suggest a test drive to see whether you like. I know a couple of people in exactly the same position as yourself, who have moved from a modern porsche to an old 911 only to find them difficult to drive, and subsequently putting them back on the market 6 months later. Remember these are old cars now, and lack many of the comforts and aids of their modern counterparts. Its not just a case of point and squirt with these cars. They need to be gently coaxed and caressed to extract the best from them. Its a skill i'm still trying to master.

That aside, I can honestly say that mine has been the single best purchase of my life, and the wife, kids and house will be put up for sale before it ever is !

Here's a link that may prove useful -

http://www.jackals-forge.com/lotus/993/993_buy_guide.html

 

[Mike M]

John,

Ive owned my 94 car for around 10yrs and have not regretted a moment. Its not a daily driver but a weekend and holiday car, ive just done around 2000 miles on a holiday in France with the wife and my six year old so you can tour in them as long as your selective in your packing!! I have used it for work a number of times and personally I wouldnt have a problem using it as a daily. However my work journey is only a 10 mile round trip in pretty light traffic. If you were spending a lot of commuting time in heavy start stop traffic then go for the auto as a manual clutch gets pretty tyring after a while.

I must admit I always think people who are not sure would be better off going for a newer car because you dont get what the car is about or the decision would be easy.

As for costs if you buy a good car they can be as sensible or expensive to run as you choose, I find most people refresh suspension and clutches etc because they want to not necessery because you need to, its an OCD thing.

The best things - handling, noise, analogue feel, the smile it puts on your face every time you drive it. The negatives - niggly things like failing A/C, scuttle rust, failing items due to age like window switches. Excluding A/C most of these are minor niggles and are cheap DIY fixes.

When choosing your car ensure it has a fully documented service history by OPC or known specialists, with annual oil changes regardless of milage and have it checked over before purchase by a known specialist.

Good luck with your decision making.

Mike

 

[RSIMON]

John

Everything said above.

Simon

97 Cabriolet

 

[scaramanga]

Agree with everything that has been said above. Am now on my 3rd and absolutely love it. My commute invokes a bit of traffic so I don't use it as a daily. Just a personal view, but I think it makes the car feel more special if you don't use it every day.

 

[clyde]

Firstly all 993s have power steering, if the steering is overly heavy then something's probably wrong.

The 993 is definitely a good everyday drive. Nearly 14 years and 100,000 miles later my C4 is still my daily drive. It's not cheap to keep it on the road though. The engine and gearbox are pretty much bulletproof but there's a lot of other things that can and do go wrong. In RHD the pedalbox is annoyingly offset and they rust around front and rear window surrounds. But it's just so good you can forgive it all of these things.

No they don't drive like a modern car, they're so much better than than that.

 

[Rotorhead]

I had two 993s - 6spd Coupe and Tip Cab - both bought new. Went on to have two 996s, 2 997s (GT3 and Turbo), 991......

But, I've also just bought a 993 - because, as brilliant as the contemporary cars are, they lack the simplicity and analogue involvement of the earlier cars.

I've also got an early RSL, but this is getting a bit too special to use regularly, so I went in search of a later air-cooled model - looked at 3.2s/964s (also had those in the day), but was eventually smitten by a very nice 993 C4.

You will need a full inspection. I thought I'd bought well, but my OPC went through it with a fine tooth comb and still found a few things I'd missed.

Few thoughts:
- That mileage will make it appealing
- 6spd much better and more sought after than Tip, although Tip S is bit better
- But, a Tip may have had an easier life - the engine/gearbox are harder to stress
- Don't necessarily buy the first one you see, but if it is good, then it will sell quickly (with that mileage)
- Peter Morgan is your man for an inspection (although there may be others)
- I would guess the price is c.£30k? But allow for initial and first years costs to get and keep it as it should be. You shouldn't lose money if you buy wisely, IMO.

 

[gresley]

Greatest pleasure (s) - road holding - sound - agility - appearance.

Main pain - other peoples attitudes ( tree huggers who refuse to pull over and are generally obstructive) - on the other hand other peoples attitudes can be a pleasure - wish I had a £1 for every time someone has come up to me and said "That is gorgeous " ( or similar words ).

Just buy one!

A.

 

[eaurouge]

Well said that man. I'll second that. The main problem i find is boy racers in citroen saxos who seem to think that your up for a race every time you're out on the road. They are a danger unto themselves !

Saw your car at Harewood by the way, looks good.

Regards

 

[John Maddox]

I have kept a Spreadsheet of all costs of mine since new in 1995. Not including Road Tax, Insurance, Fuel or warranty claims but everything else.

Total spent £22,504 which sounds a lot but it has done 186,000 miles now so works out at just 12p per mile !!

Tyres are the most regular big expense as mine has munched 15 pairs of rear and 9 pairs of fronts in that time so some £6000 spent there - and I am very easy on tyres as well!!

Other notables are Clutch/RMS replacement £1860, Cam Covers £600 (Twice) Steering Rack DIY £200 Brake Pads and some Disks £1200.

Initially big OPC servicing bills but in last 9 years looked after it myself using Original parts from Porsche.

You can see from the above they are expensive to keep but the real value is if you use it a lot rather than let it deteriorate on low mileage because you will still potentially get large bills although I rarely do more than 6000 miles a year now.

 

[Johnby]

Thanks for that info John, and all the others who posted.

That is impressive John, average of ~10k miles per year for 19 years, so £22.5k is not bad at all, when you factor in the original cost of the car too,
and allow for what it could sell for today, it still seems reasonable AND you have been driving a very nice car for 19yeras