993 v 996 turbo 911's - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I currently have a 993 Turbo 4, and am awaiting delivery of a 996 Turbo, so I'll let you know.

A very great deal has been written about the 996 Turbo in Autocar and elsewhere. It is generally acknowledged to be head and shoulders above the 993 version in every respect, but do you have the same priorities as the motoring journalists? I often don't, although I think they're probably right on this one. Safer on the limit? That only means the limit is higher - no bad thing on the roads these days. For me, the 996 every time, but for you Tifosi's comments will be much more interesting!

Yeah, it depends on what you want from a car. Evo did a big 'which is the best driver's Porsche ever' feature, with about ten RSs, Turbos and GT2s and the 1973 2.7 RS won. I'll tell you now that the 996 Turbo is a better car by any technical measure... but a more fun car? A more enjoyable car to own? That is always going to be subjective. I had a chat with a 964RS owner recently, and he was telling me that a 959 left him cold in the exhilaration stakes, when compared with his RS. I'd never have thought that, but then maybe less is more?

if you're going to compare, you should compare like with like. All Porsche RS models are by nature "more raw" and people buy them because they are trying to recreate a racing feel, these are limited edition cars. The 993 and indeed the 996 turbos are the top of the range production cars, and as such must provide a level of luxury equipment that fits in with a buyer who doesn't particularly want to race his car round a track but wants an expensive Porsche (like Robbie Williams, black 996 turbo, black windows). As such 911 Turbos are a compromise. Some compromise!!!! I have a 993 Turbo and the acceleration and handling are stunning (autocar tested this car and measured it 0-60 in 3.7 seconds)also the feel of the interior is one of luxury. The 996 will be the same I'm sure, but better. Imagine the dillema faced by the Porsche designer when he had to improve the 993, his response was, I think to make every individual feature better, ie. 8 bhp more, slightly better (more controled) handling, more leather, more option available, etc, etc. ending up with a similar but slightly improved car. I guess he succeeded judging by the motoring press' reception last year

I've not driven a 996 turbo, but I own a 993 turbo and have driven a few 996's. I think you need to ask youself a couple of questions: looks inside and out - which do you prefer do you want to spend 40K more on them? As far as I'm concerned you'd have to be an utter idiot to lose a 993 TT - its very very safe, I've done serval track days in the pouring rain and only on purpose can I get the back doing massive power oversteers. The 996 will be more technically advanced, but the 993 TT is no tractor. Performance wise they are the same. If money was not object then I'd get the 996TT but I would never want to take that kind of deprecation hit on any car. Have a look at the review snippets at the bottom of this page: www.verybored.com/car and go and drive the things it the only way! Cheers Edited by bosshog on Friday 4th January 08:43

Tifosi, Yes, you are right regarding the luxury angle. I suppose that is why they do a Turbo GT2, more of an RS edge to it. My Lotus Carlton suffers from the same 'compromise' (as you say, it is a nice compromise in many ways). With a full connolly leather interior, wilton carpets, air conditioning, hi-fi system, sound deadening etc. it weighs in at a portly 1.7 tons. Also, for safety and comfort, they chose quite soft suspension settings. Performance is still pretty good (0-140 in 21 seconds) but I would love to know what a Lotus Carlton RS would have been like!

Whisper it (especially if my father's around) but the 959's actually a fairly dull drive. The acceleration's staggering, but there's so much grip (with an eventual bias towards understeer) that the handling's a bit boring. In a sense it's damned by being too good, it's nice to be able to feel the limits of a car (sometimes) and you'll never find them in a 959 on the public roads unless your name's Schumacher. The '71 911 is the most fun to drive of the Porsches I've driven but its in no way an everyday motor... As to the 993 or 996 why not go for a 993, drive it a lot and have another car for trackdays/fun. After driving both (C4s I couldn't insure a turbo) this was the route I decided to take.

Jaydee, WHy was it so much more to insure a turbo - even the C4 is group 20, so I can't believe they'll clobber you much more (?). I must admit, if I had the dosh I'd get bosshog's Turbo 4, but when the Lotus Carlton goes (v soon I hope) then a 'lesser' Porsche will still be on the cards. Don't forget to get your dad to send me the pics of his 968 CS! Cheers and happy new year Domster

Lack of previous high performance experience (and bear in mind I was only 24 and I've only owned 3 cars to date) meant that I couldn't even get a quote on a turbo Will do ! Cheers Jaydee

Is it really worth the extra money for a 996 turbo over the previous 993? I know the new model is probably safer at the extreme limit due to various improvements etc, but the 993's handling might be described as more fun on the public road's in everyday driving. 993 engine sounds gorgeous too! Anyone out there that's driven both? What do you think?