3.2 Carrera -> 993 upgrade -- anyone done it?

[86Carrera]

I have owned a 1986 Carrera coupe for 2 1/2 years and love it but even before I bought it I was lusting after a 993.

Read on Rennlist board about a couple of guys who had the 3.2, bought the 993 and couldn't sell the 3.2. I wouldn't be able to afford both so if I were to get the 993 the 3.2 would have to go.

Has anyone made the switch? Among those of you who got rid of the 3.2 did you have any regrets? I guess that's my main question.

If I got the 993 and then want to go back I dread the long search to find a good 3.2. They are getting more and more scarce. On the other hand there is a good supply of clean 993s right now...

Thanks.

Pete
86 Carrera Coupe

Let me tell that the ONLY reason I have a 3.2 and not a 993 is the insane 180% car tax here in Denmark. What I paid for my 3.2 here would get me a very fine 993 in Germany where they don't have the insane tax. I love my 3.2 and it has many attractive things about it, but the 993 is an overall more desireable car. Just make sure you sell the 3.2 before you fall for a particular 993 for sale. Otherwise you'll need some serious willpower

[Jim T]

Quite a few people in my PCA region have gone from SC/Carreras to 993.

Not one of them has regretted it. None of them would ever go back.

I've driven a few of their 993s, and I think the 993 is a spectacular car. I'd love to have one.

[makaio]

Mikkel, that 180% car tax is disgusting

[orbmedia]

I did it. I went from '85 Carrera to '96 993. I still have both, but I'm planning to sell the '85.

It's not easy, both cars are great 911's. The 993 is all new to me and the '85 is a familiar beast. I don't think I'll be regretting the "upgrade" but there are things from the earlier car that I know I'll miss alot.

The '85 feels more nimble although I know ultimately it doesn't necessarily handle better. The '85 feels faster although I know it's not. It's an overall feeling that you're giving up and something that will be hard to reproduce in the 993. You'll never forget they're siblings but you know they're not twins.

[89911]

The 993 takes great steps forward in many aspects. Unfortunately some of those, like isolation of road feel, come at a price. My brother was looking at M3's a few years ago and despite all the advantages of technology over the older 911's, it still felt isolated. He has since bought an 87 911. When they added power steering was the end for me. The 993 make a great commuter car and would like to have one for street driving. Just doesn't replace my go kart, teeth rattling old school 911.

[86Carrera]

Believe it or not I've never driven a 993. From the various posts my expectation is that the 993 is a more refined, faster 911 but feels less nimble and a tad heavier. Also I've heard that the classic 911 engine sound is more subdued.

Still the 993 is better looking if that's possible (the perfect object?), and the A/C can be used in heavy traffic.

For those of you who have driven both how would you describe the difference in feel between the two?

Thanks.
Pete
86 Carrera

[masraum]

One thing to think about is that you can probably get some of that feel back by modifying the 993. I know of at least one person who has taken a 996 and modified it to get a feel more like the older 911's than the soft new cars. In the process you can actually improve the car. That is if you want to get the old feel.

[KTL]

Drove a 97 C4S

Pete,

You gotta drive one to see if you like it! I'd drive a 993 every day, but I think i'd tire of it for a Sunday drive kinda car (unless modified a little).

I like the look of the 993 somewhat, but like I said in the above link, I like the feel of my 87 better. Hopefully i'll like the feeling of the 87 even more after i'm done with the shocks, torsion bars, bushing and exhaust work this winter/spring.

[orbmedia]

Here are the differences I can tell:

1. The 993 has power steering so it takes getting used to on a 911 at low speed but at high speed it doesn't make much difference anyway.

2. The 993 is quieter both inside the car (more sound padding) and from the exhaust. Both of these are curable by ripping out the padding or swaping the exhaust for something louder. There are several exhaust options for the 993.

3. The 993 feels softer in the chassis although in stock form can out-handle a 911. Here there are alot of options. Since the 993 has coil springs all around it is relatively simple to switch the struts to suit your intended use. You can go for a lowered look, or select springs for street/track dual use or go for a full coil-over setup. There are many options here. You can also go with 18" wheels.

Take a look at the 993 RS model for a view of what you can have. The 993 RS is a really hot car reminiscent of the 2.7 RS in many ways.

[MIK911]

"go kart, teeth rattling, old school 911."

well said, 89911!!

MIK '86 coupe