brabo66

Im looking for my first Porsche and my budget took me to a 1996 993 w 58K kms or a 996 w 35K kms. They both are silver/black cabrios. The 993 is a C2 and the 996 is C4. Price is almost the same being the 996 about $3k cheaper (strange). 993 interiors are black and 996īs are red.
Both cars really fullfill my dream but I know there are obvious diff like water/air, classic interiors/modern interiors, kms on the clock.... I am also aware that this is a 996 forum so the answers maybe biased. My mind tells me get the most recent p-car you can afford but the 993 guys speak of their cars as if they were the true and original 911īs.
Would like to hear your ops and maybe tell me why should I get a a 996 over a 993.
Please feel free to just speak up your mind.
Thanx

ivangene

have you driven either car????

maybe that would answer your own question....

brabo66

I drove both and the 996 is more quiet, soft and more comfortable. Havenīt been on the track though. Forgot to mention the 996 is tip and the 993 is a 6 spd.

RallyJon

I don't think anyone's biased. 996 owners know what a 993 really is, either through experience or when they wake up screaming at night, in soaking sheets of self-doubt.

Easy to make any argument on the internet.

I would break it out like this: Are you an old car guy? Can you deal with a car that has many (maybe too many) elements of the 1960s in it? Or are you more comfortable with a truly modern car that has vague reminiscences of the past somewhere in its DNA?

Anyone who says get the most recent P-car you can afford is an idiot. Get the most recent Camry you can afford, but get the P-car that gives you the type and flavor of visceral thrill you want.

ivangene

so its not like comparing apples to eggs, its like comparing apples to a cliff bar??

brabo66

Not really the kind of answers I was expecting but thanx anyway guys.
Have to say that I agree on both replies, not really comparing bis a bis.... and have to make the decision on the kind of rush I want when getting behind the wheel.
Keep them coming.

ivangene

I read in another post ( I hope I am putting the quote with the right person) that you said you are not mechanically inclined.

I have to say, from what I have read and the guys I have met the 993 is more of a "hands on" car with plenty of things to do. I think getting dirty - often, is sort of what its about... and even doing it yourself is expensive... so taking it in is really expensive. This means the guys that don't keep up on it, fall behind as it gets too expensive.... this is a bad habit that get worse...

on the 996 there are many people who just drive them (some of the older guys refer to them as Camry's) but the truth be known, they are very reliable. That said the opportunity to develop skills in wrenching exist as the cars still have basic maintenance needs. That coupled with the info on here and you might find yourself doing some fairly big jobs... then maybe if that type of thing is interesting to you, the 993 might have more appeal.

how's that for an approach?

jasper

In this case for me the tip would be a no starter. But it sounds like you're not fussy either way (!?) The fact that you're looking at cabs further suggests you are not into the higher end of the performance scale, so that leaves aesthetics, comfort, ease+expense of operation+maintenance.

On the aesthetics side - the 993 wins, especially since it has the 6 speed, more peple will admire your Porsche. Pull up in a 996 tip cab and the sport end of the fan base will turn their noses up. Don't be fooled though, the 996 is no slouch and will turn circles around the 993.

On the comfort side, the 996 wins. Ergonomics are modern, start it, drive it, arrive relaxed. The AC will work, the car will probably have heated seats. The 996 is bigger inside, yet lighter than the 993.

Ease and expense of maintenance and operation - the 996 will beat the 993 everytime.

For me it comes down whether you want to pay more for the Porsche heritage experience.

Porsche917K

The 996 is a more modern car but Tips are hard to sell IMO. From reading your post it sounds like your are a better fit in a 996 but I would try to find a 6 speed for re-sale.

993's are a more mechanical car that will without a doubt require more maintenance and care. Check oil frequently, things always break, car always leaks, etc. That is the charm of an older car.

On the other hand 996's engines let go at 80k...

Good luck!

Dennis C

I think that you have to consider how you will use the car too. If it is a weekend toy, a 993 might be a great choice. If it is a daily driver, you might be better served by a 996.

Don't over analyze this... just drive them both and buy the one you want!

fpena944

I had to make the same decision as well. What sold me was the fact that I have a 22 mile trip to the office and I use my car as a daily driver. With that I wanted to most reliable vehicle with the best working A/C. If I had the choice I'd have the 996 as a daily driver and a 993 as a weekend toy.

But I'm more than happy with my purchase I just miss the smell of the old leather and oil burning from the previous generation cars.

soverystout

Being that I am a new Pcar owner, very mechanically inclined, but always pressed for time I purchased a 996. The 993 is beautiful and if I had to choose between the 2 cars you mentioned, I would choose the 993. However, if you compared said 993 to a sport exhaust optioned, 6spd 996 I would pick the 996. I don't like all the gizmos and gadgets that come with todays new cars but the 993s interior is archaic. The 996 interior is perfect for me. Not to mention that i don't fit very well in a 993. (I wear a 56 althletic cut sport coat, try finding one of those on the rack!)

Once the CPO warranty runs out on my car I will perform most of the maintenence work myself.

Happy hunting.

Jim

ivangene

Note to self: dont **** off Jim

brabo66

You guys have been of so much help. Iīm a regular in some other 4x4 and Enduro forums and have not received so much feedback and uninterested comments in 10 years as a memeber. I feel like Iīve been here for ever. Guess itīs another kind of crowd... Itīs fun though.

Anyway, as some of you mentioned Im not the fix-everything, do-it-yourself guy but I like getting dirty. I do my own oil changes and small mechanichs on my TJ and on my 450 KTM as well as on my sons Hondas. Kind of a famliy integration activity and we all love it. Small stuff.... I guess donīt have that much time to be in the garage, maybe when I get older I will but not now. That said and thanks to some replies here I assume that the 996 will demand less of my time (and money) for it is a more friendly car. Turn the key and go. And the 993 could be a more demanding but prettier vehicle.

So the question comes to beautiful and grumpy vs not-so-beautiful but very friendly (hmmmm... sounds famliiar).

Thanx again and Im looking forward for more feedback.

brabo66

This is not intended to be my DD. I have my 335i sedan very comfy and reliable.