Trade 993 C4S for early 911

[MJM911SC]

Long time listener to the early 911 market, first time caller.

I've owned a very nice 993 C4S for almost 10 years. I have used it as a GT car, taking long trips and using it every now and then for my 150mile round trip commute to my office. It has been flawless, maintained to Porsche standards and properly upgraded for maximum street performance. I also own an 82SC that has been upgraded to Spec911 for track duty, a great performer on the NorCal tracks.

My work/home situation has changed a bit recently and will change even more in the near future. This change has me wanting an early 911. I am liking the early 911 hot rod given my other two cars and Porsche driving experience. I have driven many early 911s over the last couple of years, but haven't pulled the trigger. Meanwhile the market pushes their values up.

I am looking for some Pelican wisdom on the prospect of trading my 993 C4S for an early 911 hot rod. I can't have both for many reasons ($$, space and WAF), so what would you do?

Thanks

[KNS]

You have to ask yourself how you're going to use it. I have a 993 and it is so capable and even practical when you factor in its comfort. I have a 120 mile round trip commute - I take the 993 occasionally and I couldn't imagine using my old SC on that now that I've owned the 993 for a while (although I realize you said your job situation has changed).
I'd love to own a long hood as well but they can be a bit primitive in modern traffic (in my opinion).

If you're looking for something to appreciate the older car will probably out pace the 993.

[993TurboS]

I would keep the 993

[dsfnctn]

I have owned all that you are mentioning.Keep the 993
the early cars are great to look at so look at someone elses
Imagine driving the Spec 911 on the streets may be exciting for a few minutes but in the end to much going on around you and nothing to do but pose

[MJM911SC]

Yes, my 993 has proven worthy of the ultimate 911 title. But the raw feel and classic looks of the early cars is very appealing.

Great comments Fellow Pelicans. Keep em coming.

[tholzer]

I have a 356A Coupe, 67' 912 soft targa, 73 coupe, 74 Carrera, 74 914-4, 97' boxster and 98' C2S. I drive them all and love them all for different reasons but I tend to drive the later cars more often to take the kids to lacrosse practice, school and errands. Its about driveablity and creature comforts. I always drive the older cars to shows and Porsche events. I would never consider going to a car event in a late model car.

Prior to its restoration i used to drive my 912 4 days a week dropping the kids off at school, Home Depot etc I drove it in heavy rains, heavy traffic, hot weather and cold. You gotta be hard core to drive that car everyday and i did .... But as i get older i'm getting spoiled by the power, AC, power windows and radio of my 74 Carrera.

Older to me means pre 74'. i would keep the 993C4s as that car will surely appreciate and sell the SC. Have an early and late 911 that will appreciate, be fun to work on and go to car events. But what ever you do don't sell the 993.

[gshiwota]

I've driven and owned a lot of different 911s. At the end of the day, the perfect 2-911 combo for me is an early hot rod and late 993. You simply can't beat the 993 for modern convenience and performance without sacrificing the soul of a 911.

I think a Spec 911 is similar to what most people asipre to in an early hot rod minus the looks. My vote is to backdate your '82 so you can have the looks and raw performance of the earlier chassis. Go with CF or glass backdate and you'll save weight and keep the costs down. Unless you absolutely know you won't regret selling your 993, keep it. Widebody 993 are are very rare and special cars.

[Nick Triesch]

Yes, it is nice smelling the slight gas /leather/hot oil smell in the older 911's. The no A/C and no power steering. The crude crunchy 915. The wonderful crazy climate control system. Who needs cup-holders? Stop and fill the oil and check the gas. Make sure you have all your tools and extra DME for a trip....to the market. I love my old car but I would keep that 993!!!!

[Flynt]

If you have the space and the know-how, keep the 993 and build an early car over time. Get into a driver and fix/upgrade as you go.

[mickey356]

Like some have said already, it depends on what you want out of a driving experience. I just dumped my 996 c4s for a swb 912 because I couldn't stand the numbness of the newer car. Traffic sucked just as much in that car as any....maybe I hate traffic more than most. Im the type that just likes "the drive". I have a 98 wrangler and the 912 (project), I'm 51 and have a 10 & 12 year old and I'm happy with driving both.....up to about 3-4 hour stretch.
If I had a long commute or needed creature comforts I wouldn't look at a Porsche for that, regardless, except a panamera or cayenne, and I'm not a fan of those. Just get a cushy sedan of some sort.

[MJM911SC]

Very thoughtful opinions and different than I expected, which is great. Exactly what I need. I was pleasantly surprised to learn how well respected the 993 is. Most of my daily acquaintances are indifferent to my car thing and my vinyl thing and my..., so I find great wisdom in this forum.

I got the 993 to be my commuter after I took the SC off the road. I first looked at 996's and just felt blah about them. The 993 was the perfect blend of feel, comfort and reliability.

Question for the marketplace regulars - my read on the market right now is the going rate on my 993 C4S is on par with a well sorted early 911 hot rod. Do you agree?

Thanks for keeping air cooled alive

[Nosedog2002]

I deal in classics and have owned hundreds of these cars. The idea that someone would want a very early 911 over a 993 is just an idea that I can not relate to. The comfort and speed of a 993 is something that can not be had in an early car. Keep the 993.

[mickey356]

Originally Posted by Nosedog2002

I deal in classics and have owned hundreds of these cars. The idea that someone would want a very early 911 over a 993 is just an idea that I can not relate to. The comfort and speed of a 993 is something that can not be had in an early car. Keep the 993.

What if you don't want comfort and speed?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Nosedog2002

I deal in classics and have owned hundreds of these cars. The idea that someone would want a very early 911 over a 993 is just an idea that I can not relate to. The comfort and speed of a 993 is something that can not be had in an early car. Keep the 993.

I can, been there done it. Late, modern cars get boring, do too much for you, just don't have the feel of an early 911.

Very thoughtful opinions and different than I expected, which is great. Exactly what I need. I was pleasantly surprised to learn how well respected the 993 is. Most of my daily acquaintances are indifferent to my car thing and my vinyl thing and my..., so I find great wisdom in this forum.

As others have said, build the SC (or another one) over time & keep the C4S.

[gshiwota]

Originally Posted by MJM911SC

Most of my daily acquaintances are indifferent to my car thing

I too find that most people don't understand our facination with these air cooled cars. I have a mild resto-modded '67 Mustang coupe and this gets way more positive attention than any of my Porsche cars have (356s and 911s). I think the general public just thinks we are driving an old car or we simply can't afford a new "Pooorsh".

[pmax]

Someone said he only drove the early 911's to shows.

That seems to be the case around here in the South Bay. I hardly see any longhoods in the wild , once a year at best, not counting car events.
The SC/Carrera's I spot about one other a week even more than the 964/993's.

[Christien]

I'm kind of in the opposite boat right now - thinking of selling my 72 for an 87 cabrio. I love the 72, and I drive it everywhere - basically, any drive long enough to get the engine up to temp. My wife and I drove it to New Orleans and back this summer, I take the kids to school in it occasionally, grocery shopping, you name it. But I've always lusted after a late 80s cabrio - it's the car I fell in love with as a young kid.

I worry I'll miss the raw feel of the early car, its nimble-ness and tossability. It's an absolute blast at the track, even if I'm waving almost everyone by. It makes passing a 996 that much sweeter

I'm working my ass off to find a way to keep both cars for a couple months so I can try them out back-to-back. It's the only way I'll be able to decide which I want to keep as, for the same reasons as you, I can't keep both. If you can manage to swing both cars for a while, I'd suggest doing so. Then you'll know for sure.

[MJM911SC]

Thanks Pelicans. Your wisdom and experience has helped me find my way. I am on the hunt for a pre75 future hot rod candidate. Space is really the problem. If I get something that I can keep outside, under cover I think I can swing both.

Cheers

[Soarer20]

The early 911's (long hoods) used to be cheap. I can't understand why everyone is so obsessed with them. I have owned one for 15 years. They are not cars you want to drive on a regular basis. Your in CA so you might be able to keep it outside...

IMO these are cars that should still be CHEAP. I rarely ever drive my 71 911. They rust, The carbs need constant adjustment, it takes 10 minutes just to warm it up, they are not safe cars, the bumpers are very fragile, they rust.

Do you want to trade? :-)

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Soarer20

The early 911's (long hoods) used to be cheap. I can't understand why everyone is so obsessed with them. I have owned one for 15 years. They are not cars you want to drive on a regular basis. Your in CA so you might be able to keep it outside...

Interesting.

Is that the seldom discussed reality for most longhood owners ?

I don't see them being driven around here. Just got back from a vacation in Napa, spotted an SC/Carrera targa and one 993, always a pleasure to see these air cooled 911's still in useful service.

IMO these are cars that should still be CHEAP. I rarely ever drive my 71 911. They rust, The carbs need constant adjustment, it takes 10 minutes just to warm it up, they are not safe cars, the bumpers are very fragile, they rust.

Do you want to trade? :-)