Helios

I was checking out local Autotrader prices on Porsche 993 Cabrios, and there are some decent deals to be had out there..which got me wondering about how they compare to the S2000.

I don't really care about hp, 1/4 mile times or other numbers. I'd like to know about the feel -- steering directness, throttle response, maneuverability, that sort of thing. I've never driven a 911, any 911 -- so as an S2000 driver, what am i missing - if anything?

Diatomic

I drove an automatic once a while back, so this is probably not the best response, but what the hey.

The Porsche is just too old. It was an awsome car for the time, but as time pass, even stock econo boxes start to rival older exotic sports cars. Personally, I don't think the 993 has much on the S2000. The chassie is not as stiff, and everything else was just pretty good, nothing special. I remember the brake pedal being stiff as hell tho.

Oh, and to answer you final question, you ain't missing much.

jsalicru

Unfortunetly older cars feel like exactly that... older cars...

This is especially true (in opinion) with any car built before 1995.

Something happened after that and the quality of cars generally went up. I know many cars that are 1996-1997 models that I can see today and not feel like they are old...

1993 RX7... Looks like fresh skin, feel kinda old when you drive and work on it.

993 Porsches... They are structurally weak compared to today's cars... something that can especially be felt in the cabrio. Also, they are spartan in comparison to today's cars... Im not sure weather this is good or bad yet.

alexf20c

air-cooled 911 > S2000

Fanman

The 993 interior looks very old/classical compared to the S2000. They made a big leap in interior materials, & ergonomics from the 993 to the 996, and now the 997 version. However the sound of the engine is really cool, nothing like an air cooled flat-6. The power is different in that you can get power from almost any area. It's not peaky like the S2000, but you also can't rev it like an S2000 either. Speed wise it is pretty similar to the S2000, maybe a touch more powerful.

PoweredByCamry

I dunno, I kinda miss the feel of older cars. Quality has gone up, and cars are definitely more rigid/quieter/more luxurious now. But to me there's still something about the older Bimmers/Porsches/Mercs that makes them more involving. I love the "thwack" when you close the door on an older 911- the sound all comes from solid metal, not from triple door seals like on today's cars. Steering too has gotten more homogenous and sterile on new cars- same effort and feel no matter what's going on, no kickback.

I haven't driven a 993, but I did drive an '85 911 once. It was very different, but I really loved the mechanical feel and sound of everything. To me the 993 was the last 911 I really wanted to own, even though I know the new ones are great cars.

Peter

robb

I took a pretty thorough test drive of a 96 911 C2 coupe which had 282h.p. stock r.w.d. and it was in very good condition it had just been thoroughly gone through. My impressions of the 993 over the S2000 is that the car is more stable. I took the 993 over a rough stretch of road and the wheel didn't even move in my hand the car just was planted, as far as acceleration it has a broader powerband than the S2000 but it dosen't feel a whole lot faster. The brakes are also very impressive, no fade, no pulsation they just bring you right down from speed.
The problem with buying a 993 is that you have to find a decent one since they are used, I opted for the S2000 over the 911 since it was going to be a new car with no issues but it's really up to the individual. Take some test drives!

CG

The steering feel of the 993 is better IMO than that of the S2000. The S2000 is the winner on the autocross course but on the street... The S2000 is probably the better car but there is just something hard to put into words about driving the 993.

LUV2REV

The 911 (particularily the pre-996's) is highly regarded for it's precise, communicative steering, you always know what's going on up front. I still think the 993's and the G50 Carrera's are the best 911's Porsche built. The 996's are faster, more refined cars, but is that necessarily better ?? The 993 has a very broad power band, unless it's a Tip (or a bad driver), the 993 has the S2000 beat in acceleration and if a C4, handling too. The 993 has all the classic 911 traits that enthusiasts have come to love, plus the multilink rear suspension and other evolutionary bits that made it a winner. What's more invigorating than the "chainsaw buzz" only an aircooled flatsix can provide. They are great cars.

hpark

993 is one sick machine