993 or 997?

[911kiwi]

Hi Guys,
I'm hoping that some of you 997 owners have previously owned a 993 or still do and can chime in here with your views. I'm a die-hard aircooled guy so am heavily biased.
I've never been enamoured by the 996. So ... I'm in the market for another 911 - which one?
Cheers, Gary

[tonythetarga]

One point to consider if you decide to go 997...the IMS bearing was still in the cars made from 2006 to mid 2009 and can only be replaced from inside the engine. If you get one in that range make sure you have a factory warranty. After mid 2009 they redesigned the engines and eliminated that problem completely.

[mattdillon]

I'm actually looking for a turbo or turbo look 993 for my next Porsche (or maybe even same 964) but if you're a big time air-cooled guy & not kosher to the 996's WHY are you even considering a 997 (besides water they even LOOK alot like the 996's)! jmo

[giaz]

I just sold a 1996 993 cabriolet tiptronic varioram in Rome and bought a 2008 997 carrera s tiptronic when I moved to Dubai.

I am very happy with the change. I did not like the 996 too much, nor 2009 and later 911, but love the 2005-8 997. Sound was slightly better on the 993, but I still have the feeling I am on a watercooled car and I have the PSE (Porsche Sound Exhaust). Interior look is better on 997 but 993 was more durable.

If you decide to change, you will not miss the 993, and not just simply because the 997 is more modern. It still feels very much 911.

[R K T]

Right now I have both 993 and a 997. They are different but still the same!

I'm on my 4th 993 and on my 1st 997. The 997 is much faster and more comfortable. The 993 is by far the best and last of the air cooled 911s. With some mods the 997 feels as pure as the 993.

I'm finding it's hard to describe the differences really. You need to go drive both and decide for yourself.

I may be selling the 993.......

[ShawnM]

I agonized 993 vs 997 for two years. In the end I realized that I wanted to drive a lot and bought a 2008 C2S Cab 6spd w/PSE & PASM. (I put 8000 miles on in the first 3 months after I bought it this year) Just love this freaking car!

I'm interested in RKT's comment "With some mods the 997 feels as pure as the 993".

Having driven but never owned a 993, what kind of mods are you thinking about?

Cheers,
Shawn

[ltusler]

How about a GT3?

[Nostril Cheese]

You want to keep it for a while? 993.

You want a fun car to lease and not worry about? 997.

[alfa11]

RKT-Rob,

You lucky dog. I tried hard to get that yellow 993 and now I see who beat me too it. In the end, I settled for a 40th Anni. 996 and am quite happy with the choice.

Cheers,
Paul

[Schwarzeritter]

I'll be frank, it's apples and oranges. Night and Day different machines.

The 997 is modern, safer, quick, I would saaay it strongly depends on which 997.
GT3 is a pretty raw machine. Comparaed to Air cooled machines. Not to say that
the Aircooled machines are un civilized or soemthing. I think it depends on what type
of driving experince you want.

Truth be told, the 993 has been around a lot longer. Things got sorted out, the DNA is
much closer to past generations. The 997, the IMS or RMS issues are hit and miss. Not,
had a lot of issues with the 996 3.6 or 997 models. Had a few mates with 3.4's who had issues. Still great cars, look. If you love the car, you pay the price of up keep.

By safer, I in general feel the average joe can get into a 996 or 997 and be alright.
The 997 feels a bit sharper then a 996. The ergonomics etc modern. The 993, is not
as raw to that of a 911 SC, but more refined then say a 964. But, by 996 or 997 owners
perspective, if a guy was coming from a 997 or 996 he'd probably have a thrill or two or three
for sure.

[Schwarzeritter]

PS, there is no bad choice there. 993 is awesome in Yellow and Crisp clean White
997. I mean, you are gonna be a happy jolly bastard one way or another ^___^

[white out]

997 for comfort, 993 for the ability to drive a car with zero depreciation.

[timc]

ok let's see, 993: Eight main bearings, Dry Sump, race based engine, body/chassis feels like it was made from one solid piece of steel, total car built to an engineering standard. 997(not GTn, or Turbo): Cheap Engine, Built to a balance sheet, depreciating like a rock.

Edit: Let me edit so I don't p!$$ everyone off!. First off, this is my opinion, and this is only between the 997/993. If I were looking for a Porsche to drive to dinner, movies, opera with my wife, where the HVAC actually worked as designed, the 997 would be my car. If I were looking for a car that offered pure driving experience, (just between the 997 and 993) I would pick 993 hands down. If I were looking for a car that represented what Porsche could build as an automotive engineering company, it would be the 993. There were to many compromises in the 986/996/997 cars for my taste. It used to be that Porsche built to an engineering standard first, and balance sheet second. That gave us the 356's, 911's, and 928's. I understand where the 986/996/997 (non GTn/Turbo as they used the old drysump block) came from, and if it were not for these cars, Porsche would have gone out of business long ago. There is a place for all the car's they produce, just depend's on what you are looking for. I bought a 930 years ago, because to me, that car was the ultimate engineering masterpiece (other than the 959), that was the basis for my favorite racing cars of all time, the 934/5. Every time I drive the car it just amazes me, and the fact that I have to stay focused on what I am doing, especially when the boost comes on makes me truly appreciate the car. I've driven 996's/7's and the 993. To me, there is no comparison between a 997 and 993. They are apples and oranges, from a driving and engineering perspective. Good luck with your decision.

If I have offended anyone, I am apologize.