Your choice under $45K: 996 C4S/TT vs 993 Carrera

What do you guys feel is a better "investment" (i.e. will lose the least money over time) under $45,000 between a 996 C4S, a 996 TT, and a 993 Carrera? Obviously, they are three very different cars, with their pros and cons. I personally think the 996 C4S is more attractive than the turbo, with its clean lines accentuating the widebody design. The 996TT's exterior design is a bit busy for me, but you don't have to deal with the IMS issue. Lastly, I believe any 993 to be a pretty safe bet value-wise, even the sometimes-despised cab. and tip. versions. Any thoughts?

Best investment is easily the 993, but the best car is easily the 996TT.

tt

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993 easily

If you buy the 993 Carrera, you would be doing it as an investment and not for performance or comfort. So, if it's an investment, you really shouldn't put many miles on it. A trend now is for 993 owners to sell their cars because they don't feel that they can enjoy them as cars anymore. So, they are getting out while the prices are high and buying better cars (996's and 997's) that they can drive and enjoy (and sometimes still have money left over). The time to buy a 993 Carrera as an investment was 5 years ago. If I were buying a car as an investment now, there are other cars that have better potential for an increase in value due the rapid rise in value that he 993 has recently experienced. Having owned a '99 C4 aero coupe and now a 996TT with X50 package, I can tell you that a NA996 will give you 98% of the turbo experience, especially if you don't appreciate the looks of the 996tt. If you found a good C4S with the IMS bearing already addressed (and verify that it was done and done properly) and were able to get it at a reasonable price (I've seen some C4S's priced higher than a comparable year and mileage 996tt, which is ridiculous), then go for the C4S.

So far, I see that you've gotten a resounding consensus on exactly what course of action to take.

I think the 993 will have more appreciation. However, as others have said, more and more air-cooled 911s are becoming Trailer Queens and not being driven every day.

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Why is this true?

C4S for me, easy: 1) I freaking love those hips, that ***. 2) I don't need the extra overhead attending the TT and I think I like the smooth flanks of the S better than the vents of TT 3) Genuflect as you may to the 993: a late-production 356 was 'the last of its kind' too, but an early 911 kicks its *** in every performance metric you can name, while bearing the burden of (gasp) of updated engineering and (the horror!) modernized production techniques/facilities. We are talking about performance cars, right? Your $38k 996 C4S curb-stomps a $45K 993 in every dimension except 0 - legend time. (the fact that "purists" are folks who cling to the past of this relentlessly progressive company, instead of just respecting it, has cracked me up since my first Porsche, 25 years ago...)

Oops, you asked about investment. I *buy* cars, and *invest* in stocks, education, and real estate. So I have no idea. Are there any 'buy low' 993s left?

From an investment standpoint, I believe that the 993 is the way to go. As others have mentioned, the 996 turbo is a better car overall and will be a better driver.

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Turbo has a journal bearing instead of a ball bearing.

Figure out what you want to do with it first. If you are looking to track it, you may be better off spending less on a C4S and having money left over to start getting it the way you want. If all you want to do is rat race around town and look cool, 996TT is the hands down winner. You'll still want an exhaust and tune for it. I've seen 993s with high mileage and rebuilt engines in the upper 40's but they are getting harder to find. I think it will hold it's value if you get it in the low 50's but those cars just aren't worth that much to me.

Thanks for the replies all. I've wanted a P car for many years and am considering buying my first one in the next 6-12 months. However, I flip-flop as to which one I really want! KCattorney, I agree with you that the time to buy a 993 was 5+ years ago. You mention other models may be better investments over the next few years - care to elaborate? I personally think the 968 is way overdue to appreciate...but that's another topic I am looking for something that would be a weekend/evening toy only, not my daily driver, so I don't expect to put many miles on it. I'd like to stay under $45K and have considered everything from 964/993s, 968s, some of the special edition boxsters (RS60, 2011/12 Speedster), and 996/997s.

Also, to address slakker's point, I have no desire to track whatever I buy. It's main purpose will be to simply be an elegant weekend cruiser.

TT would be my vote. Low-mileage C4S pricing is starting to get a bit unreasonable, to the point where you could get into 997S or even a 996TT for similar money. Higher mileage 4S are good values, but probably don't have the potential to appreciate the same way a low mileage one might. Honestly, the market inefficiency right now is to buy a car from Canada, either a low-mile TT or 4S (though it's tougher if you live in CA). With the current exchange rate, I've seen some really good deals. Someone on the boards recently bought a C4S Cab in Montreal with 45k miles for around $24,000 US.

I think you are looking at this wrong. You can not think of a car as an investment. I got rid of two 993's paid off my house and got a 996 C4sS Cab. 993's and the rest of the air-cooleds are just getting ridiculous to buy. Upkeep is what it is - the parts come from Germany. If you look at the reviews of the time they all said what an improvement the 996 was over the 993. The 993 to get is a TT or one of the S's C2 or C4. Those should continue to appreciate but you will pay to get one these days. The 996TT is a nice ride but has higher costs of ownership than the NA 996. I ended up in a C4S after coming very close to popping on a 2004 996TT Cab.

993 @ 45k (if you can even find one at that price) is going to have a ton of miles on it and therefore drop its investment quality. Buy the turbo and you will have 0 regrets. It's a daily driver super car.

I love the looks of a 996 4s. I think the price point of a good 4S would be significantly lower than the 993 or TT. Also I think for $45k you are in some very nice 997 territory. Who knows what is the best investment as better cars continue to go down in value.

thanks for the replies, all. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I think further.

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Then get the TT. You will love it and it won't depreciate if you don't put many miles on it. If your budget is 45k, try to get in around 40k so that you aren't devastated by the first round of bills and break/fix. These cars are amazing but they are not cheap to own.

I think maybe the early TTs are nearing their price nadir. You might see some 'investment' value in the TT provided you keep it nice. Not a big markup of course, but I don't think you'll get hurt on it. Plus - you get to drive the sport car feel without worrying over the IMS or the miles on a 993. Cars as an investment really can't be compared to bonds or annuities. I collect, and trade cars and I've done fairly well over the past 30 years. Surely no killing deals, but then again, I haven't had any killer fiduciary investments in the past 30 years either. It can be done. The trick is to make money on the purchase end, not the sell end. Last year I think I tallied about $13k in car deals on 5 different chassis'.

45k is the only right price point for a 996 turbo, you can get a clean sub 50k mile car with nice options. These are have really bottomed out. 45k will get an average NB 993, with close to 100k miles. I think if you want a 993 as a investment, spend more money and get a Sub 30k mile car. Those cars will get rarer and rarer in the future As for a 996 C4s, you can get a nice sub 40k car for under $35k. These have also bottomed out, but I don't see much appreciation.

C4s .... I think the lines are better, not a tt side vent fan.

All three have appeal. Speed/technology versus upfront price: Probably C4S. Speaking as NOT a certified investment advisor: A car that you're going to drive for your enjoyment is not your best investment instrument. Tires, fluids, belts, filters, cleaning, 'surprises'�.unless you're buying Steve McQueen's slate gray 911, forget buying a 'regular' Porsche that you plan to drive, as an investment. Invest in your happiness. Pick the one YOU like the most.

Everyone seems to have good answers, but I think if I was doing what you are. I would go for the TT but also cab. With a tip. Good car with great power great looks and easy to drive, and should be able to get a good deal on a TT cab with tip. but that's just my thoughts.

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Tip? Shame on you! :O

The 993 cab with Tip is all sorts of eww for me, but I am a firm believer of " To each his Own " . I considered a 996TT to the point of agony over the C4S, and it had nothing to do with power. At the time I had a 600hp B5 S4 Stage 3 Plus car that pulled on a tuned K24 996TT. I wanted one mainly because of the Mezger lump. Ultimately, I decided I like my 911's to be atmospheric because of how they perform and sound...very linear, and that my Mezger car would be a 997.1 GT3. So for now I have a C4S. It's stablemates are my 2015 Audi S4 and 2007 Audi RS4. My car has decent pedigree as it was a former Porsche CPO car, never wintered and I am the 3rd owner so take your time and do your due diligence . I got her to the point of where she is today. All original paint except for the front valance respray. Not a dent in her sexy body. Fully sorted. Dealer performed IMS LN retrofit, new clutch, AOS, water pump, plugs,belt,suspension,etc. The only mods are Fister cans, Victor Innsbrucks and the suspension. I'm hoping to add GT3 Euro buckets, Tarrett bits and RMS mounts in the next few weeks . I love the way the car drives at the limit. One can drive this car at 7-8/10ths and still keep it on the road. It has just enough power..so it doesn't out do the chassis, and the brake balance is absolutely superb. Since getting it, I've revisited driving a few TT's, and yes, they move well and fast, but it reaffirms my decision to have gone with the C4S. YMMV.... it's balance reminds me a lot of my old E30 M3 and 190 Cossie. A few pics to share....good luck in your search!

I agree with others that based on your budget, you will either only find high mileage 993 example and/or a car that needs tlc. Based on your other post of being a weekend elegant cruiser, you most likely will have to shell out additional funds, time, effort to get there. Also worrying about engine temps, sub par a/c, oil leaks, etc. doesn't really scream elegant to me either. You gotta decide for yourself if you want a museum piece or a great valued driver. Another thing to factor is the fact that most new Porsche models are now turbocharged so that lessens the appeal of a 996tt IMO. Just like with air cooled, I wouldn't be surprised if people start looking for older NA engine models in the future.

I was shocked with the comfort, performance and every day driveability of my 99 996 after about two weeks seat time. I came from several 944s, an 87 930 Turbo and finally a 97 993. Each of the 911s had their charms, but I drive mine all the time and the 996 is clearly the most well rounded, and the better suited car (for me) for something to actually use as a "regular" car. For lots of reasons. In the op's situation, the TT would be my choice. (Keep in mind my disclaimer for the above opinions come from somebody who wanted to daily drive a 348 ts and a Diablo. Nope, aaand nope on those two working out. Am I just getting old?...)

If I could find a six speed TT cabriolet in NOT black or silver, and with NOT black interior, I'd trade my C4S and happily drive it forever. But not for a straight cab, straight TT, nor a tiptronic. Different multi variable algebraic problem for me, personally.

Alpine 003, great points regarding the maintenance and A/C issues of the 993. Definitely something to consider as I continue my research.

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Oh great. Now Alp is just gonna be impossible to live with.

I think 996TT has the best chance of gaining the most value in the long run.

I guess I'm biased, but: turbo, turbo, turbo...!

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^^^This!

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Agreeing with the above statement. I have a 2003 C4S and also a 2003 TT and think the TT is the car to get/keep.

Drive the C4s. Store the turbo as an investment.

Has anyone here driven a 993 lately? After years of my 996 and now the tt, it feels antique, rickety, and slow. There, I said it.