993 or 996

[Grizzly]

So here's the thing... My wife has been complaining, since the weather got warm, that I'm driving the Boxster too much. It was, after all, purchased for her, but I gotta tell you, I really like this car!

A week or so ago, I asked the question "Turbo or GT3". Then reality hit and I realized it would be ridiculous for me to spend that kind of cheese on one car at this time in my life. I'd have to rearrange...well...almost everything.

I'm considering Coupes again, so my wife can have her Boxster back, but this time more reasonable coupes.

So...if you were me, would you look for the more refined, water cooled, 996, or the more austere, air cooled 993?

[djomlas]

i will own a 993 one day, im telling you man,
so u know my vote.
although the 996 is more 'modern'

[TriGem2k]

993 Turbo.......OR THE ULTIMATE 993 TURBO S.

[blinkwatt]

You may want to check in on the maintainence on a 993,I heard the spark plug changes are like $600 for example.

996s are cool, but it's still too similar to the 986. I've already started working on my Dad's 996 already because it's very similar to the Boxster.

How about an old 964? Those cars can look SWEET!

[Rodger]

993......all day, every day. No competition.

There's just something about the sound of an air-cooled engine.

[fab]

why coupes? Why not give the boxster to your wife and buy another boxster for yourself.
Both parties happy

[wetstuff]

Either a 993 - because it will always have a loyal following and have that air cooled thing, or jump to the 997 - the 996 may be a tween-orphan. It doesn't seem to be accepted by either faction. Which means of course, the 996 may be a very good value.

j i m

[jwilson95]

I wouldn't buy a 996 unless it was an 2002 or later. I like the updated headlamps, interior.

I have a friend with a 993 C4S and it is really nice. The trouble with the 993 is it is getting tough to find a nice example for reasonable money compared to a Boxster or a 996.

If it were my $$$, I'd be looking for all 3 and jump on the best example that was set up to my liking when I came across it.

All 3 are good cars...

Good luck,

Jeff

[unklekraker]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

So here's the thing... My wife has been complaining, since the weather got warm, that I'm driving the Boxster too much. It was, after all, purchased for her, but I gotta tell you, I really like this car!

Hey, Grizz..we are on the same page on this one. I bought it for her coz' thinking that have her the first Porsche and then I'll get MY 95-97' 993 but next thing you knew, I start falling in love with it! she even told me last weekend right after I got home from AX...So, How did MY car performed? Ohhhh, it broke my heart

For short, Im just her "Humble Husband who take the car for an excercise.... occasionaly

[Boxter]

back to Grizz...

That's too funny...but I really liked that one even though I am not usually a big fan of the red interior. However that particular red interior really looks great.

To add to my original point...you already have a modern day Porsche, very driveable and all that, you don't need another h2o variant.

Go for it!

If I ever get a 993 it will be a late 90's and it will be stripped and in race trim. When I get a 996 it will be stock. Its all about what you want, personally 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.

[Adam]

I'd go with the 993; it's much more rare and collectable than the 996. I also like the shape of the 993 and think the 996 lacks the "curves" of a nice 911. Just make sure it's in good order!...engine rebuilds make boxster engine swaps look like a bargain!

[mb986]

interesting thread. i just got out of a 993...it is one of the best looking cars ever made, and the feeling you get while driving it is completely different than a 996/986 (or other modern car). the 993 is truly a throwback. it was designed in a different time; the floor boards are made of wood (really, they are). however, even the newest 993 is now 10 years old. so you need to ask yourself: do i want to buy a 10-12 year old 911 and am i ready for the things that will go wrong? to begin with there is the issue of the valve guides (and SAI ports on MY96+ cars) which will run you $6k to fix if you have clogged ports or if you are consuming too much oil. after that you can fix the steering rack ($1.5k), the brakes ($2k), alternator ($600), control arms ($1500), new clutch ($2-3k)...and that is not including scheduled maintenace, or tires (figure at least $1k for each of those). i am a little jaded my 993 had every problem a 993 can have...even so, i'd probably still get another 993 before i got a 996. if you are gonna get a modern porsche i think the boxster is the superior car...maybe you should look at a cayman? i think a boxster and a cayman would make great garage mates.

[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.