The 993!. Which is the best one to buy?

[Peter Roberts]

I have a mind to trade in my saloon and get myself a 993 before i get to the stage when i cannot get in and out.
There are so many options it is difficult to know which one to look for. I fancy a cabriolet but even then there are options
Ok 993 owners which is the best option and Why.
Peter roberts

[lindsayhbrown]

Not got one myself, but the ones to have seem to be the C4S or if you can afford it the turbo

[Clive993]

Before I can answer that question budget is the most critical thing to understand.


£17k - take what you can get !!!

£20k+ - = C2 or C4 Cab or Targa ........... in that order of market desireability. If you can get the varioram. Not a lot of difference but more sought after at sale time

£30k + C2s or C4s

£45-50k Turbo

£70k Turbo S

Condition and history is the key thing, dont get hung up on mileage, they are bomb proof. Budget £2k to £3k in first year to sort niggles if you are OCD then low money to keep from then on. (Well low money for 911 that is)

However if this is for a daily driver, think very carefully about it. WOnderful cars, they are an event to drive, but they can be a little agricultural when sticking on 10k miles per year. As high day and holiday car.....simply wonderful.

The clock is ticking before some one posts, 'ah but I drive mine every day'. !!!! They may do, but I advise you to think carefully thats all.

[stewart rix]

Ah, but I do use mine every day! 993 C4 that is. It may be dated compared to any modern car, but in the 9 years of ownership and constant use its been extremely reliable and provides a sense of occasion every time it's driven. I focussed only on getting a C4 when I bought mine, exactly because it was for all weather, all seasons. Yes, I have been a smug owner still making progress on snow covered roads. It's now for sale as I've bought a 993 Turbo (another 4x4 of course!)

Stewart

[964russ]

GT2

[sam]

GT2

Yep, just the job on these snowy roads Nice RS would be good, keep the GT2 for the summer

[mwcarrera]

Go for it! I've had four but sadly crashed one (C2 auto would now not be my preferred drive ???) My two manual C4s were just fine and do drive like their two wheel drive cousins although possibly they tend to understeer on the limit. Stability in poor weather being the C4s strong point. Cabriolet or Coupe must depend on usage with the Cabriolet better suited to good weather although in the main they are pretty waterproof. Cabriolets have slightly less room the the back (rear seat backs more upright) but otherwise are a similar drive to the coupe - although slightly noisier due to the rag top. I've not had a Targa but would expect it to be a good compromise between the two.
What to look for: 1) body condition - rust is not usually a problem but can be found around windscreens and sills - I've had a 1997 model with rust penetration through the sill below the B post?? 993s can paint chip badly on the rolled front wheel arches. Door stay brackets within the A posts will break which require reasonably major work to resolve properly. 2) mechanically 993s shouldn't be problematic - check clutch and A/C for obvious problems, everything else can be easily sorted! 3) Mileage: mine is over 100K now and still going strong - talk of top end overhaul at 130k mls seems to be much dependant on use and maintenance and I expect much more from mine before major engine work.
My only reservation on 993 ownership would be that I would not want to use a manual in traffic on a daily basis!!! I would like a C2/4S but console myself that my narrow bodied version is ultimately faster?? (meaninless if true)
My current 1997 manual C2 cabby has 104k mls and nearly all areas of the car have been looked at or improved. Please feel free to ask any questions.