Back to basics...

[Rick Lee]

Last night I picked my Carrera up from the local dealership, which had just done a PPI for a prospective buyer. As kstylianos had been caring for her for the last month or so, I hadn't driven my Carrera in quite a while. My 993 has been getting all my attention...and has been spoiling me in return.

So last night on the way home, I was anxiously waiting for the oil temp gauge to climb above 140. It quickly got to 180 and then I decided to give her a workout. Windows down, stereo off, H4's cooking, I took her to redline and quickly found myself almost doubling the speed limit. Well, officer, how was I to know with all the condensation in my gauges on a drizzly night? No, I didn't get stopped. Totally forgot my girlfriend was following me in her Civic. Then I got off the hwy. and sat at a red light, heard my lumpy Webcam-inspired idle, smelled the high HC stench of my test pipe and rich mixture. Green light - pulled away and redlined through 1-2-3 gears on the Ffx. Co. Pkwy. Wow! What a rush.

I've really gotten fat and lazy with my 993 - not that there's anything wrong with that. So tomorrow I'm proudly taking my Carrera to our tech session, will flush brakes and clutch and maybe take her out for some more exercise on back roads. I want to keep this car now, but just don't have enough hours in the day to drive both...

[kstylianos]

I want to keep it to, Richard

Its raw, its rough, its loud.......its FUN!!

[DonDavis]

That's a question I've had for awhile. I had a recent disussion with another Pelicaneer on this very topic. If someone goes to the 993 and sells their older 911 (be it early, middle, SC or Carrera) has anyone regretted the move. I really like the 993 but I have never driven one. I suppose I should do that before throwing out an opinion.
But I see you said "Gotten fat and jazy". Will this "condition" continue to grow and fester? Or is it just a phase and are you fully dedicated to your younger model and not looking back?

When I had my '71, I used to tell my wife that it was old, loud, smelly, bumpy. She said it was just like me

[Rick Lee]

Luckily, my girlfriend likes the Carrera. So I know I'll be getting another older 911 someday. But the 993 sure keeps the b!tchin to a minimum when good a/c is required. Everything a Carrera does, a 993 does MUCH better - look, sound, feel. But if you're attached to that old VW Beetle smell, the bumpy ride, no power steering, brake modulating, etc., then stick with a pre-89 911. I think everyone needs one of each. In some future thread I will lay out fantasy plans for my next old 911. Right now, I just don't have time, money or space to deal with two of these cash aligators.

[nostatic]

My first (albeit short lived) was an '87. I now have a '79. I lust after a '71. After I get that one, I will need to find a '63 356.

I'm in an 8-year regression plan.

[Rick Lee]

Todd, I get in a bad mood every time you remind me of that '87 you let go.

[nostatic]

Richard, it is a good thing you only have $20 worth of ammo then...

For what it's worth, I like my SC quite a bit more. Especially since the '87 ended up having premature valve guide wear, and ended up needing a top end job at just over 60K miles...

I have to admit that I wouldn't mind a 993, but all the cars are paid for, and I don't want to write any big checks right now...

[Rick Lee]

Ah, so you've kept in touch with the buyer of your '87? I suppose you get first dibs when he decides to sell it. Valve guide wear is a fact of life in Carreras. You could get broken head studs in your SC. I could get the carbon build up CEL on my 993. I take it one day at a time. When I first bought the Carrera, the prospect of having to replace a clutch gave me a cold sweat. Well, it happened and I worked my way through it. Now I look forward to DIY'ing an RS clutch when my 993 calls for it.

[Don Plumley]

I go through the same mental gymnastics every few weeks. While I really enjoy my '87, at some point it gets loud, bumpy and hot. And at some points I really like it being loud, bumpy and hot. I've always felt the perfect Porsche is two: a 993 and early 70's RS Clone like car. I love the spartan interior look and primitive simplicity of the early cars. I love the fact that in the newer cars, the engine simply runs well and the AC blows cold. I got the '87 as my "first" Porsche. Old enough to be visceral and be able to work on, new enough to run well. I can definitely feel the tugs at both ends of the spectrum - raw and basic versus new and powerful. But in both cases, the Porsche is still the benchmark by which all other cars are measured. And I can drink to that...

[nostatic]

I'm right with you Don. I need a 70-71 E or S (or a T with some tweaks). And any year 993 (S would be nice if someone dies and leaves me more money). And keep the '79 as the perfect "all around car".

[makaio]

It is definatley hard to spread your time between two Porsche's. I drove the SC the other day for an hour, for the first time in three weeks. I imagine it's much like having more than one child. You love them the same but diferently. It fired right up and couldn't wait for it's exercise. I can't wait untill my garage is done so it doesn't have to sleep outside under a cover anymore.

[APKhaos]

The thing that is calling me to the dark side world of the 993 is torque and power. I love my 3.2, and its current setup is perfect for street & track. But every time I instruct in a 993 I'm just blown away by how much grunt they have on tap. Maybe this explains why they pull me in corner exits and straights.

Now, it won't be a stock 993. My dream formula is cup car suspension, 3.8 P&C but retianing the hydraulic lifters. The full house 3.8RS spec is a 70 hour engine - I don't want the annual rebuild burden for the sake of an extra 15HP and slightly stronger top end.

The cup cars are tempting.......but I still recognize that as the call of the dark side.

[Rick Lee]

Do it Tony, do it!!! 993's are getting cheaper every day. Maint. on older Carreras gets more expensive. Get an S and there's not much more you can do to it.

[Doug E]

Richard - I know what you mean about the lure of an older ride ... I've been basking in the good life over the past 5 months of driving the MB to work every day. When I get in the SC for a ride it is like stepping back in time but I love every minute of it.

Tony - stay strong my man! The dark side is tempting but not too long ago you were telling me about the arms race ...

[Jim Richards]

I like the combo of 993 and early 911. The 993 luxury crusier is best for the long rides, godawfulhot days, commuting. The 73E is great for romps in the country, days when AC is not that important, and DE

[billh1963]

Tony, come to the light...we have a/c, speed, comfort, and 6 speeds