Could a high mileage 993 be good buy?

[Pat Mustard]

Hi
I have posted before on here regarding a high mileage 964 with engine rebuild I am interested in, and I thank all the guys that replied to my query.

I have been doing a bit of studying on the Air cooled 911`s in the last few days and it seems that the 993 is regarded overall a better built and reliable car than, in my eyes the better looking 964.And what I have read seems to suggest that with 993`s you buy on condition and not millage.

I have seen this car for sale and I am just using it as an example.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3685690.htm

Would this car need an engine rebuild in the near future even if the car has, as suggested been well maintained?

This no doubt has been covered before but the search system is on the blink.

Cheers,

[bridey0]

Pat Mustard said:

Hi
I have posted before on here regarding a high mileage 964 with engine rebuild I am interested in, and I thank all the guys that replied to my query.

I have been doing a bit of studying on the Air cooled 911`s in the last few days and it seems that the 993 is regarded overall a better built and reliable car than, in my eyes the better looking 964.And what I have read seems to suggest that with 993`s you buy on condition and not millage.

I have seen this car for sale and I am just using it as an example.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3685690.htm

Would this car need an engine rebuild in the near future even if the car has, as suggested been well maintained?

This no doubt has been covered before but the search system is on the blink.

Cheers,

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3449700.htm

this one sold for good money

[thegoose]

Pat Mustard said:

Hi
I have posted before on here regarding a high mileage 964 with engine rebuild I am interested in, and I thank all the guys that replied to my query.

I have been doing a bit of studying on the Air cooled 911`s in the last few days and it seems that the 993 is regarded overall a better built and reliable car than, in my eyes the better looking 964.And what I have read seems to suggest that with 993`s you buy on condition and not millage.

I have seen this car for sale and I am just using it as an example.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3685690.htm

Would this car need an engine rebuild in the near future even if the car has, as suggested been well maintained?

This no doubt has been covered before but the search system is on the blink.

Cheers,

The key with ANY older car is to buy on condition. The number on the dash affects the value - and way more than it should IMO. It's an odd paradox that the more people value low mileage the more likely that there will be clocked cars about.

There are always exceptions but I don't think a sensibly used and well maintained 993 should have any difficulty with the engine getting to 250,000 miles. As with any car, it's impossible to know how it's been cared for from new of course, so you have to have it inspected and take your best guess, but good 993s are generally a safe bet.

[A993LAD]

From the photos it looks great value but as others say it really depends on the condition rather than the mileage. If you want to drive it not keep it in the garage and polish it every week then a high mileage, well cared for example makes good sense.

I've had two 993's and my current 100k+ miler drives and handles better than my previous one that had only done 42k miles. This is because the 100k miles one had new shocks, suspension, top mounts, bushes, steering rack and alignment all sorted just before I bought it.

The example you linked too looks like it's had the same so it probably drives really nicely. New clutch too so that's good for 60k+ miles.

You'll probably find that a 993 for £15k with 140k on the clock, 18 service stamps in the book and a file full of regular expensive maintenance work will give you more fun and no more expense than a £30k car that's done only 40k miles and sat in a garage most of it's life with all the seals and bushes drying out.

[bridey0]

A993LAD said:

From the photos it looks great value but as others say it really depends on the condition rather than the mileage. If you want to drive it not keep it in the garage and polish it every week then a high mileage, well cared for example makes good sense.

I've had two 993's and my current 100k+ miler drives and handles better than my previous one that had only done 42k miles. This is because the 100k miles one had new shocks, suspension, top mounts, bushes, steering rack and alignment all sorted just before I bought it.

The example you linked too looks like it's had the same so it probably drives really nicely. New clutch too so that's good for 60k+ miles.

You'll probably find that a 993 for £15k with 140k on the clock, 18 service stamps in the book and a file full of regular expensive maintenance work will give you more fun and no more expense than a £30k car that's done only 40k miles and sat in a garage most of it's life with all the seals and bushes drying out.

so how about the red 993 car?

[richyd]

the car mentioned in the original post looks to be cracking value...

I'm not a fan of walnut in any Porsche, but this aside it looks to be a really nicely specced car - factory LSD is nice to have, as are the coveted hardback seats. Good colour combo too (no blue dash!!) If it has a FSH it should run and run and not present any greater risk than any other 993. Plus the beauty with this one is that it is priced so well, you could drive it every day for 5 years and not lose a penny in depreciation, assuming you maintain it well.

Looks a veritable bargain to me considering where 993 prices seem to be headed.

[steve singh]

Unless someone pays megabucks - is it commonly accepeted that these type of examples will be suffering from bodywork rust?

Also, in a straight line going from 0 to say 75mph does a 993 "feel" fast?

Thanks in advance.

[cragswinter]

steve singh said:

Unless someone pays megabucks - is it commonly accepeted that these type of examples will be suffering from bodywork rust?

Also, in a straight line going from 0 to say 75mph does a 993 "feel" fast?

Thanks in advance.

I'd say they feel fast, but then it depends where you're coming from. 993's rust, but go in with your eyes open & it's easy to spot-& some of them have very little tinworm to speak of & some of them are rotten

[A993LAD]

bridey0 said:

so how about the red 993 car?

Quite low milege and looks very clean with dealer support so looked to be about the right price to me.

But perhaps 100k+ miles and £10k less on the purchase price is better value if its a well maintained car and you want to drive it a bit without being ocd about keeping it pristine.

[boxsey]

A993LAD said:

From the photos it looks great value but as others say it really depends on the condition rather than the mileage. If you want to drive it not keep it in the garage and polish it every week then a high mileage, well cared for example makes good sense.

+1

I think it looks great value. The ad is only one day old and I'll bet his phone has rang a few times already. I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the Goose's stock any time soon!

[Nurburgsingh]

steve singh said:

Unless someone pays megabucks - is it commonly accepeted that these type of examples will be suffering from bodywork rust?

Also, in a straight line going from 0 to say 75mph does a 993 "feel" fast?

Thanks in advance.

993's feel fast even when they are stood still... Every drive is an event, even reversing out of the garage is amazing

[neilcoker]

I recently bought a 130k miler, without much history but had it inspected with no major faults or rust found, took the plunge and never looked back, the only expence so far was a set of tyres and new ht leads. It drives superb and gives me loads of smiles. So i say get someone to check it out for you and bite the bullet you wont look back and any expense you may have will be made up when you sell as the prices are steadilly creaping up. maybe because the high price of the low mile minters makes the high milers viable, good luck

[tonycordon]

A993LAD said:

Quite low milege and looks very clean with dealer support so looked to be about the right price to me.

But perhaps 100k+ miles and £10k less on the purchase price is better value if its a well maintained car and you want to drive it a bit without being ocd about keeping it pristine.

Thanks for the comment, I was the buyer, ( of the 'red car'), collected last Saturday. Delighted so far. Sam at Paul Stephens was very good to real with and pointed out faults which they were ready to recify, I always feel happier to see a car 'as is' and have faults sorted out before/after purchase, feels more honest to me. He has already agreed to sort some small items that I have found. I won't post photos as you have already seen better shots than I could manage!

[x12yhp]

I am perhaps a bad one to talk to because I ended up with quite a low mileage 993 (55k or so) but what I would chime in with is that a decent 993 is just a good buy. Having owned one, there is nothing else I have driven that is like it. It is an event everytime I get in it and a break from the world to jump inside. The feel of that clutch and chunky gearbox, the quirky pedals, the lovely free rev and air cooled roar.... if you don't hate it the moment you get behind the wheel, you will end up a die hard lover of the model.

[Pat Mustard]

Hi, Lads, cheers for the heads up.

I phoned the owner of the car and he “thinks” it may be a CAT D……..

Still a good buy ?

[steve singh]

cragswinter said:

steve singh said:

Unless someone pays megabucks - is it commonly accepeted that these type of examples will be suffering from bodywork rust?

Also, in a straight line going from 0 to say 75mph does a 993 "feel" fast?

Thanks in advance.

I'd say they feel fast, but then it depends where you're coming from. 993's rust, but go in with your eyes open & it's easy to spot-& some of them have very little tinworm to speak of & some of them are rotten

Thanks - think I might need to get a test drive in one...

...feeling like going old school

[thegoose]

Pat Mustard said:

Hi, Lads, cheers for the heads up.

I phoned the owner of the car and he “thinks” it may be a CAT D……..

Still a good buy ?

Just a reason to perhaps scrutinise the car a little more closely.

Let's say I had a bump in my 993 now - a light front that damaged wings, bonnet, bumper, headlights and bent the floor slightly could easily command a £10k+ quote from an OPC bodyshop, by the time you've added replacement rental cars charges and other costs in there you can see how it would be better for an insurer to write the car off as it would cost less to pay out £20k and sell the salvage. Once bought from the insurance company the repair could be done with used parts (which may still be newer than the originals!) for much much less yet still to a proper standard - but it would be a Cat C/D car.

[Pat Mustard]

thegoose said:

Just a reason to perhaps scrutinise the car a little more closely.

Let's say I had a bump in my 993 now - a light front that damaged wings, bonnet, bumper, headlights and bent the floor slightly could easily command a £10k+ quote from an OPC bodyshop, by the time you've added replacement rental cars charges and other costs in there you can see how it would be better for an insurer to write the car off as it would cost less to pay out £20k and sell the salvage. Once bought from the insurance company the repair could be done with used parts (which may still be newer than the originals!) for much much less yet still to a proper standard - but it would be a Cat C/D car.

The damage was done in 2000 when the car was only 5 years old though.

[Wozy68]

Pat Mustard said:

Hi, Lads, cheers for the heads up.

I phoned the owner of the car and he “thinks” it may be a CAT D……..

Still a good buy ?

Run a mile and don't stop to look back.

Being told straight out its a CAT D is one thing, and up front in the advert is another.

But 'thinks' is a CAT D? Come on, he knows this already. And yes to be written off at 5 years old means the damage was substantial.

My 964 at 12 years old wasn't written off and that had nearly 10K worth of damage, and this was seven years ago when a decent LHD 964 was worth 13K.

[Presuming Ed]

If its Cat D I wouldn't bother, at least not at the price he's looking for. If it was 3k cheaper then its a different matter. I don't doubt that'll drive as well as a non crashed car as long as it was repaired by a good specialist but why take the risk. At that money similar cars without bad history can be bought.