same question again and again 993 or 996

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 996�s 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 911�s. 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

have you driven either car???? maybe that would answer your own question....

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

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Note to self: dont **** off Jim

You guys have been of so much help. I�m 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 I�ve been here for ever. Guess it�s another kind of crowd... It�s 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 don�t 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.

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

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In this case, 993 may be the car for you.

It all comes down to personal preference too... I actually like the 996 better in a cab than the 993, top up or top down. I think the 993 coupe is beautiful, especially the C4S.

I own a 996 Tip Cab and a 993 (Turbo) coupe 6 speed. I like driving my 996....but I LOVE driving my 993!

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..... until a 996 C4S parks beside it....

Really the bottom line is what you feel comfortable with. I own a 993 and my nephew owns a 996, both 6 speeds. We both love our cars for their own reasons and our own personal preferences. Both of us are happy with our choices. From our personal perspectives a tip was not what either of us wanted. I am definetely old school and grew up with manual transmissions. My nephew, in his forties, had had a lot of automatic transmissions in his people haulers (kids). Now that I am getting older the new PDK sounds really impressive but I will have to wait til they come into my price range, which may not ever happen. My nephew enjoys the manual after having had automatic transmissions in he and his wife's cars. Aesthetically speaking, my nephew likes the hips on my NB car better than his. Functionally speaking, I wish I had a cup holder. His is more useful as a daily driver but it is a garage queen. Mine is used on the weekends, not a garage queen, when I have more time to drive the car. My business travel necessitates more than I can carry in the trunk of the 993 and I drive 40,000 km per year. Wrenching either car can save you lots of money, especially with the help provided on this site. I don't think you can go wrong with either car. Drive several examples of both, whether tip or manual, and find what suits your needs or desires. Most people will agree a car is a depreciating asset. They, both the 993 and 996 and newer generation Porsches to follow will be cheaper in the months and years to come. Find one you feel comfortable with, drive and enjoy it. Best of luck in your search.

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+1 very smart comment

I have owned both. I liked the shape of the 993. But for a "driver's car," it never felt right to me. The seat would never go back quite as far as I wanted, the steering wheel seemed to be offset toward the middle which made it awkward to drive....and more. The 996's shape is less interesting, but in many ways, has a classic shape that has a number of styling cues from earlier Porsches -- which is fine with me. Anything it loses in form to the 993 is replaced by function. Ergonomics are better, more power, more torque, better fuel mileage, more pleasant to drive. From my perspective, in every way that I personally interact with the car, it is improved. The 993 will likely depreciate more slowly, but I prefer to drive the 996. Haven't the least desire of going back. If I ever purchased an earlier Porsche, it would be in '69 - '73 -- but parts availability, rust, fuel concerns just don't make those seem practical to me. So, the 996 it is. As always, your choice.

You need to drive both cars and see which one gives you the bigger thrill. Everyone in this forum had the option of buying a 993 and went with the 996, but that doesn't necessarily mean that that's the right decision for you.

Interesting, my wife and I have been talking about this topic too. For a daily driver, even with some winter use, we really like our 996. At some point, we would also like a 993, but this will be in the occasional drive, snow-free season only. Our 996 is a coupe, so a 993 cab might be in the future.

I think a 993 S coupe is a beautiful car and I own a 996 Cab.

�Everyone in this forum had the option of buying a 993 and went with the 996, but that doesn't necessarily mean that that's the right decision for you.� I think this is an excel point. Besides of being prettier[personal op], the 993 is slower, less modern, more expensive to maintain, and less comfortable.Besides somehow I got 18 months financement on the 2004 996 cab. Just have to do it. I can always re sell it and pull the trigger on the 993. Or not.

I have both and find the 996 (wife's DD) is a really wonderful car. Comparing it to a 993 however, I feel divorced from the road driving a 996. I really think the 996 has no soul. I also think the 993 will hold much more of it's value over time.

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here we go again.

Technically speaking, no car has a soul. They're not living, organic entities.

C'mon guys it's Sunday night.

C'mon guys it's Sunday night!!

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TJ, as in Jeep? I'm a YJ and 996 owner, seems like a great combination. As far as 993 vs. 996, I went for the 996 because I want a touring car that I can also beat around a track and autocross course. My usual trips in it are 1-3 hours, and while it's quite stiff, I though the 996 would overall be a better car for what I wanted to do with it. That said, you'd never see me owning an automatic transmission unless I was physically unable to drive a manual, so if I had to buy one of those two cars you're looking at, I'd go for that 933 without a second thought.

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I see the charisma of the 993. However, I feel the 996 chassis gives more useful feedback. The amount of sensory feedback is reduced, but the signal to noise ratio is much improved, and that's what I prefer. I do have a bit of weight removed from mine, and a much stiffer suspension/bucket seats, etc. Stock for stock they're both too soft for a true sporting car, but hey to each his own.

996. Next question?

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If you can't apply a bit of healthy anthropomorphism to a 911, then you shouldn't be driving one! You might hurt your 911's feelings!

I had to look it up, but it was worthwhile. It's amazing what you can learn around here.

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uh oh I feel a CEL coming on.

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That would do it!

I have the same DD as you and I've had both cars... For what it sounds like you are getting the car for... I'd pick the 993. Very Raw and different than the 335i. The 996 will leave you wanting the power and the creature comforts of the 335i. Go for the raw/old (like) sports car.

Believe it or not I purchased the 996 and poof! Just sold it yesterday. No diff in price, same money.... I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but the 996 told me nothing, I drove it like 6-7 times for no more than 200 kms and felt just like any other american / japanese car. Then on the weekend this guy came in and made me an offer and I took it. I am waiting for the 25th to get my 993 delivered. Thank you all for the feedback but at the end of the day I went with my heart. Feel sorry for the wifey she wanted the tip - I hated it. Love my TJ (yes, as in JEEP) .... Excellent family toy. The 993 oughta be excellent dad's toy.

I've had both. YMMV but for me: 993 = street 996 = track