Need some advice
 

I have owned an '87 3.2 for about 3 years now but have been thinking about buying a 95 993. I love the 87 and everything about it. It has truly been a great & trouble free car. I know the 993 is still air-cooled and was wondering if it is truly a better car. Is the maintenance more costly? I currently do 90% of the repair / restoration work on the 87. Is there a big ride difference between the torsion bars & the coils on the 993? Is the 3.6 a maint hog vs the 3.2? Thanks for the advise!

Greys

Check out the 993 forum on Rennlist and read this thread.

Valve Guide & Top End - In Your Future ~ The Cheap Man Pays Twice

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=395819&referrerid=27687


After reading it I would concentrate on looking for one that already had a top end overhaul.

Good luck:)

Many guys who trade their 87-89 for a 993 wish they didn't.

There was a thread about this recently where someone was considering changing to a 993. Opinions on that thread varied greatly with many good points, so it would be well worth searching for. I think as regards the subjective side of the decision you would be best off to go and try a 993, of course - you can never get a real impression of what a car is like until you try it. I tried a 996, which is supposedly a "better" car, but after trying it I wouldn't want to change my 3.2 - just personal preference.

I love my 87. It's my second car. I enjoy working on it and taking it out for a drive on the weekends. I have heard that 993s are more difficult to work on by the hobby/home mechanics. I would not switch. If it were my only car and I did not work on it, I might reconsider.

Here is a 993 FAQ website

http://www.993faq.com/

Life is short. If you can afford a 993 and want it then buy it. If later you decide it is not what you want, sell it and buy something else.

Here is a 912/993 real cheap;)

This is a Porsche 993 Carrera widebody conversion. It is a 76 912S frame and has a 2.7 liter rebuilt engine that has under 5000 miles. It is black with black leather interior. Runs great. Serious and in-state inquires only. No financing/payment plans available. More pictures available. Please call Will 336.978.7617

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/car/486722371.html

Looks nice in the photos.

Have you driven one? They are really two distinct cars - The power of the 993 is addicting - the 87 is raw and direct. They are different enough that they could be from two different manufacturers.

The 87 feels like you are going fast at 100. at 100 the 993 feels like it's doing 60 mph and just getting started.

If you asked the same question on a 993 specific board, I suspect you would get completly different answers. I loved my little SC, but the 993 is usable every day of the year. It does eveything better and easier (that should ruffle some feathers). The 993 does have an achilles heal - just like every generation of 911. The worn valve guide problem is about the same or maybe a bit more pronounced than the 3.2 cars. You should drive a 993 for a while before you make a decision.

Ultimately you do need to drive them both, I have a 993 , a '73T and now an '88 930 but until recently it was an '84 Carrera.

I love(d) each of them. They are similar and yet different. You give up certain things but gain others with each. Therefore you need to understand the differences and which set of capabilities mean the most to you...

Listening to other peoples opinions will clue you in on the differences but it's how you perceive them that is the most important thing..

My favorite 911 would have the interior of the 993, the power of the 930, the handling of my old Carrera and the lightness and simplicity of the 73T. Of course you can do mods to move any of these cars towards another's capabilities but I prefer to keep them close to their original interpretation... I usually tell my wife that my favorite one is the one I'm driving at the time..

Good Luck!

If I were to buy a 98' 993, seeing that it was the last year, would I be better off seeing that Porsche had time to address recall issues etc. I would buy one with less than 30k on the odometer. It may cost 50k or so, but it should be worth it as far as reliability, no?

You are looking at the best year for the valve guide problem. The 95 didn't have OBD II so you don't get the dreaded check engine light when the valve guides get worn. If I were buying a 993 (and I would), I'd only get a 95 for that reason.

-Andy

many that bought a 993 are happy that they did;)

Subscribed

Here is an interesting thread

Going from a 993 to an earlier model

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/370526-anyone-downgraded-993-a.html?highlight=jack+point

I'd agree, you have to drive one first.

Even after driving one; I had my 74 911 and couldn't decide? Don't get me wrong.... I wanted the 993 without question. I just wasn't sure I could give up the 911. I've driven my friends 88 911 Coupe tons; even taken it on a Pelican Porsche tour for an entire day; so I Know what his ride is like too.

Everytime I drove the 993 I loved it; but its not the raw power of the 911. Its not the 'classic' feeling. It took me close to two months before deciding to sell the 74 and stay with the 993. If I ever get tired of the 993, I'd go get myself an 88 930; sure. But for now, I'm loving the 993 and I'm sure you will too. I'd define it as a refined classic. A beautiful car to drive.

I'd get a 95 as well. couple only. 95's have all the style and less of the potential huge bill(s).

That said- you will not feel as cool driving a 993- maybe a bit more comfortable though.
styling is different but you will get used to it quikly and it won't affect you that differently than your 3.2 after 6 months-

things costs more on a 993 generally-

i must say that the big impact bumpers aren't that sweet but they have saved me a couple of times too- a nice tap on a 993 and you're looking at insurance claim or 2g's at the body shop-

ALL THAT SAID, 993's are sweet! Go with your heart and your bank account abilities. 3.2's can get costly to run too if things go wrong.

911 rob,

What exactly is a "993 TT"?

I had a '96 993 Tip Coupe but I have never heard of a "TT".......except for a great old 1967 Triumph Bonneville TT two-wheeler that I had years ago....and a piece of machinery I should have kept!!!

Ed C

great car, just double or more whatever you paid for repairs on the '87. clutch job $4K, full service $1200, valve grind $6K, etc.