LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

I fancy a Porsche 911 soon and ideally would go for a 993 but any really from 89, would appreciate any info on these, what to look for, living with them etc etc

Cheers

Mad Gypsy

The best 993 models have varioram which bumps the power to 285bhp. I think this was only on cars 95 or newer (though can't be sure).
Like all 911's they are a very easy to live with day to day, and considering the performance and marque you are buying into, the running costs are very reasonable, especially if using specialists and not OPC's.

Depending on what you currently drive, a 964 could well dissapoint. I'd stick with a 993 or above. Besides, the servicing costs of the 964 are more expensive than the 993, which is more expensive than a 996.

As the price difference between the late 993 and early 996 are not too far apart, in my opinion, the 996 is the better buy. Looks better IMO, certainly looks less dated. The interior in the 964 and 993 are shocking! and of course the 996 is faster.
The 996 is the 'new' 993. By that I mean there are people who are saying they don't like the new 997 and that the 996 is much better. This was said of nearly every new 911 that has ever arrived! People always seem more fond of the outgoing model.

If your intent on going for a 993, and if budget allows, go for a S model.

Whatever you gor for, make sure you pay to have an OPC check the car before buying. For the sake of £180 you really would be crazy not to.

GCollier

I'd order some back issues of 911 and Porsche World Magazine. They've printed buying guides for all genres of 911 in the not too distant past.

Which model to go for depends to a large extent on your budget and the use you will put the car too. I've owned an '03 996 from new and it's been faultless. It really is a superb combination of grand tourer and sports car. The sort of car you can drive 500 miles across Europe in a day, get home feeling completely fresh - and take it out for a blast just for the hell of it in the evening. The earlier cars, although I liked them a lot at the time, feel very old-fashioned now - archaic almost - though I can see why some people prefer them and say they have more charisma.

The buying guides will give you more information. But from memory the most serious things to look out for (accident damage aside) are oil leaks/engine problems on the early 996's and early 964's, and problems with the dual-mass flywheels and twin-sparkplug arrangement also on the 964's. The 993's are generally meant to be pretty bullet-proof.

Although they're reasonably practical cars for a single person or couple, they're really not by any stretch of the imagination a family car, and this is what's almost certainly going to spell the end of 911 ownership for me. Although you can fit a single child seat in the rear, it's only at the expense of the front seat passengers comfort. And fitting even 2 kids in the back is just out of the question if as a driver you're tall or drive with the seat a long way back.

Good luck!

Gary.

Gastro

If you do a search you should find some of my advice on this matter.

I've owned 911's from all these era's - except a 993 which I still hanker after and I agree with the above - it is *the one* to have.

Carrera 3.2 - lovely - getting old so be careful - repairs can be expensive and dynamically the worst of the 3 cars (as you'd expect with it being the oldest). Many are comng up for engine rebuilds, need new clutches and even gearbox rebuild (esp if its a non G50 model).

964 - I still shudder at the expense - I really don't have too much good to say about them - mine cost a small fortune to run (and that was 5 years ago !). Go for post '92 model - engine redesign and not prone to oil leaks of earlier models (regardless of what people say - all the pre-92's develop oil leaks - and that has been from many sources). Clutches / dual mass flywheel cost a fortune and don't last as long as they should and servicing is 2 days - tappet's need adjusment on day 2 when engine cold (circa £800 + parts). Also - remember the 12 HT leads (dual ignition) - if they need replacing it can all get nasty on the credit card.

993 - Lovely - wish I'd taken the plunge on several occasions. Oil leaks not such an issue and major engine work is required less often (but no doubt just as expensive when it needs it). Geometry is its achilles heal and can cost several hundred to set up correctly. If you decide on one - get a specialist to look at it and you should be happy as larry.

Good luck.

Gastro

midget1500

sorry to thread hijack. can anyone recommend which porsche 911 to go for if spending ~15k? there is so much to choose from, e.g. in autotrader, but LHD = no thanks. mileage, not important but i do notice that a lot of big mileage ones, say 80k+ have had engine rebuilds? all stating at a cost of around 5-6k why?

any sites worth visiting? this is just an idea being toyed with (as a 2nd car...)

cheers
steven

GCollier

For 15k I would go for a 1987-1989 911 carrera coupe with the G50 box. They've depreciated probably about as much as they're every going to. The gearbox on the earlier cars really is pretty ropey from experience.

Even an 89 car will feel agricultural though today, and the floor hinged offset pedals may not be to all tastes,

Chris L

Also have a look at Cem's website Stuggart9s - lots of helpful owners on there who can offer some good advice.

whiper

For around £30k go for a 95/96 993 carrera 4 - interior is a little dated but build quality is superb - better than 996 levels. Interestingly 993 S are not dropping below £40k - holding value much better than a 996 carrera 2/4.

A 993 is expensive to run mind - insurance is surprisingly reasonable - I pay half on a 993 turbo than what I did on a evo 7! MPG around 25mpg and servicing around £400-600 per year.Tyres £1K a set and brake discs/pads need replacing quite regularly - expect £1k also.

Fit a sport exhaust to a 993 - sounds fantastic. Not many 993s around compared to 996s - becoming very popular with "old school" enthusiasists.

Trumble

I've read this with interest as I'm considering the scoob to porker 996 move.

I'm concerned about the handling - what will it be like going from the 4wd to rwd ?

Am I mad - should I spend my 30k on a Type25 and take the hit on depreciation ?

T.

GCollier

I wouldn't be worried about the handling of a RWD 996. The car is much more communicative than an impreza, has a massive amount of grip, and in the wet when you might think you'd most miss the 4wd you can really feel what the car is doing. Backing off or even braking mid-corner is unlikely to unsettle the car.

Basically you'd either have to be a very poor driver or be plain bonkers behind the wheel to have any issues with the car on the road.

Trumble

I must say - even given the engine problems with the early 996's - I hear several went bang - I think I'll probably loose less in a year on a '99 S/T than a new STi PPP or T25.

What do peeps think on depreciation on 32K 996 in one year ?

T.

Trumble

Oh yeah - the insurance is cheaper for me and the missus on a 32K 996 than it is on a MY02 WRX with minor mods !

T.

Mad Gypsy

I went from a STi Type R to a 996 (with sports pack) and I have to say the handling is a little better (maybe down to the sports pack?) But the biggest surprise of all is how difficult it is to unsettle the car in the wet. You really have to do stupid things to get the back out of shape, it's far better than either BMW I had in the wet. The fact that the weight of the engine is pressing down on huge 285/30 18's helps, there's just SO much grip.
On the odd occasion I've had the back end out, (whilst being very stupid) I've found it very easy to bring it back, and I wouldn't class myself as anything other than an average driver.

I cosidered a Type 25 and a Skyline GTR 34, but these cars will end their life as a 8k dated rice box (no offence) the 996 will allways be a 911 and will retain a far larger portion of it's current value than almost any other car at the price.

Trumble

What about Porsche Stability Management ?

Is it worth looking out for one with it fitted or isnt it worth it ?

T.

Mad Gypsy

Yes, but PSM was only available on cars 2000 or newer (or was it 99?)
All C4's had it as standard but was an option on C2's from 99 or 00.