I'm looking into purchasing a 993 form Sloan Motors outside New Haven. Anyone have any feedback on them? So far, after one conversation, I like what they have to say.

 

I would post on rennlist as well, more active 993 comunity and I would think there would be someone in the area looking to take a look for you.

 

if you don't mind the price, sloan, wilhoit and truspeed are the 3 places that you can pick up well looked after, mostly stock, cars. they are quick to buy air cooled porsches and then turn around to sell them at a premium. make sure you get an independent ppi done.

 

Thanks for the feedback. So far I haven't heard any real negatives about them.
I had a pretty long talk with Richard Sloan tonight about the possibility of a SAI issue on a 1995 993. He said he has seen it on just a few of the '96 to '98 cars, but never on a 1995. Pretty sure I'm going to go ahead with a deal on a coupe. And the PPI is scheduled for Monday.

 

agree that sloan, wilhoit and truspeed command a premium but deliver top-shelf cars. i'd also add weissach autohaus and rpm cars to that list as well.

case in point, two of those 993 specialists have already tried to purchase my 1998 C4S Factory Aero that's just been listed for sale. they know a sublime example when they see it and know that this type of car really excites the market. but i'm selling directly to the end seller and, respectfully, am not leaving any margins in for a middle-man mark up

good luck with the PPI and post an update!

 

So, quick and dirty:
What should I do to the car in order to get it ready for a few DE's?
I'm thinking Super Blue brake fluid, new pads, chip, and suspension mods. I don't want to go overboard though - still want the car to look totally stock and be comfortable on the street.

 

The 95's do not have/show the SAI issue becasue they are ODB I, the 96-98 are ODB II and can exhibit the SAI issue. 95 is a good choice for this reason.

Bob

 

I feel good about the car, but cosmetically I'm not crazy about the bucket handle brake light. How big a deal is it to remove? Does one then have to add a 3rd brake light to keep the car legal?

 

agreed

 

I don't mean to sound stuipd...but I'm currently looking around and trying to read as much as I can about the 993's. I'm hoping to buy my first porsche at the tender age of 24-25...as I'm currently 23.

This being said...what is the SAI Issue?

 

I'm far from an expert but.....
It has to do with carbon fiber buildup on the secondary air intake valves which leads to sensor issues, especially with OBD 2. It's not all that common but seems to be an issue only with 96 to 98 cars, as they have OBD 2. According to Richard Sloan of Sloan Motors, anecdotally he's seen it on a few cars out of a few hundred that have passed through his hands. And he feels it's on cars thqt have been driven hard, although several posts in this form, or Rennlist, will dispute that.

 

Sloan has nice cars but waaay overpriced. Funny how Sloan mentions he's only seen it a couple of times. 96-98 993s are NOTORIOUS for this issue. The secondary air injection ports will clog with carbon (not carbon fiber!) which will not allow the air pump to pump air to the exhaust which will then not make the car pass emissions and also trips the check engine light sensor. This normally occurs at around 60k miles. They almost all will clog and in order to get this fixed, the engine needs to come out and have a top-end rebuild (ports need to be drilled out/cleaned to open up again).

All in all though this issue affects power in no way. When buying a higher mileage 993, make sure that this problem has been fixed or else your turn will be next. And as for people debating that the harder you run them the less they will have this issue-that is correct. In fact many lower mileage cars that run around the city doing short runs will get their ports clogged with carbon A LOT quicker than one that does a lot of highway miles and hard driving because under hard driving condition the motor is exerting a lot of air through these ports.

So yes its something to look out for.

 

Thanks for the input. My mistake on the carbon "fiber" issue. I know it's not fibers but particles from unburned gas - I think it might have been a late night post.
My car is being shipped as we speak, and even though I might have expected a dealer like him to be overpriced, I think I'm doing OK. Possibly because it's not a turbo or s, just a plain jane sunroof coupe.
1995, black and grey, 35,000 miles, with ABD and LSD, and I paid $36,000. I looked around for awhile and most cars like this were more expensive, even from private sellers. Maybe he just wanted to get rid of it.

 

Nothing personal against Richard. I know many people who have purchased cars from him and have had a great experience, however I know more than I care to say who have had less than a perfect dealing with him and swear never to buy anything from him again. I am not saying don't deal with him but don't be too trusting either.

I have only met the man once and his Porsche knowledge was far less complete than I would have expected from a man who deals in these cars. Even to this day some of the info on his site about some models is so far from the truth, even after he has been told repeatedly that the hp numbers he is quoting are absurdly wrong.

Who did you have do a PPI on the car? If it was someone who Richard suggested have it done again before you purchase. I recommend Dan Jacobes from Hairy Dog Garrage www.hairydoggrrrage.com although odds are he will not allow him to do the PPI.

I agree with others about Michael Willhoit he is a class act and his product is always top notch. I purchased my 928GTS from him without a hitch and the car has been great. I have never heard anything bad about his cars the same goes for Ray Joseph of RPM sports cars. These 2 are about the best acts in the business.

Good Luck with our car I hope it is everything you wish for.

Edit:

Sorry I just read you already have the car in transit. I wish you the best don't let me make you worry although have your local mechanic check it out immediately in case anything was missed.

 

Agree. Can be expensive to fix if those top end rebuilds are necessary. Only a matter of time. But the 993 design is timeless.