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are early models ok ?

Diesel130

Diesel130

New member
Seriously hoping to buy a 993 (after being put off by 996 engine issues).

Would it be a mistake to buy an early model (ie. 94 or 95) with the lower power / lower torque engine ? Are there any other good reasons for going for a newer model apart from the obvious (age / rust / resale value) ?

How much premium would you expect to pay for the newer version assuming the all important 'condition' is the same.
 
Hi

Mines a '94 and seems OK to me :)

I think there are plus's and minus's to both

I think the gearbox's on the early cars reputedly have better gearbox ratios, there is less to go wrong without Varioram [:)]

I don;t think the extra power would make a huge difference, but I think the extra torque of the varioram would maybe be more noticable

There are other more subtle differences - you can put 18" wheels onto the later cars I believe as they have the required steering brace fitted as standard. The conrods are lighter on the later engines, and probably other minor differences.

As always with a 993 the main thing is not to get too hung up on the specific spec etc and buy on the condition of specific cars - find one you like and within your budget, get a good PPI done and then buy it [:)]

Pete
 
I agree with all of the above. Remember, some of these cars are 10+ years old so the condition is critical rather than just the age. Varioram is nice to have but I wouldn't rule out a well looked after pre vario car. Most 993s require a suspension upgrade / overhaul by now at up tp £2000 and you should budget for a clutch at close to £1000. If these jobs have been completed recently then there is a good chance you are on to a good one. Definitely get a PPI from a reliable source.

From memory the pre Vario cars are a little more peaky in their power delivery. Nothing much happens below 4000rpm. That's not a criticism just an observation. It doesn't make the car any less fun to drive.

Good luck.

pp
 
Thanks Pete, I see yours has done a high mileage. Are you looking at a major engine rebuild after 100,000 or are they good well beyond that ?
 
Mine had a top end rebuilt at 113,000 miles, due to worn cams and followers

Other people have engines that have run much further than this without being touched, but I think when you are getting into this level of milage, it will always be something that will potentially be required. If you can find a higher milage car with this type of work already done, then that would be a plus point for that particular car in my view

One other thing to bear in mind is that the early cars did not have a Thatchem Cat 1 alarm installed as standard, and so may come with an aftermarket alarm or just the imobiliser. Hamilton and Palmer will retrofit the PA2000 alarm for approx £400 should your insurance require a CAT1 alarm system

Pete
 
Mine (Pre variocam) has done 157k without any problem and as far as I know has never been apart. Runs very strongly and doesn't use much oil (much less than in the handbook). I don't find the power delivery at all peaky, quite the opposite in fact, it pulls like a train from virtually any RPM. Agree with the others, buy on condition.
 
ORIGINAL: Pickled Piper

From memory the pre Vario cars are a little more peaky in their power delivery. Nothing much happens below 4000rpm. That's not a criticism just an observation.
Click to expand...

Yes agree. Driving Varioram and non Varioram cars back to back you do notice that the Varioram engine pulls stronger from lower revs. You have to drive the non Varioram car higher up the rev scale to make as rapid progress.

I wouldn't turn down a good car if it was non Varioram. But getting Varioram is a bonus if the rest of the car measures up. The only problem with Varioram cars is that they split the production between Coupe 2 and 4, Targa, 2S and 4S so if you are looking for one they didn't make as many of each type. There are many more non Varioram coupes than Varioram coupes for example.

Ian.
 
Forgive my ignorance, Richard
m10.gif
 
It's back to set your budget and buy the best the best you can afford ... remembering the importance of that big wedge of invoices showing what work has recently been done and bearing in mind all that has ben said above.

I started off looking at 964's but realised that 993's were falling into my price range. I have an early 993 and am as happy as Larry.
 
Definitely agree. In answer to your original question, early ones are definitely OK. The right car is one that has been fastidiously maintained by an enthusiast and has had a shed load of money spent on refurbishment rather than just sceduled servicing.

pp
 
Hi,
My 94 pre V has done 100000 miles and gets ragged round the nurburgring 5+ times a year,it has a poor previous service history,but i now change the oil every 2 trips(plus local running around)=4000 miles.
Ive owned the car 4+ years and it hasnt missed a beat,doesnt drink much oil and still sounds quiet.
Only recently i have replaced the starter and clutch........Fantastic cars[:D]
Cheers Dan
 
My 1994 pre-varioram car has done 70,000 miles, (25,000 of them with me) and after 4 years of ownership I still think it is fantastic. As a 2wd manual coupe it is the lightest of the bunch (1370 kgs) which probably cancels out the extra 13 bhp on some of the heavier later models. I have timed it at 5.2 seconds 0 to 60 and 12 seconds to 100, which is probably quick enough for most people.

The best thing I have ever done was fitting HD dampers a few months back - it now drives like new.

Apart from that, and the usual worn suspension bits, and a new clutch and front discs I have not had to do much to it.
 
Even a full service history with an OPC is no guarantee that a car has been maintained well and I would recommend a PPI by someone well qualified to do it like Peter Morgan. Mileage is, or should not be, an issue and I would rather by a high miles car in good nick than a low miles car that has had the absolute minimum done to it.

Any mine is pre variocam too.................

Richard
 
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