993 vs Boxster

[leesweeney]

I picked up a 987 Boxster a couple of weeks ago to use as an everyday car having come out of a barge of a BMW.

I couldn't get over just how good the Boxster was. Definitely helped by shorter gearing of the Tiptronic box but a real revelation (I hadn't driven one before buying one so thought it would be good but had no idea it would be this good).

The 993 therefore has sat patiently in the garage being a bit unloved as I played with the new toy....until yesterday when I took the old girl for a blast....

The Boxster is a great car but it has made me value the 993 even more. The sense of occasion was just terrific - took off the car cover, disconnected the trickle charger, that metallic clink opening the doors and then the smell you only get in older porsches. I really savoured every moment (felt a bit of a saddo actually - glad the wife couldn't see me). Fired it up to hear that raw gnashing sound of an air cooled engine, 1st gear and away. Warm her up for a few miles and then........blood and sand she felt fast. The shorter gearing in the Boxster is deceptive because every time I looked down at the speedo in the 993 I had to put my foot on the brake - I was always going 20mph faster than I thought. And the kick in the back from 3000 and again at 5000rpm is adictive.

The Boxster handles like it is on rails and I wondered if the 993 would feel somehow less sharp - it actually felt more responsive though. I have never driven a 997 (though I did have a 996 for 18 months) but feel just as confident post Boxster as I ever have that the 993 is still the best car Porsche have ever made.

Just bl**dy great. Do I feel lucky? Absolutely.

 

[John Maddox]

I know what you mean Lee - just back from a blast in my 993 tonight. They really are great and mine still feels like a new car at 165,000 miles !!

 

[Guest]

I really enjoyed reading your comments Lee.

I've never had a car like my 993 - get a buzz every time I drive it. I've enjoyed my 993 so much more after I stopped using it as a daily driver. I use a Polo during the week: 1.2L & 3 cylinders & 50bhp. Then at the weekend, a blast in 3.6L, 6 cylinders & 270bhp. Nice contrast![8D]

Cheers
Roddy

 

[angry]

Ive been using my wifes 2003 Audi TT 225 Quattro over the past few weeks,even taking it to the Ring over the easter weekend.
It handles very well,especially in poor weather/grip conditions.But it lackes the character and grunt of my 993.
I went out for a good blast this weekend and it was fantastic,no comparison with the TT.
Dan.

 

[Mark Elder]

I'm pining for my 993 stuck at a business event in Birmingham all week[] - this tread has just made it worse[].

Great read! - thanks.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: angry

Ive been using my wifes 2003 Audi TT 225 Quattro over the past few weeks,even taking it to the Ring over the easter weekend.
It handles very well,especially in poor weather/grip conditions.But it lackes the character and grunt of my 993.
I went out for a good blast this weekend and it was fantastic,no comparison with the TT.
Dan.

I had a 2WD 1.8T Audi TT immediately before my 993. It was only 18 months old and had done about 15,000 miles. I drove it to test drive the 993 (which I subsequently bought). I was astonished that the 993 handled dramatically better round corners even though it had 100,000 miles on the clock, knackered Monroes, mismatching tires and needed to have the suspension properly set up!

Needless to say after a set of Bilstein PSS9s, P-Zeros all round and a trip to Ninemeister for Robin's attention on the Hunter rig that they have, I'm a happy camper!

Couldn't agree with you more Angry...perhaps we should call you "Happy" now?![]

 

[edelschmetterling]

I know how you feel...

Took a 15 minute drive in a Vauxhall Astra on Sunday, it may as well have driven itself; light clutch, easy steering, touch "ouch" braking etc"¦ then drove my 993v. & Oh my word, thought there was something wrong with the steering at first, then braked a little and realised I had to brake a lot more: 15 minutes!!! is all it took and I had seemingly forgotten how much attention the 993 demands, how awake one has to be and then the whole detailed appreciation started to flood back; the pin point precision steering that needed constant nursing from the "˜London tram lines', the mammoth braking ability, the robust clutch, that raw sensation and feel every time I put my foot on the pedal & the sound. Don't miss understand me, I don't take ownership for granted, but by Jove"¦ Even after all this time she still manages to move me in this strange albeit special way.

 

[LK_991GTS]

Yes, your writings describe just how I feel with the car. I just wish the roads weren't so crowded.

 

[ubertub]

I've just bought another old golf to kick about in... 26yr old 1.6 GTi. It uses no petrol, has the worst brakes ever, but, my God, does it ever make me appreciate the 993. I used the 993 as a daily until recently, when I tired of spending nearly £80 every trip to the petrol station, and I must say the novelty was wearing thin. But now it feels magic again after driving the donkey-cart Golf all day.
Just building a garage so I can look after the old girl properly and make those sunny summer days really special... all two of them.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and familiarity breeds.... blah blah.

 

[leesweeney]

Wow, what a response. And no dissenters (hardly surprising from a 993 form I suppose).

Long live the 993.

 

[Guest]

I'll second that. Edelschmetterling - I don't have any tramlining after 9m set my suspension properly - maybe you have even greater experiences to enjoy [8D]

Roddy []

 

[Porker993]

ORIGINAL: roddylennox

I use a Polo during the week: 1.2L & 3 cylinders & 50bhp. Then at the weekend, a blast in 3.6L, 6 cylinders & 270bhp. Nice contrast![8D]

Cheers
Roddy

Food for thought. I reckon my 993 would feel pretty special if I drove a polo or micra all week.

Even though I drive the 993 every day, it still feels pretty special every time I get in it, even thought the front wishbones are starting to need attention.

 

[sue11sam]

I keep my car in France most of the time , so roads are a lot less crowded , bit of a double edged sword though , because I live in the 'sticks' not many interesting cars around so lots of attention from the gendarmes , plus the French have really tightened up on speeding now . Big fines and on some motorways , over 180 clicks instant ban (eveen on a uk licence) and the car straight to the crusher!!

She is a cab though , so lots of loveley drives on the smaller roads , lid down , and listen to that engine (factory sport exhaust though !! ear plugs !!

 

[i_sabberton]

Guys,
How lucky are we to have such cars?
Last week I removed the covers from my 993 and took it out for the first time this year. I confess that I had forgotten what a fantastic car the 993 is; the growling engine, the mechanical grip, the way it asks to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck, and the absence of big-brother assistance.
I had thought that it would make a nice change to my 997 Turbo. How wrong I was, it was much more than that!
Ian.

 

[day1zero]

Peugeot 306D for the miles.......Volvo V70 for children.......

993 for me and only me.........its selfish ..... I know.......

Foot down 3000rpm and beyond....... Is my world.... I love it............