Anyone fancy winding up some Fiat boys ?

[sitas3]

splendid car, Carps - don't think i've ever seen one in the flesh.. Oh to be rich and own a car collection bigger than Haynes et al which of course would feature an ultra rare original Carrera GTS (904)..

My mrs is now threatening eviction if i turn up in the 993 [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] The cow. I must say it is really the 993 turbo i'm after but i need to run the car every day.

[Carps]

Never seen one in the flesh ? You are missing out.
The driving experience is incredible. You think our S-cars bring the grin-factor. These beauts are just the ultimate - bigger grins are only available with the ultra-rare speedster or the 'Lil Bastard' '54 Spyder...

(Note to crew - we need a dribbling smiley)

[Ruical]

Riz, you should quit the straight lines stuff and get out on the track - I see you mentioned earlier that you have beaten two M3s in your standard S3, so you must be some driver

Naaa one of them bottles it cos his backend twitched alittle at 135 and the other got a good beating from his miss as we floored it all theway up the M40 at around 140.... he got a proper beat... [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

Do you sit and wait for the ones you know can't give you a race. What will you do when you come up against a good driver, or one that doesn't have 'Er indoors' next to them. Will you post that they left YOU 'Bottling it'? Me thinks not. [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Don't you guys have any bends 'Dawn saafff'?. All these 0-60 times are not what it's about IMHO.

60+mph [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] (sorry officer! ahem!!!)around some really nice quiet twisty B roads, really show you how good a road driver you are (or more precisely how good you thought you were!!!)

Light blue touch paper, stand well back [img]images/graemlins/FIREdevil.gif[/img]

Andy

Ps. What's this got to do with FIAT anyway?, Fcuk It Always Third [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

Do you sit and wait for the ones you know can't give you a race.

Nope its not hard really.... i see them with the bright xenon lights one including the fogs hogging the outside lane of the motorways..... i`m thinking mmmmmmm just cant help meself.... i know there`s no comparison between the cars themselfs but if you aint got bottle why put your foot down. [img]images/graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

Riz [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

p.s. there`s nowt wrong with a fiat except for one thing..... they exsist [img]images/graemlins/<beep>_you.gif[/img]

[jeffw]

This is more me...

[JohnW]

Sorry to hear that Si.

I must be lucky. A few years back the wife wanted a new car so we went out looking for an estate car for her, and came back with a 993 C2 [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Then earlier this year we started looking again for a car for her starting with Passat estates, moved on to Touareg, the Cayenne S, but actually brought an RS4 [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

And what is the wife driving ?
The same mini she had before we started looking [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

why doesn't your missus like it ?
too much money or what ?
If so you can pick up older 993s with a few more miles for a lot less money.
They are a reliable everyday car too. A service is only around 300 quid, and if you are mechanically minded you can do the plugs & filters yourself (plugs are a total [email]b@stard[/email] to do though).

Cheers,
John. (Iris BLue 993 C2, turbo rear wing, gt2 front splitters, PSS9 suspension, etc)

[sitas3]

nice one John.

this Carrera 4 coupe may be a bit better price wise, mileage is reasonable and they are just around the corner from me.. Maintenance wise, i've no problem with doing that myself (although i've heard it is an engine out jobbie for the plugs - is this right?)

problem with my Mrs is that she wants to move house first in the New Year before she'll allow the thought of me owning my prized Porsche [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

I do fancy the idea of a 4wd Porsche though. The turbo can come later.

[img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

[Nige_RS4]

I would seriously consider a 2wd 996 over the 4wd version - there is so much traction from the engine being at the rear, that there's no real benefit over the 2wd in non-turbo form. Make sure you get one with PSM (porsche stability management) though - it's the business and doesn't interfere with the drivering pleasure.

Had a test drive in a 993 C4S before I bought the S4 and couldn't get on with it - definately not a practical car, but I agree is can be used everyday. The one you're looking at is way above book price [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

Nige [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

Sorry Nige, I disagree. That is a good dealer price for that car.
I have no idea why you couldn't get on with the 993. I know quite a few owners who use their cars as a daily driver. I choose not to as I do getting on for 30k miles a year, so use a cheap beater to mop up most of the miles.
The size of the boot is not great, but we've been out to belgium for a driving holiday in ours, and came back with plenty of belgian beer and lots of car parts I picked up from a friend out there [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

The C2 has better feel than the C4 as the 4 has a tendancy to understeer. This can be dialed out with different ARBs though. Most owners will tell you if you are going for a narrow body (i.e. non S turbo bodied car) then go for the C2.
If you must have the wide body then the C2S is the most desireable (collectable) but most people will choose the C4S as it is the nearest spec-wise to the turbo.

fyi the suspension on narrow and wide bodied cars is identical - they just fit wheel spacers to the rears...

Two things that spring to mind as being 'different' for the 993:
1) the petrol filler flap is on the near side front wing, and you need to reach across to the near side to pull the release knob,
2) the big pedal offset to the left. This takes a little getting used to as the throttle is where the brake is on most cars. This means you either sit in the car facing slightly to the centre, or drive with your throttle leg bent.

Finally, I wouldn't personally consider a 996. I know this seems a bit 993 vs 996 snobbery, but it isn't. I find the 996 has lost its character. Just look at s/h prices and you will see the 993 holds its money better than a 996 does.

Si, there are plenty of places to go for info. I would suggest www.rennlist.com and look in the forums. This is a US based site but lots of Euro posters in there. Als otry flatsix.com. There is another UK site, but I forget the name of it.

As for the plugs, no it isn't an engine out job, but is an 8 hour one !
Remember there are 12 plugs to change too. I have changed them twice now on two different cars. I can give you details if you want when the time comes.

Finally, I personally don't like Cridfords, but that is just me. I went to buy a car from them and they tried to baffle me with bullsh!t. Fortunately I had done my homework so just walked.
If you want good straight cars andsomeone prepared to talk you through the options tried either Henry Firman at 911virgin.com or Paragon. Paragon ain't cheap but they have good cars.
Get a hold of a copy of 911&Porsche World and have a thumb through the adverts.

Sorry guys, rambling a bit here, and totally off topic too [img]images/graemlins/spineyes.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

If you want to talk more on this probably best to PM me.


Cheers,
John.

[Nige_RS4]

fyi the suspension on narrow and wide bodied cars is identical - they just fit wheel spacers to the rears...

John, this is not entirely true .. the C4S has full 993 turbo suspension, running gear and brakes.

I repeat, £46k for a 993 C4S IS way over-book from a non-franchised specialist - you can pick up a 993 turbo for not much more.

p.s. best advice I can offer you is to go via the main dealer route if this is your first Porsche.

[JohnW]

fyi the suspension on narrow and wide bodied cars is identical - they just fit wheel spacers to the rears...

John, this is not entirely true .. the C4S has full 993 turbo suspension, running gear and brakes.

Sorry, you are correct, that was misleading.

The C4S has the big red brakes which the C2S and narrow bodied cars do not have. The turbo suspension components are the same as the narrow bodied 4wd cars. I believe (can check if required) that the C4S, C2S, and all narrow bodied cars use the same springs/dampers, which are not the same as the turbo car (it is heavier at the back so needs higher rated rear springs).

I repeat, £46k for a 993 C4S IS way over-book from a non-franchised specialist - you can pick up a 993 turbo for not much more.

The second link was for a C2 at cridfords for 31k, which is not overpriced at all.
46k for a very late clean C4S may be a little high, but you will not get a late 98 turbo for that (well not when I last looked anyway). What you will get is a 95/96 turbo with miles.
A friend of mine has a 96 993turbo for sale now, should anyone be interested [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

p.s. best advice I can offer you is to go via the main dealer route if this is your first Porsche.

Sorry, I disagree again, but only my opinion. The youngest 993 you will be getting is now 5 years old, so main dealers will only have low miles top priced cars.
You may just as well save a bit of money and go buy a car from a recognised specialist (with warranty if required).

I brought my car from Paragon and have had no problem with them. It has since been serviced by AFN as they are nearer, and AFN has dealt with the one recall it has had with no problem.
There are many specialists around for Porsches, many of whom will know more about 993s than the main dealers who are now concentrating on current models.

As with buying any car you need to know what you are looking for. If in doubt get it checked by a specialist prior to buying it (or put another way, buy it subject to a satisfactory dealer inspection). Also, try to resist buying the first car you see. Otherwise you have no knowledge of whether it is a good one or not. Oh, and make sure you buy the spec you really want. There are enough around to be choosy.

Buying form a main dealer does not necessarily get you better cars, service, or warranty, but will almost certainly cost you more dosh.

Just my opinions.

Cheers, [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]
John.

[markcanderson]

Buy a copy of 'GT - Purely Porsche' at the newsagent. You will see there an article about the values of 911s right now in Britain.

TO paraphrase the article a little, the research shows that the type 993 values have softened alot autumn/winter, where as 996 values have hardnened.

http://www.gtpurelyporsche.com

[NigelO]

So - for all your German self-control and well-considered responses, this forum can go spectacularly off-topic too. [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[PhilT]

Nothing wrong here. The forum name is "General Car Chat", and this thread is a prime example of "General Car Chat". [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[johneroberts]

So - for all your German self-control and well-considered responses, this forum can go spectacularly off-topic too. [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Well i actually find Porsches more interesting than FIATs but nowhere as interesting as Audi RS Cars [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Does exactly what it says on the tin [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Cheers
jr