New owner (nearly)

[jacksonrj4098]

I've never owned a Porsche, but I've been in love with them for 20 years. I first drove a 928 when I was a student (I was18 working for a car dealer earning some extra beer money), I loved it and ever since I've always wanted a one. Quite a few years ago I thought about buying a Boxster, but came to my senses and bought a house instead. A few more years passed, and I started thinking about Porsches again and now I am in the lucky position to be able to buy one. But I haven't been able to make up my mind which model I want. I've gone from Boxster to 996 to Boxster to 996 to 993 to 996 etc etc. But now after months of analysis I've finally made up my mind and not only that, I've had a car inspected, agreed a deal and hope to pick up a stunning "97 993 C2s Tip in Vesuvius next week. I would be interested in your biased opinions on my eventual choice. I will be paying top dollar for the car (£32k), but the inspector/engineer said that I have made quite a find, and he wished that all 993's he inspected were as good as this! The only thing that lets it down is a grubby interior (hopefully a professional valet will resolve) and the breaks need attention. I ended up choosing a 993 because I wanted a Porsche to love and cherish for 10-20 years and one that will hopefully become a classic, and I chose the C2s because of its awesome looks. I was torn between the 996 and 993 as I do like creature comforts and refinement, but that had to come second, plus all the advice I received pointed me to 993. If the deal goes through next week, I'll update this board, but in the meantime I would be interested in anyone's views/opinions/advice especially as this will be my first Porsche, thus basically I am bit wet behind the ears when it comes to insurance, maintenance, the do's and don'ts etc.

 

[Guest]

Congratulations.
It is all purely personal as to what model to choose.

The coke-bottle waisted look is definitely the more attractive.
Whilst some depreciation may be in store, you're not going to suffer too much.
Trading some mod cons for a bit more character, is a difficult choice.

The running costs of the 993 are more than a 996, but I guess you knew that.
There are plenty of cleaning, polishing, detailing, etc. products.
Others on here can comment if you have any particular issues cleaning it up.

As for do's:
Give it a chance to warm up before nailing it
Keep an eye on the oil level, since some will be burnt, so check regularly
Keep an eye on the tyre pressures, since it affects the handling
Keep an eye on the inside edges of the tyres since wear is not always obvious

As for don'ts:
Don't get over confident too quickly.
You don't mention what you have driven before, but give yourself a chance to learn how to drive it.

Driving it regularly is the best way to make sure things stay in good shape.

But the most important thing, is to enjoy it.

 

[z2015]

You aren`t serious I hope about wet use - are you!

ORIGINAL: richTT

Congrats on a great choice-my advcie keep it regulary serviced-dont go out in the wet!

 

[oliverjamesthomas]

Hi

Fantastic colour choice!!!! Just don't try to polish it to too much of a shine, because it's virtually impossible. Even when new, Vesuvius, (or Vesuvio as some like to call it!!!!), wasn't a very shiny colour.

From my experience, 993 ownership needn't be that expensive. Keep an eye to the oil level and the tyre pressures are critical. I'm on 17" alloys and run 30/32 front and 36 rear. If you are able, get the car aligned by someone who really knows their stuff - the difference will be a revelation. Drive it as much as possible and just treat it with some respect. Without being too strong headed with my views, all the talk about wet weather is a load of rubbish. In my honest (and very forthright) opinion, if one of these is out of shape in the wet, the driver needs to invest in something sub 100 BHP! They really aren't that scary.

Engines, with routine maintanence, are bullet-proof so you shouldn't have too many problems. The oil debate is something that rages on, but my personal experience leads me to use one of the thicker oils; (oil galleries on these engines aren't exactly the smallest in the world and there are plenty of joints for it to seep from!).

As for uprating, buy some H-I-D lights. They will be very useful in helping you see in the dark and will probably be the best investment you will ever make! Otherwise, check out Maurice's technical articles for a wealth of information.

Above all enjoy the car, because that's what it's there for and it's a shame if they become oversize ornaments. Welcome to one of the best buys you will ever make!!!!

Regards

 

[jerry911sc]

Congrats on nearly ownership. Sounds like a top example. If however, you have misgivings at the last minute you have an awful lot of choice at that budget. Some of which (964 RS, 3.2 CS) have rock solid/ poss appreciating residuals. Of the 993's that would be my choice as well at that budget.GL[]

 

[968er]

Congratulations and enjoy the car by driving it.

The wet comment may have been tongue in cheek, but it is better to be slighty cautious until you get used to how you drive the beast.

Suspension (Bilstein dampers and H&R sprins) and HID lights would be my recommendation along with a good alignment as already said above.

 

[jamescharnley]

why Tiptronic over manual ?

 

[Sundeep]

good work rj !

 

[jacksonrj4098]

Thanks for the replies, most appreciated. I used to consider myself to be an experienced driver, but after 10 years of trains and commuting and only occasional weekend driving I'm now very rusty, so I will take it carefully. This is one of the reasons I chose Tip over manual (I've no plans to thrash it round a track - not yet anyway). Just opening it up on open roads is all I'll ask of it, then when in traffic the option to have it in stress free automatic. I also thought a Tip will probably have been owned by similar like minded individuals so hopefully it won't have been thrashed too much. Do the Tip's last longer than the manual gearbox? But I guess they are more expensive when they go?

 

[John Maddox]

Just come back from a drive in my 993 - they really are great cars and I never fail to enjoy a trip in it.

I was cautious in the wet when I got mine - but I have heard it said a good car gets better in poor weather but a bad one just gets worse. So no problems for us then !!

 

[Nigel 911]

Great Choice! Would have gone for the 993 S over the 996 (or the Boxster) too, (my personal oppinion). Can't beat the quirkiness and classic lines of the wide bodied 993.

Agree with the Do's and Don'ts, tend not to drive mine too much in the wet, as the Met Black paint work only has to look at the rain to get dirty! Only Don't I would tend to add is Don't use the stereo, the sound of the engine is the best and only driving sound track you will ever need.

Would have gone for a manual for the more involved driving experience, but don't use my machine for tedious work commutes or traffic laden runs, so it is all pleasure.

Best advice, as previously given, is to enjoy the experience of owning and driving.

 

[laura]

rj - you'll love it!

Have fun!

PS - many have said about keeping an eye on the oil level - make sure you read in the hand book how to check it! It's not the same way as for most other cars!

 

[Guest]

are the C2's that bad in the wet? do i need to consider a C4 only?? I am used to a 964 C2

 

[dparslow]

ORIGINAL: first timer

are the C2's that bad in the wet? do i need to consider a C4 only?? I am used to a 964 C2

Its a myth, in normal everyday use even with quite progressive driving, I have never found it to be any different in the wet to what it is in the dry. The grip just seems to be endless, the rear only gets twitchy when the local farmers have deposited mud on the lanes or when its a bit frosty.

Dave

 

[kmdavis]

I am not wet behind the ears as I have had a 911SC but I am now in a position to buy a 993 but the budget is tight. 20K and I want a manual coupe, what have you secured
Keith

 

[chrisr]

ORIGINAL: kmdavis

I am not wet behind the ears as I have had a 911SC but I am now in a position to buy a 993 but the budget is tight. 20K and I want a manual coupe, what have you secured
Keith

For that kind of money you may be able to find a decent ish car but I would think at private sale price... make sure the history/condition is spot on and that a PPI is done, I paid £22500 for a 95 M C2 Cab Iris Blue/Cream Leather with 90 on the clock , sports seats, air con, 18 inch GT3 alloys, front/rear spoilers, few other nice pieces , the car has had £7k spent on it in about 6 months to get it up to its current condition and I bought the car from a respected indie... so you get the picture that £20k will get you a proper 993 from a private or poss LHD/High Mil ( dont be afraid of a few miles ) if you do your homework and dont buy the first one you see..

 

[Incept]

Am I the only one to be surprised at £32k being considered top dollar?

It sounds like you got a bit of a bargain!

I'm only jealous as I've just bought a C2S from a dealer not a million miles away from you for quite a bit more than that.

Still, it's in very good condition and comes with a quibble free 12 month guarantee.

Does anybody know how many of these Turbo Bodied cars are left in the UK? Someone told me there might be less than 1000.

My hope is that with dwindling numbers the depreciation monster might be kept at bay.

Anyway, good look with your bargain (sour grapes)!

 

[38F3E1]

ORIGINAL: Incept

Am I the only one to be surprised at £32k being considered top dollar?

It sounds like you got a bit of a bargain!

I agree with you. There is quite a spread in value between the earlier cars and the later cars and condition (real condition rather than what the owner considers the condition to be) as well as mileage affects the value a lot. The general market is weak at the moment (which I don't see changing soon) but the market is firm for good lower mileage late model cars.

Ian.

 

[JOHNGREENAWAY]

Having had 3 C2S, forget all the bad press around tramlining due to wider body. They are fantastic cars and I can't find anything that would beat them. The only thing option I wouldn't have is tiptronic as I want a 'real' driving experience, but if you want to drive around town then I could see the advantage.

Some advice....drive it don't let it sit around worrying about dirt, miles or wet weather. If you don't drive it and leave it standing it won't be good for it. This may sound like common sense, but so many Porsche owners just keep them in the garage and don't use them!

Enjoy the experience.