You're correct, and that's exactly what I did. Then, I wrecked it in spectacular fashion; the only car I've ever wrecked. Once again, I continued to drive it. Tough little SOB, that car!
Right on. If God had meant for car engines to be air cooled… Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
That's Tim Holt's shop, right? Bought a really nice 993 from him years ago. Day after I brought it home, my wife stuck the divorce papers on the front seat. Unfortunately for her, they were back dated two weeks, so the car stayed out of the divorce discussion. D
Yes, bought from Tim. He does find a lot of nice 911s. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
sure does. He currently has an arena red/black/cashmere 993 C2 that is absolutely TORTURING me! It’s pricey, but if recent BAT results are any indication, it may not be so bad.
That would be a hard car to say ‘no’ to, especially the Sport Classic II wheels which look a lot better to my eyes than the standard. Mileage is low but not too low to drive. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
My dilemma precisely. Price is up there and garage space is limited, so I’d have to say bye to my 575, which I’m actually planning to convert to manual and should hold off on making any decisions until that’s done. In all likelihood the Maranello will end up a “cold, dead fingers” car. …but damn that 993 looks perfect. I had the wheels on my 993, along with the original cup set. I agree they look fantastic, and even better on arena than on my black car. So hard to not just say, “hell with it, I’ll take it.”
My opinion, so take it or leave it: If you need to convert the 575, which is major surgery, in order to enjoy it, I would strongly consider negotiating on the 993. I won’t say air-cooled 911 ownership is cheap, because Porsche isn’t doing its Classic program as a charity service, but in the long run I think you’d have a bulletproof, iconic sports car that you could drive with confidence. The 550/575 are among my personal favorite modern Ferraris. The styling has aged really well, and the interior with Daytona seats is unmistakably Italian. The 599 always looked blobby to me, and the original Daytona is priced like a (nice!) house. 575 has the looks and presence, IMHO. The rear profile is one of Pininfarina’s best. But a 993 (or 964, but I’m biased) is a piece of history and a car fully supported by Porsche Classic. I suspect it will be even more prized 10 years from now, when Ferrari service will consider the ‘90s F1 gearboxes an obsolete nuisance. Again, though, if you get a rush from the 575, that may be the right car, worth the expense. For me, the air-cooled 911s are a unique experience and worth the price of entry. I doubt I’d ever sell my 964, but if I did it’s like an automotive Rolex — always a market, always service/support. I briefly flirted with the idea of a 599, but the shrinkage on the dash, sun-cracked steering wheel rev lights, failing seat bolsters and other issues prior to the 20K-mile mark were discouraging. More importantly though the car felt huge — a GT car for older guys. The 993/964 is compact, and feels within a day’s work of being ready to hit the track. It’s not a 365 GTB/4, but it has a whiff of that era — old school gauges, stubbornly archaic ergonomics, engine noise, steel rain gutters, proximity to the instruments, etc. The 550/575 definitely tip their hats to the early 1970s, but there’s nothing carried over. Tough decision, but you already have a car you like, so if the arena red 993 checks all the boxes for you, maybe you could negotiate with the ultimate strength: knowing you can walk away and still be happy with your stable. /unsolicited rambling commentary Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Appreciated! I do enjoy the 575, even with the F1. Faaaaar more in fact than I had guessed (I took a chance on it because everything else about it was 100%). I have been pleasantly surprised by the character of the system. Not as antiseptic as a modern DCT or similar. Still not a manual, though. The 575 as a manual is something I know I’ll be in love with. The conversion process is surprisingly limited as far as irreversible mods go. No real cutting, and of course the trans is the same as a manual unit. Otherwise, I’d just enjoy it as-is. No sense in hacking up a great car! You are spot on about the 993s and 964s. I can’t say anything but that. I have loved every one I’ve driven. As much as I love the 997S (GREAT car), I think I’m going to wait a little while and move that on, then go after another 993.
