996 C4S or keep the 993 C4?

[Matt Buckland]

Hi all.

A little input from you to the new boy would be appreciated. I currently run a 993 C4 (totally stock) having previously had a 964 (£12K spent on oil leaks, low compression...i know i know). I've had the 993 for a couple of years now and it really is a great car but i am wondering if its time to move on. I am very keen on a 996 C4S or C4 (with "sharper headlights") although i've driven neither. Any thoughts? i must admit i feel a little sad about leaving the air cooled purity but having spent small fortunes keeping the my cars perfect (read 964) as my 95 993 gets older the reliability must suffer.

Thanks

Matt


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[Sean Dudding]

Matt

Never driven a 993, but I owned a 996 C4S for a year, and it is a brilliant car, very versatile. I would go for the C4S over the C4 as the upgraded brakes, wheels, suspension plus all the other little bits are worth the extra £££'s.



Cheers Sean

GT3


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[James Ball]

Hi Matt. Do a quick search of the site and you will find a pretty amusing thread about 993 versus 996. Opinion is pretty divided!!!

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[noony]

996 C4S with sports exhaust for sure.

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[Graham Mitchell]

When I had the choice, I went for a 993 C4. No-one can really tell YOU what to get though. 993s are very reliable even for long term daily usage, assuming they are well looked after. What known problems do exist are usually DIY-able, keeping them pretty inexpensive. I wouldn't let the reliability issue sway you one way or the other. Just my $0.02...

Funnily enough there is a story in the October 2003 911&PW magazine about someone who faced a similar decision. He decided to give his 993 a freshen-up and overhaul so it would be good for many years to come.

I have basically done something similar - xenon headlight upgrade, navigation system with full colour screen, sport seats, removal of 50kg weight so far, with many more 'upgrades' to come. This will combine my favourite shape of 911 with cutting-edge performance, handling and auxiliaries.


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[poon]

I agree with Graham, and also went through a similar dilemma, whilst the 996 is a good drive, it is not as raw as a 911 should be, the 993 is more refined than say my old 964 but is still a sports cars.

Finally there are far too many 996's on the road in my neck of the woods, hell even the estate agents drive em, and they don't have a clue what they are driving in terms of heritage and mechanical excellence.

just my £0.02

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[Sean Dudding]

If you want a rough and ready 996, get a GT3, there are plenty of Mk1's around. As long as you don't need rear seats, it can be used as a daily car.

Sean GT3


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[Matt Buckland]

Thanks for the input. I remember the 911 & PW article now, i must have it somewhere (i am a running reporter, 4 reports) but now another spanner in the works i've been offered a 993 TT! but i don't think i can live with the spoiler - anybody heard of relocating the intercooler?

Too many options


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[Stevie]

The 993TT is the sweetest 911 ever made. In my humble opinion. Why the big deal with the spoiler? I think it looks great and adds a bit of exclusivity to the car. Everyone knows what it is as soon as they see it

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[Carrera]

I did think of up-grading to TT, but then it would be a bit too much as far as running cost is concerned to be used as a daily driver. I too prefer the more pure and simple look of my C2. You can always add a supercharger, I don't think you'd need the spoiler for it.

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[Dunc]

As a 993 C4 driver who's looked at 996s I'd say that the one to go for would be a 996C4S. Alternately, as Sean suggests, an early GT3 if you plan to track it.

I've decided to keep my car a while but if I could, I'd take a 996C4S right away!

Dunc

BTW, I'm not a fan of big spoilers either and think that only the 80s models suit them.


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[Stevie]

It is really interesting to read the different opinion on the cars. I just can't see past the 993 TT for the performance and also the spoiler look.

In my own world I thought everyone loved the fixed spoiler look. I will try to look at the car in a different light now and see if I still feel the same. Not keen on the spoiler on the 996TT though.


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[Hendo]

Quote: Originally posted by Matt Buckland on 16 October 2003

Thanks for the input. I remember the 911 & PW article now, i must have it somewhere (i am a running reporter, 4 reports) but now another spanner in the works i've been offered a 993 TT! but i don't think i can live with the spoiler - anybody heard of relocating the intercooler?

Too many options

Matt, what are the details of the TT?, If you're doubtful I might be interested. Use PM if necessary

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[sutchy]

Sounds like what you really want is a 993 C4S.

..and I know just the man who is selling one! :wink:


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