Porsche 993 Carrera buyer's guide: full story on the last air-cooled 911

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[@oibal60]

Nice review. I've a 1996 993 C2 iris blue metallic, 66,000 miles, 6-speed manny tranny, varioram, LSD. No CEL, no oil leaks. Multi-show full-concours winner. I do my own maintenance. I'm never selling it.

[@michaelschneider-]

+1.. The same here; a '98 C2S, 82,000 miles, 6-speed gearbox, Varioram, LSD, No CEL, No oil leakage, I also do much of my one maintenance.. The 993 goes with me to my grave.. Sure the wifes '15 981 Cayman GTS is nice.. But the 993 911 is special, very special..

[@TobyD]

Always love to see a 993 video. They don’t seem to get the attention they deserve these days. 👍

[@GTSCarLife]

Good info as usual, thanks Lee!

[@neilhurt1992]

Great vid matey! Have owned both 964 (1990 C4) and 993 ( 1996 Carrera) and loved them both (well, still loving the 993 since I still have it...). Got my 993 in September 2020 from a bloke near Doncaster who had done most of the mechanical work as a project but sold it to me as he had a 964 project inbound. Found it on 'Pistonheads' in exactly the right spec I had been after for about 5 years - Iris blue and 6-speed manual. Managed to knock him down on missing heat-shields and some cosmetics to £40K and drove it home to Kent. The missus and little dog even like it as well - result! Keep up the good work, cheers from a rather rainy Otford, Kent.

[@t.s.9592]

It's worth to mention lighter and thus less complicated 4x4 transmission compared to 964. And possibly 993 Turbo S being as close as you can get to 959 icon. Great video, best regards

[@9WERKSTV]

Two great points there, yes the 993 C4 was 50kg heavier than C2 equivalent, whereas the 964 was a whopping 100kg heavier. Agreed on the 993 Turbo S also, what a fine (and rare) car that is.

[@all-flat-engines]

You missed on of the biggest problems with these cars, valve guides. They were made with a softer bronze alloy which usually wears after 100k. Look for smokey startup’s, fouled plugs and the dreaded SAI cell codes (a plugged air injection system is the first warning sign of a worn valve guide)

[@stephankippe]

To my knowledge this problem is exclusive to US cars with their added emission reduction stuff. European non-Turbos have no SAI

[@all-flat-engines]

@@stephankippeSAI system or not doesn’t change the fact the guides wear on these, and it’s VERY expensive when they do (I deleted my SAI, since 95s don’t throw cells without one, and the blower motor is prone to issues too)

[@alanwayte1688]

Just regular service, with a specialist, do not cut corners and 99% of the time all is good

[@michaelschneider-]

+1.. About the USA 993's with their SAI emission air pump gizmo.. The SAI system requires a valve service every 30K miles.. Many early 993 owners said screw the PAG 30K recommendation and began using 20K; a shorter interval.. As luck would have it my '98 993 C2S has an uber clean SAI passage way system even after 82K miles and 4 SAI valve replacements.. Guess I am a lucky one with no check engine light.. The '98 Carrera S (993) goes with me to my grave...

[@paulorangelmelo]

Another note that i remember from my 25+ old files on Porsche. Some 993 Targas and 4S´s (all MY96 and supposedly with Varioram engine) did have the non Varioram engine! Dont know if they were prototypes but i remember a 993 Targa with non Varioram engine that ended up in a private collection. Regards.

[@stevenrance5320]

Nicely made film. I own a 993C2 and a 964C2. Both lightweight and track optimised. Both very nice and engaging cars to drive. Interestingly, on the lap there is very little to separate them. Of the two, I prefer driving the 964.

[@ernestcapbert3175]

Non vario all day, wonderful work guys

[@huwd2292]

Great video, I loved my 993 C4. I’ve never understood why the 964 seems to have become far more desirable. Although I’d never have another as they rust dreadfully and in my sample size of 1, it was a painfully unreliable car. The 997 is immeasurably better for half the money (or less).

[@Nodstar73]

That prompted me to review trailing arm suspension, something I have been meaning to research for sometime! Great video as always.

[@9WERKSTV]

Thank you!

[@RamosRev]

A wonderfully detailed and interesting insight into the 993. Thank you.

[@9WERKSTV]

My pleasure, thanks for watching.

[@obi-wankenobi7160]

Great video, I didn’t hear mention of the valve guides but it is the main reason while shopping for a 911 that I went with a more modern 991.2 (in same price range then as 993 c2 coupe) because I knew I couldn’t afford an easily 10k plus top end rebuild these cars are known for at around 80k to 100k miles

[@jochenhelmut1925]

Great insights!

[@jonwarshawsky5288]

Nicely done. I had a 993 prior to my 964 and you can’t go wrong with either if they’re properly maintained. The 964 definitely feels more old school in terms of engine sound, handling and certainly in profile. The 993 feels more refined, but it retained the classic compact size that has been lost in the 991/992. There are many more well-kept 993s, so unless a great 964 turns up I think a 993 is a terrific choice.

[@vancityflyguy]

Fantastic and detailed review as always👍🏻

[@9WERKSTV]

Thank you!

[@911aircooled5]

Well said Lee! Really accurate summary. I've owned numerous air cooled (inc 993t) and 3 water cooled now. The pick of the bunch is the 993, hands down! I am actively looking for another 993 (C2S). They truely are the best 911 and best for driver engagement. Thx.

[@krimbolina]

RPM Technic have a lovely C2S for sale.

[@911aircooled5]

@@krimbolina Thx Simon, lovely example and cheap. I have been looking on Elferspot. Will have to look at the import cost and taxes to Aust. Cheers

[@danedaniels3686]

I had 6 aircooled 911 over 40 years. I loved them all and sold them all for what I paid for them or more. But my biggest regret was selling my 993TT. I did sell it for a lot more than I paid for it, but I miss it dearly.

[@salomonyffeler5679]

Can‘t wait to get my hands on one of these!

[@9WERKSTV]

They are great cars, I love the old-school clocks on them. Reminds me of a fighter jet!

[@y0057]

They are tough old cars. You won’t regret it. I’m at the sec on my way back from a French / Spanish tour with mine. Currently on the ferry from st Malo. Get one that’s really well sorted (suspension/ brakes/ lights and yes the alarm), absolutely do not get a garage Queen with low miles(you will thank me later for this comment- I paid dearly for that). A car that’s been driven and used but well maintained is the way else you will pay for a rebuild, I assure you this( won’t go in to details) A long term owner will verify my comment! And they are a dream! People love em like crazy. Got loads and loads of nice comments and admiration on mine, even French/ Spanish plod love em 👌🏿😁

[@skodakid1]

Polar silver, C2 manual coupe- perfect

[@24hourgmtchannel64]

While I easily can, my common sence won't let me pay today's asking prices for a 993 and I want one badly. I currently have a 1999 996 coupe and need to learn how to be happy with what I have.

[@Boxsterox]

I currently own a 993, and have also owned a 996. While I prefer the 993, I can tell you the 996 I owned was just as fun to drive, even having some of the throw back air cooled feel I love in the 993. My point is enjoy your 996. It’s the best bang for the buck in the 911 world! And the 1999 year is the one to have!

[@a-tg-c1024]

I’ve always loved the Carrera 3.2, but having never driven one, I fear I would be disappointed. My 3 911,s have been 997.1, 991.1, and currently a 2023 992.1 Carrera T. Could you comment on whether this is a valid concern. All cars including a 1986 944 have been manuals.

[@beardedgarage]

pretty car!

[@danedaniels3686]

The 993 where the last with the 5 independent VDO gauges.

[@paulorangelmelo]

Thanks for the video. Just one note. Not all Varioram cars had the varioram writen and i´m talking about MY96, 97 and 98! Why? I dont FKNOW! Maybe the guy that pressed the Varioram on the Engine was off duty sometimes. Regards from Portugal and thanks again for the video.

[@boberro]

I am waiting for my 993 for about 30 years hehe.

[@8359s]

Is S and 4S wider at the front or only at the back + sills?

[@stefanorus1]

I own a 993 cabrio equipped with a 3.8 engine, 300 horse power. Any idea how many 3.8 were produced?

[@parkermorris90]

Why am I watching this? I would never afford one to myself

[@wesleycarusos8225]

How does it compare to your 996

[@prosche407]

is it still worth to buy a 993 in 2024???

[@barrearre]

Im looking at a 993 c2 but it has some slight bubbling near windshield! u say its expensive to fix, why so expensive? just sand it down and repaint? do i need to fit a new glass or something??

[@gyrfalcon01]

It depends. My 993 developed paint bubbling at the same spot and, while it looked minor from the outside, it was just the tip of the iceberg. It required cutting out the rusted areas which ran pretty deep and then welding in new metal before priming and painting. Cost a few thousand US. There is a channel that runs between the bottom end of the windshield and the body where water can enter and remain which is what eventually leads to that issue, so If you buy that car and do the repair, make sure they fill that channel in with silicone etc. Did that 13 years ago and have never had another issue.

[@ol48spring]

Beep beep I love my 996 c4s better. Stiffer lighter better. 964 is gorgeous❤️

[@carlosdorantes3105]

Sadly unobtainable unless you're worth multiple millions........ bummer.

[@detonator2112]

Still this bs continues about sizes and weights. Where do you get your facts from? 993 is SMALLER than 964. 993 C4 is also lighter than 964 C4. 993 C2 is 40 kg heavier due to new suspension. And that is supposed to make a dramatic difference? Right. 1987-1989 G-body length: 4290 mm 964 length: 4250 mm 993 length: 4245 mm 964 height: 1320mm 993 height: 1300mm 1987-1989 G-body height: 1321 mm 964 C2 weight: 1350 kg 993 C2 weight: 1390 kg (mainly because of the new rear suspension) 964 C4 weight: 1475 kg 993 C4 weight: 1420 kg

[@9WERKSTV]

Thanks for watching and paying my bills.

[@detonator2112]

@@9WERKSTV Your videos are full of errors. Last time you talked about 964 C4 automatic. There is no such thing as AWD tip. And 964 is not nimbler or more agile, lighter or smaller. It just feels that way because of more primitive suspension. I agree it drives like a smaller car but it has nothing to do with weight or size because there is virtually no difference at all. Why don't you get your facts straight before you spread your "expertise"?

[@9WERKSTV]

​@@detonator2112 let me know when you've climbed out from behind your keyboard and made a video or two of your own on the subject. I'll be waiting!

[@detonator2112]

@@9WERKSTV You have done some good videos too. Just correcting some errors that you keep repeating over and over again when it's about 964 and 993.

[@BubuBarong]

"ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING" LOL