993 Possible purchase, need advice

Hans H · Hans H's Garage

Hi everyone,

So I am not a Porsche expert but learning...there is a lot to know.

I am writing to get some advice on a car that recently became available to me. It is a 1996 c4 911 manual coupe w/ about 92,000 miles, original as far as I know. The color is an odd teal green like color, not sure of the official name (sorry I don't have any pics). It's in very nice shape cosmetically, garage keep as a weekend cruiser, one owner I believe. Seems to run well,
Shift smooth with no smoke or obviousness issues. I will get a reputable PPI if the price is right according to your feedback.

So that is where I need some help. As I understand it this is the last air cooled 911 model and from what I can tell in my hasty research it's becoming rather valuable as a collectors car.

I think the value is in the 35 to 55k range maybe even higher? I have a chance to get the car for closer to 25k, is this price low enough to pull the trigger. I plan to keep the car and add it to my garage however it does need to make financial sense as an investment or I'll never convince the wife......

Any advice is appreciated, please be honest, if there is any risk (assuming the car is clean and PPI is positive) please speak up.

Thanks,
Hans

R K T · 04:28 PM

25K would be stealing it....even if it needs some tlc! 993s are an appreciating asset!

I've had four 993s and regret selling the last one. Actually all of them.

Pelican is the best for advice on early to mid year 911s, but for 993s you need to go over to rennlist 993 forum.

My advice.......BUY IT

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

You're asking the forum if it's worth while to buy the car because you need to justify it to the wife as an investment?

IMO, leave it for someone that's going to appreciate the car for what it is, drive the piss out of it, enjoy it and live life with it as if it was their twenty something year old mistress.

If you want to "invest" 25k then buy stock, your wife will probably approve of that more.

vintage guy · 07-29-2014, 04:56 PM

Agree that $25K would be a very good deal if there are no big issues but even with a good PPI, buying it will not be risk free.

Try to get an honest idea of oil consumption to determine how close you are to needing a top end rebuild. If emission testing is important, do a search of the SAI (secondary air injection) problem that will throw a "check engine" fault code.

Also have the car checked by an independent shop that knows air cooled Porsches, not a dealer.

msort81 · 07-29-2014, 05:07 PM

It's a steal, but you have to ask yourself why ? If you think you will make money then that depends on how long you keep it and what it's needs are. If you go into it you're eyes open and accept that a 100k mile car will have some possibly major needs, and you can DIY you might come out ahead.

If you really want an investment buy property.

313green · 07-29-2014, 05:33 PM

Just picked up a 97 c2s. A C4 around $30 is good buy but my research shows a big price gap in <50k mile cars vs >50k cars. High miles aren't bad if it's been maintained. Make sure you get a leak down and check out service records.

313green · 07-29-2014, 05:38 PM

Btw, nice looking 993 in for sale forum. Low miles.

Rodsrsr · Rodsrsr's Garage

I dont think 993's are aging very well at all. In fact I dont like the way they look anymore. That said, 25k is still a good deal on a great car. Its just not a classic 911 thats all.

spb350 · spb350's Garage

What I do every time I'm looking to buy a car of any make or model is to check Ebay completed listings. Not what they were listed for and not always what they were bid to and didn't sell because there is a lot of fake bidding that goes on. The completed items are what the cars actually sold for. Some people like Ebay, some don't but the fact is it has a world wide audience and represents the current market values. There are some variables that will also affect the Ebay prices such location, shipping costs, colors and of course condition. I think as the others, all the 911/993's are going up in value but a bad engine or a blown transmission will hurt big time, if you are buying it to drive and enjoy go for it, that is a good price.

Cooper911SC · 07-29-2014, 09:38 PM

You will be doing fine at $25K.

Couple of data points:
The color is likely Aventurine Green

Our '95 went 178k miles before a top end rebuild.

Do worry some about the Secondary Air Injection (SAI) ports getting coked up at some point and requiring attention. (Cleaning in situ ~ $2k or top end ~ $8k) Can cause check engine light and smog failure.

Drive and enjoy the car!

Our '95 just rolled 221k miles!!

Cooper