993 or 996
- Thread starter Diesel130
- Start date
968er
New member
They are two very different cars, the 993 gives so much pleasure to drive but at the same time can be used on a daily basis and is easy to drive around town, the 996 is a GT and has the same feel as a fast BMW or merc.
With regards the back seats, they are really only useable for people up to around 12 years of age in either the 993 or the 996.
The one thing that should be borne in mind is depreciation as 996's are in freefall at the moment with high mileage examples at below £20k, al lot of this is due to the fact that they were the first mass produced car by Porsche and reliability has suffered through a lot of issues with the M96 engine. Also they have tended to be owned by people who are not passionate about Porsche and service standards may have slipped.
With regards the back seats, they are really only useable for people up to around 12 years of age in either the 993 or the 996.
The one thing that should be borne in mind is depreciation as 996's are in freefall at the moment with high mileage examples at below £20k, al lot of this is due to the fact that they were the first mass produced car by Porsche and reliability has suffered through a lot of issues with the M96 engine. Also they have tended to be owned by people who are not passionate about Porsche and service standards may have slipped.
Pickled Piper
New member
Try driving them. One of them will "float your boat".
993 is definitely the more enaging to drive. It all depends on how much you want to be engaged when you drive it.
Taj
993 is definitely the more enaging to drive. It all depends on how much you want to be engaged when you drive it.
Taj
38F3E1
PCGB Member
994 was the hastily chosen type number for the 964 Turbo after the 969 was cancelled. The other interesting fact about the 964 Turbo is that it was never officially the 965 as is commonly used.
Unfortunately don't have access to reference book so can't tell you what the 995 was.
Ian.
stuart tanner
Member
Gotta get a 993 surely, depreciation is showing hard already on 996's becoming pretty much the same price as a nice 993. 993 is 10yrs old now but still look great. Can see why you would be tempted by a 996 though, newer car for the money etc.
Like the others have said above, back seats in either car you wouldnt want to go far in. Stretch the budget if you can and buy a 996 mk1 GT3 or something if going down that road!!
Have fun looking around.
Like the others have said above, back seats in either car you wouldnt want to go far in. Stretch the budget if you can and buy a 996 mk1 GT3 or something if going down that road!!
Have fun looking around.
John Ware
New member
Having owned several BMWs and having owned a 996 for nearly two years, there is NO comparison. Yes, the 996 is more of a GT whereas the 993 is clearly a sports car. However, nothing covers the ground as quickly and inspires confidence as much as a Carrera 4 (apart from the Turbo [
]) with the possible exception of highly tuned Subarus or Evos, although you'll be getting a new clutch every few thousand miles in those and with such a highly tuned bit of kit reliability can be a bit questionable.
There are a few well publicised exceptions but there is nothing on the market which gives the performance of a 996 with the associated reliability. A good specialist is worth his weight and brings the running costs down significantly. In that respect, my 996 is by far the cheapest car I have ever owned. Keep in mind (my bias is showing a little), a 993 is likely to cost more to service than a 996.
Whether you end up with a 993 or 996, you're unlikely to be disappointed. As I said, one is a GT, one is sports car. Decide on that basis. As someone who used to change cars every eighteen months, I have absolutely no intention of selling my 996. Ever. To me, that says it all.
]) with the possible exception of highly tuned Subarus or Evos, although you'll be getting a new clutch every few thousand miles in those and with such a highly tuned bit of kit reliability can be a bit questionable.There are a few well publicised exceptions but there is nothing on the market which gives the performance of a 996 with the associated reliability. A good specialist is worth his weight and brings the running costs down significantly. In that respect, my 996 is by far the cheapest car I have ever owned. Keep in mind (my bias is showing a little), a 993 is likely to cost more to service than a 996.
Whether you end up with a 993 or 996, you're unlikely to be disappointed. As I said, one is a GT, one is sports car. Decide on that basis. As someone who used to change cars every eighteen months, I have absolutely no intention of selling my 996. Ever. To me, that says it all.
38F3E1
PCGB Member
Try them both. Very different. I would recommend you find your local region and where they meet and pop along to one of their monthly meetings. You don't have to be a member to pop along to the odd meeting ... they are always happy to meet new enthusiasts.
That way you will be able to see examples of both that are in good condition and well looked after. You might even get a ride in each type. It's good to know what a good one feels like before you go test driving some of the crap that is out there.
Ian.
That way you will be able to see examples of both that are in good condition and well looked after. You might even get a ride in each type. It's good to know what a good one feels like before you go test driving some of the crap that is out there.
Ian.
oceancarrera
New member
I've said this before, but there is a LOT more variation within the 996 range than there is within the 993 range.
Most 993s feel pretty much the same after a while, with the TT just being faster - but it still has the same kind of feel as other 993s.
996s, on the other hand, feel vastly different between normal 996C2/C4s, to the 996TT, to the GT2, or at the other end of the spectrum, the GT3 and GT3RS.
Try a regular 996C2 and then drive a GT3RS. COMPLETELY different cars. Seemingly not much common DNA/feeling shared between them at all other than the shape of the dashboard.
I'm not sure you would say the same thing if you tried a 993C2 and then a 993TT or even 993RS.
Think about what you want/what kind of feel you are looking for, then go and try the different models to find which one hits closest to the sweetspot. Objective assessment is one thing as they all get to 60 pretty much within 1 second of each other, and the 996 is bigger than the 993 etc. But subjective assessment is something altogether different and what makes each person say "this model is better than the other".
FWIW, I went from a last of the aircooled/characterful/best-911-ever-made 993 to a first-generation-poor-build-quality-996. [][]
And I challenge anyone to tell me that I should have stuck to a 993 as it has more character or is the better car than my GT3!!! [][8D]
Most 993s feel pretty much the same after a while, with the TT just being faster - but it still has the same kind of feel as other 993s.
996s, on the other hand, feel vastly different between normal 996C2/C4s, to the 996TT, to the GT2, or at the other end of the spectrum, the GT3 and GT3RS.
Try a regular 996C2 and then drive a GT3RS. COMPLETELY different cars. Seemingly not much common DNA/feeling shared between them at all other than the shape of the dashboard.
I'm not sure you would say the same thing if you tried a 993C2 and then a 993TT or even 993RS.
Think about what you want/what kind of feel you are looking for, then go and try the different models to find which one hits closest to the sweetspot. Objective assessment is one thing as they all get to 60 pretty much within 1 second of each other, and the 996 is bigger than the 993 etc. But subjective assessment is something altogether different and what makes each person say "this model is better than the other".
FWIW, I went from a last of the aircooled/characterful/best-911-ever-made 993 to a first-generation-poor-build-quality-996. [
][]And I challenge anyone to tell me that I should have stuck to a 993 as it has more character or is the better car than my GT3!!! [
][8D]oceancarrera
New member
John,
I've had the opposite experience. My 993 was definitely the GT compared to my 996 which is an outright sports car... [
] Both are brilliant cars though.oceancarrera
New member
Ooops, sorry. I didn't realise that there was a max budget of £25k!
For that budget, unless you need the car as a daily driver, you will find the 993 a more engaging/characterful proposition. Mind you, a 996 with PSE is a great alternative if you need the extra space and day-to-day usability.
Good luck in the search!
For that budget, unless you need the car as a daily driver, you will find the 993 a more engaging/characterful proposition. Mind you, a 996 with PSE is a great alternative if you need the extra space and day-to-day usability.
Good luck in the search!
LOL
Thats great!No question about it, the 996 is a far better car for me in terms of looks and a modern sports car in every respect - and that includes the C2 ( yep I am biased).
All the 911's have had their problems, so don't let the doom mongers put you off buying one.
Sub 20K for a 996 - don't make me laugh! If you want trouble then go ahead and buy one of those - likely to be a non C16 (non UK spec), LHD and a possible a badly repaired car involved in an accident.
You pays yer dosh and you get what you pay for in either model.
i gotta 993 c2 & its great, its my 1st porsche & i wouldnt change it for the world, just look at & all those lovley curves just in the right places & its a proper one AIR COOLED when i was looking & asking 2 years ago 90% of answers were buy a 993 & you keep more of your £s for longer, less devaluation go for a 993.
dave
dave
Diesel
I don't believe that one is better than the other - they are totally different cars. You should make your choice on which one feels best to you, and which one will best suit how you are going to use it. Having had both, I would chose the 993 if it were to be my weekend blast to polish and cherish, but the 996 suits me so much better on a day-to-day basis. Plus, I like my toys and creature comforts.
If you have any doubts about whether you can afford to run it (and that means insuring or self-insuring) don't buy one.
I don't believe that one is better than the other - they are totally different cars. You should make your choice on which one feels best to you, and which one will best suit how you are going to use it. Having had both, I would chose the 993 if it were to be my weekend blast to polish and cherish, but the 996 suits me so much better on a day-to-day basis. Plus, I like my toys and creature comforts.
If you have any doubts about whether you can afford to run it (and that means insuring or self-insuring) don't buy one.
Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members
Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions
