993 vs996

[jk12]

need to make a choice between the 2 cars found 95 993 and 99 996 pros cons from people who have had both thanks

[efhughes3]

The rear main seal is a DEFINITE issue with 996's. They all have their Achilles' heel, but this one is a biggy. Search as many forums as you can, you'll find a lot of opinions/experience on both.

[Superman]

No contest whatsoever. 993 was the last of the air cooled German sports cars. Before they became ugly posers. It so happens that the 993 body style is also one of the most beautiful Porsche ever made.

[Jandrews]

I with Super on this, but I have a question.

Which one is faster around a track? Assuming same driver, stock specs, etc... i.e. apples to apples comparison.


JA

[Bill Verburg]

Originally posted by efhughes3
The rear main seal is a DEFINITE issue with 996's. They all have their Achilles' heel, but this one is a biggy. Search as many forums as you can, you'll find a lot of opinions/experience on both.

agree 100%

also the OBD2 cars are not going to be keepers, JMHO

[JP911]

It depends on what you want to use it for and where your tastes lie. I've driven both and I would, without hesitation, choose the 993; for the feel, the sound, the connection to the lineage, etc. Even sitting in both you feel a distinct difference. The 993 feels unique and "purpose-built" as a track and road car, while the 996 has more luxury to it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if that's what you're looking for. All that said, the 996 is still a great car and better than 90% of what you can buy today.

[efhughes3]

We were over at RUF here in Dallas a couple of weeks ago, and Mark Wilson asked the partner/head of service Hans about 996's in general. The rule of thumb, he said, was he'd be really concerned about RMS issues on 996s. Particularly early ones. 1999 is about as early as you can get on that one.

[ddann]

The 996 interior is the ugly.

[GrantG]

I bought a brand new 2002 996 (first time I ever had a new car), kept it 10 mos. and sold if for a 993 (cost half my used sale price of the 996). I preferred the 993 even if they cost the same. Much more tossable (smaller), much better materials and build quality (996 rattled alot), better sound, longevity, and beautiful!

BTW, the 99 996's are the worst of the lot - lots of teething problems...

[kevin993]

Going by asthetics alone, the 993 has a more hearty following among p-car fans (IMHO). That can't hurt resale. I have a 1997 993 and still get a kick out of looking back at the rear fender flares in the side mirror. I believe that the 95 993 in particular also avoids some of the OBDII issues. There is also something about the air cooled engine sound that is tough to beat. The 996 doesn't have the curves and doesn't have the great engine note. Lots of resources in these forums with some searching...

[m325ix]

no contest, 993 wins!

I'm in awe of my new 97 C4S. Still has some of the character of my just sold SC. I was looking at the 996, but as Ed wrote, the RMS and catastrophic engine failures were a concern. 993 is better looking too.

[GIBSON]

With the 996 you do have to factor in the RMS issue, it's a design issue, there are updated seals but it seems nobody knows if this is a long term fix. Early cars are certainly more prone.
With 993's, the main issues are valve guides and the air injection system. The valve guides are an issue in all years of the cars, they do seem to be wearing prematurely and the air injection system is mostly an obd-II problem though it may exist just as often in 1995 cars, there is just no check engine light for the system in obd-I. So, many people buy the 1995 cars for the obd-I system and the ease of chip tuning the car. The '96 and later cars cannot be chipped as easily but do have more h.p. in the varioram system.
I chose the 993 because I like the air cooled cars and could never feel comfortable with the interior of the 996. They are great drivers, however. Tough call, I'd go 993.

[jk12]

thanks for the info this does make it a easier to make a decision