993 c4 or c2

[leedurrant73]

Hello,

I’m seriously thinking of selling my RHD 69t and buying a 993 but wondered what model is best to go for?

Obviously I’m going for a manual but is there any model to stay away from?
Any pros and cons for c2 v c4?

Regards lee

[hot66]

Don't get hung up on vario vs non vario ... Although the non vario has closer gear ratios .


I had a c4 and loved the way it drove .... Wether it was just mine or not I'm unsure, but I did feel the steering felt slightly dead at straight ahead when on the motorway. Changed the suspension settings but couldn't get rid of it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[leedurrant73]

Don't get hung up on vario vs non vario ... Although the non vario has closer gear ratios .


I had a c4 and loved the way it drove .... Wether it was just mine or not I'm unsure, but I did feel it felt slightly dead at straight ahead when on the motorway. Changed the suspension settings but couldn't get rid of it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks James

[hot66]

Should have added ... I'm not sure if that is a specific c4 thing or just my car. Either way, I had some of my most enjoyable drives in the 993.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DustyM]

If you can buy a better C4 for your budget vs a not quite so nice C2, then I would go for the C4

[Mike]

Have to say that in my experience specialist Porsche engineers I respect tend to say that the C4 is not such a good driving experience as the C2. Not sure if it's the additional weight, complexity and/or just the driving dynamic, but the narrow bodied C2 seems preferred from a sports driving point of view, especially for someone coming from an earlier lighter 911.

So it's a manual narrow bodied C2 then, but then of course I would say that....

[leedurrant73]

Have to say that in my experience specialist Porsche engineers I respect tend to say that the C4 is not such a good driving experience as the C2. Not sure if it's the additional weight, complexity and/or just the driving dynamic, but the narrow bodied C2 seems preferred from a sports driving point of view, especially for someone coming from an earlier lighter 911.

So it's a manual narrow bodied C2 then, but then of course I would say that....

Thanks Mike,

Looks like you've had multiple experience with driving these early cars, would you be able to tell me what you preferred driving with regards to the pre 73 cars or the 993. I know they are a different breed but I've been used to driving a slightly hotter cam 69t for the past 5 years and haven't driven I 993 yet but love the look of the 993. I find the early cars quite exciting through exelleration and the gears just can't get my head round a resto so maybe a 993 is the answer. Maybe I'm being impatient ?

My 69 has solex cams and S type pistons and Barrels so it pulls rather well, I'm not sure how I will compare yet?

Thanks for your info. Kindest - lee

[hot66]

A 993 complements an early car ... It's not a replacement for an early


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[inaglasshouse]

A 993 complements an early car ... It's not a replacement for an early

And you don't need two kidneys anyway. Just sell one of those, job done.

As above, narrow body 993 manual coupe is what's required. Again, I would say that! Have had my C2 for many years and love it.
I've driven C2S and C4S 993s. It would be overstating the case to say that the extra weight and width ruins the car, but it certainly doesn't improve it...
Not driven a narrow body C4.

If you try one, you will probably like it...

Cheers, Richard.

[yoda]

I had a 993 C2 and a 993 C2S. Preferred the C2 to the S as it felt much more nimble and light on its feet. A good friend still has a C4 and we did a few drives together and swapped cars. Driven independently, it’s quite hard to tell the difference unless pushing quite hard. Driven back to back, the C2 was nicer to drive. Biggest difference was the steering feel. There could have been differences in tyres, set up and suspension condition driving this but both were good cars. Without driving the C2, you would be perfectly happy with the C4.

I sold my 993 as I bought a 1971 911E. As James says, very different cars. The 993 was easier to live with and use. Comfortable, quick and great over long distances. I did 2 tours of the Alps and several of Wales in it and it never missed a beat. I don’t think it was a match for an early car in looks or driving pleasure but I accept that is subjective.

I bought the 993 as I wanted an air cooled 911 with rear seats for my kids but it was never going to be a daily drive so we all enjoy the specialness of the early car. I would suggest you have a good drive in one before deciding to swap or, if you are able, run both cars for a while and then decide which you prefer.

[Ferry Man]

I don’t think it was any match for an early car in looks.

Hmmm, not so sure. A narrow bodied 993 is a very pretty car. But it is very much a different era, looks more modern, perhaps less exotic.

I don’t think it was any match for an early car in driving pleasure.

He's right. I love my 993 C2 it's wonderful. But, for driving dynamics, an early 911 wins.

[Mike]

Hi Lee, I think you can see a pattern emerging here, a manual C2 is the way forward!

As for comparing them to the early cars, you have to remember the 993 has 25 more years of design and development technology over your 69 car, so it is very different. The 911 heritage and ethos is still there, especially sitting behind that dash, but this is a much more comfortable cruising machine, ready for long distance continental driving as well as being the daily driver if needed.

Your 69 car will be a great thrash around your local B road's for a quick blast, but to get the same thrill from a 993 you're going to have be going a good 20% quicker given it's handling capabilities, so faster and more on the edge if you like to get the pulse racing. Perhaps the later car doesn't have the visceral, mechanically connected feel of the early car, but then been there done that, and had the bad back to prove it!

But to me as a driver who makes Captain Slow look like Ayrton Senna, it's more about it's all round performance. Not many here have the luxury of different classic cars to choose from so the 993 is a car that can do it all, from a track day weapon to an intercontinental tourer the 'last of the aircooled' is a great car to have.

[PhilipB]

I've owned my 993 C4 from new and concur with much of what has been written. They are the last cars from Porsche's early era and anything they have produced since is fundamentally different. It's not as simple as air versus water cooling - it goes much deeper than that. Am not saying the modern cars aren't good - some of them are epic - they are just different.

Regarding the C4 the four wheel drive is hard to detect in the driving experience unless you are in very slippery conditions or hammering it on a track. As I understand it the viscous coupling between front and rear axles delivers almost 100% of the torque to the rear unless the rear wheels start to break traction. Therefore most of the time it behaves like a rear wheel drive car. The penalty is an extra 50kg in weight but that is in the nose so probably helps the car's overall weight distribution. I wouldn't obsess too much about precise spec and go for the best car you can find.

More generally the 993 driving position and cabin are very similar to an early car and it has the same great visibility and small footprint on the road. A couple of things that are way better on the 993 are the gearbox and the brakes. On the negative side the engine while torquey and user friendly doesn't quite have the same smile factor as an early small capacity S motor with a big step on its cam.

[BILLY BEAN]

I have owned my 993 manual vario for ten years. It is quick, quiet enough and comfortable enough to use as an everyday car should you need to. Mine has a modified exhaust box and makes a lovely sound when given some beans. It can be driven long distances without too much driver fatigue. I have been to the South of France, Route Napoleon, Swiss Alps and Germany in mine. As a driving experience I would concur with Philip's conclusion regarding comparison with earlier cars.
A C4 has additional mechanical complexity,greater weight (50kg?) and more power loss through the drive train (although variable torque split front to rear). You have to ask yourself that given how you might drive it and in what road conditions, would it be of value?
Don't be lulled into thinking that there are plenty of good quality 993s available for sale. Don't think either that they are not prone to rust or mechanical issues just because they are not a "long hood". Front and rear screen lower corners rust, just like early cars, rear chassis legs also susceptible to rust. The rear suspension is quite sophisticated and can be expensive to sort out. Brake calipers are also prone to issues. Lower suspension arm bushes need to be checked carefully. I could go on. This is not meant to put you off buying one but do get someone very familiar with the 993 to give it the once over. They are not cheap to fix and get driving properly. Good luck if you do decide to buy.

[inaglasshouse]

Is there anyone on here who doesn't have a 993???