drove a 993 and...

So I've been actively looking for my next Porsche and a 993 popped up on CL in my town. Advertised as proper minty and priced accordingly. So I met with the owner and sure enough, it's factory fresh just a minor detail away from concourse winning. Brand new tyres, all serviced up, 40,000 miles...if ever I was going to test a 993, this would be the one. So, out we go for a ride, he drives the first few miles and the windshield is rattling and creaking - "they all do that" he says. Yes, indeed they do. "It's going in for a proper repair" ok (the seller by the way is a genuine enthusiast no BS guy). So then I get behind the wheel. I find a reasonable seating position and off we go. Clutch is nice and light, but catches only at the very top of the travel. Common for hydraulic clutch 911's and not adjustable. Annoying. Shift to second, then third, a bit balky I'd say. Find a piece of straight road to let it out a bit....geez not much power is there (280 hp of old school technology pushing a 3000 pound car). A little bit of twisty road. US ride height and stock springs and the car is all over the place. *Not* a confidence inspiring set up. Brakes....excellent. So - back the sellers house - I admire the beautiful shape once more and say goodbye - truly determined to find a nice 996 for a few thousand less. All that glitters gentlemen!

doesn't sound like that 993 was as well sorted as the owner made it out to be.

great to know, but then again.... the 993 is a "Real Porsche" so then we should have expected it to act that way I thought they had manual brakes (no ABS) and if so then they lock the fronts on about every hard breaking point (or is that the earlier ones) Anyhow, they are beautiful lookling and I would love to drive one for a year.... maybe Tough to know what's "next" isn't it Thanks for the story

a 993 with no abs or power brakes? not a chance.

sorry, my mistake? But I watched an older car run the cones and every hard brake point the front would lock up... several old school owners said "yea, that's normal on the older cars" I thought it was wierd, but didnt ask much more about it

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No, I disagree. The car was unmodified and obviously well maintained to stock specifications. The owner never claimed to have sorted the car, where I define sorting as installing performance suspension etc. This car was performing exactly as Porsche intended for the North American market in 1995, and I was disappointed. As far as the motor power goes...that's all she wrote I'm afraid. Maybe a chip would help, maybe a lightweight flywheel, but to me it felt as though the little 3.6 was struggling a bit. Don't get me wrong here - I'm not a pneumophobe. I flew the air cooled flag high for ten years with a liteweight SC on carbs and cams. That car would snap my neck back. This 993 most definitely did not. I constantly dream about building another 911 and one day when I'm a little less busy with family and work I will. But in the meantime I'm sticking to Variocam and other late 20th century technology.

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Amen!

And from what I understand the 997 is yet another step. They're all good but the 996 is definately a step change. Aside from a turbo there's not much more I'd ask for......

Hey Jasper, Go find yourself a GT3. That should keep a smile on your face until you can build another hot rod. btw, your old SC is still getting out for some fun. Cheers,

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Hey Allan - unfortunately the GT3s are holding their value more than I'd hoped. Good news though is that the MkII 996 are not and I've located a 2002 with reman motor and newer transmission for a *very* reasonable price. I plan to be at the next autoX with it. Looking very forward to seeing the gang again!

993s are heavier than 996s with less power...

You know, old cars and the driving experiences are like many songs. The memory of the song is better than the song itself, because there are so many good experiences that the song is attached to in one's memory.

abs first came out in the 964 and every model after that...

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or ex-girlfriends.

a 1-5 years old car is like new 5-6 years is one generation out and still ok at 10 years, like most poster said OLD

Yes, there are many reasons that they no longer make the 993.

jasper, did you at least try the a/c on the 993?

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https://rennlist.com/forums/6555871-post10.html

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I didn't, since Vancouver isn't really a A/C type of town. The seller did say though that his mechanic felt it wasn't blowing as cold as it should.

You can't compare a 996 to a 993 to a 964 to a 986; they are all great, but very different cars. The one thing they do share is a great name.

Jasper, after being stuck in the "Porsche 1980s" for a long time, I too looked at 993s - and came to many of the same conclusions. Nothing against them - I still think they are achingly beautiful - but they just were not as "modern" as I was looking for (for a daily driver). Now, a 993 cup! That would be awesome! (But, I wonder how a street 996 GT3 would compare to that... )

The 993 is a beautiful car. I think you also have to consider the fact that the car is nearly 15 years old. My 996 at 7 years old has a few rattles too.

I was seriously considering a 993 before getting my car. I loved the way it sounded and felt the power on it was adequate. Sure it felt "old" but that was one of the things I appreciated about it. With all of that being said though, I chose the 996 because my car is a daily driver and since it's a newer design it *should* require fewer weekends under the vehicle keeping it going. As a weekend car the 993 probably would have won out, but for daily driving and taking the family out to dinner every so often - the 996 was a wise choice for me.

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Chuck, car looks great. The 996 wheels look really good on it.

you guys are to nice... the 993 guys on the other hand, would have another 996 roast.

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I guess we're not quite as worried about their cars as they are about ours. If they like 'em, that's all that matters.

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Thanks. I am on the hunt for another set for the Boxster S. I think there is a lot of passion for the cars we own. A lot of folks put down the Boxster. But drive one and you quickly find out how nice of a Porsche they are. If I had more room in my garage I would get a 996 TT. There are some great buys out there.

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I just made a deal on a 2002, 73K miles, silver on black, new motor at 32K miles, new Bridgestone tyres, *at* a Porsche dealership, just a beautiful car. $26.5K I think that's a smoking deal!

Congrats, Jasper! May 31, Pitt Meadows. Be there. See ya!

Jasper... what happened to your other 996?.... did I miss your post on it? Congrats on the new the new addition... pics are in order, of course.

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I moved to Wales in March 2008, ostensibly for 3 years so I sold the grey car. The assignment turned into only one year though, so I'm back and started Porsche shopping literally the next day. See you on the 31st!