996 vs. 993.....which to buy?

[jbripps]

Hi all,

Well....i think i'm going to venture into grabbing a newer car. I have a potential buyer for my current '85, and want to get into something a bit newer, since I plan on driving it way more often.....with the exception of snow of course.

Anyhow, I've been eyeing 996's for a year or so, and i know I can pick up a 2000 for approx 35K, one with 40K miles.

BUT, it seems that the 993's have dropped a bit recently, whereby I can grab a '96 with a lil higher mileage for about the same price.

While I prefer the look and heritage of the aircooled, I want the best bang for the buck....this car will not be a a garage queen...i plan on driving driving driving it. I also will track it here and now....and it's more safe for the lil ones in the back....shoulder restraints,,,,etc.

Just wanted to see your thoughts. Thanks so much. Let the debate begin.

Best,

Originally posted by jbripps
I want the best bang for the buck....

996

[RallyJon]

My thoughts: The 993 was the object of lust, so tough to judge. However, I was (and am) totally prepared to go for a 996 daily driver. It would have to be very sound, preferably under some sort of extended warranty, etc. And not have any of the "disposable car" issues that plague 996s. And be cheap. Cheap enough to ignore the stigma.

Tough one.

I ended up buying a 993, where I can lavish maintenance and upgrades on it without the feeling that I'm flushing money down a bottomless pit of budget cutting and planned obsolescence. It's so pretty. And like a girlfriend you're gaga over, a 993 makes you forget that it's just a bit inferior in every measurable way.

[Staylo]

quote:
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Originally posted by jbripps
I want the best bang for the buck....
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Originally posted by Mark Wilson
996

yep.

[Nine9six]

I think it depends on what you want in your next car.
Its been said many times over, that the 993, although much improved over your 85, still maintains some of that raw driving experience that some Porsche owners lust after and can't do without.

The 996 is more of a refined road car.
Do a search on the title of your thread. Its been discussed in length more than a few times over.

Good luck in your selection.

[84porsche]

The 996 is an amazing piece of machinery. I have driven both on short little test drives and for best bang for the buck, the 996 is the way to go in my opinion. I would get a 993 if money was not an object and it would probably be the 993 turbo.

[mshriner]

993 C4S. Because it's special. Value will be higher than the 996 throughout its life as the last of the aircooled. 996 was too slab sided for my personal taste. With the exception of the GT3 that I would give my left nut for....However, the 996 does outperform it in every way. I still love the shape better....now the 997 or the Cayman S.....That's another story.

[wreckah]

best bang for the buck is more than likely the 996,

but,

you're buying a porsche, and most of us do it with the heart...i'd go for the 993 personally

either way, you're going to have a great car!

[wolf]

depends if you want cupholders...

[911teo]

Best bang for the buck right now is a 996.
The tricky part is what happens in 2yr when you put 25k miles on it and you want to resell....

So a 993 with 40-50k miles is $35k. A 993 with 60-70k miles is $31-32k.

A 996 with with 40-50k miles is $35k. A 996 with 70-80k miles is $27-28k.

The performance difference between the 2 is small. The big deal is how much "easier" is to live with the 996 as a daily driver.

I was in the same spot 1 year ago... I drove them back to back... There is no 996 in my garage

[Zef]

If you like the Japanees look of the 996...go for it......If you prefer a Porsche look...go with the 993...!

[TerryBPP]

I have been weighing the 2 options this week as well. I prefer the look and the 3.6 in the 993. But its hard to beat buying a 50k mile 996 for around $30k. A decent 993 w/70k miles is going for the same price or more.

I'm told to watch out for real main seal leaks on 99' 996s. Other than that they appear to be super reliable.

[mshriner]

Does resale matter to you? As others have mentioned your 3-5 year cost of ownership may be less because the depreciation is much less on a 993.

[911teo]

996s are great cars. Post 2001 are even better. They make for a great 1st Porsche.

And not everybody knows the diff between an 996 and 993.

When I talk about my car and refer to it as a 993 most people reply with a puzzled look that they thought I was driving a 911....

[Drdogface]

Originally posted by zefsuper911
If you like the Japanees look of the 996...go for it......If you prefer a Porsche look...go with the 993...!

Well said....+1

[911teo]

I think the 996 C4S looks great!

[the]

No car that you don't really WANT is a good bang for the buck.

[01sport]

How long do you keep your cars? If you keep you cars for 10 or 20 years buy the 993. IMHO it will be a valuable classic. If you keep you cars for 3 or 4 years get the 996 then upgrade to 997 (IMHO the best looking Porsche ever) ASAP. Personally I would not sell my 87 to get into a 993 or 996. I'm holding out for the 997S.

[jkarolyi]

01 Sport above asks the best question regarding your choice.

As the 996 get to be 10-15 years old, I predict they will bottom out around $10,000 for a well-maintained example in excellent condition, much like a 928S4 does today. The 996 is more like a continuation of the 928 as a high performance luxury sports coupe than a successor to the raw and rowdy air-cooled 911.

It was designed by marketers using 911 styling elements so it would be a sales success, which it undeniably was. It was engineered to be cheap to build, taking less than 50% of the man hours to build as a 1989 911. While we know that this has done wonders for Porsche's bottom line, I think the bean counters had a little too much influence in the 996. If you doubt me, check out the 996's Ford Taurus-like interior.

While the 996 is an awesome vehicle, and I would love to own one that was still under warranty, they were not designed for longevity the way the air-cooled cars were. The engine blocks, for example, are considered disposable items and are not rebuilt. Many have failed before reaching the five year mark, unheard of in the air-cooled cars. They offer very tempting performance for the money though...

[TOO RUF]

Maintenance may be a concern. 996 Clutch $1500 or less, 993 Clutch $3,000~, 996 New Engine $7,500, 993 Valve job $7500.
My local Mechanic convinced me to go newer for ease of service and less problems with the 996.