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993 v 996 - is it a religous thing. Seems so

vinceg

New member
Apologies if this is an old debate but I'm new to the scene but looking for any opinions on offer to aid my own thoughts on which model to target. Have done a little research and immediate observations seem to me to be: 996 more refined and early cars now equal of lower in price that late 993; I actually prefer the 996 look "" I know this is not the perceived wider consensus; On 996 I have read more than a few worrying negative comments on re Rear Main Seal failures and more worryingly engines just giving up "" heard 5% failure rate on these units "" surely not! Against this 993 bombproof and engine rebuilds very rare/unheard of sub 100k and if necessary ½ the price of 996 early 996 still suffering relatively high depreciation; 993 prices very solid prices but are these sustainable in longer term or short term fashion driven? Apologies for piecemeal observations but I would really welcome any feedback on offer re relative merits to add extra colour to my own thoughts.
 
These are really very different cars and you should take both out for good test drive before deciding which model to hunt down. Rarely will a second hand buyer in the market for a 996 also be interested in a 993. Other than the the basic shape and the position of the engine, there is no similarity between the two cars. I wouldn't worry about he specific known failures like RMS, just make sure the car you buy is sound and has a PPI. Cars that have had 1 RMS leak seem to have more. If you pick up one that has never had one you should be fine. Basically the 996 is a much more refined car designed to capture buyer (from BMW/Merc/Jag) who would not have usually considered a 911, and the 993 is in old fashioned singular purpose sports car. 993's are generally thaought to be better screwed together. As many more 996 were sold there is a supply/demand problem(compared to previous 911's) on the second hand market so any 996 you get will they depriciate more than an eqivalent 993. In the end they are both great cars, just depends what you want out of your car.
 
I second Mankster, having drove both cars.

996 is a lot easier to drive and is more user freindly (what did you drive before), but you will lose more money when you come to sell it over a 993.

The 993 is really for the purist and is very hard edged and challenging to drive but very rewarding as well, in my opinion its the best 911 hence i bought 1!

Phone any specialist and they will tell you to buy a 993 as they have worked on both and is obveous which is the better built car + air cooled.

If you drive a Merc or BMW and eat perporami no doudt you will love the 996 if you like the very very hot peporami you'l have the 993

Sorry about the comparison both are great cars, no dissission is wrong, drive both to see.

PS. speak to you soon on the 993 forum.............!
 
An awful lot depends on how you are going to use it. Having had the experience of both as an everyday car, then the 996 is a lot easier to live with, yet still gives the adrenaline rush when you want it. If it was a 'second' car for me I would choose the 993, as you get the 'classic Porsche' sensations with that wonderful sound of the air-cooled engine.

As has been said, they are very different cars, but I would disagree with the build quality comments about the 996. There are plenty of 993's around that rattle and squeak just as much as any 996. The 993 is the final evolution of a 1960's design, wheras the 996 was a complete redesign in the late 90's. Different animals, same badge.
 
I have both at the moment - a 993 and a 996. Quite simply, the difference is this - the 996 is in all ways a modern driving experience whereas the 993 is old school. You may be shocked initially as to how old school the 993 is but you soon realise that every drive puts a smile on your face. The 996 takes a little more exploring to do so because it does everything so efficiently.

So if you want a car that does it all - 996.
If you want a car that you can explore and find new depths to - 993.

Build quality debate continues on the two, but its the 993 that has that 'hewn from granite' feel (and sound when you close the door) - and not the 996.

All my opinions only of course, but you did ask!

Surj
 
Agree with most of what has been said, but the particular thing that puts me off the 996 is that I understand from many articles/comments that it was the first model where Porsche "bought-in" about 80 percent of the car.
The exact opposite of previous models.
It is the first "accountants" car built by Porsche, designed to earn maximum (and much-needed at the time) profit for the company.
John C
993 turbo
 
The 993. A car that makes you WANT to take the 'A' roads because every journey is a blast, as long as you have your suspension sorted of course[:D]

The 996 is just not fun enough and far too common.
 

ORIGINAL: 968er

The 993. A car that makes you WANT to take the 'A' roads because every journey is a blast, as long as you have your suspension sorted of course[:D]

The 996 is just not fun enough and far too common.

The 996 is 90's refined fun, for old farts like me! [;)] I like taking the 'B' roads anyway!
The 993 may be the classic raw experience, but the 996 is a more practical proposition to live with on a daily basis.

 
People talk about the 993 not being practical on a daily basis. Rubbish.

I use mine on a daily basis and it is a superb. Take the kids to school, elder daughter gets serious kudos for that[:D] Go shopping, go to work and finally drop the seats in the back, chuck the golf clubs in and off for a round of golf with the day finished off with a blast back home. Perfect.

You can of course do the same in any other car, but the 'practical' 993 does it with style.

What other car evokes people to drive after you and once you stop come up to you and strike up a conversation about what a cracking car it is[:)]
 
Vince,
I think you should ask this same question in the 996 forum area and I think you'll get a more 996 bias!!
993 owners obviously love their cars which is why they have one.

You'll have to drive both and make your own mind up I suppose.
 
Hi Vince

A very personal opinion/experience......

I've been running a 993 C2 for just over 2 years now and love ALMOST everything about it. It likes to be DRIVEN so fantastic driving experience most days but can be frustrating sometimes if you're not in the mood.

A few month ago I test drove a 996 while mine was in for a service. Fab car, easy to drive, fast, great engine noise and felt very modern compared to 993 - only a feeling of slightly flimsy build quality let things down.

I wanted one right there and then and the feeling lasted all day..........till I got back into my 993. Completely forgot the 996 after the 1st 20 yards or so. 993 just felt so complete and involving [:D]

Anyway, as I said a very personal opinion. I'm still with the 993 as I like the totally immersive driving experience, frustrations and all. Other half has an Audi.....so I also get the refined but totally uninvolving experience [:mad:]

Could see a 996/997 in my future though......as age and arthritis catch up [;)]

Only kidding. Suggest you spend "quality" time with both cars before deciding. Find some friends in your local Region to give you some honest opinions. They may even let you have the odd test drive [:)]

Good luck,

Ravi
 
William

As an ex-993 owner, also used as a daily drive, I am not saying that the 993 isn't practical - I am just saying that the 996 (for some of us) is more practical. Some of the differences I have experienced are:

It has climate control that works (summer and winter).
It is more comfortable, and less demanding, especially on a long run.
It is more roomy. (Have had two sets of clubs in the back and trollies in the front).
It is a LOT cheaper to service.

As I have said before, it is a completely different car and both have their good and bad points. I am not knocking the 993 at all - it is an absolute classic, and has soul in spades. I was just making personal observations for the originator of the thread, which I thought he might find useful. As Hasan says, you would get a different bias if the question was asked on the 996 forum. We all love our cars, whatever model they might be - that's why we are here.
 
I've had two 993s and two 996s.

For regular day to day use the 996 is a very competent package and, particularly the later 3.6 'facelift' cars, are close in quality and ability to the latest 997.

However, the 993 retains much more of the 911's essential character. It is dated and compromised in some areas, but if like me your 'first love' was one of the early pre-73 cars, then you will recognise the lineage in the 993.

IMO one of the 996's biggest advantages over the 993, if you need it, is the extra rear seating capacity. Although essentially for children, the rear seating is much better and the other day I saw a 996 with two adults in the rear seats. If you only need two seats then don't forget the Boxster 'S'.
 
The 996 is heavier, but significantly stiffer. The main shell is a better platform from which the suspension can work.
It has substantial improvements in design in almost all areas.
It is also has less human input ito the basic building of the shell.
The interior may give the impression of being less robust, but it is only cosmetic items (esp. on early 996s).
Everything is electronic, including the throttle and stability and traction control are available.

NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) is reduced, since it is a more modern car.
Driving down the same road at the same speed in the 996, may well feel less exciting, since it does it in a more accomplished way.
But fun is what you are no doubt after, and that is not entirely dictated by speed or accomplishment.

The interior of the older cars looks what is is, older.
The creature comforts people expect of more modest cars are not necessarily present on the 993.

RMS aside, I think that although there have been some failures, statistically I am not sure the 996 is any worse. Far more 996s have been sold so you will hear far more stories. What the true position is, only Porsche know, and they won't tell.

The greater weight, new design and refinement make the 996 a very different proposition.
Which you like depends on what you want to get out of it.

The turbo cars of both are just awesome and stand on their own. 996TT is one of the finest ways of getting from A to B (or even from A to A ;-)
However, the GT3 beats the turbo for track use.
With so many variants of both 993 and 996, there is a car for everyone.

Although 993's may have a reputation for being more bomb proof, a bad one will still cost you a fortune. Buy on condition whatever you get, and consider complete lack of use to be a bad thing.
 
Ok the last post has bugged me.........

Is Porsche ownership all about driving around in a car thats similar to a Merc or BM having all these said extras and creature comforts. NO

If you want that then get 1 they are cheaper in all areas and in some cases faster and handle just as good and they certainly dont P**S oil everywhere.

I have had so many cars (my wife thinks its my mission to have my name on every log book) and can be a very good critic due to the experience, and have owned many Porsches, BMW, Mercs, Skylines, Cosworths, Evos Etc...

Now, can anyone on here really tell me a 993 is a nice drive.....No, but it is an exciting drive with lots of driver involment and input, this excites me and is what it is all about.

Looks and Kudos are everything with these cars thats why we buy them if we are honest, bit like Marmite, I love the look of a 993, Sorry but a 996 is like a Boxter with rear seats, can you tell the difference when one is coming towards you!

The 996 is also easy to drive fast like my BMW M5 in such away that it is boring, The 996 will never be a classic and will not be spoke about in the same breath as an air cooled 911 993.

A 993 is already a classic and is said in most mags as the best 911 of them all.

This is all IMO and no offence intended.

A 911, there are faster cars, there are far better handling cars, there are more reliable cars, there are better built cars, there are cars that are easier to drive, there are cars that are a far better complete package......

I bought a 993 because i love the look, i love the fact its like driving something agriculural, i love the seat of your pants drive, i love the fact it will return what i paid for it, i love the fact its a classic air cooled. This is the Porsche experience.

I drive a Mondeo as a daily runner, so one plus for the 996 is, if its your only car you could do alot worse!!



 
Must say I do love my 993 TT. Yes the interior is crap,and the ride a little taught, and you have to turn the stereo up at any speed over 50mph but it goes superbly, looks the biz and handles well. I have had evos,subarus etc and although they are great cars they lack one essential factor - character. Its my first porsche but I cant see myself buying anything over than a porsche in the future.
Servicing costs on the 993 especially the turbo are of course huge - typical service around £1K and last service was £3k - needed new tyres,discs and pads - but wouldnt change it for anything else bar a GT3 or 997.[:)][:)]
 
I'm new to the club & to 911 ownership (I've only just put a deposit on a 993 which I get in two weeks[:D]) but here's my two penneth worth.
I opted for a 993 over a 996 because
  • I prefer the look of a 993 (early 996s are too much like a Boxster)
  • I have an A4 Avant as my daily drive which caters for the mundane stuff & bad weather - I might have thought more about a 996 if it was going to be my only car.
  • The 993 is a rarer sight in my neck of the woods - you hardly see any
  • I've read a number of articles which state that 993s are better built
  • I'm convinced the 993 will depreciate less than a 996 will
I've only briefly driven the 993 that I'm buying and I'm sure it's going to be more demanding to drive than the Boxster that I used to have, but this is all part of the 993's appeal.
To me a Porsche is a car that is bought with your heart and not your head, I'd suggest you to go for the one which is going to make you look over your shoulder when you walk away from it and not worry about it's drawbacks, be they lack of creature comforts or possible reliability problems.
 

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