Why build this car?? A real one is probably cheaper

[Hetmann]

To each his own, but after all that work apparently he didn't like it well enough to want to keep it.

[sand_man]

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
What's the fun in "just buying a 993"? As I said in my book, for the money I spent on my gold-plated SC, I could have bought a brand-new 911. Would have taken me an hour to drive to Nanuet and back, give it an hour at the dealership doing the paperwork...two hours and I'm done. Instead, I had two _years_ of pleasure (and education) getting upside down on a very powerful, fast and fun quarter-century-old car.

Because in this case, that's what would have made sense. I'm not familiar with your book or your car, but did you attempt to make your SC look like a "new(er)" model down to some serious minutia? If you did, well then, yeah, maybe you shoulda' just bought the new car. Adding HP and other bits and pieces is a little different. This car has been transformed. This person actually took a 930 and attempted to painstakingly transform it into a real deal 993TT down to some very serious details. And in my opinion it falls short in that it misses the the real "meat and taters": the TT mechanicals!

As others have already said...to each his own.

[AvonGil]

Originally posted by Noah
What?

Are you saying that the 993 suspension design is inferior to the torsion bar suspension that was designed almost 45 years ago?

And how do you know that "most people" prefer torsion bar suspensions over modern multi-link and coilover suspensions? Did you do a poll or something?

There are quite a few people that prefer the pre 993 suspension setup. They claim they are much more predictable at 8/10+

To each his own, but there are plenty of people out there that would claim this car has the best of every year. 993 body and interior, 911 suspension, single turbo, G50 trans. More modern aerodynamics with arguably easier to maintain and play with suspension and drive train.

You can verify this by going here, a few people have posted about the 993 twitchyness issue with the stock suspension:

If any ...what are the 993's biggest short-comings?

[Pete000]

HOW IN THE HECK DOES THAT THING PASS SMOG HERE IN LA???

[sfoster13]

How is it that none of the California Pelicans know this car?

[onefstm]

I read this ad a few night ago and seem to remember that the seller posted the reason for building the car...

10 year ago, when the 993 tt was first introduced he wanted one but could not afford the $100k + price tag and also mentioned that most dealers were on a waiting list.

Based on his desire for the car, he set out to build one for himself with a budget of $50k. He did say that he went over budget.

At the time, I would say that his approx $50k investment would have been a bargain for the then $100k 993tt. In 97 or 98 would a "real" 993tt be worth twice as much?

Also, I will have to say that some people enjoy the project more than driving the finished product. I have many friends that fall into this camp.

[limble]

That's nothin' I once heard of a 1973 911S 2.4 that would do 165 MPH.
Does that guy live in Malibu? How come no one has challenged him to prove his claims at Willow?

[onefstm]

As a new owner of a 993 with many suspension mods, I will have to say that my old 2500lb Carerra with Bilstein Sports was more confidence inspiring on the back roads.

Dont get me wrong, I absolutely love the 993 but it will take some getting used to. I can see why some people prefer the older lighter cars with torsion bars.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Ultimately, you know what? It's none of our friggin' business. The man can do whatever he wants and sell it for $1.98 or ask $2 million for it. There are people who engrave The Last Supper on gunstocks and people who build 1:24 models of Bugattis with 60,000 parts, people who carve full-size Learjets out of oak and people who build VW Beetles from pig iron. I admire them all.

[htron435]

Thank you, Formally Steve. I feel that on some level that I am understood. Did I mention that I'm currently building a lifesize replica of the Washington Monument out orange-flavored TUMS in my living room?

[Gogar]

As said above, sometimes it's more about the journey than the destination.

[msterling]

Beautiful car!

But... 15346 words to describe it is CRAZY. Not to mention the 91 annotated photos (with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back?)

I know many of us on the forum are kinda crazy about our rear engined cars but this guy is Bozo the Clown, Barkin' at the Moon nutto.

Fair warning: If you tried to buy this car from this guy your life would expire as explained all the details to you.

P.S. No, I didn't read the whole thing.

[AvonGil]

Thats how you sell a car on ebay. This will go for top dollar. Why so many complaints? Looks like a great project and a superb auction. I'm sure a prospective buyer is going to read every last work of this auction.

[defcon65]

Originally posted by htron435
Thank you, Formally Steve. I feel that on some level that I am understood. Did I mention that I'm currently building a lifesize replica of the Washington Monument out orange-flavored TUMS in my living room?

Thank you for that. I always wanted to know what a chewed bite of egg mcmuffin would look like on my computer screen.

Regards,

[Kemo]

I think I would really feel bad thrashing a real Turbo 993 since those cars will most likely be super sought after as the years wear on. Seems like you could pick up this 993 repli-turbo and beat the crap out of it and when you are done, clean it up and post the same ad from ebay. Who knows, the 993 Turbo might be "the next big thing" in clones as the numbers dwindle. So how much would a 73 RSR clone be worth right now if it were built back in 73 on a T-Tub? Probably about the same as if it were built last year, I imagine... especially if it were built with as much attention to detail as this one for sale. Plus, in some states like Texas, I think an 80' is smog exempt.

If I had the money, I would have a 993TT and a real RS in the garage. Since I dont have the money, Ill probably end up with a 964 driver and an RSR Clone to occupy my time

Perhaps this guy is a real craftsman with more time than money with the ability to source parts from heavy footed drivers. Not a bad thing. If he had built this car up under the eyes of this forum, posting everyday his progress, he might be considered a hero with no less than 20 people attesting to the quality of the build. I've seen people go way out on a limb going places no man has gone before with projects, right here on this site.

Quite honestly, I salute the guy. I just hope he posts his next project here on the board. Its projects like his that keep me coming back on a daily basis.

[2002M3Drew]

From a pure practical standpoint, that car is currently going for $35,000...assumig it sells for close to that, it's a bargain for someone. I mean, probably at least 60% of Porsche buyers are buying for the looks of the car, to drive it around town, out to dinner, to the club, etc...not around a racetrack. For that purpose, this is all those owners would need, and then some. Heck, it may even be better having an older chassis with all of the great feel and reflexes married to that gorgeous 993TT body and interior. A real TT like this, in this kind of shape, is easily a $60,000 car.

On the note of "the journey," I agree with Mr. Wilkinson. Loved reading, "The Gold Plated Porsche!" Nice to see celebrities reading these boards!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Ohmygod...Steve Weiner's "a celebrity," I'm just a writer.

[AvonGil]

Some might even argue that this is a better track car. Call me crazy, I like it.

[PatrickB]

Take it for what it is...

For $35k, it might make a "fun" track car?
Coil over suspension, big wheels.... wait... HUGE wheels, early 930 Euro motor with low miles, G50 tranny, big reds, 993 oil cooler... What does a half way decent early 930 go for anyway?

Often the best deals to be found, are buying someone else's finished project that they could NEVER get all the money they put into it... Me thinks this car would be mucho fun to tear around in on Open Track Days at Willow!!

[niner11]

Hey, how much is a similar, I mean real 993 turbo worth these days? Two entirely different cars, the real and the imposter but I'd take the ebay one for 23 ish. Is that a fair value?