Hello all - first post here. I'm itching to get another sports car and am budgeting about 30k for one. It won't be my only car, but I'd like to use it as my daily driver. I'd like a car that is relatively inexpensive to own/operate, is reliable, and quick. That being said, I've narrowed down my choices to either a 993, C5 Z06 corvette, or base C6. I think the corvettes deliver more bang for the buck, but depreciate badly, aren't nearly as pretty as their german rivals. Anyhow, while looking around for 993s, I'm having a hard time determining the approximate market value for a pretty nice one. At several dealerships, I've seen '95-'98 models go from 30k for one that's been driven hard to $50k for a low mile example. I certainly don't want a pristine garage queen, so what price range should I be looking for? Thanks for any help - Josh
Welcome to F-Chat.......!! $30K gets you a "driver quality" higher mileage car that may or may not have issues. Here are just some of the issues with high mileage (80K miles +) daily use 993's....... Valve guides $5K** SAI valve replacement $2K** Oil leaks $3K - $10K** Case thru bolts $8K (the worst individual oil leak) Clutch and flywheel $4K** Camshaft replacement $5K Brake pads and rotors $2K** P+C replacement $10K Viscous coupling on AWD version $5K** Windshield $1K** Wheel bearings $1K per axle** Shocks $2K all around ($4K for upgraded PSS9's)** Muffler $3K Major service $1,500** Buy the Vette if the quoted statement is a dominant factor. I have sold over 1,000 P-cars in 20 years for the dealer and independant companies and seen all of these repairs done many a time, items with asterisks are guaranteed to occur eventually.......and they will not all occur on your car at once........but most of them will on the higher mileage cars. Those $30K cars are usually cheap for a reason. www.rennlist.com is a great Porsche resource site as is www.pelicanparts.com .
I don't have a good sense of price levels for 993's in today's depressed markets, but a $20K range for low-miles to high miles (with proportionate condition) seems about right.
Always get a PPI (by a knowleadgeable mechanic) before buying any used sportscar . 1996 model year 993 should be checked for engine harness recall work having been completed. Valve guide wear by leakdown check should also be performed on any older 993's (911). Brakes should not cost 2K to service (for that price you are upgrading to new OEM parts). The rennlist and pelicanparts sites should be good hunting grounds as well as sources for in depth answers to pitfalls concerning this model Porsche. Good luck and good choice.
Buy a nice 928 GTS driver... Faster and more comfortable than a 993 any day of the week and I have spanked more than a few of them on the race track too! Even in my automatic GTS! Good luck with your search. Rennlist is your friend! James
ditto Rennlist and consider a clean 930...1976-1989.....you could get a gem for $30K right now....great cars, solid value
Not trying to call you out on the 993 market, however you can get a nice 996 in the 20s, which for some is a much more suitable car.
That sounds about right. I sold my pristine 993 cab for $50K in 2004, but that had approx. 11K miles on it. Somewhere in the $30K's for something with more normal mileage would be well bought.
I didn't read Yin's post as saying that the cars were gettable at 20k dollars, instead I thought he was saying that there was a 20k dollar range in price between the hi-mileage cars with needs and the more pristine ones with lower miles.
Thanks for alll the info.. I think 993s are just out of my price range.. Ah well, onto another car Thanks again!
Strong price, considering the economy and that and it's not even a widebody (S or 4S) $60,500.00 YEAR 1997 MAKE PORSCHE MODEL 993 STYLE CONVERTIBLE EXTERIOR COLOR MAROON INTERIOR COLOR TAN CYLINDERS 6 ENGINE SIZE 4.8 TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED MANUAL SUMMARY Features the full Aero package, Turbo wheels, 6-speed transmission, aluminum gauge package, stainless exhaust, front and rear radar detector, remote control alarm and remote control convertible top. Only 5,963 original miles. DETAILS A very highly optioned Porsche 993 Cabriolet with only 6,157 original miles. Original purchase price of this vehicle was $115,064. Special order Arena Red paint, Cashmere interior, full aero package, chrome Turbo wheels, Xenon headlights, rare stainless sill plates, power front seats, Carbon Fiber interior accents, aluminum gauge package, premium sound package, limited slip rear end, stainless exhaust, motor sound package, front and rear radar detector, crested Porsche mats, and wind screen.
