993 question

[robkep]

What has been the reliability of the 993 series and how does the driving compare to the older car? I've been debating whether to spend some more money on my 82 SC or upgrade to a newer car. What should one look for in a 993 series? Any opinions?

Thanks,
Rob Keplinger

[Mike Feinstein]

Might want to do a search. There's been lots posted on this. Also, try the 964/993 forum. Better yet, check out the 993 forum on Rennlist.

[kilodawg]

I have both a '96 993 and an '84 Carrera.

I haven't had them long but I can make a few comparisons. The 993 is definetly a more comfortable daily driver but still very 911 like compared to a 996.

I honestly love them both and if I had to chose I think my head would just explode. The 993 is fast and has a big footprint so it handles real well. You have to go too fast to feel all the sensations you get in the '84 though. The 993 is simply more of a car. That is it's advantage and disadvantage.

My 993 is just a basic C2, to upgrade to the Euro suspension and add front splitter spoilers and a rear wing is big bucks compared to similar upgrades for an older car so that is a factor you may want to consider as well. I think the looks hold up real well and remind me of the early cars but the '84 still appeals more to me up close.

Acquisition price is another factor. I read here all the time about guys spending in the low to mid 20's for a '87 thru '89 Carrera well I picked up my '96 993 for 25.5 with 66K miles in excellent plus condition and a stellar PPI. Think about the fact that the 993 is almost 10 years newer and is the last of the aircooled 911's it becomes a tough call.

Having said all that it may just come down to how you choose to use it. For a daily driver the 993 would be very hard to beat. For a DIY'er and weekend toy the '84 would seem to be cheaper to maintain and maybe a bit more fun.

I can't tell you much about reliability yet but search the Rennlist site for "bulletproof" and I bet it comes up a lot. On the other hand there have also been numerous threads on premature valve guide wear. All I can really say about this being pretty much non-mechanical still at this point is that my local P-guy, who I trust completely, loves both cars and hasn't seen the valve guide problem suface yet even though he regularly maintains several 993 with around 100K plus miles.

Here are a couple of pics that I post all the time just to show you that both cars present themselves well. Hope this helped a little. All I know is I still can't decide. Now that silver '72 RSR would sure help make my decision a little easier though.

Come to think of it you might just want to ask yourself do you just love Fuchs wheels or are 17 and 18 inch wheels calling out to you. In a weird way it might be just that simple.

[cowtown]

I owned an '88 Targa for 6 years, and now have a '95 993 and a '75 911S. The 993 is simply incredible as a daily driver. It's got the sound and feel of the Carrera without any of the twitchyness or noise. The '88 Carrera may have been a tiny bit more fun for a weekend blast through the mountain twisties, but not by much. The 993 has it all. It's quiet and comfortable enough to drive every day, but it's still got that edgy feel to it. I'm in love with it.

The '96 and onward 993s have OBDII, which monitors buildup in the injection ports in a way that the 1995 models do not. This buildup can cause a check engine light to come on and create problems when you try to smog the car. But you do get a bit more horsepower with the Varioram cars.

I'm in Davis. If you want to check out or take a ride in my '95, shoot me a PM.

[AFJuvat]

Hey Kilodawg,

Those cars look suspiciously familiar.

(Your bumper covers came in the other day)

AFJuvat

[Jascha]

I concur fully with Kilodawg, particularly with the statement:

"...You have to go too fast to feel all the sensations you get in the '84 though..."


I owned an '88 and later a great looking '85 Targa while the 993 ('96) had been in the family for some time. As others have stated, the 993 is quite civilized (much evolved 911). If you like to tinker and want a raw 911 the 84-89 will get in your blood but the price on the 993 should get your attention …

In short, a nice problem to have while the World is still spinning

Happy Holidays,

Jascha

[robkep]

Thanks very much for the input.

As suggested, I did do some searching and found very good information, particularly the recommendation to watch out for valve guide wear. I did go out and test drive a 97 993 coupe. They are quite civilized as you say. The feedback in the steering does not seem to be as precise as what I feel in my 82 SC, which does have some suspension upgrades put in by the great team at TRE a few years ago when I lived in the Los Angeles area. The 993 has quite a bit more torque, though.

There was a 1996 993 there which supposedly had an engine replaced by the dealer with and only had 12000 mi on the engine. When the car was started, it looked like it put out a bit of blue smoke out of the right side exhaust. I know mine can lay out a bit of smoke, particularly if it hasn't been driven for a while, but would that be an indication of excessive valve wear in a recent engine for these newer cars?

My car needs paint and some interior work and I am having a hard time justifiying that investment in it now, which is why I started thinking about an upgrade to a newer car.

Rob

[kilodawg]

Rob one more observation that might be helpful for you. A good buddy of mine just purchased an '89 930 tha was owned by the local P-car repair man.

I got to drive around in her for about an hour yesterday. That car was all the best of the Carrera and the 993 and then some. The price was low '30's. For me, it was the ultimate car and if I had to choose between a Carrera, a 993 or a 930 there would be a very simple answer.