From 993 to 997, any regrets?

[OscarMadison]

Hi all, 993 owner and lover, have slight itch for 997 and love performance but wondering if any buyers remorse in future. If I had 3 car garage would not lose 993 but can't have both at this point. Question for those that have gone from 993 to 997, any regrets ? Not from appreciation or depreciation standpoint, just the car itself...thanks

[Mark Howard]

Funny...I asked myself this same question the other day. I had a '97 993 I sold a couple years ago...hated to let it go but it was just situation that dictated it. I always have kept the itch so now that I could have one again, I went for the newer 997 in November 2010.

Why?

Well, there are more to be had and they seem to be much more maintenance free (if there is such a thing) than the other air cooled models. I never liked or trusted the 996 so I stayed away from them as well, although I understand they are good autos. Styling of the 996, especially the interior, didn't suit me.

I don't have any regrets pe se, but I do miss a few things...the raw race car feel of the 993, wider hips, throaty exhaust, and funny enough, the pedals coming up from the floor like older 911s rather than down from the dash panel. 997s are more forgiving and more comfortable, and I find myself able to take longer trips without getting as road weary as with my 993. Performance is better, both in acceleration, braking and handling. Maintenance is less.

A few observations/recommendations based on my experience:

If you switch, you won't regret it.
Sport seats are a must
If you can find it, full supple leather is worth the cost
Go for the sport steering wheel instead of the standard multi function. Other than radio volume, it's worthless
Don't worry about power seat electronics, mine does not have them and I don't miss them.
The interior is quiet compared to the 993 ( I prefer to hear the exhaust music)
If you live in the south, the AC actually works in these cars!!!
When you find one, don't pay asking price no matter how bad you want it. There are lots of cars out there and good deals are not hard to find.
Get an "S" if you can afford it.

Just my $.02.

[Traveller]

Originally Posted by Mark Howard

I don't have any regrets pe se, but I do miss a few things...the raw race car feel of the 993...

I guess it wasn't my imagination, because those are the same exact words I used when I chose the 993 over a 997, both of which I test drove.