Buying a 993

[limble]

Well, my wife says we need to replace the SC. Too many miles on the old buggy.
So I have all winter to do my homework.

This will be my third Porsche so I know the basics.
What books would you 993 guys suggest that give the most information on 993?
I'll stay within the Carrera line.

Just in the outside chance there is one out there. I want a Black/black or red/black or almost any color except silver or white.
We all have our little quirks!
I know silver or white cars are easier to sell but I tend to keep cars for a very long time.

[Oh Haha]

Check out the one cboyd has for sale in Chicago. It's already set up for the track. If I had the dough, it would be mine.
1996 993 Tip Coupe Guards Red - original owner FS Chicago

[livi]

I think both 'Excellence' and one of the British Porsche mags had a buying guide on the 993 in the November issue.

BTW, I like the grim honesty: ...'the wife says...' I can relate.

[kevin993]

I love my 993 (97 black/marble cab). There are enough resources on the web that you should be able to find what you need. Rennlist has a very active 993 section as well. There are a variety of issues to be aware of OBDII, CEL, etc. Good luck with your search.

[ianc]

Well, my wife says we need to replace the SC.

Wait wait waitaminit. There's a problem right here. Program exited. Begin again with better data...

ianc

[limble]

Originally posted by kevin993
I love my 993 (97 black/marble cab). There are enough resources on the web that you should be able to find what you need. Rennlist has a very active 993 section as well. There are a variety of issues to be aware of OBDII, CEL, etc. Good luck with your search.

kevin993 and others,
OBDII, CEL, etc. ? This is the information I need.
I know every model has issues I need to know what they are.

livi,
When she said that I almost wet myself. She's a car gal so I'm getting used to it. BMW's are her cars of choice. A little more civilized I guess. In all honesty an M3 would be my second choice behind any 911.

[Paul K]

As mentioned earlier, both the UK magazine '911 & Porsche World' and 'Excellence' from the US had 993 buyers guides in their November issues. I'll mail you my copies if you PM me your address...I'd like them back eventually...

Cheers,

Paul.

[Don Plumley]

On the 964/933 forum there is a sticky on the CEL, and volumes of info on Rennlist. In a nutshell, 993's have a secondary air injection (SAI) system to blow air into the exhaust during startup to reduce emissions. These passages have become problematic for some owners - becoming clogged and then throwing a CEL. If you live in a smog testing state, this CEL is an immediate fail. 95's suffer this problem too, but their OBDI computer does not log it.

The clogged passages do not impact anything other than smog testing. The definitive fix is a top end rebuild (spendy). Some have success with a flushing procedure forcing fluid/chemicals down the passages under pressure.

Many times, the CEL is about the check valve failing or other non-passage related problem, which has enrichened more than a few less than honest mechanics. The problem is acerbated by valve guide wear. So a thorough PPI is called for.

Cars from hot climates, driven in stop and go traffic with few trips to the red line seem (un-scientific) to be more suspect. I'd replace the check valve as a preventative at 30K intervals. As with all Porsches, the better documented the routine maintenance, the better.

Check out www.p-car.com for a great DIY section as well.

Stock shocks suck in a big way, you should replace with M030 or better suspension immediately if not done by the PO. They are wonderful cars - go find one! (the ones listed on Rennlist tend to be nice examples)

Don