Drove a 993 today, have some Qs

[86Carrera]

993 prices have come down considerably and there are several nice ones for sale. I'm thinking now may be a good time to buy before the economy picks up and good ones become scarce.

I saw my first 993 today and it was exactly as described. I never buy the first car I see and this one, although immaculate, has more mileage than I'd like. I also wasn't crazy about the wheels.

For the most part the 993 lived up to my expectations -- smoother, quieter, more torque than my '86 3.2 Carrera. Here are my observations and some questions for those of you familiar with the 993.

When the owner started up the car to back it out of the garage two big puffs of smoke came out of the exhaust tips. Color was white and gray and after a couple of seconds it stopped. There was quite a bit.

I heard about the squeaky windshields but this was more of a constant creaking sound, loud and all over the place.

This was the first time to drive a G50 911 since buying my 3.2 with 915. The clutch felt very heavy, I was expecting lighter action because it's hydraulic. The shifter required much less effort than with my 915 but the throws weren't much shorter. When it goes into gear the connection isn't as positive

Another observation was that the power steering felt heavier than my car except at very low speeds.

Trunk was a bit smaller.

I sure love the way it looked (white with gray interior) and the A/C actually worked!

Here are my questions:

Is the white and gray smoke at start-up normal on the 993s? Many 3.2s have a puff of blue smoke at start-up but this color was different.

Is that what the windshield squeak sounds like (like a creaking sound all over the interior)? I was expecting something quieter and more localized. The owner said it goes a way after the car warms up and it did seem to subside somewhat during the test drive.

Is a 993 clutch supposed to feel heavier than a 3.2 with 915? My clutch is about 2 years old and the one in the 993 was replaced recently so they’re both fairly new. Are there short shift kits for the 993 that don’t hurt the transmission?

Are there any “issues” with the 993? I thought there were none but I read a few days ago about some requiring early top end rebuilds.

Has anyone made the switch from 3.2 to 993 are regretted it?

Thanks!
Pete
86 Carrera Coupe

[Emission]

Do you think the white/gray 'smoke' could have been condensation/steam at start-up?

[Two Oh]

Pete, Before most of us can answer you, you might want to let us know the year and mileage of the 993.
Regards.......

[86Carrera]

Sorry guys it was a 97 Carrera 2 with 50K miles. The smoke wasn't condensation, there was too much but it didn't look blue.

[john_colasante]

A little puff of oil smoke is normal, the windshield creak should be isolated to just the dash area, and the clutch should be very light and easy to press.

[Jim Richards]

Hi Pete,

My 993 puffs like you described on start-up, typically when it hasn't been driven for a while. The typical creaking windshield and rear window can be solved by spraying Pedro's Ice Wax between the glass and the seals. My clutch doesn't feel real heavy but it doesn't feel significantly lighter than a 915 clutch. The early 1995 993's have the potential for an engine wiring harness failure due to substandard insulation. If you're looking at a '95 and it has the "basket handle" 3rd light, ask the seller if the wiring harness has been replaced. If so, it's a plus. If not (like in my case), just have it inspected as part of the PPI and watch out for any electrical anomalies, a sure sign of trouble to come. I'm not sure about '96-on 993 issues, but it would be prudent to check the 993 board on rennlist. I hope this helps. Good hunting!

[Type911]

Pete,

Check out Robin Sun's website devoted to the 993, it is a great source of info. for any 993 owner or prospective buyer.

http://www.p-car.com/


good luck,
Chris

[nostatic]

If the clutch pedal felt really heavy, odds are it either needs a new clutch, or there is something wonky (technical term) with the system. The pedal on a 993 with a good clutch won't feel as light as a japanese car, but it should be smooth and not heavy. Drive a few more 993s to get a feel. I remember the first 993 I ever drove had a terrible clutch feel. The next one was like buttah...

[Type911]

These cars have had issues with clutch slave cylinders, could be a possibility. A PPI with a trained 993 specialist should pin-point the problem.

[1Gunner]

I traded my 87 911 Cab on a 24K mile 97 993 Cab about 1 month ago. Yes, I had a period of adjustment to deal with, but given what the 993 represents and it's potential to hold value, as did my 87 Cab, I do not regret my decision one bit.

It's much faster, smoother and quieter (something I will rectify very soon ). The 10 years of refinement are quite easy to appreciate.

I have a couple of beefs though, and it's returning to the dealership today for what I hope is a fix..... Convertable Top creaks and groans when it's up and secured while driving. The clutch has a heavy mushy feel that my 87 G50 tranny never had.