1995 993 vs 1996 993

[daloff]

All things being equal, mileage,condition etc. What are the advantages of one over the other. I have notice that 1996 seem to sell quite a bit higher, of course 1997 even more. I was looking for a Cab.

Thanks
David

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by daloff

All things being equal, mileage,condition etc. What are the advantages of one over the other. I have notice that 1996 seem to sell quite a bit higher, of course 1997 even more. I was looking for a Cab.

Thanks
David

Try a forum search on the Rennlist 993 board. The topic gets a lot of discussion. It basically boils down to the fact that '96's produce 12 or so addtl' HP through the varioram system. Many people can't tell the difference in pull vs. a '95. However, '95's are much easier to chip and that will negate the HP gain of the varioram.

On the other hand '96's have the OBDII system which in many cars can trigger a check engine light due to carbon buildup in the SAI ports. Doesn't affect drivability one bit but you won't pass emissions in many (most?) states if the check engine light is on. The primary solution is an $8,000 top end although some have claimed that flushing the ports works.

[racer]

'96 was rated at 282hp... '95 at 270. IIRC, 95's had some rear suspension geometry that made making and leeping alignments difficult. Later cars were corrected. Early cars can be retrofitted. If you aren't tracking the car, you will never notice.

[jtkkz]

varioram

95 does not have it
96-98 have varioram motors

[kilodawg]

I have a '96 it would be great to get rid of that whole drive block nightmare....

[aigel]

The varioram adds a lot of torque down low - the added horspower is not the main advantage here. It makes for nice around town driving and decent grunt at 3000 rpm. The advice of buying the newest porsche you can afford also may play into this. Another difference is the basket handle on the 95, which went away in 96. Of course, that along with all the other little differences is easily changed. I was shopping 91-98 and you just end up buying the best car you can find in your range.

George

[techweenie]

I owned a '95 and '97 and the horsepower difference was not apparent.

As has been stated above, the 'secondary air' problem with the '96-98 is not trivial. In addition, the '95 can be 'chipped' while the later cars require an ECU main board replacement.

[aigel]

There are piggy back chips for the 97 at least.

George