[kilodawg]

blau,

I find your post somewhat interesting coming from an early 911 guy. An early 911 guy should see the 993 as the ultimate evolution of the early car. Now I have often heard comments like it's too heavy, too refined, not as raw as earlier models (even though it's quicker and more powerful). In affect too far from the early car.

I've never heard an early car guy say that the interior looked late 80's-ish. In fact older than it actually was. If anything, the familiarity and refinement of the layout are the final step in the evolution of the early 911 interior.

The break between the 993 and the 996 was major. Water-cooled engines and a total departure from the original interior layout are just the obvious ones that come to mind.

Also, the engines on 996's were far less expensive to manufacture than the 993 I'm told. In fact I've seen them referred to as "disposable" depending on the problem. Porsche would just as soon replace the entire motor than fix the specific problem. Also, no more dry sump (with the exception of the turbo's and GT-3's).

In fact history has shown that Porsche strayed a bit too far from the path with the 996 in it's styling and design. They have about admitted as much with the 997 and it's return to standard oval headlights and a shape more reminiscent and evolutionarily linked to the 993.

So the 996 stands out between these two superior bookends of 911 design which is IMHO a large part why you are beginning to see the early 996's drop in price relative to the 993's. In a few years I firmly believe most any 97 or 98 993 should be worth more than a 99-01 996 in equal condition and will forever remain that way.

I also don't get your comment about the 996 as a family car for small kids compared to a 993 I assume?

Personally, I would always prefer a 993 over a 996 precisely because I'm an early car guy.

Now don't get me wrong I would always rather have a Porsche than another car but for an early car guy to view it from your perspective I find a bit strange..