Owning a 993

[oliie]

I am considering buying a second hand 993 as a weekend car (or perhaps as a daily driver and turning the Trophy into a weekend car). Something with around 30-50k miles on it.

Has anyone had any experience owning a 993 (or the previous model) in the past? I'm interested even if you've driven one (as I've not even been able to do that yet!).

I am not too sure what I should expect reliability wise and running cost wise. I am hoping it will prove only slightly less economical to run compared to the Trophy, especially since the residuals should hold up nicely.

I also have no idea if I can get one with cruise control (a must for me) nor what insurance is like (need to find a chair that I won't fall off first!).

I'm just completely in love with the shape of the 993 (I would not consider a 996 unless it was one of the last off the line) and have always promised myself to own one, at least for a year! Preferably in Bordeaux red with cream leather... yummy!

Any thoughts/ideas/slagging/flaming/insight greatly appreciated!

Cheers
O.

 

[FunkyMunky]

i remember evo ran one for a few months, and there's a similar letter in this months edition, whereby a guy is asking for advice between choosing a M3, S4 or 911. 911 works out quite expensive to run on a day-to-day basis i think was the jist of what they advised him, however well worth the rewards.

not sure if you're an evo subscriber but it might be worth looking at some of their previous write-ups and iirc they've also done a buying guide so you know what to look out for.

sorry i can't give any firsthand experience of a 911, but good luck in your search

 

[FunkyMunky]

oh and to add, the residuals are pretty firm, they reckon prices start at around £25k. if you find a well maintained one with plenty of stamps in the book you should be on the start of something good

 

[FunkyMunky]

and my 3rd and final post, have you tried :

http://www.911uk.com/forum/

 

[George K]

Josh Sadler of Autofarm is probably the oracle.

 

[oliie]

Cheers - I have not seen that site before. Will have a prowl!

O.

 

[T7PHY]

Always wanted one of these as well, but they are expensive to buy and to run... However, you can offset some of this against their lack of depreciation.

I think good ones go for £30k+ easily.

Keep us posted - interesting project! :wink:

 

[Tomx]

My brother in law has 993 for a year or two that he uses for a daily driver probably covering 15-20k a year. As an every day car he loves it after owning a Lotus elise, Marcos, Integrale and 2 older versions of the 911. The only other car which he said came close to it for sheer fun was a Corrado G60.

He paid 25k for an M registered one and still thinks he could get around 20k for it with 95k on the clock, having covered 25k since owning it.

He drives it quite hard most of the time and has to replace the rear tyres every 6 thousand miles at £200-250 a tyre. And it averages 20-25 mph.

He never goes to a Porsche dealer for servicing but goes to a specialist and they charge £350-400. He's had no problems with it so far apart from one of the cooling belts snapping, the air con not working and recently on wet days it doesn't like to start (it sounds like an electrical problem). And hes had a cracked wind screen, apparently they are very expensive but that was replaced under the insurance.

I also love the shape and would love to own one but for me they are to expensive . I have driven it a few times and must say its got a kick similar to the Trophy when you put you foot down and it pulls hard up to 120-130.

I would post some pictures of it but can't remember how to

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[oliie]

Guys - very good info - thanks!

Tomx - how is the car to drive? Comparing it to the Trophy (obviously heavier) - but steering wise, chuckability etc.

Hmm... I really will have to find one to drive I think.

 

[oliie]

Josh Sadler of Autofarm is probably the oracle.

Another great site: thank-you.

O.

 

[George K]

Oliie. The other thing about Josh is that he is 100% clued up and absolutely straight.

One of the chaps at work (one of our senior design engineers) has a 964 (1990) LHD with a RS body kit and Motech conversion, plus exhaust and suspension. I could get some details if you are interested.

 

[Tomx]

I borrowed it for a few days a just over a year ago and with it not being my car I did'nt push it to hard into corners so its hard to comment on chuckability. But it is a lovely car to drive and has quite a bit more grunt than the Trophy. I would feel alot more safe chucking my Trophy into a corner than the Porsche but that probably due to the fact its front wheel drive and its the only rear wheel drive fast car I have driven.

I let my brother in law have a go in my Trophy a few months ago and he was very impressed with it to the point that if I sold it he would be interested in buying it for a second car. He pushed the Trophy into corners as far as he dared only being third party and commented that he could have cornered quicker in the Porsche. Thats not to say one was quicker than the other.

 

[Johnnytheboy]

And it averages 20-25 mph.

 

[Steve]

I borrowed it for a few days a just over a year ago and with it not being my car I did'nt push it to hard into corners so its hard to comment on chuckability. But it is a lovely car to drive and has quite a bit more grunt than the Trophy. I would feel alot more safe chucking my Trophy into a corner than the Porsche but that probably due to the fact its front wheel drive and its the only rear wheel drive fast car I have driven.

I let my brother in law have a go in my Trophy a few months ago and he was very impressed with it to the point that if I sold it he would be interested in buying it for a second car. He pushed the Trophy into corners as far as he dared only being third party and commented that he could have cornered quicker in the Porsche. Thats not to say one was quicker than the other.

Very interesting points, I don't think a 993 could ever be described as chuckable, as in an inexperienced (with 911's) driver being able to throw it into corners. I love the 993's, last of the air-cooled Porsches that still have a lot fot the same bits as the original. If I was in the market for a Porsche (I will be going through FR layout before MR then RR) this would be the one for me. Although the 968 CS is supposed to be sublime.

 

[jezza l]

My Dad owned a superb condition arena red 993 targa for about 5 years. Although it was a weekend car and he didn't do that many miles in it. Think when he sold it, it had only done 25k. Tyres were replaced the most frequently i can't remember after how many miles though! Servicing costs weren't as high as everyone expects. Although my Dad did ensure he was careful with it, so general engine ware and tear was mininal.

My experience of it was: Just how focussed the car felt. It knows what it's job is and it does it very well. I can understand the above comments about the clio being more chuckable. This is certainly true as in the clio throw it in to hard get some lift off, small correction, on the gas no problem. In the 993 i found i had to be really commited to the line i was going to take but if you get it right the cornering speeds/grip from the car are amazing.
Being my Dads pride and joy i never abused getting oversteer but i did test it(under my Dads instructions to press on). There is a superb nsl road near me and it really quiet and has some great corners. Once at home and comfortable in the 993 i could take those corners way faster than i can in the trophy. I did need to drive the 993 a fair bit before i felt comfortable enough to press on in it.

Superb car and one day i'd love to own one. Ahh the memories of taking her out on a hot sunny day, putting the roof down, driving past some hot girls..... aaaahhhh.

 

[Cue]

check out www.911virgin.com. they are trade but more akin to steve @ all veh than normal trade.

They will honestly give you advice on any aspect of 911 or porsche ownership. I dealt with them a cpl of years back and found them v refreshing to do business with.

 

[cardealer]

Man who bought my V6 255 has a 120km 1995 993 RS LHD, the basic one with lightweight glass etc and red pulls for inside door handles. We spent the trip to the unit in the rain trying to keep it demisted. But it was a fabulous bit of minimalist kit and I want one. He wants £40K for it.

 

[Steve]

Weighs a lot less than the V6 then (130kg less), and an extra 30 horsies - What a downgrade. You know someone had something special if they choose a V6 for practicality.

I like the 964 RS's myself, even lighter and 300bhp in the 3.8 version

 

[Cue]

Weighs a lot less than the V6 then (130kg less), and an extra 30 horsies - What a downgrade. You know someone had something special if they choose a V6 for practicality.

I like the 964 RS's myself, even lighter and 300bhp in the 3.8 version

your just copying Evo now, think it'll leave the capri standing (when its finished).

 

[Steve]

Weighs a lot less than the V6 then (130kg less), and an extra 30 horsies - What a downgrade. You know someone had something special if they choose a V6 for practicality.

I like the 964 RS's myself, even lighter and 300bhp in the 3.8 version

your just copying Evo now, think it'll leave the capri standing (when its finished).

Actually I haven't had chance to read much of it yet, didn't know there was a 964 in it. Have they finished the Capri yet?