Onami

Some unsolicited interest in my 993 this week got me thinking more about making the move to a 992 daily driver. Since 2007, I’ve owned a Porsche SUV as a daily and had a 993 for a weekend car. Now that I’m in my 60’s, I think it might be time to get out of the old car hobby and enjoy a 911 everyday. I’ve been thinking about this seriously for the last year and and a half and at one point had a deposit down on a new 992, but the dealer BS games with ADM and minimum option amounts pissed me off, so I pulled my deposit. I think by next year things will have settled down - especially in the resale world.

Some might say just drive your 993 every day, but as much sense as that makes, I can’t do that with a really nice old car. I much prefer preserving an excellent example and just driving it for pleasure on nice Saturdays. With a new 911, I’ll take it through car washes and drive it in the rain knowing I’ll trade it in on another in 3 or 4 years. If it gets dinged, I’ll repair it. I just can’t bring myself to driving a 993 that way. Anyway, thanks for listening😀. I think I am still trying to convince myself that this is the right time…

As for my car, there are lots of posts about it on Rennlist. 1996 Carrera Tiptronic, 37,000 miles, Polar Silver, Black interior. Needs nothing and in exceptional shape with $30,000 spent on maintenance and upgrades in the last 3 years. I’ll write up an ad once I am 100% convinced it is time to sell. It will be in the $80,000 - $85,000 range.

Onami

A few more with the new suspension. RUFs not included if I do sell.

By-Tor

I have two modern station wagons (Volvo and Mercedes) for daily use for me and the wife.

But I would never even consider selling my 993. It SHOULD be a "special occasion car" and I have always used it that way.

Getting a new Porsche is a good idea. But why would you sell your 993? Beautiful example by the way... I love the Polar Silver.

Twilightblue28A

Good move and makes sense. I am looking for a 993 Tiptronic Cabriolet. The story of my life.

D1coach

Beautiful car, GLWS. I was in the opposite situation, after years of modern Porsche’s, (the latest being a Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 I bought new) I switched to my first air cooled (993 C2) several months back. All of these cars are incredible no matter the year but I am finding the 993 to be so much more engaging and fun, even if performance wise the newer cars are obviously superior. At 70 I no longer need to be flying through country roads at high speeds and for me honestly unless you are pushing the modern cars and going well above the speed limit they aren’t that rewarding. Just driving around town in a modern 911 within lawful limits to me became just not anything special. I would keep that awesome 993 if it were me.

Onami

Trust me, I change my mind every day! To be completely honest, at 61, I don’t have the same desire to ‘cherish’ toys. Less stuff seams to be the right move. Not to mention the cost of owning something that rarely moves (insurance, maintenance, etc.), because I have a more modern variant seems wasteful.

I drive a Macan S daily. It is a phenomenal DD, but it isn’t a 911. I think I have put 250 miles on my 993 this year so far. I also have 2 old Harleys that I tinker with. Working on a bike is easy because it is small and accessible. I need to swap out my RUFs for my Twists and the thought of 1.5 hours on the garage floor isn’t appealing to my old knees and hips! Don’t get me wrong, I’m in good shape, not overweight etc. It is really about what do I want to spend my free time on. I have loved all of my 993’s. I have a short attention span with cars, so I have had more than my fair share. This one is a dream to drive and it is very tempting to just rack up the miles, but I just don’t think that is me. My Macan S cost almost the same as my 993 and I drive it year round in the snow and salt and it doesn’t bother me in the least. I just can’t view a 993 as a consumable!

Onami

Thanks and I hear what you are saying. Another option is to keep the 993 and Macan for a few more years and do a 911 DD then. I know the 993 isn’t going to lose any value with the way I use it. I can’t justify the cost of 2 911’s until I am retired in a few years.

gonzilla

Wow. Onami getting out of the 993 world. End of an era! You've had your fun with your beautiful car but sounds like it's time to move on. Good luck with the sale and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for you!

coreseller

At 60 and having owned your car's twin (except manual) for a dozen or so years I completely understand your situation. I also sometimes think of selling, just haven't been able to pull the trigger. Good Luck with the process Onami.....Mark.

4Driver4

I guess you won't be transferring the plate then? LOL

fatmike

For the use case you describe it makes sense. Also, no dis-respect to the Tiptronic but the PDK is really good on a modern water cooler.

/

By-Tor

I just recently drove a 991.2 with PDK. Amazing car, very impressive.

But it's not even comparable to a 993 tiptronic. It's completely different car. While it's much faster, much smoother and also technically speaking... well... much better, it has very little to do with old air cooled Porsches. Just the same branding and they still call it "911". Very sterile experience unless you drive it really fast (and you can't do that in normal traffic). Those new ones are just so capable, it's not even funny. And it's GIGANTIC.

964 and 993 tip is very old fashioned but at the same time they have very nice "mechanical feel" which suits perfectly to these old mechanical cars. I have driven a lot of both 964 and 993 tips and I really like them. The only big downside is that it should have 5 speed. I wouldn't even want a super smooth PDK to a classic car. Maybe this sounds weird but the tiptronic is probably the most underrated thing in these cars. It's a fascinating transmission. Kinda sloppy and slow, yes... but then again it feels "period correct" if this makes any sense.

But of course you all know this as I'm sure most people here have driven new Porsches. But the main point is: Personally, I don't see a modern 911 as an alternative to an air cooled. It's completely different world. That being said, one day I might be buying one (as my second or third car), I have huge respect for them. But as a replacement... no way in hell. It'd probably feel like trading my nice automatic Rolex watch to a Casio because the Casio is more accurate timekeeper. Some things just aren't measurable by numbers.

I think all these air cooled cars are special and unique cars, partially hand made.... whereas the new ones are mass produced vehicles. Among the best sports cars in the world sure. But they made what... 230.000 units of 991's alone. I think only the GT's and special models will have any similar collectibile value as the air cooled. And if these old cars can be a pain in the *** to maintain at their worst, just imagine what kind of money pits those new ones can be... with all that electronics.

SHooks

I sold four 993’s in the past three years, I have kept my 991.1 the whole time. If I wanted a 992 I would have traded a couple 993 for one. The four 993’s would be worth a couple hundred thousand more today. The only thing you will regret is future dollars if you do trade.

Onami

Thanks for all of the comments guys, I do appreciate them. I was out in the garage for a while this afternoon and was thinking I must be crazy for considering selling the 993. The dog needed to go, so I took him around the block and doesn’t a 992 C4S pull up beside me and drop someone off! Beautiful car. Maybe I do need to wait it out a bit longer and see if I can manage both old and new. Tough decision!!!

Gonzilla, your comment made me laugh! Here is a run down on my 993’s from 2007 until now…

Watson

You look young for 61 :-D
That black 993 C2S with tan interior, just wow! If you can tell us more about her...

I understand your point of view. 993 requires more care than the newer 911s. When I am about to retire and my foot and ankle cannot take it anymore, I always wonder if I would sell my 993 C2 MT for a Tiptronic or should I go for a modern PDK 997.2 Turbo / 991 Turbo / 992. Or maybe, I'll just keep my 991.1 Targa GTS.
Whenever I drive my 991, I just start the engine and drive away with no worries. With the 993, I am more aware of listening all suspect noises. It is a different experience.

Also you had quite the 993 N/A car collection so you already fully enjoyed them ("been there, done that") and it is time to close the chapter and open a new one.
I think a 992 C2S PDK would be an excellent DD. I drove one (on track) and loved the steering and the front axle grip.

Curious to see what you will choose in the future!