Hi everyone,

I am starting to look at 993 turbos. I've already found lots of great info here!

There are many reasons I am attracted to the 993s, but one of them is that I think it will be a very nice car to hold on to long-term, as it will hold its value pretty well and will be a unique and desirable car long-term, regardless of its economic value. I don't plan to use the car as a DD per se, but I do plan to drive it regularly.

That being said -- do you agree? Or is there another model I should be looking at? I've read a bit about the differences between the 96s and 97s -- any suggestions there?

If I am looking to hold on to the car long-term, how do you feel about mods? Will they decrease the value b/c the car is further from stock, or won't it have a major impact? Also, looking at repair issues, will the typical mods help or hurt? Finally, what do you think about yellow for this car? It's one of the few cars that might inspire me to move away from my usual black or silver...I actually like it in yellow! But what is the consensus?

Thanks for any insight...I know some of these things are matters of personal preference, but I'd definitely value your inputs!

 

First of all, welcome! Lots of good folks here and at 993 turbo discussion group on Rennlist. I am on my 3rd 993, 1st turbo, and love it! My advice is...don't rush, get the best (96 or 97) car you can afford as close to exactly as you want it as you can, ideally from an enthusiast who has done obsessive maintainence and repair. IMHO, the only essential major upgrade is suspension, but there are lots of other tasty power, wheel, interior, and cosmetic improvents that are attractive, especially if the seller paid for them! And before buying, get it inspected by someone independent and familiar with these cars. Budget $5k above acquisition price for repairs and upgrades; worst case is you spend it all on repairs. These can be expensive cars to own, but if you buy the right one, it will please way more than punish!
Stop thinking about "investment" issues and stop asking about what other people like for colors. Decide what you like and what is important to you...cosmetic perfection, uniqueness, extreme performance, maintaining stock equipment, utilitarian daily use driveability, economy of ownership...set your priorities and aim for those.
Did I mention how much I love my car?

 

I just bought my second modded 993tt, a 1997 3.8l Andial Twin Plug conversion. My other one is a 3.6l FVD 480 car. Mods are a good thing if that is what you want. Buying a car already tastefully modded can save you a lot of money. I have had no issues with either car.

 

I'm a true newbie, having just taken possession of my first Porsche on July 3rd. It's a '97TT in a custom color (code 999). The next day, a friend came over with 2 beach chairs, 2 fine cigars, and an 18-year-old bottle of Glenlivet (my treat). We just sat in my driveway and took in the view of the car from noon until midnight. It was, I do believe, my best July 4th ever. I'm still not sure who has the better rear (friend is a knock-out female).

Key advice is to REALLY do your homework. Know what you want, learn about the car cold (e.g., speak to past owners in addition to the seller, look at the service records), get a PPI from a qualified/independent shop. Mistakes can be very expensive (e.g., top-end rebuilds I hear cost $20-30k). I spent 2 months researching and looking. This board and Renn are amazing resources. Another thing I did before I took possession of the car was to buy an owner's manual (dealer pricing is $45.00 or so... don't get scammed on ebay for a $200 manual) and the book: "Porsche 993: The Essential Companion" (Adrian Streather, ISBN 1-904788-947). Streather book is 620 pages long and contains EVERYTHING you basically need to know about the 993. Nice Buyer's Guide info... but much of that you can glean from the boards. However, if you're having trouble with the PPI, the Buyer's Guide part of the book will be invaluable as it's quite detailed.

If you do your homework diligently on the front-end, it will help you find a really wonderful car to bring you years of pleasure. Buy blindly and you can easily spend $10k just to get the car limping home. (My local Porsche dealer has a few horror stories of customers that bought off ebay.) My two cents as one of the newest 993TT owners. Best of luck!

DAVID

 

Thanks everyone for the comments!

I'm definitely not in a rush, I definitely will be patient and wait for just the right car.

I do agree with the comment to buy what "I" want, and not what everyone else wants. And to a large extent, that is what I'll be doing. However, since one of the things I do care about it the future value of the car, I was still hoping for some comments on how mods might impact the future value. I'm not buying the car as an investment or with the intent to sell it, but this is a car I'm buying to hold on to, and I want to make sure in the future it's held its value well (I'll admit it, that will be one of the many things that I'll enjoy about the car) and will be feasible to repair/maintain.

What do you consider the "essential" suspension upgrades, btw?

p.s. although I do like this car in yellow, I don't think I'd be happy with that color long-term, but that's a hard thing to predict

 

The shocks on these cars are notorious for being worn out prematurely. Since they are all 10 years old, new shocks and euro height springs are a must-have.

 

If the mods are correctly done I don't think it will impact it negatively, but it won't impact it positively either (from a sellers perspective), this situations usualy are good for the buyer not the seller, btdt, both ways.

 

mods and value

Honestly, they aren't of any value at all. I think they just let DJ and Shank sleep a little better at night . . .

 

I know the mods aren't going to add much value (if any), but I'm worried about them actually lowering the value!

To use a (weak) analogy -- I know when I see a modified Rolex (aftermarket diamond bezel, etc.) I don't like them as much as a stock one, and I'd take a stock one instead, even though the modified one is "worth more". For modern cars, this situation doesn't seem to exist -- but I was wondering if say 20 years from now, the mods will be seen as a negative, much the way I see the modified Rolex. (sorry everyone with modified Rolexes, I'm really not trying to start a flame war!)

 

I think that purely from a $$$ point of view, mods will hurt the value of these cars, since their long term investment value depends upon collectibility, not utility. That said, most of us are into our cars for their utility (fun to drive), and the mods really enhance that feature.
Clarification: a top-end job will cost $6k, not $20-30k.
As far as suspension being essential vs other (power) mods: I feel that my car has plenty of power from the factory and that more power costs alot of $$$ and likely increases the maintainence cost of the car. The stock suspension is actually LESS compliant AND wallows vs. the upgraded sport suspensions, and the enhanced driveability doesn't come at the expense of durability or reliability.
However, when my turbos fail, they will be replaced with an upgraded setup.
Scott: I was very close to buying your (Amir's) car. it is simply the best of the best!

 

Hidesert: Yes I'm very happy to have bought Amir's car. What did you end up buying?

 

After having a C4S that I just kept modding and modding, I found a TT that was already pretty well modded and bought it. The reality is that you can just keep upgrading these cars until you think you have it complete when something new comes along that you just have to have. I have very little interest in owning a bare bones stock turbo. One of the most enjoyable things for me is personalizing the car so it doesn't look just like everyone elses. A 3.8, big brakes, suspension, wheels, etc. will set you back $70k or so, so if you can find one that is already done, you might pay an extra $.10 -$.20 on the dollar for those mods.

Mellor, what are you doing over here

 

Too much time on my hands....NOT!
To clarify what RSS said, 70K is what it will cost in addition to your stock 993tt to do those mods.

 

Scott,
I bought a 96tt w/44k miles: Silver paint-to-sample over Flamenco Red, PSS9s, all Turbo S exterior mods x wing...I am very happy.
Pics to follow when get a few more things done.

 

I think it all depends on the buyer. I personally will not buy a car that isn't modded, let the PO take the hit on the mods. I learned my lesson after dumping $55k into my 930. That hurt when it came time to sell.