Value opinions - high mileage 993 C4S

[geshaghi]

I'm looking at a 1997 993 C4S with about 150,000 miles. Estate sale, so minimal records but runs well. Good cosmetic condition, and I have a good idea of what it needs to be brought up to snuff. I mostly deal with older cars that have 5-digit odometers and where condition, rather than mileage, has the largest impact on value. What kind of penalty does a car like this have for the high mileage in today's market?

[Matt Monson]

They are so bulletproof that the mileage won't matter much. On an air cooled car of that era I consider it just broken-in.

[Macroni]

+1 to what Matt said.... this is not to say the price should not reflect the mileage.....

[geshaghi]

So what kind of price adjustment would be appropriate for this kind of mileage?

[geshaghi]

Still trying to work something out on this high mileage C4S, but another question has arisen for me. Is there a way to confirm that this is in fact a factory original C4S from the VIN or a physical inspection? The VIN decoders don't seem definitive, and the Red Book doesn't help much.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by geshaghi

Still trying to work something out on this high mileage C4S, but another question has arisen for me. Is there a way to confirm that this is in fact a factory original C4S from the VIN or a physical inspection? The VIN decoders don't seem definitive, and the Red Book doesn't help much.

Sure, you may call Porsche to comfirm or post a pic here. Most of us will be able to tell you if it is a S or not.

[Type911]

$15000 + what you need to bring it up to snuff. Estate sale, they are focused on selling it all, not just the car

[brock911]

Hi George, hope all is well. The VIL (Vehicle Information Label) located on the underside of the luggage lid or the owners manual if available should identify the 97 Carrera 4S coupe as a 993-140. This information is found on page 17 of the "Porsche 964,993 & 996 Data Plate Code Breaker by Adrian Streather.

I don't know if the VIN itself actually identifies an alpha, numeric or a combination of each to confirm the model as a C4S. A Car Fax or Car Proof report should also confirm the C4S model by VIN.

Not sure if this answers your question, hope this helps.

Regards,
Mike

[geshaghi]

Thanks for the continuing feedback guys. No photos of the car at this point, but if there aspects that could not be easily duplicated, I will try to get a closer look later this week, including a look at the option label in the trunk. Thx

[geshaghi]

A couple of photos. Yellow calipers are what got me wondering....

[geshaghi]

This one is now in my garage, thanks for all the feedback and info. Car needs a little TLC as it has been off the road for a couple of years, but think it will make a nice daily driver.

While I've only driven it around the block, I have to say that this 993 C4S feels more like an early 911 longhood hotrod than any other Porsche I've driven (other than a few early 911's!)

[CountD]

Sweet color. Looks great to me and a great purchase. I really like that color on all Porsches...

[Matt Monson]

Nice buy. I would love to have a C4S in my herd.

[geshaghi]

Car is in my shop and in the process of getting serviced and gone through. I haven't really driven her yet, other than up and down the alley and a long driveway of the seller, but am looking forward to the car. Someone suggested that I consider installing a TPC supercharger, and while at first it sounded crazy, I'm beginning to think it might be fun.....

[Matt Monson]

There's a local instructor/DE addict who has a TPC blower on his 993. Decided it wasn't enough so he built up a gearbox loaded with my gears and LSD. Slippery slope. But a total badass car.

[geshaghi]

Slippery (and fast) slope indeed!

[Raceboy]

Having personal experience with TPC kit on 993, I would recommend to stay away from it.
Just to name several reasons:
*Additional fueling is done by one injector and it is controlled by piggyback ECU. This is a joke if you ask me.
Correct way is to remap the factory ECU or if that is not possible (as with US 88pin 96- 993's), change to different ECU. Which effectively makes the TPC kit useless.
*Their heater tube is one of the worst quality fiberglass parts I have ever seen on the Porsche. It doesn't sit well and looks just rubbish.
*There is no ignition control. Their way to adjust ignition is to reverse VR sensor wires so that signal will be retarded with rpm. That robs performance where it is not needed.

And paying close to 10000 usd for a regular Eaton M90 (which costs 400-500 usd in used market) and some items that one would not need (see above) is just pointless.


If you really want to make your 993 perform, start by converting it to standalone ecu, then add low-boost turbocharger.

[geshaghi]

So I've had this car about a month, and we've serviced the car and attended to a few other needs to get her back on the road. She's remarkably solid for 162,000 miles and drives well. My intent had been to use this car as my daily driver, and to sell my 996 that I've owned since 2001. I recently had a chance to drive a 996TT, and I'm thinking that I should get one of those, so this one may be up for sale soon. Call me a heretic, but the 996TT seems a lot more nimble than the 993 C4S....

[vintagecarlover]

Hi George, i dont blame you for wanting to dump that ugly car. (So what do u want for it)? Lol...

[geshaghi]

I'm thinking mid-$30's for this ugly duckling.....