993 or 3.2 for everday use?

[n8ony]

I have a low mileage 3.2 cab for weekend use. I am now thinking about selling the volvo diesel and running a 911 everyday. I cover about 12,000 miles a year on an even mix of dual carriageways and A roads, with a little bit of town use thrown in. Although the cab is garaged, this will have to live outside on the drive, so a coupe would probably be the best option.

Which do you think, 993 or 3.2. I will have about £15,000 - £20,000 to spend ?

 

[totsnap]

Not that I have ever used my 911 as a DD - but if I were to do so Id look at a 964 - closer to the feel of the 3.2 with more of the niceties of the 993 & better VFM than a 993 also (& better looking IMHO)

 

[Mark Elder]

Indeed, I was wondering why you have excluded a 964. Not that I want to put you off 993s.

For your budget you would get quite a nice 964, but for a 993 you are going to be looking at one that someone is having some trouble shifting.

 

[911sse]

Should get an excellent 964 for that money, maybe too good as a daily driver.

 

[JB 3.2]

I loved my 3.2 and although I used it as a daily driiver it was not really an everyday car, and I reluctantly changed to a 993.

The reasons were a lack of power steering on the 3.2 so my wife found it difficult to park
.
Our 3.2 did not have Air Con which is fine if you are on your own as you can have the windows and sunroof open, but made it difficult for family trips, where what was comfortable for the driver was a nuisance to passengers,

In an ideal world we would have both cars, but when it comes down to a choice the 993 has the edge over q 3.2 for daiily use

 

[zwhitea]

This is an impossible question to answer as it is all down to taste...

I basically alternate between our 3.2 coupe and 993 Cab on a regular basis, while my wife, take the VW work-horse most of the time. (the mini is back at the engine builders again). Yes the 993 has more refinement, and more poke... but even my wife enjoys the 3.2 and would quiet happily get rid of the 933 if I were to let her..

If your were talking family car, then the 993 would win, however as a daily driver it is all down to your taste... do you like the raw driving experience of a 3.2, or do you want some of the refinement of a 993.. me I would stick with the 3.2 and as for a Cab or Coupe.... a Cab with a well sorted hood alignment and seals will be just as water tight as a coupe...

Adam.

 

[Big_nige]

Up until last month I used my 3.2 as a daily driver for 2 years doing about 10-12k p/a. The road rash and winters was just beginning to take its toll and the fuel consumption was crippling me. 300 miles on £80 does not take prisoners. If I could afford the fuel I'd still use it daily.

 

[n8ony]

Thanks Guys. Very interesting. I think the 964 is a good idea, and I will include them in the search. I notice quite a few vehicles seem to be for sale for some time at the moment, is anything selling?

Big_nige. 300 miles for £80 in petrol seems a bit steep. As I have not used mine on a regular basis yet I am not able to compare that to my consumption. Is this other peoples experience?

 

[totsnap]

Right now its a buyers market whatever the product - some great wheels deals to be had at the moment - but I reckon come jan/feb the car market will be very flat as it is at that time of year w/out any credit crunch issues....
My car does about the same as big nige's ... maybe a touch less[][][]
After a weekend to scotland touring I managed to rip through over £500 in fuel - and that was a year ago.

 

[morris944s2john]

May I throw a left field spanner in the works and suggest a completely different (but simmilar vintage) of Porsche as everyday car. Keep your 911 cabriolet garaged and as a sunny day weekend fun car and buy a 944S2 (or turbo) for everyday usage. Benefits are good fuel economy (32mpg on a long run is usual) and relatively big boot (especially with the seats down) and cheap purchase cost, even for a nice one- and cheaper insurance for 10,000 miles+ usage.

Don;t get me wrong, I really love 911's especially the 3.2's and early 70's models but I have been using my 944S2 as an everyday car for 12 years now with very few downsides.

 

[totsnap]

ORIGINAL: morris944s2john

Benefits are good fuel economy (32mpg on a long run is usual) and relatively big boot (especially with the seats down) and cheap purchase cost, even for a nice one- and cheaper insurance for 10,000 miles+ usage.

Good point - my dads 944 lux manual gives much better fuel return than his 3yr old Jaguar x-type (2.1L - auto)
944 - 30+mpg
X-type 20mpg
Cheers

 

[Gary C]

As a daily, would have thought the 964 would have been a better bet. Think they reduce the scrub radius of the front wheels and lightened the steering at lower speeds. Its the only thing I don't like about the 3.2 is the way it weights up at slow speed.

 

[Big_nige]

ORIGINAL: n8ony

Big_nige. 300 miles for £80 in petrol seems a bit steep. As I have not used mine on a regular basis yet I am not able to compare that to my consumption. Is this other peoples experience?

only time the 3.2 is more economical is on a long run at 60 mph. My daily run to work is about 40 miles round trip, abit of dual carriage way and the stopping at a million traffic lights in Mansfield, that kills the mpg. Best I have got is 320 on a full tank on a round trip to Swindon and back. I've tried different fuels, get abit more miles on higher octane stuff, driven really boringly, i.e. in 5th 30 metres down the road with the slightest pressure on the throttle, still does about 300 to a tank, maybe 310.

I've recently bought a MkII Golf Gti as a daily runner, still lots of fun but will do the same miles on about £45, that's saving me nearly £80 per month! It cost me £750 and will be paid for in 10 months. Meanwhile I keep the 3.2 off the road over winter, doa few jobs and have it for fun when it comes back out in March.

Its a lot of money you are planning to burn just in fuel however you drive.