RUF Conversion on a 993 – good idea of bad idea
 

The car is a midnight blue 95 with 58k miles in near perfect condition. I took the car to a local shop to go over a conversion and they refused to do it, said the car value would be destroyed. Is that true? Should I just park the car and just allow it to increase in value? I’m not a collector and the thought of having a car just to have it appreciate isn’t my style. So just to recap, what of the following will happen:

The conversion will ruin the value of the car?
Should I sell the car and buy something else to enjoy and drive – 964 turbo?
Do you think 993 prices, even non-S cars will increase?

Forget what everyone else thinks. Cars are not an investment. Modify it as you see fit, and don't sit there looking at it afraid to drive it because of its value.

i can't imagine a full ruf conversion done right hurting the value anyway

Forget a 964 turbo, they're 70k and up. A true ruf conversion would increase the value, but of course their only us shop is closed.

Ruf would increase value. That said, the btr conversion, which I own one of, is no longer available from Ruf so I'm afraid that's not an option. If it's just an engine upgrade, it will lower value and would cost more than trading car for a monster 996tt.

Are modifying the car and parking it the only options?

I'm sorry, did I miss something?
A 95 in near perfect condition, and you're looking to convert it? May I ask why? Have you driven the living bejesus out of it and feel it's lacking in someway? Doesn't sound like it. That's an awesome car to begin with, one many, many people would pay dearly to own. And yes, it will continue to appreciate.

Why convert it? Just drive it until you're bored, which I doubt will EVER happen. If it ain't broke…

Nick

Why would you want to ruin one of the best air cooled Porsche cars ever made? If I was looking for a nice 993 and I came across a modified or conversion done on the car...I would pass in an instant. A lot of you guys say " It's your car, do what you want with it!" But the truth is all of our cars will be for sale someday. Why take a huge loss on such a great car in the first place. While you are at it, be sure to put some gold wheels on it and lower it to the ground.

If a "Ruf conversion" consists of replacing the bumper covers and adding a wing, there isn't a lot of downside for you. Keep the original parts on the shelf.

You really should drive what you love. Not what someone else goes for. But at the same time, minimize your financial exposure if you later decide to sell.

Again, I'm not sure a true ruf conversion is an option until they establish another dealer in this country. Anybody can order ruf parts and install them, but that's not a ruf conversion, merely a modded 911. A true ruf conversion, even the 997r550 version comes with paperwork from ruf.

Today, doing a Ruf conversion on a 993 would require shipping the car to Germany and not expecting to see it again for a year or more.

I don't even think Ruf Germany does the btr conversion anymore. I think turbo r is available, but that entails a 993tt engine.

Thanks for all the postings. In regards to the question about modifying the car or parking it being the only options, well not really. Since buying my 993 I can't say I've been happy with it. I haven't been unhappy with it, I just want more performance. But for fear of bastardizing the car, I think I might just sell it or sit on it and sell it next year if the market continues to increase. I did check and sending the car back to Germany for a RUF conversion is out of the question, the cost would be way too high. Do you think that prices of 993's will continue to rise?

Don't destroy a 993
Trade it for a 996TT if you can handle the power

993s will probably go up a little more. Best bet is 996tt. They are a bargain and can handle ridiculous hp. That said, the best mod can buy is driver's training.

My opinion on a 993 is that it was a close-ratio gearbox away from being one of the coolest cars on the planet. I'm not sure it needs engine mods. The transmission work is expensive, and I'm not sure you'd get your money back on resale, but I'll bet you wouldn't take a hit either.

Personally, I would leave it stock as the values are continuing to rise on all aircooled cars. If you want more power, I'd trade it in on a 997tt or 997tt for probably a small money delta.

If you need a rocket, buy a 2012 Mustang Gt. Over 400 H.P. 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Please leave the 993 alone.

Have you driven one? A lot? It's a great car, but at street speeds, the gearing is a real buzzkill and it confuses some into thinking that the car's "performance" isn't good enough. My 2 cents.

X2

Get yourself to a DE, lots of potential in the car, learn how to drive it!

What he said.....If you do it You will regret it.