Porsche 996 or 993 as daily driver ?

I agree with your comments regarding the 996, there's not much to condemn (your max $ can keep you away from the early cars). Outside of the Boxster eyes, they are clean designs and define what a modern homage to the original should be. However, its 993, 100%. There's a reason for the ever increasing difference in resale values.

 

NOt sure what it was that you didn't like about the 993; I have had both, and while the 996 was way more powerful (a GT2), I find the 993 ( a C4Cab) to be a terrific driver in real world conditions. The position of the steering wheel takes a little getting used to, but the shifter is very positive. Suspension parts can and probably should be upgraded, along with dropping the body height to Euro standards.
The biggest issue I am aware of is the dreaded CEL on OBDII cars- 96 and later; the fix ain't cheap when it happens. My only other complaint is the plastic rear window on the cabrio-- can't use it in the winter for obvious reasons of cracking with low temps. But, otherwise, a terrific car. I bought one with about 20k miles for the price you mentioned a year ago; it was mechanically terrific, the interior like new, the paint and exterior had some cosmetic issues and I replaced the top.
You should get onto Rennlist- their 993 section is probably one of the most active, and there are some very knowledgeable users there; in addition, cars come up from regular users there quite frequently.
I don't know that I'd buy a C4 again, pretty unnecessary- thought I'd need it for snow, but the car basically sucks in the snow so it doesn't matter. The wide body coupe is gorgeous. That would be my choice, but a low mileage one is probably more than you are budgeting. (Then again, P car drivers aren't afraid to stack up the miles...).
Oh, I have used the 993 to commute into NYC, so I guess you'd call that a 'driver.'

 

The 996 has been described as Porsche's Lexus. So if thats what you like, and thats not bad, get it.
The 993 was more the anachronism.
MY vote ? 993 all the way.
And BTW; its free ! Sell it in a few years for what you paid for it.

 

I wish I had such problems!

I'd say 993 but, I've never driven one. As for the 996, I'd go Boxster S before one of those in a heart beat.

 

Get a 996 S and don't look back. It is a fantastic car with proven reliability. The disadvantages of the 996; depreciation is higher and it's not nearly as attractive as the 993. 993 disadvantages; strange sitting position, clanky doors, funky shifter, and not much power.

I had a 996 and liked it a lot.

 

Like you, I currently drive an E55 (2006) and previously owned a 993 (1995) as my prior daily driver. I found the car to be much more fun and having an enough of an "old school" feel to satisfy that part of my personality. Not to say that the E doesn't have it's pluses but I actually liked the 993 more and will more than likely get another one.

The maintenance on my car during my ownership included a clutch (which it needed prior to my purchase) slave cylinder, valve cover gaskets, and other small items to get it up to date. Once these things were done the car was perfect and required only the normal upkeep. I paid 29K for my car (with 72K miles) and put about 4K into it to get it to my "spec" so I would expect you can find a nice example in your price range. I went with a 95' car to avoid the dreaded CEL mentioned below. This is usually the result of the SAI mechanism and is costly to repair.

So at the end of the day it's whichever car suits you best. Good luck with your decision

MG

 

You could probably sell a $40k 993 for about the same amount when you are done with it. 996 may not hold up so well.

 

Since you are already spending $40K I would step up to the $50K bracket and pick up a 2001 996 Turbo.

The Turbos have a completely different motor than the regular 996 (Based on their GT-1 motor) and are actually a more reliable car.

No RMS leaks and no catastrophic engine failures( Dreaded IMS failures and Timing chain failures).

For $10K you are getting a much better all round car IMHO and if you get the "Mod" bug you can turn a 996 Turbo into a 700 BHP Veyron Hunter!

 

So you have a Viper,
I would sell the Viper and the M.B. and buy a 997 carrera S.
What a car, and it should do everything, Speed, handling, daily driver, and Beautiful.
I know this is a GT3 RS, but you get the point.
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I have been driving a 996 as a daily driver for about a year, but considered a 993. The 996's exterior is not the best looking, but it has grown on me especially as a daily driver. In addition to the gearshift somebody has already mentioned, the HVAC is far superior than the 993's; the interior is more spacious. Also, the engine drivability i.e. low end torque makes it more rewarding to drive on commuter speeds. The 996 normal maintenance costs are lower than the 993. Therefore, as a daily driver, the 996 is my choice.

BTW, I bought my 996 in the mid-20's, which seems lower than what 993s asking prices. The lower initial purchase price factor may be a consideration for you. Now, I don't feel that I have to be too anal about where I park/leave the car, etc.

Lastly, please keep in mind that I have another more-babied street car which I can use as an alternate and which I love the looks. Therefore, the other car meets my exterior aesthetic fix.

 

I owned a 993 and drove a couple of 996's. I'll cast my vote for the 993 - the build quality, solidity, engine noise, etc. are all special. Very reliable, although I didn't put many miles on it, and the climate control and comfort was very much up to daily driver standards.

As several posts suggest, it's hard to get past the 996's low-rent interior and blobby design. I looked at one with 10,000 miles on it, and the driver's sill plate plastic was worn through. There was an "aluminum-look" (e.g., fake aluminum) option for the hand brake and other bits, and I still can't believe Porsche did that while Audi used the real stuff in the TT.

The early 996s had the rear main seal (RMS) issue, but I don't recall it being that expensive (maybe I've been in the Ferrari world too long...) They made some improvement for the 2002 model year, IIRC -- should be easy to find one of those for $40K if you still want one.

If you get a 993, don't get the Tiptronic unless you really want a tame car. Mine had the Tiptronic, and I regretted it -- sapped a lot of power, and didn't let you play with the engine much.

The 996 is definitely easier to drive, because I think it was the first 911 with the PSM system, whereas the 993 (or at least mine) didn't have it. It doesn't have the scary oversteer of the early 911s, but it clearly feels like a rear-engined machine. I sold my '96 for $50K a couple years back, but I'm sure you could still get a nice coupe for $40K.

That's the only German car I really miss.

 

The 996 motors have had a Rear Main Seal issue for their entire run, not a big deal but it is a particularly annoying design defect to continually replace the seal and have it seep or drip constantly.

The early 3.4 liter cars had an abnormal amount of Intermediate shaft failures and have also been known to have some timing chain issues (not as prevalent). The 3.6 liter cars don't seem to have the same amount of engine failures as the 3.4's but they still have enough to cause concern.
The plus side is a complete reman from Porsche only runs around $9K, not bad for an entire motor with a 2 year warranty.

The Turbo motors are entirely different in casting and components and are literally bulletproof and I've been in one with 650 bhp and it was silly fast!!

Funny Anunakki we both have W211 E55's and Vipers (although I have a Gen III), you have good taste!

My advice is if you can swing the extra $10K (heck you might be able to pick a turbo up for $45-48K) I would do it in a heartbeat, the Turbo is really that much better in every regard!

Poke around Rennlist to get more information on the 996's well documented engine issues.

 

As some may recall, I use an old 1996 993 Targa for my daily driver. Bought a 2004 C6 Z06 to use as daily, did not ever warm up to it, and let the stepson have it. Still driving the Targa.

just a few comments -

a) - I am an air-cooled diehard. I have driven the 996, 997, even a RUF Turbo, and find that nothing just fits my style and slips through traffic or up and down a winding mountain path like classic normally aspirated 911. My first was a brand new 1969 911T Targa (after a Corvair), and I have been with various models of this (911) car all my driving life. Annunaki says he liked the 996 better than the 993, that the 993 seemed a little antique - so be it. Nothing wrong with the 996; it just is not the real thing to some of us old-timers. There are probably still some 356 owners out there who think the same thing about the 911.

b) - The real truth about the CE light - it means usually that your valve guides have worn thin. It means in turn that you need to give the engine a top overhaul. This is not more expensive than the dreaded belt service on a Testarossa, and you do have the option of putting in better guides so it does not happen over and over again. When it does happen, (in my case about the 80,000 mile mark) you probably have good reason to replace the clutch as well. The engine will not blow up or run funny - it just means that the manifold air pressure readings are getting funny and the computer has turned on the Check Engine light.

c) - what other car can you buy that has an oil level guage, an easy to read analog clock, and a big Honest Tachometer right there in front of you? And, they are not overlapped crosseyed like a 996/997. what other car can you buy that is essentially the same heart and soul of the ones you first drove over 40 years ago?

I rest my case.

 

Hearing the door "clink" as you close it is one of my favorite parts of the 993!!! What's that? It sounds like real METAL! Wooooooww!

 

It just ain't the real thing unless it kind of smells like hot oil when you run the heater, either.

Well, OK - the Testarossa kind of does too...

 

So true....the 993 is the last of the true 911's in a classic sense, the newer cars can never replicate the genuine feel of a aircooled 911. The 964 and 993 are quite a bit smaller than the newer cars as well, the interiors are a bit tight for some larger drivers.

Your arm is right against the door in a 964 or 993.

 

As a daily driver, the 993 is getting long in the tooth, is expensive to fix vs the water cooled, and is ergonomically a PITA (AC, radio, seating positions, etc.).

Never understood the fascination with an inefficient cooling system (air). Hell, why not go back to an inefficient ignition system too (hand crank starters). The 993 is the best looking of the air-cooled cars, no question.

I second the 996TT opinions. I average 12,000+ miles a year on mine and it is a joy to drive (but less so after installing stiff coilovers.......yuck......how do GT3 owners put up with that?). And the wide body Turbo looks as good as any 993.

And a 600 hp build up for less than $10k doesn't suck either......

 

They are all cooled eventually - what do you think the fan is for behind your radiator?

Porsche just cut out the middle man.

 

I'm not even that old (or at least I didn't used to be... ), and the 996, even in Turbo guise, just never did it for me. I think the 997 was a big improvement, but it will be a few years before you can touch one of those for $40K.

I never had overheating issues with the 993, and the 993TT is up in the 400bhp range, IIRC. The ergonomics are quirky, but after you've had the car a while it's all second nature. The radio was easier to use than the one in my 2008 Audi (although I didn't have iPod integration with the 993).

Can't argue with the 996TT's power. But aesthetics are what they are, and when I see 993s now they look borderline exotic (tiny, taut, very German). I don't think any of the 996 variants come close in terms of looks. I was following a black 997 S Cab yesterday, though, and it's a sharp car -- but still too big for a sports car.

 

I've owned both. For a daily driver I'd get the 993 purely based on resale. You are likely to get your money back after 2-3 years on a 993 but the 996 continue to tank on resale. Also the interior design and materials on the 996 is horrible. Now if you are planning on tracking the car it's another story, get the 996.