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    Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    I am seriously considering getting off the 987 deposit list at my dealer and instead concentrating on buying either a 1986 - 1988 911 Cabriolet, or a 1996 - 1997 993 Cabriolet. I have found nice examples of each priced below the guidelines listed in Excellence, (a very clean 86 with 32000 miles for around $18,000 USD, or an almost new looking 1996 C2 993 Cabriolet with 22000 miles for around $40.000 USD) and I am thinking that if I want a new Boxster later, I can always order one after the new wears off for less than the MSRP I would be paying now.

    Has anyone who has owned either or both of these models offer any opinions on my tentative plans?? My breif impressions are that the 1986 911 is more of an antique auto at this time, entirely enjoyable and able to be modified to still be a very fast auto, while the 993 is very similar to the 996 in general feel, although maintaining the air cooled heritage. There are other possibilities including an attractive 86 wide body cabriolet, but it is a euro car individually imported into the US and I am unsure of how much work was needed to be done to the cars at that time so it's more of an unknown quantity.

    It's not terribly impoirant to me that the car be an extremely capable track car as I have an Elise on order that will probably fulfill most of that requirement.

    Thanks in advance for any opinions offered.

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Quote:
    RickJK said:
    I am seriously considering getting off the 987 deposit list at my dealer and instead concentrating on buying either a 1986 - 1988 911 Cabriolet, or a 1996 - 1997 993 Cabriolet. I have found nice examples of each priced below the guidelines listed in Excellence, (a very clean 86 with 32000 miles for around $18,000 USD, or an almost new looking 1996 C2 993 Cabriolet with 22000 miles for around $40.000 USD) and I am thinking that if I want a new Boxster later, I can always order one after the new wears off for less than the MSRP I would be paying now.

    Has anyone who has owned either or both of these models offer any opinions on my tentative plans?? My breif impressions are that the 1986 911 is more of an antique auto at this time, entirely enjoyable and able to be modified to still be a very fast auto, while the 993 is very similar to the 996 in general feel, although maintaining the air cooled heritage. There are other possibilities including an attractive 86 wide body cabriolet, but it is a euro car individually imported into the US and I am unsure of how much work was needed to be done to the cars at that time so it's more of an unknown quantity.

    It's not terribly impoirant to me that the car be an extremely capable track car as I have an Elise on order that will probably fulfill most of that requirement.

    Thanks in advance for any opinions offered.



    Well, with either of those older cars, you're sure to do FAR better with depreciation if that's an issue for you. Take extended drives in each (as well as a 986) to see what you think of the driving character. Both of the older cars are dependable and lots of fun, but only you can decide if you'll enjoy them as much as a newer car (and one that's mid-engined).

    Please report back your driving impressions

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Rick, before you make any further step...DRIVE THEM all.
    The 911 3.2 and the 993 are very nice cars but they're difficult to drive fast, especially for an unexperienced or even mediocre driver.
    Forget all that "challenging driving experience" bla bla bla you sometimes hear, it is no fun to drive a car you can't fully control at the speeds you might want to achieve.
    The 986 is a setup masterpiece, although it is a bit more difficult to drive fast than the 996. The 987 should offer a very refined 986 setup and with the new steering and other surprises, it might be fun without having to sweat first.

    I remember when I sold my BMW M3 (E36-286 HP Euro Version) more than 8 years ago to buy a 993 Targa.
    The M3 was fast, at least as fast as a Porsche 993 but I was so impressed with a 993 Cab I once encountered on a road, I had to get a Porsche. It not only looked good, it was fast too and I was able to follow but not more.
    Now let me tell you how stupid I've been: I bought the 993 Targa without a testdrive. Actually, I wanted to get a Cab and even the new (it was out for a few months) Boxster came on my mind. When I went to the local Porsche dealer, the sales person actually didn't really care too much about my requests. I was pretty upset and I actually didn't want a Porsche anymore. Then, I saw an unsold brandnew 993 Targa which was available at a reduced price because it was from the past model year but already with the updated and more powerful engine. The sales person saw my enthusiasm and made me immediately a good offer, actually it was like "take it...or leave it". I decided immediately and one day later, I picked up the 993 Targa.
    What a surprise when I started the engine, a very sexy noise but also much louder than on my M3. Then, another surprise: the clutch felt weird and the gearbox felt different too.
    I stalled the car two times when I wanted to leave and when I turned the steering wheel for the first time, I thought the power steering is defective or that there is something else wrong, for example with the tires.
    Driving back home on the Autobahn at arond 140 kph was a pretty unpleasant surprise. The steering was so direct, I had to keep my steering wheel with both hands straight. My M3 felt much more comfortable, from any point of view.

    Before I start to tell you a very long story: drive the 3.2 or 993 first before you make a decision. Just a good advise.

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    RC,

    I really enjoed your post

    So true!

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Thanks for your replies - I did indeed drive several cars today, and have found that I like them both quite a bit. The 993 was driven with the sales associate in the car, so it was a touch less enthusiastic drive, but at the levels I was able to drive the car, it felt more like the 996 I had previously - a modern driving experience with more electronic controls such as antilock brakes. The only surprise in the car was the brake pedal felt soft, and firmed up when you double pumped it, so there may have been some air in the lines, but I really dont know for sure as I don't have other experiences in this model to compare it with.

    The first 3.2 was a Turbo look cab, and it had about 80,000 miles on it, and it felt like they were hard ones.. Just a quick down the block in that one & back to it's owner without any interest on my part.

    The second 3.2 was a narrow body cab with only 35,000 miles on it. I was able to drive this one alone on familiar roads, so I was able to get a better feel for it. I felt that the alignment was not ideal for hard cornering, probably the stock settings, and with the mid level tires on it, it wasn't the most smooth car I have driven when past it's limits, but no problems either, and it had a good feel overall that allowed me to catch it easily. The feel of the car was much like my 914-2, but with obviously different dynamics due to the weight and polar moment differences. All in all, it was very enjoyable and the steering and brakes reminded me very much of the 914. It was clearly not going to be as fast as the 993 without a lot of parts changing, but it was a lot of fun for not much $$$.

    I think the greatest problem I have is that I just don't have a good feeling for what I really want here - and that's my problem. I do think that either of the cars I liked today would hold their value well enough that if I decided to go for a 987 or 997 cab after I get to check them out thoroughly, I would not lose that much $$ on them.

    RC - regarding the ease of controlling the cars, don't worry about me. At my stately age of 51, I am probably not as fast as I was 20 years ago, but I can push a car safely to and usually past it's limits without getting in trouble. Besides spending four years in college in Denver bombing around the canyons back in the 70s when there were less people in the way, I have owned and tracked and autocrossed a wide variety of cars, including a well set up 1970 LT-1 Corvette, 1973 big block Corvette w/ F-41 suspension, 1974 914-2, 1987 Z52 Corvette, 2000 996 Cab, 2000 Dodge Viper, 2003 Dodge Viper, and a 2002 Miata mx-5, among others. A number of people warned me about the "evil" handling of the Viper, and I had no problems with it. I generally have more problems with a car that has understeering tendancies than one with oversteer. I don't think I will have any problems with either of the 911s after I have them set up properly. Again, I probably will use the Lotus thats on order for most driving events anyway, although I might drive the Porsche in non competitive track lapping events. (DE)

    Let me know if you have any other thoughts, I did enjoy your comments so far. If I went with the 3.2, I could probably keep it even if I did decide to go for a new Boxster, the 993 probably not.

    Thanks again, Rick

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Rick - FYI - the brakes in the 993 are great - no soft pedal at all. I think they just need to be bled or flushed. Same great Brembos as you're used to in the 996 (well almost the same - slightly different calipers and rotor size).

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Rick - since you mentioned that you could afford to keep the 3.2 but not the 993 once you buy your new Boxster, I would recommend the 3.2. Also, consider getting an 87-89 with the G50 gearbox. These cars are very stable in value and some nice examples have been appreciating. Buying a car that you will keep will allow you to maintain and modify without the concern of the depreciation hit you'd otherwise suffer. If you can stretch for the 993 and still keep it longterm, that'd be even better. The biggest differences b/t a 3.2 and 993 IMO are the manual steering of the 3.2 (I like it better) and the multi-link rear suspension of the 993 (I like it better) as well as the superior brakes, engine and transmission of the 993. The 3.2 is lighter and more tossable though - tough choice.

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Grant - thanks, the gearshit in the 86 was a bit vague, though better than I had in the 914, so I could probably WEVO it and live with the 915. The gray 86 I looked at had only 35,000 miles and you could tell the previous owner had cared for it, it even has the $400.00 Porsche sport steering wheel installed - I think its the one that was on the 930??

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    New option opened up - I can have my 914 back, the one I bought new in 1974. I sold it to my Brother in Law, and he just told me he will 90% for sure have to get rid of it within 90 days. It's in good shape w/ low miles & I know how it has been treated.

    I can for sure keep it as well as get the new Boxster and the Elise, and later on I can have a 993 engine and flares added to it for a car that will be a real hoot to drive.

    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    You'll be the king of mid-engined cars!

    Quote:
    RickJK said:
    New option opened up - I can have my 914 back, the one I bought new in 1974. I sold it to my Brother in Law, and he just told me he will 90% for sure have to get rid of it within 90 days. It's in good shape w/ low miles & I know how it has been treated.

    I can for sure keep it as well as get the new Boxster and the Elise, and later on I can have a 993 engine and flares added to it for a car that will be a real hoot to drive.


    Re: Any opinions on 3.2 911 cab or 993 cab in lieu of new 987??

    Yeah! - Well, no CGT, Enzo, 360, or Lambo, so perhaps the "low rent" King of mid engines.

    Thanks Grant!

     
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