markcp

A friend has recently managed to write off his Boxster S and is looking to replace it with a 993 Carrera 4S. Does anyone have any information that would be useful when purchasing? Are there any particular points to look at?

He is only interested in buying from a dealer (preferably an OPC) but any other useful contacts would be welcomed.

Cheers,

Mark.

foz01

generally considerd to be the tarts handbag of 993's dont handle as good as the normal bodied cars, (something to do with the cats IIRC)

Still they look great though

MarkCSC

Hmm not sure why the cat would make it handle worse.

Anyway best bet would be to order a back issue of 911 and Porsche World Magazine from here You want No 47 December 1997

Also have a look here http://www.993faq.com/

foz01

cats were too close to the rear tyres or something and were causing them to overheat, performance car and top gear both reckoned it was more of a kitted up pose job.............

clarence

The cats shouldn't be a problem, cos the car is mechanically identical to a 993C4. Only the track is wider. Anyway, what does the placement of the cats have to do with roadholding & handling.

MarkCSC

Not sure if this helps but just found this

993C4S
-Essentially a NA version of the 993TT i.e same body, drivetrain, brakes, suspension setup, etc.
-Manual only.

993C2S
-The 'run-out' version of the standard 993.
-Wider body, lowered (by 20mm) and stiffened suspension.
-Standard 17in wheels (the 16in is std with the normal 993).
-Fully equipped (w/ trip computer, sunroof, etc) and some styling differences from the standard 993.
-The rear spoiler has a split in the middle - a homage to the rear grille of the 356.
-Available in both Manual and Tiptronic

Gastro

Try www.autofarm.co.uk

Speak to Karen Ruggles (tell them Dr Campbell sent you ) - I test drove a C4S recently..... they are just lovely. They will tell your friend all there is to know about them compared to other 993's.....

As for handling - I'm unsure as to why a C4/2S should handle any worse than its standard counterpart.... ???

Cheers,

Gastro

PaulMc

I had a look at one a while bcak and did loads of research. Actually reckoned to be one of the best 911's to own. EVO mag did a 911 history and recomendations a few months ago, search it out.

I would love one, 'specially with the optional rear wing air inlets, a la turbo.

Gastro

Autoclassica have an excellent reputation......
They also have 2 low mileage examples at the moment.

www.autoclassica.co.uk

Gastro

foz01

Well the reports i read were pretty damming of the car, a lowered kitted job that was worse handling than the normal 4, i can guarantee that it certainly didn't make evo's top 10 911's

Chris L

From the sites I've been looking at (thanks Gastro ), RHD 993 C4S's are pretty rare and they do attract a premium. If your friend widens his choice to include nice late model C2's and C4's he'll have a big choice of very nice cars. IMHO the 993 looks best in its purest form - i.e. C4 or C2.

Best thing he can do is go and test drive a couple - see what suits him.

Chris

Chris L

Another buyer's guide for you. Hartech Automotive do a comprehensive guide available here. Obviously biased towards Hartech and it covers all Porsche's, but still worth reading.

Also look at 911UK - very good Porsche website with extremly good forum - very helpful members.

Chris

markcp

Thanks for the replies guys My mate has driven a 993 C2S and an '03 996 this morning and is now even more confused what to go for!

He loved the amount of character the 993 had , but felt he would never to be able to get the better of the car. Also, it didn't seem any quicker than the Boxster S

The 996 was, unsurprisingly, a completely different beast. A fair bit quicker than the 993 but a comparatively soul-less driving experience.

We're going to see a mint 993C4S on the weekend in an OPC for 47K and hopefully to try an older 996. Best bit is he wants me to drive them for my opinion

Any more help glady appreciated,

Mark.

MarkCSC

good site for 993 model specs http://vista.pca.org//stl/993.htm

Simon S3

For 47k he can get a 993 Turbo4,

See www.911virgin.com for details, I`ve heard good things about these guys as well.

Gastro

There is a C4S from an OPC for £38995.........

Gastro

matt d

Why not just go for a regular 993 C4, or even better a C2? Both cars are lighter so faster in a straight line and round corners. The C4S IIRC has sport suspension which is a bit too harsh for B roads, leading to jiggling about & tramlining which dissuades you from really pressing on at speed.

For the price of a 993 C4S you could get a LHD 993 RS or 993 turbo - now you're talking. If RHD is a must, save 10 grand and get a standard C2, or pay the same price and get a 996.

markcp

Gastro,

Which OPC has the C4S for £39k?

I think he may be leaning towards the 996 now, since a friend who works for a well known dealer thinks it is well overpriced at 47k. Furthermore, he reckons he can source a late plate, well kitted 996 for easily less than 40k

Should still be fun test driving this weekend.

Mark.

Gastro

Its just been sold - it was midnight blue metallic with 42k miles....

As I've said before to ChrisL - 993 and 996 prices are coming into parity at the moment. 996 prices are dropping like stones.

But - a 996 is cheaper to run - if only marginally faster.

Gastro

davyboy

Get a 964 RS light weight, and a normal car too.

Gastro

I have to say - I've also been looking at the 964 RS...
But I've absolutely no idea what they are like to run - ie costs !

Anyone know ?

Cheers,

Gastro

PS - The thought of kerbing those magnesium alloys brings tears to my eyes !

davyboy

I dont think the running costs are any different to a normal 964. 911 and Porsche world have a great feature on RS's this month.

Generally they have low miles, although they are usually very hard miles!

I was speaking to a guy at Donington on Monday and he said the suspension is so hard, you just couldn't drive it every day. He asked me to try and push the suspension down.....I think I would leave a hand print in the wing before moving the suspension!!

LHD ones with no ABS, no Powersteering, no Aircon, no door handles would be my choice, in Rubystone red.

....I would sell my car to get a good one of these.......

How low can you go.......well 40mm lower than normal.



Rubystone Red



I want, I want!

[Edited by davyboy - 4/25/2003 11:17:50 AM]

MarkCSC

I dug out an old copy of EVO (issue 10) which had a 993 buying guide. They said that the C4S wasn't any better than the standard C4. Look nice though
Things to watch for on all 993s

Engine
Not much really. Full service history essential and watch for corrosion on oil pipes.

Suspension
Easy to get it out of line. Castor, camber and tacking need regularly setting up otherwise handling and tyre wear suffer.

Brakes

Really good. Pad wear can be excessive if used hard (4000 miles) but generally OK in used normally.

Tyres

Tyres should be marked with an "N" followed by 0,1,2 depending on year of manufacture.
This means it is a Porsche approved tyre and their engineers feel that it is the most suitable tyre for the car. EVO say that the approved tyre do make a positive difference to the handling.
All the numbers should be the same of each tyre.

Exhausts
These should be OK as they are stainless steel. Dam expensive if you need a new one £2000ish

Mark

[Edited by Mark Champion - 4/25/2003 11:38:35 AM]