1997 Porsche 911 convertible - everyday driver?

Absolutely! My dad has a 996 cab. as his DD (with the exception of snow), and it has performed exceptionally well over the last 5 years. He just did his first major service at 30K miles-- that was the cars first major work. A 993 should have even less of a change to have a problem than a 996 because it isn't water-cooled. Good luck.
-Joe

 

Only if you can afford to keep up on the everday stuff. Remember, oil changes are two filters and 14 quarts. The 996 is deffinately more reliable, but I perfer the 993's.

 

Should be a good car. Early 996's had an RMS (rear main seal) problem as the most notable issue, so check for leaks and review the service records. But I certainly wouldn't hestitate to use a well-maintained 996 as a daily driver.

 

Its a 1997 that makes it a 993, but still a good car, some would say better.
But for a daily driver a 996 would be better.

 

Doh, thanks. I don't know why I have this 2 year time warp. I keep thinking the 996/996TT intro years were 97/99 instead of 99/01 as they were.

Anyway ditto comments on 993 cab as a daily driver.

 

had a 977 993 C4 the car was bulletproof ... sold it for a 996 ... big mistake should have gone from 993 to 997 and skipped the 996 .

 

Unless you really have to have a cab, you'd be better off with a 98 C2S coupe (all C2s were S models in 98). You'll pay a little more for it but it will have the least depreciation since it's the last of the air-cooleds. Plus, many consider it to be the best-looking 911 in recent years, although I personally prefer the aesthetics of the 97 C2S coupe.

 

bullet proof and cheap to maintain...great aircooled sound too! and only one oil filter and 12 quarts of oil.

 

Hmmm, I always thought there was something weird about my buddy's car. lol

 

I had a 1997 Carrera 4 Cab that i drove very often. no problems. Aswell as a friend that drives a 95 carrera 2 Cab as a daily driver, again no problems. keep the suspension stock with the stock 17 or 18 inch wheels or else the ride gets very harsh.

 

My '96 993 cab (now sold) was excellent - might be picking up a '98 993 cab next. I had a tiptronic, going for a manual next time, but the tiptronic makes it ideal for daily use.

The only things I can think of are the car's appetite for expensive tires (10,000 miles if you drive conservatively) and the security issues with parking a soft top car. I use them on the weekend and only take my convertibles to nice areas -- e.g., not to park at the airport, downtown for work, etc.

No typical problems, although make sure you check that the recall was performed on the power top latches (Porsche can check and confirm whether it was done).

 

Personal experience? I'm curious because I've found the opposite true. Also, oil changes in the 993 are every year or every 15,000 miles which is a much longer interval than standard cars.

BIG thumbs up here for using a 993 as a daily driver. It may be a little more crude than the 996 but it more than makes up for it in character and feel.

 

ditto tyler's remarks. my old boss had a '97 993 cab for about 5 years. no problems other than some minor electrical stuff. there's something to be said about keeping it simple.

 

993 is so much better looking than a 996 ..... I sold my 98 993 C4 cab for a 996 C4 cab a move I will always regret .

 

I am curious as to why some say the 996 is more reliable than the 993. I have never heard that stated before.

Please explain.

Thanks.

 

Don't think of it as a sedan ever. In the city they can be a handfull if you aren't paying attention.

 

I can't.

My 996 was the worst 911 I've owned. For many reasons, including reliability...