993 Turbos

[Xav AM 97]

Hi all,
I've been looking for a 993 over the past two months as I absolutely love them and wondered what the PH consensus was on them, there appear to be a few good ones on the market at the moment but this appears to be the best: http://www.swindoncarandvan.co.uk/classics/993-tur... I'm looking for a driver's car that can be used fairly regularly (about 30 miles a week) but also for a good long term investment (seeing as values have been going up recently.)
I'm new to 911s and so have a few questions:
How are they to drive?
Whats the maintenance like (complexity and cost)?
Any common faults?
Any investment potential?
Are the prices about right?
Should I be going for a top end classic without prior experience to 911s?

Thanks for the help

[chrisgaia]

Xav AM 97 said:

Hi all,
I've been looking for a 993 over the past two months as I absolutely love them and wondered what the PH consensus was on them, there appear to be a few good ones on the market at the moment but this appears to be the best: http://www.swindoncarandvan.co.uk/classics/993-tur... I'm looking for a driver's car that can be used fairly regularly (about 30 miles a week) but also for a good long term investment (seeing as values have been going up recently.)
I'm new to 911s and so have a few questions:
How are they to drive?
Whats the maintenance like (complexity and cost)?
Any common faults?
Any investment potential?
Are the prices about right?
Should I be going for a top end classic without prior experience to 911s?

Thanks for the help

Generally the 993 TT is seen as one of the ultimate 911s, possibly THE ultimate if you ignore RS & GT models. I personally prefer the looks of the 3.3 T but that is a whole different animal. What is not to like? Its a beautiful car with enormous kick, iconic staus, the first really stable 911 Turbo, last of the air cooled, performance that thrills after 20 years, likely to increase in value exponentially...

Prices are the downside but investment potential is great and if you can afford it then have a ball! That looks like a great example but obviously get it thoroughly checked out.

Let us know!

[jackal]

Xav AM 97 said:

How are they to drive?
Whats the maintenance like (complexity and cost)?
Any common faults?
Any investment potential?
Are the prices about right?
Should I be going for a top end classic without prior experience to 911s?

1. Very nice to drive but strictly a GT car IMO (as opposed to say a circuit, country lane car) unless you want to do a ton of mods

2. If the biggies have been done (turbo rebuilds, suspension, windscreen rust etc.) then ongoing maintenance shouldnt be too bad. See http://www.jackals-forge.com/lotus/993/993_buy_gui...

3. The boat already left the port which is probably what makes you think they are an investment. Ok so they may go up again, they may hold or they may not depending on what you believe, who knows. If it's invetsment you want then IMO have some foresight and look for the next 'springer' and a car that is at the moment undervalued rather than 'just gone up'. (i.e. F430 Scuderia). This requires taking a risk though rather than being a sheep/copycat.

4. From what perspective ? A 996 GT3 blows it into the weeds as a drivers car, miles better in every single respect and they are half the price at the moment. Ditto gen 1 997 GT3 (not quite half price). Once a car goes into this sort of territory the conecpt of prices and value gets completely lost. I personally wouldn't pay 80k for one as I had many opportunities to buy an equivalent example at 40k. I see this as a love purchase and you're either in love or not.

5. Depends what your aim is. If you are driver-orientated and want to experience the whole 911 thing then perhaps start with a basic C2 IMO and just pick what era suits you best: 3.2, 964, 993, 996, 997. Unless you are predominanlty a straight line acceleration junkie, a trackday pundit or looking for a grand tourer then the basic 2 wheel drive car is very very hard to beat in all iterations IMO. Don't let the lure of the halo or the prestige of the upper steps on the ladder distort the true picture.

Edited by jackal on Sunday 27th April 14:21

[jonttt]

Your a but late for that one, it sold weeks ago ;-)

I think it was originally nick faldos........

[Schnellmann]

I would echo Jackal's comments. Turbo looks lovely but the C2 more rewarding to drive. I considered "upgrading" to a turbo from my 993 C2 a couple of years back. Drove a turbo up for sale at an OPC over some nice B roads that would have been really fun in the C2 and the turbo was bouncing and tramlining. Not great. Very quick in a straight line and I expect very nice on the motorway. Depends what floats your boat. Try to drive both.

Price of all 993s (good examples) have held up and good cars fetch a premium. Turbos likely to drift up but they have already jumped quite a bit.

Personally I would much rather take a 996 GT3 (something I have owned). I remember chasing a 993 TT in mine and not losing out by much in a straight line. GT3 is better in the bends. Has much nicer steering. Sounds so much better. And I never found it uncomfortable. Only downside is the front splitter that is too low.

[Carl_Docklands]

They are nice cars but they don't drive as good as they look.

For that kind of money I would sooner stump the extra and buy a time warp LHD 964 RS.

[amokwa]

I have owned both (C2 & turbo). C2 is purer however the turbo is in a different league. The hike in power and the halo surrounding it led to me driving it with more care.

Keep an eye on cam & timing chain covers for oil leaks. Another item to watch is the tension of the fan belts (turbo ate 2) and with the intercooler cannot be repaired by the roadside.

Second time it went I had just left a party with the missus in winter. If the turbos have not been refurbished you will be looking out for oil on start up clearing quickly.

Took mine for a suspension health check, this is a must do item else the car will tramline all over the place if the camber is out.

There was an article in 911 & Porsche World last year (993 turbo v 997 GTS) a good read the GTS puts out similar power in a more refined package.

A fantastic car though and unforgettable when the turbos wakeup

Edited by amokwa on Monday 28th April 19:18

Edited by amokwa on Tuesday 29th April 15:00

Edited by amokwa on Tuesday 20th May 17:48

Edited by amokwa on Sunday 27th March 12:18

Edited by amokwa on Sunday 27th March 12:20