Hello all I just joined and I am looking at purschasing my first Porsche 911. I have own alot of american muscle cars but one ride in a 2005 911 changed it all. I just could not believe how much fun it was to drive a car with a boxer 6.

Been looking at the 993 and the 996 and I cant make of my mind. I have heard pros and cons about each one. My friend over in germany told me the 993 is a better choice. This is what he told me:

Quote:

993 is the best you can get.
996 water cooled engines with !!!! 3.4 ltr !!! are the worst, they continuously brake once they are pushed. heavy damages to piston & cylinders
996 3.6 engines are better but not perfrct.
And the 993 is rising in value the 996 early models (3.4ltr) are already cheaper than 993`s even though they are older.
The real sport thing is the 993 it`s more aggressive and powerful. Instead of a 996 you can also get a Mercedes SLK - same more or less.
And the 993 is absolutely reliable get one from 96 , 97 or 98 highes SB standard. Beautiful car. And your not loosing money. They go up.
Call Seinfeld he has a big collection of them and he has the last 993 ever built

However, I would like to hear some other feedbacks

Thanks

Stephen

 

Hello Stephen and welcome to the world of Porsche. I own alot of sport cars including a new 911and I like my Porsche alot. I owned a 1999 911 CAB (996) for 9 years and now own a 2007 911 CAB (997). Both are great cars.

Let me try to answer your question and with no discrespect to your freinds point of view discuss his.

In my view the 993 is not the best you can get the 2005 997 forward is. The appearance of the 993 is felt to be more tradional and better looking thant the 996 version that were made between 1999-2004. The 997 varaint called a 997911 is Porsches attempt to return back to the 993 and before appearance. Appearance is a personal thing.

The 993 is the last air cooled engine ( 286 hp) with the 996 (1999) the first 911 water cooled(296 hp). In 2002 Porsche upgraded the engine toinclude not just variable valve timing but valve lift. This give the cars more grunt at the stop light. The enginehp was increased to 325 hp, with more size and torque. This is 2002 and newer cars have the best performance and are beginning to be cost reasonable.The 1999-2001 996 is becoming cheap by Porsche standards.

If you are buying a convertible or CAB buy a 1999 or newer. If a coupe is your preference than a 993 or newer 996 (2002) are good choices. The water cooled engine have been very good. My 996 with 9 years since I picked it up new was perfect! Your freinds comment that they brake when pushed I would disagree with.

The 993 are now more expensive than the early 996 (1999-2001) This relates to the appearance of the 993 over the 996. I like them both. The early 996's provide an opportunity to buy a 911 at less price that will performe with the 993 and maybe outperform the 993. The handling from 1995 to 2004 is the same. Your freind when he says the 993 is more agressive, hemay mean appearance, in handling they are about the same. The 996 I suspect would be a tad better but frankly not enough to matter.The 2002 996 which are the 3.6 liter will outrun boththe 993 and early 996's.This does matter and would be my preference if I could not afford a 997 varaint. This is the engine used in the basic 911 today.

In summary,

The 993 will be more expensive then an 1999-2001 996 but will not perform better. It may be a better investment, hard to know.

The CAB on the 1999 911 and newer is much superior. The car will be cheaper and is fairly well depreciated so a bargain.

The 2002 or newer 911 is the best performer unless you go new.

The 2005 or newer 911 has it all, better performance, 993 type looks but modern.

All of these cars are good and all are built to feel like they were born from a solid piece of metal, ie not maunfactured. Drive them both and decide.

Good luck on what ever you chose.

I think the 993, while nice is for collectors and is dated technologically so being an enthusasit prefernewer cars, the newer the better. Although I do have two older classics for a change in pace. My 911 is my daily driver and it is the perfect carfor that.

The SLK comparison is silly in my view. The older cars did not drive like a sports car, not even as good as a sporty car ala Jaguar two seater. They are good cars but no where near any Porsche in handling!

Lee

 

Fantastic post Stephen. I too have started looking at 993's or early 996's. That was a great summary - I've learned more from your post than I have in several hours surfing the web. I agree with you that the 993 may seem a bit dated - my buddy has one and the car seemed a bit older inside than some of the newer cars. It is a very classic look.

In my research on 911's, I recently launched a website to track actual car sale prices. Here is my page on 911 prices:

http://www.pricehub.com/price/Porsche/911

I don't know how accurate some of the data is since it is contributed by users. I think some of the price trends you mentioned can be seen in some of the actual sale prices.

Again, that was a fantastic post. I learned alot.

 

i have done hundreds of 993 and 996 porsches and in my opinion the 993 is the best on the market sevice costs are pricey though

 

Don't forget that with the 993 you will never have a to change a water pump, thermostat, coolant hose or change coolant. These are inevitable maintenance costs on any water cooled engine. You may have to change the oil more often on a 993 though.

 

Is there a perception that the 993 is the last of the "pure" 911s? Or does it really come down to pure taste? Looking at the interiors of both a 993 and a 996, you can kind of see the difference (IMHO) in terms of features. Personally, I think both of them are beautiful machines. It surprises me that I can find a '99 996 sometimes for less than a 993.

 

Hey Daniel... I will be looking for my first 911 sometime in the next year or so. I am curious, you being a Porsche mechanic, what exactlymakes you feel that the 993 is superior to the 996, and how would you rate it compared to the 997?

Thanks!
Bill

 

That's a great site! I hope that you continue to get lots ofauthentic submissions.