Trying to decide between 1999 996 and 1996 993

I'm having trouble deciding between a 1999 996 and 1996 993. They both have between 30-40K miles, with the 993 having better options (motor sound, CD, TechArt exhaust, 18" wheels, carbon fiber, TechArt Turbo S wing, and TechArt front splitters). The 996 has the hifi CD sound and traction control. The 996 is priced approximately 7K more. I like the exterior looks of the 993 better, but the interior of the 996 better. Both drive very well with the 993 feeling more "sporty", but with the 996 slightly edgeing out the 993 in the torque department. Any advice?

993: u'll wish if.. 996: no regrets, you can always upgrade to what the 993 has wael 996 C2 1999 PS: wonder how a 993 feels to drive!

996's are more capable cars, but it depends on how you like the looks, resale plans and what you intend to do with the car

This will be my weekend toy, with occational track usage. Anyone ever owned both that can describe the power/torque characteristics? Maybe I'm exaggerating, but driving a friend's 3.4 996 left me with one word: TORQUE. The torque surge seems much more pronounced in the 996 than the 993...

Make sure you get a PPI on either one...and before you decide make sure the "typical" problems associated with either model have been taken care of...receipts, etc.

I had to make the choice about a year ago. I was driving an E36 M3 Convertible which I loved but really I always wanted a Porsche. There was a 1996 993 Cabriolet at the dealership up the street which I test drove and really liked. It drove almost "go cart" like. It was small and fast and quick. I have also always loved the 993 body. The interior was seriously lacking though especially compared to my M3. I felt like I was in an old 60's VW bug inside. The car was also VERY small which was a little disconcerting when you know it is a car that wants to be driven fast. I then thought about safety features. As far as I remember the 993 had no airbags and I know it had no rollover protection. I then went and drove a 996 cab. It had all the Porsche driving attributes, was a bit bigger, had all the safety features (airbags and rollover protection), and a much nicer interior than the 993. And the looks? Still a great looking car and rare on the road. I was hooked.

If you intend to use the car as a daily driver - I'd say the 996 is the clear choice - its just a better all round package and is more comfortable, with more room in the rear. Personally, I think the 993 is a better looking car and is more "porsche like" than the 996 which is a bit tamer. So, if its a pure pleasure car - thats a tougher call. A good compromise is the 996 and add a quality sports exhaust system (though my wife wouldn't let me do that on mine!)

I went through the same for the past 6 months and decided on the 996 and am not disapointed. Don't get me wrong, 993's are awsome vehicles also but the look of the 996 swayed me, especially with the factory aero kit. Performance wise there is not a big difference but I have a good friend with a 993 and had a lot of time to compare. It all comes down to individual taste. Whatever you choose I can almost guarentee you will be very pleased. Bill 1999 996 aero coupe 1985 turbo-look coupe

I had the same problem back in 2000 when I had to decide on either a 97 or 98 993 over a new 996. I hated the looks of the 996 when they first came out. It looked more like a Nissan than a 911 to me. However, after seeing them in drivers ed and a couple of test drives it is clear to me that the 996 is much faster than the 993 and it is much easier to drive at the limits. Heel toe and double clutches are way easier with the 996. However, I prefer the older 911 brake feels. I made the right decision on my 996. It is my daily car, back up car in the wet (when my Expedition is in the shop) and track car 6 to 8 times a year. Pick the 996 and enjoy the comfort and speed.

The 996 is a better performer/ interior is better/clutch engagement is better- I like the 996 better. If you want rawness the 964 RSA is the ticket. Regards. Mike

993s have airbags, but cabs do not have rollover protection. I disagree completely that the 996 has a better interior, but that is a personal choice. Nevertheless, I think the materials in the 993 interior are far superior to those in the 996, including the '02 improvements. I don't like the gap between the top of the center console and the bottom of the dash -- was it too costly to make it fight tightly? I don't like how flimsy the stalks that protrude from the dash feel (for adjusting the instrument lighting and the trip odo, I think??). I also don't like the much smaller 996 instruments, and their overlapping design makes it worse. IMHO, the instruments on the 993 are far easier to read quickly -- the tiny, overlapping 996 speedo requires a digital supplement. That said, the 996 is a great car, a little quicker on a track and easier to drive. I wasn't looking for easy, however, and I find the 993 to be much more involving and tactile -- the 996 only becomes fun at VERY high speeds. I also like the quality of materials and construction of the 993.

Ammo, I have driven many many different 993's and more 996's than one person shoud be allowed to. The 996 is a way better car, in every way. I do recognize that there is a huge following for the air cooled cars, but the pepole who follow them are into old style 911's, like the SC and such. They are nice too, but progress is progress. And the new car better than the old car. I dont want to start an argument, I like 993's as well, but I would not own one. I choose where to spend my money and I have a 996!

John Murray, The 996 is better than the 993 in EVERY way??? Surely, you can't mean that. As a 993 owner, I recognize the areas in which the 996 is better, but also the ways in which it is not, e.g., build quality, interior material quality, engine durability -- the GT3 and 996 Turbo use a different engine than the other 996NA models for a reason.

I think you're final decision will probably be a subjective one. There are enough 993s and 996s on the market these days so you really can almost spec either a 993 or 996 the way you want it. I assume you have done your reading homework on each, so you know the strengths and weaknesses of not only each marque, but the better years within that series. You also know your budget. Now you need to drive samples of both and make your decision. Go with the way you feel. You'll know how they look, how they drive and the pros and cons of each. Neither one is an investment, except for your own satisfaction.

Don't even think twice. Although I still have never seen the tail of my brother's 993C2/1994 on the highway, but sure I would go for it rather than 996, a classic car looking sporty from outside and really the nice old classic Porsche design from inside. Good Luck fadz C4S/02