Questions for current or past 930 Turbo owners

Hi there, I changed my work situation a year or two back, so I'm finding myself not using my toy very much anymore. Local roads only, maybe 2k miles/year. Since then, I sold my 997 GT3 out of shear guilt, and am considering doing the same for a very nice 996 Cab. While I briefly considered doing some mods to the 996, I've been down that road before with a 996 Targa. My questions: how crazy an idea is it to own that 930 Turbo I always wanted? It would get road time year round, but only on nice days. Am I stepping back in time -- in a good way, or one for which I will be kicking myself in the pants. I'd love to hear some comments from you if you have owned, or still own, both a 996 (NA) and a 930 Turbo. Thanks, in advance! M

Fun car, but very unforgiving. My 930S was a monster and not for the faint of heart. They are raw, visceral and incredibly tail-happy if the boost comes on at an inopportune moment. Otherwise, they are a blast to drive! Keep in mind that the creature comforts that you are used to in the 996 are completely lacking in a 930. Drive one and make up your mind then. Always remember that while boost can be fun, the lag and subsequent rush of power in a 930 in a corner can be downright scary when you find yourself going a$$ first around the corner....LOL

930 is a nice compliment to the GT3 dont own one (or two) for finacial reasons but if I could I would own one or both cars!

If you learned to drive a 911 from a 997 or a 996, you will kill yourself with a a 930. Also, keep in mind that the youngest 930 is from 1988-9. That's over 20 years of electrical system and fuel system aging. There's a reason to move to newer cars.

geez Dan there is a reason to move to older cars too....like 20 years less crap on the car and a high probability of needing to drive correctly or die

buy what you love. I love the 930 and am thinking about buying one now. Obviously you've got some deep pockets looking at your stable. I don't think a 930 will break your bank. I personally like 993 and back. Don't worry about the electrical or fuel systems. It's part of the fun of restoration. haha!

I sold my 79 930 a few months ago after 6+ years of ownership and we do a lot of 930's here at work so I am very aware of the good and bad when it comes to a 930. Like Tom said they are the most raw and visceral street Porsche you can buy. They are a blast to drive mostly because the attention it takes to drive one. Set up right they are not dangerous. For a fun weekend car/light DE without any real creature comforts a light weight 930 is great. (LOL as one is just towed into our shop) The one big piece of advice is if you want a stock 930 buy a stock 930 and keep it stock. If you want a modified one don't buy a stock one and modify it, buy one that has been already done and save big $$$. They are great cars and I miss mine but I am glad to have a 996 (soon to be air cooled race car).

OT- I thought I would pass on a crazy 930 build we are doing. Its going to be nuts! http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...d-project.html

Widow maker!

Wow, this is interesting reading. Widow maker? That feels like a challenge. The raw and visceral is what I'm after. No track time, just occasional DE's and concrete carving.

I went the opposite way. I had an 87 930 for 11 years and sold it this spring to buy a 997.1 GT3. From my perspective, it was time to move on. The 930 was a great car for street, as noted in prior posts. However, it is not a track car by any stretch (in stock form). I did two drivers ed events at Road America and found my times were worse than my track prepared 81 SC (not a totally fair comparison...track suspension and handling can trump horsepower in many cases). The gearing of the 4 speed transmission was always in the wrong place for this 14 turn track. It would go like scat with the wheels pointed straight, but was impossible in the corners. The boost always seemed to come on at the worst point in the turn. The 5 speed in the 89 930 would have helped a lot. I had very few problems over the time I owned the 930, but in stock form they are fairly complex and room to work on them is limited. Be sure to find someone who really knows these cars and can work on them if you have problems. They have certain peculiar aspects, mechanically, that are not rocket science but require someone who knows them to really make them run correctly. I miss the 930, but the GT3 makes me not look back. Just my thoughts. Mike

Mike has a good point. I see a lot of 930's that have done a lot of modifications to the engine to make big HP (330 whp is pretty easy to get) and not do anything to the suspension. If you do some suspension work and get the right size tires for the car they are a competent track car.

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Thanks, Mike. My track time will be limited (or nonexistant) with this car. I am mostly looking for an interesting toy. I live in Atlanta, and there are a number of good shops around. The GT3 is a hard act to follow, may have ruined me for every other car M

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Cards, this car is totally stock. And my intent is to keep it that way. M