993 vs 996 prices?

[FenderGuy]

Its been a while since I've been on the forum but researching 993 prices I came across 996's that where around $10k lower than the 993's. I am blown away how low a 2001 996 was going for. While I don't mind the shape or interior of the 996, and knowing the issues they have if not maintained to Porsche standards, is the 996 like the 2.7S of the 70s era? I am really tempted to pick one up.

[WPOZZZ]

Yes, the 996 is the red headed stepchild like the midyear cars. The motors have been lambasted and probably blown out of proportion. I had one and they were great cars as the handling, power and ac was awesome! If you can get a good one that has been maintained and had the IMS and RMS updated, go for it! The looks are okay, but the addition of the OEM aerokit helps it alot!

[flskala]

you get what you pay for....

[89911]

It's an ugly descendant of what was a classic car shape. With each new model of the 911, they keep commenting on how they are trying to get back to what was the original look of the car, and in my eyes, mostly failing. The 996 (or front half of a Boxster) had body panels that would rival a Camry for sexiness. So if your looking for why the resale rates on this car is so low, this is the biggest reason for me. And if its just for performance, their are at least a half dozen non Porsche cars that can be had for much less.

[dondarnell]

I had a 993 in about 2005 and drove a used 2001. It was a lot of fun. And the interior was better.

[dondarnell]

What 89911 says rings true. The 993 just looks better, a lot better. But the variorum 993 motors have their expensive issues too.

Been thinking about adding a modern 911 to the garage. For me, I would get at least a 2005, just because of the front end treatment.

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Yes, the 996 is the red headed stepchild like the midyear cars. The motors have been lambasted and probably blown out of proportion. I had one and they were great cars as the handling, power and ac was awesome! If you can get a good one that has been maintained and had the IMS and RMS updated, go for it! The looks are okay, but the addition of the OEM aerokit helps it alot!

+1

Best value on the market today, but has bad rep. If the work has been done, and it's been well maintained and you're looking for a deal, 996's are it.

Not a big fan of the look myself....

[Jerome74911S]

Ideas about looks are entirely subjective, for either car.

Someone I know well just bought a 996 that had the IMS and RMS preemptively updated. A great price for a lot of fun and comfort.

[ChemMan]

If you deal with the IMS and RMS beforehand, the 996 is a great Porsche. I prefer the 2002+ with the extra 20hp. Very comfortable for daily use i.e. driving to work etc. Heat is excellent, a/c as well. Performance is up to par as well. My 996 was solid in the two years I owned it. Dependable and easy to do the maintenance.

[FenderGuy]

Originally Posted by ChemMan

If you deal with the IMS and RMS beforehand, the 996 is a great Porsche. I prefer the 2002+ with the extra 20hp. Very comfortable for daily use i.e. driving to work etc. Heat is excellent, a/c as well. Performance is up to par as well. My 996 was solid in the two years I owned it. Dependable and easy to do the maintenance.

You pretty much summed what I was thinking and what I am going to get....

[Staylo]

What Mike said.
We have had ours for 7 years now and it's been just about the most reliable car I've ever owned. Address the known issues, keep up with maintenance and it's the best used car value on the market.
Like any other Porsche, shop carefully and get a PPI from a shop that knows them (996) well.

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by 89911

The 996 (or front half of a Boxster) had body panels that would rival a Camry for sexiness. .

This looks like a Camry to you?

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy

Its been a while since I've been on the forum but researching 993 prices I came across 996's that where around $10k lower than the 993's. I am blown away how low a 2001 996 was going for. While I don't mind the shape or interior of the 996, and knowing the issues they have if not maintained to Porsche standards, is the 996 like the 2.7S of the 70s era? I am really tempted to pick one up.

What prices are you seeing for 993s and 996s ?

[geshaghi]

I've owned my 1999 996 since 2001 and have put 100,000 miles on the car. I did the clutch at 95,000 miles and did the IMS upgrade while I was in there. The 996 is much maligned, and in my opinion the issues are overblown. Everyone has heard about someone else that has had a catastrophic failure, but I have never actually met a 996 owner who has experienced an IMS problem. The OBDII 993's are notorious for CEL issues that require top end rebuilds. Like all Porsches, 996's are sophisticated pieces of machinery that require care and maintenance. Buy a good 996 and you will enjoy many trouble free years of motoring, buy a bad one and you will be happier driving a Camry. But the same can be said about a 993 too. A good 996 is probably one of the best sports car values on the market today. I own a 1995 993 cab and have several other air-cooled Porsches, lest anyone accuse me of an H20 bias.

[livi]

Brilliant cars. I would love to have one as a daily driver.

[Bill Douglas]

That's a nice looking one Pushy. The script and the wheels seem to make it something special.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

That's a nice looking one Pushy.

+1 Slab sides can be muted with some add-ons.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

+1 Slab sides can be muted with some add-ons.

True, visually remove the blue accents and you can kind of see the Camry coming out.

I hate driving my slab sided Camry/half a Boxster every day. Some days I can't believe that I spent $20K for a really clean, low mile, upgraded, 174 MPH, sub 5 second 0 - 60 yota. What the hell was I thinking?

[Reiver]

That looks pretty nice Mark, in that color.