993... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Flavor 987S · 08-31-2011, 06:48 AM

Topless and Fatmike, you guys need to get out a little more. Read other Porsche related Forums. Live a little!

The 993 is a fabulous daily driver. And a stunning performer on the track. When properly set-up, it is amazing what these cars can accomplish, even after +14 years.

Topless, in today's dollars, a very clean, low mileage (<20k), well documented, 1998 C2S (made 1996-1998) will cost mid $50's. Save up. Priceless.

Chuck W. · 08-31-2011, 08:03 AM

I had a 1997 993 Cab as a daily driver for a while. It was a great car and made going to work much more fun. When it was done being a DD, I moved over to a '97 993 Turbo. 993s are great.

I have had my Boxster S since 2001. For a DD, I believe the Boxster would be a better car. It is more comfortable, the air conditioner works better and it has a better ride. They are just two very different (& great) cars.

Take a look at the Rennlist 993 forum. There is a lot of great information there; http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/993-forum-58/

Lil bastard · 08-31-2011, 08:21 AM

I guess I don't see the DD argument. Any car can be a DD.

The 993 mechanicals are basically re-worked 964 mechanicals - no valve lash adjustment, no double-distributor, designed for easier maintenance, making it a good DD. The Motronics allow it to be used with various quality fuels. It's really as corrosion resistant as any current car. The AWD system is far less complex than the 964 too.

They're current popularity stems from being the last of the air-cooleds. But I believe this will wane because Porsche made so many of them. Despite this premium, there are many 'driver' quality cars to be had for the price of a well equipped Camry.

I think in time, the 964 will move ahead of the 993 as a collectable because Porsche made far fewer of them.

Cheers!

ekam · 08-31-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

I guess I don't see the DD argument. Any car can be a DD.

Any car? Would you DD a Ferrari F40, Daytona or a Bugatti Veyron?

Overdrive · 08-31-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

Any car? Would you DD a Ferrari F40, Daytona or a Bugatti Veyron?

Personally, I would, especially if I am able to afford something that expensive, then I should be able to afford maintaining it. And more importantly, I want my money's worth. I don't really like the idea of a car sitting around collecting dust instead of miles. I wouldn't be buying it for its potential collector's value, I'd buy it because I want to drive it.

But that's just me...

Lil bastard · 08-31-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

Any car? Would you DD a Ferrari F40, Daytona or a Bugatti Veyron?

I'm sure there are some who do...

Cheers!

ekam · 09-01-2011, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

I'm sure there are some who do...

Cheers!

I know a wealthy Italian guy with an F40 (one of many exotics in his collection), who showed up to a cars & coffee and wouldn't walk away from that car for more than 3 feet. He stood right next to it the whole night (3 hrs) and only left for 5 mins to take a leak.

People who owns those cars don't DD them trust me.

Flavor 987S · 08-31-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

The 993 mechanicals are basically re-worked 964 mechanicals - no valve lash adjustment, no double-distributor, designed for easier maintenance, making it a good DD. The Motronics allow it to be used with various quality fuels. It's really as corrosion resistant as any current car. The AWD system is far less complex than the 964 too.

Jim, your incorrect here. The 993 motor has a double dist., 12 plug engine. The 993 Turbo is single dist., and 6 plugs. Also the Turbo engine does not have a belt driven dist. like the n/a 993 engine (with 2 belts).

ddb · 08-31-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I moved over to a '97 993 Turbo. 993s are great.

Beautiful 993 TT, Chuck W.! What a great combination with your Boxster. I aspire to have a 993 of some sort one day too.

I've seen pictures of Flavor 987S' 993 TT and Boxster S as well and admire them greatly!

ddb

ChrisZang · 08-31-2011, 09:49 AM

993 = beautiful car
as far as I know the only Achilles heel are the issues with the secondary air injection, which can turn out to be very costly

Flavor 987S · 08-31-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

993 = beautiful car
as far as I know the only Achilles heel are the issues with the secondary air injection, which can turn out to be very costly

Yes, the SAI issue can happen. It may take $1k to repair (by cleaning, piano wire and solvents) or an entire top end overhaul for north of $10K. Can happen at <50k miles, while others have gone over 200k miles with no issues. Still, a very-very robust car and motor. If this is a concern, a potential owner can either buy a 1995 or a 96-98 with a fresh top-end.

A quality PPI (leakdown & compression) can also give assurances against this SAI issue. The issue will throw CEL codes.

Flavor 987S · 08-31-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddb

Beautiful 993 TT, Chuck W.! What a great combination with your Boxster. I aspire to have a 993 of some sort one day too.

I've seen pictures of Flavor 987S' 993 TT and Boxster S as well and admire them greatly!

ddb

Yes, Chuck has an awesome 993 Turbo and is a very knowledgable 993 owner. A great fellow Rennlister, too!

Thank you for the compliments, ddb. Very kind.

Here I am at a PCA DE at Road America in late May:

Chuck W. · 08-31-2011, 03:23 PM

Haaaaaaaaa..... small world. If you look on Rennlist there are several of us that have 993s and Boxsters.

promark420 · 08-31-2011, 07:07 PM

My dad has a '97 993 TT, and he absolutely hates it for some unknown reason. I think it's his age. He complains about the low driving position, the "horrible" HVAC and stereo and the ride.

It's also been a PITA to maintain from the start. I don't know all of the details about every single repair, but I do know that it has a rebuilt engine (under warranty) and the air bag was one dash cover from deploying.

So, for those reasons, he doesn't drive it much, and it surely isn't his DD.

Personally, I LOVE that car. It's quite different from the 986, but it is most definitely a Porsche. In fact, concentrate and amplify the essence of the 986 and that's the 993 (TT at least). The suspension is stiffer, a little noisier, a lot more stable, steering's a little tighter and it definitely accelerates faster. My only minor complaint is that the pedals are a little shifted to the right so you feel a little contorted after driving it for an extended period.

So, with the exception of my dad's I would really consider if this is a suitable DD, but it is definitely worth driving a few times a week.

mts · 09-01-2011, 04:46 AM

Just sold my Boxster in favor of a 993, but both are/were non-daily drivers for me. If I had to pick one as a daily driver it would probably be the Boxster. More modern, creature comforts etc.

BTW, the 993 I bought is a Targa. They are pretty rare, but also like the cabs (at least at this point) don't command the premium that the widebody S model 993's do.

Good luck in your search.

Flavor 987S · 09-01-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by promark420

My dad has a '97 993 TT, and he absolutely hates it for some unknown reason. I think it's his age. He complains about the low driving position, the "horrible" HVAC and stereo and the ride.

It's also been a PITA to maintain from the start. I don't know all of the details about every single repair, but I do know that it has a rebuilt engine (under warranty) and the air bag was one dash cover from deploying.

So, for those reasons, he doesn't drive it much, and it surely isn't his DD.

Personally, I LOVE that car. It's quite different from the 986, but it is most definitely a Porsche. In fact, concentrate and amplify the essence of the 986 and that's the 993 (TT at least). The suspension is stiffer, a little noisier, a lot more stable, steering's a little tighter and it definitely accelerates faster. My only minor complaint is that the pedals are a little shifted to the right so you feel a little contorted after driving it for an extended period.

So, with the exception of my dad's I would really consider if this is a suitable DD, but it is definitely worth driving a few times a week.

Hey Promark, please tell us more about your father's Turbo! Color combo, options, how many owners? I'd love to learn more.

There are some great air-cooled indy shops in the Atlanta area. Your father needs to find one. Don't go to the dealership. They don't know these cars very well. They are rare (less than 500 1997 Turbos in North America), and dealerships have not seen them in years, if ever.

Yes, the radio sucks, but with the windows down, sunroof open, and Fab Speed bypass, you can't hear it in my car anyways!

The HVAC system is EXCELLENT! The little I've driven it in cold weather, the heat is almost "instant on", due to the heat exchangers on the exhaust system. As for the AC, I use mine less than 1% of the time, and it has been fine in +98 degree weather.

The pedals are great in the Turbo, but I also have a very custom set-up for my style, and performance clutch and LWFW.