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993 Investment

Graham Hunter

Graham Hunter

PCGB Member
Member
Hello!


I am contemplating the purchase of a 993 Carrera Cabriolet (tiptronic). Does anyone have experience of what to look out for, or is anyone able to help me by taking a look at the car with me to check that it is a sound investment? It looks a beautiful car and I do trust the dealer but it has almost 90k miles on the clock and I’m nervous about buying without some prior knowledge of issues to watch out for. I’m in Yorkshire, the car is in Lincolnshire.
Many thanks for your help…..
 
I have a 1995 993 Coupe tiptronic
The dealer probably does not understand old Porsche cars, so take what he says with a pinch of salt.
....and even if he does, it takes a specialist mechanic who works on these cars day in , day out to know all the potential problems.

Best advice would be to instruct a specialist Porsche independent mechanic to do an inspection and give you a full written report on the car.
The mechanic who inspects it will need it up on a lift or he will be unable to carry out the inspection.
So the dealer may have one, or the mechanic will need the car re-sited to a lift.
Cost of the inspection will be about £500 - £600 ish
That is money well spent.
Lots of specialists out there.
Just Google...... 'Porsche pre purchase inspections'.

Not a good idea to have a friend / or 993 owner / or Porsche Club member ...look the car over for you.
Just too many potential areas of serious concern.....it is simply not worth the risk!

I had a pre purchase inspection done on my 1995 993 before buying it.
Every point of concern noted was accurate.
I fixed all the issues noted and the car is now in excellent condition.
Cost to me circa £7,500.....and that on a one previous owner car with 40,000 original miles only!!!
So it can be much worse than that with high mileage cars.
As a rough guide, you might want to think about setting aside 10% to 15% of the purchase price to get the car sorted once you own it.

Good luck with the purchase
Regards
Rob
 
First of all, it's not an investment, especially as a Tiptronic.

It is however, likely to be an absolute joy to own and the chances are you won't lose any money, which on a car is brilliant news.

As ever, all the usual checks for a 993, rust on scuttle and creaky screens. Find a really good buyers guide, I can't think of a 993 specific one off of the top of my head, but there are plenty out there.

As Rob says, get an inspection is the best way to understand the state of the car. ( I never have and been ok so far, I think it depends on a number of things.)

They are getting on a bit now, so I wouldn't be expecting perfection and ideally you want one that's been driven regularly, sitting around isn' good for them. I don't consider 90K miles as particularly high, it's what around 4K miles a year, that's a nice usage.

These older cars can take the mileage just fine, my own car has 205,000KM (~128,000 miles) on it, I've done 85,000 of those in the last 17 years. Obsession with low mileage is a modern disease, the cars can take it.


 



Graham Hunter said:
Hello!


I am contemplating the purchase of a 993 Carrera Cabriolet (tiptronic). Does anyone have experience of what to look out for, or is anyone able to help me by taking a look at the car with me to check that it is a sound investment? It looks a beautiful car and I do trust the dealer but it has almost 90k miles on the clock and I’m nervous about buying without some prior knowledge of issues to watch out for. I’m in Yorkshire, the car is in Lincolnshire.
Many thanks for your help…..
Click to expand...


Much good stuff written above. Have the PPI its essential!! Use the fault report as a tool for the dealer to either fix the car or reduce the price.

Your investment in any car is 2 fold:-

1) The money it cost you.

2) Your enjoyment of ownership and driving the car.


If at the end of the day when you come to part with the car you make a few bob, break even or even loose some money 2) is by far the most important.

P.S. My choice in 993 would defo be a manual

 
If at the end of the day when you come to part with the car you make a few bob, break even or even lose some money
2) is by far the most important... My choice in 993 would be a manual
Click to expand...


John has it completely right there [;)], drive it and enjoy it, they are marvellous.
 
Johns spot on with his comments.
As far as investment I don't think 993s will climb any higher they have been climbing over the last circa 4/5 years and now levelled off wide body and turbo rare 993s climbing more than the standard bodies so those can be out of the reach financially for some.
As been said Tips don't command as much as a manual but horses for courses you buy which box suits you.
 
Guys,

Many thanks for your comments. I have completed a PPI as you have suggested using a recognised Porsche specialist. The findings have been really helpful and given some great insight. In essence, the car looks to be very well maintained and I have been able to get a few essential "fixes” done pre-purchase.

Manual would also be my preference but I’m afraid I have osteo-arthritis in both feet so it has to be automatic.


I am so looking forward to driving it on the wonderful Yorkshire B roads! and maybe attending a few Porsche organised events in the medium term.


 
I look forward to seeing you and your 993 albeit that that may be next Spring.
I don’t have any experience of driving a 993 with or without a Tiptronic gearbox, however, my my Boxster 987S has a Tiptronic box and it’s a pleasure to drive. One just has to learn how to get the best out of it to achieve faster gear changes if one wants to drive enthusiastically. I put it into semi auto for that. It was a deliberate choice because it was bought primarily with touring in mind and I have a long term back/leg problem.
A lot of rubbish is spouted by some people who have never driven or have only driven a Porsche with a Tiptronic gearbox for a short distance.
It clearly isn’t anything like as good as a modern Porsche with PDK or as engaging as a manual but in my opinion it doesn‘t detract unduly from the enjoyment of driving a great car and it’s ideal for ‘normal’ driving, especially in slow traffic and when touring.
I’m sure you will constantly have an ear to ear smile whenever your behind the wheel of your 993.
 
Excellent, look forward to seeing out and about in the Region.

I would also echo what Roger said, Tips are better than many give them credit for.
 
Hi
I have had a 993 C2 manual for about 16 years. Once sorted they are v reliable. Engines are pretty bullet proof if they are properly maintained. Mine has done 118,000 miles and is absolutely fine. Don't panic if it smokes on start up for a few seconds after being left for a while! Just residual oil pooling in bottom of cylinders. Main issues are body work around front and rear windows as water gets in round the window seals. Need to blow this out after washing. Rear heat shields rattle when worn out, rear bumper stays rust out, brake discs rust on the inside edge if you don't dry them (by driving) after washing the car, hand brake can stick on if left to stand for a while, door stays can come adrift (although I have never had a problem), and they are notorious for windscreen squeaking if badly fitted. I am in S Yorkshire and very happy to help or meet up
Simon
 
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