Potential Newbie - 993 Questions

[jimbobs]

Hi all

I've had a quick scan through the posts, but couldn't find exactly what I'm after so please forgive me if I'm asking questions that have been well covered before...

I'm currently pondering upgrading my Elise S2 to a 993. It's not something I've really given much thought to before, but a chance encounter with a rather nice looking Carrera 2 at the weekend has got me thinking. It now feels like I'm standing at the top of a very slippery slope and that I'm not going to be fighting temptation for very long!

The Elise is currently very much a weekend and trackday car. I normally do about 2 trackdays a year, along with an annual weekend at the Nurburgring. One thing that has consistently impressed me about the Elise is it's ability to absorb trackday abuse without any detrimental effects. I realise that the next sentence is massively tempting fate but... I've owned it for 4 years and, apart from tyres & brakes, it's needed no extra work whatsoever.

So - how do 993s stack up from a trackday perspective? Will I end up destroying a fantastic car or can they shrug off trackdays like a Sunday drive to the supermarket? Realistically, I'm going to be looking at a car with at least 60k miles on the clock - will I be asking too much of it?

I'd be really interested to hear your experiences of trackdays & related maintenance costs. Is there anyone else on here who's made the move from Elise to 993?

BTW, I'm not thinking of getting anything particularly track-focussed. A standard Carrera 2 is what I would envisage looking at so any general 993 purchasing advice would also be appreciated.

Many thanks for your help.

Jim

 

[TISPKJ]

Hi Jim, I would think you will probably get through tyres and brakes a bit more often due to the extra weight.

Im glad you posted this because I am considering a 2 or 4S at the moment and would like to know if anyone would track one with lets say 100k on it ?

I know generally the motors go on forever normally, and know about the normal wear items on any car, but are you asking for trouble if you track one ...............

Any thoughts anyone ???

 

[kennyboy]

A 993 Carrera 2 makes a great track day car - built like tanks, drive like nothing else and enough power-to-weight to make it quick.

Plenty of guys tracking their 993's on this forum so hopefully they'll chime in soon. Maybe worth asking the same question on other forums too - noting your intention here of course []

A well maintained example will shrug off tracksdays as you've described - IMO you should be looking at the same factors as you would for day to day road use ie service history, general condition etc. A mate of mine tracks his 90k miles C2 a lot and it goes as well if not better than ever.

Good luck - you won't look back.

 

[oliverjamesthomas]

ORIGINAL: TISPKJ

Im glad you posted this because I am considering a 2 or 4S at the moment and would like to know if anyone would track one with lets say 100k on it ?

Any thoughts anyone ???

I track mine, with 186,000 miles on the clock. Doesn't miss a beat, shows a clean pair of heels to both younger and higher powered cars and is still on it's original engine and gearbox that have never been touched, save for routine servicing. 100,000 miles really wouldn't bother me! []

Regards

 

[Sundeep]

the 911 is a tad heavier than an elise, so is driven differently around the track

some of the best example 993's out there are owned by track regulars

 

[RichardLW]

I track mine with 77000 on the clock - a C4S - its a bit of a barge but great fun.

 

[fergusond]

I track my 98000 mile C4, never misses a beat, does'nt brake fade and does'nt use oil, except in winter.

take the chance

David

 

[AndyD]

Jim,

I bought my 993 in July, moved up from a 'fairly' standard S1. First thing you notice is how well stuck together these things are - obviously a massive price differential in original cost - Have to admit to driving the Porsche like an old dear at the mo, definitely needs a bit more concentration/skill to provoke than the elise. S1 was huge fun at 30, 993 not really woken up at that speed....

Still go on local runs with the local Elises and mid range the Porsche just murders them....

 

[bobafett]

Hi Jim, funny name for a girl!! just kidding i must remind myself that guys drive Elises too.

My wife had an Elise and although quite a good drivers car and a hoot in a noisy ice cream tub with wheels kinda way, is a completly differnet car to a 933. You should drive one first.

You will not have the fail safe handling for a start and will need Man handling in comparison (no pun intended). The porsche is bl#$dy heavy and feels it, they are getting on now and are not to everyones cup of tea. As said, best to drive one first they are an equired taste.

All the best with your dissision either way....

 

[angry]

Hi,
Agree with all the above comments.
Ive got a 1995 m C2 its done 103000 miles,it gets used for an average of 5 trips a year to the Ring,plus the occasional blat locally,and its done this for 3 years.
It gets 2 oil changes a year and a plug change every 2 years.
It has not missed a beat,it had a clutch at 100000 as it was a bit slippy.

I have had some suspension upgrades and am on corsa tyres as i personally didnt think the car handled good at all on the Ring,but since the upgrades and some set up,it now handles outstandingly.

Previous to using it for the Ring the car was used by my wife as a commuter and used to sit in traffic for 45 mins every day (6 miles[]),she did this for the 2 years previous.
It actually runs far better now,its quieter and burns less oil and fuel.
I love the fact that i can rag it round the Ring,come home,stick it in the garage for 4 weeks and then do it all over again,with total trust that it will get there and back,no probs.
Dan

 

[jimbobs]

Thanks for all the comments guys (even bobafett []).

I'm definitely going to try to get a drive before I buy - there is a bit of a concern that I'll miss the lovely Elise handling. However, having really enjoyed the Elise for the last four years, I'm definitely feeling that it's time to get some torque in my life!

You've helped me put even more of a case together in favour of ownership. I've just got to overcome the major hurdle of getting it past the wife!

I'll let you know how I get on...

Cheers all

Jim