My Porsche mechanic has told me to look for a 993, and to pass on the 996 I am currently thinking about buying. Far too many issues with the 99 engines he personally dealt with while at Park Place here in Dallas. This dude is a veteran and a wizard. I trust him 1000%.

So what 993 year do you recommend? Who has what and what should I be looking for? School me. Thanks.

 

I'm sure he did, maintenance is much more expensive than a 996. 996's are light years ahead in terms of quality. Additionally, you will pay more for a 993 than a 996.

 

Having owned both, there are pros and cons to each model but rest assured, 993's have their share of pricey issues as well, most notoriously the clogged cylinder head air passages (SAI) that triggers the CEL ('96+). A fix requires removal of the heads - $5K+ job. '95 models to do have this problem. 993's are also prone to oil leaks although they are better than earlier air-cooled 911's, and they consume oil at a higher rate than the liquid-cooled engines. Post your inquiry on the 993 forum and you will see.

 

+1

how will you use your car? you do know upkeep on a 993 is WAY more than a 996.....regular services can be up to 2k....my services on my 996 are between $200-600....find a good 996....it will be faster, lighter, easier to maintain, handle better, be more comfortable, etc....now by a 993 if you like the way it sounds and wanna live in nostalgia..lol...seriously if you wanna put some miles on it...a 996 is the way to go. I bet you could find a really nice 996 and have money to replace the engine if needed for the price of a good 993....

 

Your mechanic is wrong, maintenace cost on a 996 are about 1k/yr. Microscopic c/w a 993. Mine has 60k hard, trouble free DD/track miles on it, zero issues. My friend with his '97 c2s spent 13k last yr for a major overhaul after a dreaded CEL, he's afraid to even drive it anymore.

 

Now I am confused. 993 costs more to upkeep? I was told the 993 is a better made 911, period. His figure of $5k is "be prepared to spend", NOT "you will spend" in upkeep.
Believe me if I can find a 996 that is the right price and needs zero other than wear and tear items, show me and I'll buy it. So everyone here says go 996 then? They are in my price range and that's why I was looking at them to start with.

I need opinions though. My mechanic builds Porsche racing engines here in Dallas when he's not fixing Bentleys. MB, Audi, and Porsche he has completely mastered, and is highly compensated to show for it. He flat out told me to keep my S500 as my daily driver and to avoid the 996.

Can a PPI reveal what looms in the future?


THANKS GUYS!

 

Yes and on a 996 13k buys you a new engine and with that about 150k minimum more miles....I have 130k on mine....

 

I agree with these guys...never had any issues with my 996.

 

My Porsche sales guy was the first to steer me to 996, and told me to stay away from 993's. The CEL issue if i remember correct. I have about 40K miles on 996's now, and minus the radiator bottle issue, and some really minor things, absolutely no issues to speak of.

 

I'd stay away from the 993s. Expensive to maintain/fix. Sure in theory the M96 block isn't as "good" as the air cooled 993 engine but man they've lasted a lot longer than any of us thought

 

just buy it ya puss

 

for a couple of grand more you can get a new 996 engine as compared to a top end rebuild... 993 are expensive to maintain and has its share of problems, yes it is a great car though but the 996 blows it away in alot of everyday driveabilty hands down

test drive both, you decide, mechanics sometimes will give advice based on their intrest

 

I want the damn 996 already and MJ up there will never let me live it down if I don't buy the damn thing now. I'll have no one to eat lunch with.......Ok I am going to have to find a nice one somewhere. I did that with the M5 and one turned up. Anyone have the Rennlist post on what bugs to keep your eyes peeled for? Feeling lazy while waiting out the tornadoes her in DFW.

Not the best weather for an Atom or a Cirrus!

 

Went through the same thoughts before my purchase, the 996 is a better car to drive and live with period. If you want a toy to work on and look at get a 993 if you want to spend extra cash for that privelege.
You can almost buy two motors for the 996 for the price of a rebuild air cooled motor!

 

I'm not trying to be a dick, or anything. But like Ferrari's, Lambo's and Porsche's, newer is better, in both performance, reliability and maintenance costs.