993 or 996

[yellowboxster01]

993 interior is classic 911 interior except with a center console.

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

I am a huge fan of the 993. I want a 1998 C2S or C4S. The "S" model get's the widebody rear end. I almost bot one in January of 2006 with about 25,000 miles on it. It traded at $52,000. I missed it because I thought I could get it cheaper. I've seen them with low miles <30,000 mi. offered between $55K and as much as $70K. Of course you can find an older 993 non "S" with higher mileage for much less. Yeah, the prices on these are outrageous.

[racer_d]

The base 996 has superior performance to a base 993. Lets just get that out of the way. Sure, each car has its own maintenance issues - 996 has the RMS and coolant tanks - same as your boxster. 993 has Valve guide wear (which can mean a $6-8K top end rebuild.

The 993 and 996, however, are VASTLY different in feel/sound. Steering. Brakes. Exhaust. Suspension compliance. All make these cars incredibly different. IMHO, the 993 is still "overbuilt" in its build quality feel. The 996 feels "cheaper" in comparison.

Test drive em both and make the call your own!

[Boxter]

Here is another one....

If only I could swing another one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-PORSCHE-911-CABRIOLET-993-CARRERA-2-205-276-1918_W0QQitemZ110134646128QQihZ001QQcategoryZ10156 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[David_J]

It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I saw this thread and I had to post. 993 all the way. After buying my 86 911, I am liking it more and more each day. I know many people with 996s (Turbos, GT2, GT3, etc). They all look the same as the Boxster inside. One of the guys that goes on drives with us just traded his 996 Turbo for his old 993 Turbo. Much more of a driving experience with the 993.

The 996 will provide less worry free driving for a little bit, but eventually it will be old too. The 993 will hold it's value. They both are going to cost money to maintain. Just be glad you're not paying $15k for a clutch in a Ferrari 360 after 5000 miles.

I'm thinking about upgrading (again) and looking for a 993 Turbo or a 997S cab. If I did the 997, I would drop the Boxster. If I did the 993, I would drop the 86 911.

Either way you can't go wrong (993 or 996), but the 993 will be a better investment both in $$$ and in

-David

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by boggtown

...one day I will buy a 73 carrera RS. Sadly they are so expensive now that I cant even imagine what price they will be in 10-20 years Thats my favorite car... white with blue lettering. Im thinking it will cost me 120,000 by the time I have my practice up and running and can afford one.

oh boy... IIRC, genuine '73 RS, in excellent condition, are already trading for over $100K. However, there are TONS of "clones" that can be had for 20-40K currently

[der Geist]

Griz:

I gotta throw my .02 in on this. Even though it is a paltry little 2.0 litre flat six the sound coming from my '69 911 roaring to life after being dormant for at least the past 10 years today was just incredible. I don't think that there is anything like the sound of a Porsche air cooled and I think that if you DON"T get an air cooled you are really going to regret it every time one drives by. Water cooled is great but please go see another air cooled before you decide. Open the engine cover, have someone else kick it over while you give it a listen.

I know-I should be selling these $#!!#^$ things.

[Grizzly]

As it turns out, my plans have been radically altered...as usual.

When I was 14 years old, my Father bought me my first car, a 1965 Mustang Fastback. We never had any money, so my Dad bought this rolling disaster for $350.00, knowing it would take us until I was driving age just to make it safe for me to drive. Even in 1978 when we got it, it was a rusty pig, but I've never loved a car so much...and probably never will. In '85 it had an electrical fire, so I parked it until I got around to fixing it. I went right out and bought a new '85 Mustang GT and never did get around to fixing the poor little Fastback. For the past 22 years, I've been dragging it from State to State and house to house, always with the intention of restoring it to perfection. It has been sitting outside in the weather since the day it was born in 1965. To say that it is rough is a major understatement.

Last July, I lost my Father. Restoring the car he gave me has become more and more important to me since my Dad died, but there are other projects, other time commitments, other needs...always something else going on that diverts me from the car I love so much.

My Wife and I have been talking a lot about dropping everything and starting on the Fastback restoration, but until now, I've never quite been able to figure out the time, or the money or the space required. Tonight, all that changed. I'm pretty active in the Mustang community, and I just received word that a highly regarded Mustang restorer has a hole in his schedule, due to a cancellation, and is interested in doing the structural/rust repair on my car. Though this comes at an inconvenient time, this opportunity may never present itself again. With my wife's blessing, I've decided that I'm going to do it; a nut and bolt, unibody up concours restoration. The car has patiently waited for 22 years. It deserves the best and I'm going to do it to honor my father.

I appreciate the thought that has gone into all of your responses, but the 911 will have to wait.

[husker boxster]

Good call, Griz.

The Mustang will mean so much more to you than any 993 or 996 ever could.