993 vs. 996

I'm looking for info from past owners of 993's who now have a 996. Which do you like better and why? I'm looking at 96-98 993's, and 99-2000 996's. I'm a newbie and need advise. Thanks!

FYI, Besides getting advice here, you might want to ask the question from 993 forum (from those who have tried 996 & opted for keeping the 993).

Hello, I had a C2s and loved it. It was a great car, very much the sports car. I had sold the car and was looking for a Cab so I drove a 993 cab and a 996 Cab back to back. The 996 was much stiffer and a bit larger which I liked. Frankly, I still think the 993 is the best looking of the 911s to date. I also think the 993 has more of a "sports car" feed than a 996 does. The 996 is very fast, but feels like a cross between a Lexus (refinement) and an older 911 (performance). Personlly, I like the refinement of the 996, however, you should really drive them both back to back and decide which features are important to you! Good luck. The good news is that you really cannot go wrong with either car imo. Roy

I have to agree with RWO, that the 996 is more refined: the transmission shifts smoother, the ride is more comfortable, and it has damn cupholders. IMO, the 993's steering and suspension feels more responsive but that is probably because I've only driven the turbo. Sorry if this is an apples to oranges comparison.

I have two, can I vote twice? I did the two-day PDE and loved the 996, especially the traction control device. It's a great car, for the reasons already listed. But I guess I love the feel of the 993 more.

What do you want from the car?.....what will you use it for?....and where are you coming from (what do you drive now and what would you change on it)? Personally, if I bought a 996 today it would be 3.6 (2002 or later)...so, given your defined parameters, I'd be recomending the 993 (but that's for my use and for what I want from the car). If you are looking for a more 'refined' (quieter, more modern interior, smoother controls-shifter-clutch-etc) touring sports car......any year 996 will get that for you....just my opinion. As has been suggested.....drive-em......Good luck.

I had a 993 c2 1995 , for about 2 years and loved it.. When the 996 came out I felt I had to buy one and was initially slightly disapponted. It felt a little quiet and a little too soft. However since I had the TechArt springs fitted to the car dropping it by 30 mm and a FAbspeed exhaust, its absolutely awesome. I still think the 993 was the prettiest 911 to date , but a lowered 996 looks pretty damn mean too. Of both cars, having tracked them many times, I can honestly say the 996 is the better car.

I bought a used 1978 Targa in 83 at a time that I had no, or very little "use" for Porsche. Then I fell in love. Later purchased an 88 coupe special edition. Had Porsche kept the traditional Targa in production past 93 I would have likely been in the market for a C4S in the late 90's. As it was there just wasn't any, enough, motivation to leave my 78 (I gave the 88 away) and get into something newer. There was a time that I might have been in the market for a late 90's C4S, but that was about the same time I learned of what was upcoming. In July of 98 I placed my initial order, deposit, on a MY2000 AWD 996. Long story short I ended up being screwed out of my (two) MY2000 C4 deliveries (apparently worth a lot more than MSRP), by two dealers in a row. So I went out and bought a used 99 C2. Stunningly beautiful, wonderful, quiet (switched to Michellins from the NOISY Pirellis), comfortable car. But I still wanted a C4. Picked up my C4 at the factory (bought over the internet) in May of 01, couldn't be more pleased, for interior beauty and luxury style, and comfort and quietness I class it with the Lexus LS430. For driving, overall handling, well, it's truly a PORSCHE. The Factory supplied Conti's became noisy after the first winter so I just yesterday made the switch to re730's. If Porsche ever gets around to making a T-top then I'll be first in line for a C4S with one. All three can be seen at: <a href="http://www.hobbystage.net/porsche/wwest" target="_blank">http://www.hobbystage.net/porsche/wwest</a> Get the 996, you'll love it.

I sold my 95 993 on a kind of late night idea. It was on the internet and when someone wanted it I could not say no. I was pretty unhappy as I realized what a great car it was. It was built of the highest quality materials and workmanship I have seen and I look a lot. I finally came to the conclusion after the first minute of a test ride in a 996 that I needed this car. So I bought a 2000 996. While the 993 was pretty, and had amazing appeal with the wide fenders, the 996 is better for me in a lot of ways. It has more power, shifts smoother and more precisely, handles better (in my opion as I can drive it faster, easier and with more confidence), has a better stereo, controls, and conveniences. I like it better in every mechanical way and as form follows function to some degree I am beginning to like the smooth look better too. I don't think there is any question for me that the 996 is superior. As intended by Porsche I am sure. Bill

Interesting how different people rationalize the purchase of a $75k car in different ways. For me there's no logic that can be applied to make such a decision rationale, it's purely an emotional purchase. I think in general, 996 and 993 owners are in different camps because of how they view sports cars. One camp buys for the rationale of comfort, ease of use, quietness, luxury. The other camp buys for the emotions of sound, feelings, nostalgia and all that jazz. If I was in the market for the best luxury sports GT - which I'm not - I'd get the MB SL500.

metalsolid, Is it okay if I have one foot planted firmly in each "camp"? Oh, and in my most humble opinion the MB SL500 isn't even close to the class, at ANY level, of the 996. But viewing it just as, solely, the aspect of it being a convertible, I would certainly place it above the comparitively butt ugly 996 cabriolet (with its cloth top UP) or the truly butt ugly SC430, top down or up.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"> If I was in the market for the best luxury sports GT - which I'm not - I'd get the MB SL500. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">But we are talking about real sport GT's cars for sport-driving pleasure i.e 993-996, not a 4200lbs torque-converter automatic Merc <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Hi All, Thanks for the responses, but I'm still torn. I love the look of the 993, and the smoothness of the 996. They are "roughly" in the same ballpark. I can only afford one and want a little of both. BTW - If anyone has a Silver/Blk or Blk/Blk coupe, let me know. Thanks!

I'm generalizing here, individual results will vary, so you can step in anything you like. I think from a build quality & profit margin POV, Porsche could learn a few things from MB.

metalsolid, I'm betting you have no recent experience with Porsche, say the 996 C4S. Build quality and profit margin? MB? Profit margin... That may have been very true, likely was VERY true, before Lexus came on the scene. Build quality... Have you heard anything about the ML series?

Pssst -- MetalSolid -- PAG is currently the most profitable manufacturer in the business. Meanwhile Daimler is still trying to digest Chrysler.

gilead: The responses received echo my sentiments. Like ROW, I came out of a C2S (with some suspension mods, light track use) to a 02C4 Cab. Coupe to Coupe I would take the 993S. I like the way it sounds and looks. It was not a daily driver, and I appreciated the visceral feel. Cab to Cab is a coin flip. I would probably go with the 996. More room, top storage, quieter etc. There are some very pleasant creature comforts on the 996. Try to get one with an extended warranty. It sounds like you might be most satisfied with modified (suspension/exhaust) 996. Good luck & be happy. What a great situation to be in. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" /> Tom 02C4 Cab

I actually have a 996 GT3 on order, and test drove a C4S - in the handling department Porsche still has the magic. Mike, ...and PAG should be the most profitable car manufacturer at the prices they charge... $180k for a GT2, $15k for X50 option, $700 for a stainless steel exhaust tip...

You forgot to mention $750 for footwell lighting....!!!

Gilead, this will likely only make your decision more difficult, but you if you possibly can you should try a 996 with the ROW M030 sport suspension. Closes some of the gap in visceral "sportiness" between the stock 993 (higher) and 996 (lower), while widening it in performance. On the other hand, not many cars by any maker match the build quality of the 993 in terms of fit and finish, especially the exterior. After 30 years of making them, Porsche pretty much mastered that aspect of building the car! They are getting better, but few, I think, can credibly argue the 996 is in the same class as the 993 on this score. There are exhaust options to suit nearly any preference in sounds for the 996. If you decide you prefer the car otherwise, this is an easy thing to dial in later.

Metalsolid </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"> "and PAG should be the most profitable car manufacturer at the prices they charge... $180k for a GT2, $15k for X50 option, $700 for a stainless steel exhaust tip..." </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Then just wait til they start selling the Carrera GT. With it's pricing, PAG will soon be acquiring DaimlerChrysler.

I was at this same point a month ago, deciding whether to go with a 2000 996 C2 or a 97 C4S for roughly the same $$$'s. I drove the 996 and absolutely loved it, but I didn't fall in love with the exterior, which is the part I found the most mesmerizing about the 993 C4S. That body and those J Lo curves are just so beautiful. I just bought a 96 C4S last week at Luxury Motors in Chicago (for $40,450, 59k mi) and am soooo happy I went with the less comfortable, less easy to drive, less HP but much more outwardly enticing 993. It was all about that look over the shoulder after I parked it that drew me to the older 993. As others have said, drive them back to back and you'll know. For me, I am going to be stuck in this car for 10 years (so says my wife), so I went for beauty over comfort and newness. In 10 years I hope to get a used slabsided 2003 996 Turbo - TIP! It'll be old man time by then (52 years old ). Good luck with your search, Steve

Dammit...I just don't know WHAT to do. 993...996...993...996. And you guys aren't making it any better. On one hand I hear, "buy the newest one you can, (C4 Millenium Edition), on the other hand I hear, "the 993's are bulletproof and this and that and the other, AND you've got that body. Hmmmm...eenie, meenie, mynee, moe...

Dammit...I just don't know WHAT to do. 993...996...993...996. And you guys aren't making it any better. On one hand I hear, "buy the newest one you can, (C4 Millenium Edition), on the other hand I hear, "the 993's are bulletproof and this and that and the other, AND you've got that body, (96 C4S). Hmmmm...eenie, meenie, mynee, moe...

There is alot to be said about current market value of the 993 vs. 996. I have noticed 96 or 97 C4S or even the 2wd S' are fetching about the same money as 99 and 2000 996's. At first I didn't like the looks of the 996. In fact it had taken me this long to start 'digging' them. Now if I see a 996 with aero-kit or a Turbo, I really like them so much more. I guess its one that took time to grow on me. I love my 993, its like a treat to get to drive it when I do, but, if the situation came up, I wouldn't mind having a 996. This is a VERY tough choice for you. Good Luck. Chris

The 993 is the only Porsche I haven't owned. I loved the looks but,after testing it an autocross, thought it was too soft versus my RS America (it took buying a GT2 to get over that car). So (for really reasonable $) go find a 996 with the X51 package ,or wait for the GT3. You will not be disappointed.

YellowC4S, Maybe you should explain what specific characteristics do you value most from a car (confort, performance, looks, reliability, re-sale value, safety, luxury, etc). Because its easier to judge them this way than globally.

by my side a more than a year ago i was with the same question, i got in one hand a black C4S '96 and mine, a black 996 C4 '99, , i drove them both, it was a hard choice, I made a list pro-cons. then by my personal choices I took the 996, I couldn't be happier. by far, no regrets now. i almost sell my baby end december 02(for other reasons), but as i said, i gonna keep it!. Gilead : follow what your heart says .. Good luck !.