First, I would go & drive everything in your budget & then decide.

For power you can't beat a 996TT, but for $35k, it will be a pretty beat down one. The 996 interiors don't age well, so make sure, all the compartments work, paint is not flaking off, or things are just falling apart. Really IMHO if you are going to get a 996 focus on the 2003+ cars, WAY better then the earlier ones. Again, IMHO if you are going to get a 996, the GT3 IS THE ONE to own! The 996tt only beats it in a drag race.

For $35k, you can find a very nice, mid milage car. The bad part about 993's is they all have their own personalities. Every car is so different, with many different options. Try to find one well equipped. Adding options later is SUPER expensive, that is a 993 downside, it is more expensive parts wise then most 996 stuff. Also the stock shocks SUCK, unless you find a 95 with Boge shocks, the Monroe last about 20-40kmi.

With all that being said, I picked up my 97 C4S when I could have got a GT3, or 996TT for less. I got the 993, loved it so much, I picked up another one to daily drive. While it may not be the fastest car out there. It just "feels right" & is so rewarding to drive! I get very excited when I beat a 996TT or a GT3 with my 100,000mi stock 95 C4 doing Auto-X. If you drive one, & "get it" then you will buy one. If you just want something fast & shinny, get the 996, but I would spend more & get a early 997, they look & drive better.

Oh, the HVAC on both my 993's rock! The AC is cold, & works great, the heat is hot enough to burn you.

 

great advice all in all. i woudn't limit myself to the 2003 996tt .... in fact the best deals are in the 2001 years. they didn't have have x50 package that year and kbb values are reflective of this. as for the hvac of the 993 i agree the heat is enough to burn you but the cooling is anemic vis a vis the 996tt. you can't really go wrong with either car just understand in what respect each car excels.

 

This is a great thread, very applicable. I just love the exterior styling of the 993 wide body more so than the 996TT. I personally have been searching for a 996TT but now considering a 993TT (I do like the updated interiors of the 996s but it is not a deal breaker). Interestingly, with a mid 45 budget the 993TTs seem out of play. Any insights on the last air cooled model in turbo trim versus the 996TTs? Thanks.

on edit: I found this thread, probably more suited.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...3tt-996tt.html

 

Here is my take:
Purchased a 1995 993 with 64k miles about 15 months ago and it has been my partial daily driver for that time and has accumulated 14k miles. In that time it has seen plenty of rain and even snow. As far as maintenance I have had a Mobil 1 oil change, replaced the window switches, flushed the brake fluid and had to replace a $5 broken piece on the sunroof controls. I have swapped out the wheels a couple of times, but that was by aesthetic choice. The car actually had like new tires on it when purchased, but 16" wheels. My operating costs have been about $200 for 14k miles.
I have been thinking about trying a 996tt now, but have been on the fence for a while. Hard to give up a car that has been essentially free to drive for 14k miles and possibly many more. Also, the A/C works fine. No actual climate control, but for the past 6 weeks we have had about 30 days over 90 deg. and all is well.
Why do I want a 996tt? I like to try different cars and with the prices as low as they are, it is a bargain. However, when I weigh out the difference over my 993, I remain on the fence.
To make the change, I will have to spend more money: My car will be an easy low $20k car. If anyone wants to give me $25k....come get it and drive home. Is a tt really worth the 15-20k price differential?
The benefits of the change? Better overall daily driver with AWD for the bad weather and more modern cabin conveniences.
The added power is cool, but as a daily driver, you really don't try to set any land speed records. Quite honestly, you do actually start looking at your average MPG and you tend not to hot rod for fear of tickets. Also, when the car becomes the weekend toy, it is plenty fast and a blast to drive. It can be more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Every night I look to see what is new on the market, but the following morning, I hop in the 993 and enjoy another day in my daily driver.
Still looking for the right turbo at the right price, but can't seem to shake the love of the 993 and the smell of burnt oil when shutting it down. Also, the look of the 993 is pure classic modern....if that makes sense.

 

research + drive both cars more then once at the end of the day it is what you like... Good luck with search

 

The 996TT is a great bargain and has me thinking about selling my '97 S. It offers the updated interior and some better creature comforts as previously mentioned. My 993 is a garage queen so I easily get lured sitting at the computer reading up on TT's. But after every time I take it out and stretch it's legs I come back realizing how much I enjoy it and and always asking myself, "Where the hell would I really use all that extra power of a TT?" I'm not a track guy so I guess I'd use that extra power as an ego massage!

Though depreciation isn't of primary concern it still weighs in and tips the scales toward the 993.

 

Stopped by the dealership today and test drove a 2011 Cayman. I was pleasantly surprised. It was 'Peppy" and handled well. A little too tight though. The missing 2 back seats is almost a deal killer (maybe). I am test driving a 1995 993 tomorrow or Saturday. It depends on the weather. Here is the link if anyone has any advise on the car. Lot of past owners (6). What do you think on the price? As always, your help is deeply appreciated!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...US_Cars_Trucks

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MEBIDX:IT

How about some opinions on this car. What do you think?

 

Miles are nice, & it looks good. But IMHO, stay away from the earlier 996 cars.
Really get a 03+. You realize that car doesn't even have a glove box? They did a ton of great upgrades on the 03's.

My only problem is they want $48k for that car, & you can find the same thing in a 03 for that price.

 

Great thread with some great input. I'll throw in my $0.02. Not to brag but just to give you some backrgound, I have a 993tt and have driven just about everything Porsche has offered, including the 996tt. While the power of the turbo is without question desirable, there is something that seems "missing" every time I get out of a 996 or 997. For me, it's not a very satisfying experience and if I'm going to wait a week between drives, I want every drive in the thing to be satisfying.

For me, the 993s (even the NAs) give that satisfaction like nothing else. What it lacks in power compared to the 996tt, it more than makes up for in many other ways - feel, sounds, craftsmanship, heritage, history, etc. I could go on and on about the looks alone. I find myself staring and admiring the shape of the 993 way more than I do the cgt even.

In the end, it needs to be your decision and like others have suggested, I'd drive both. Heck, drive multiples of both and choose the one that satisfies you the most.

 

5 owners turns me off but that's just me. I love the black on black. If it's got everything you are looking for, arrange a PPI and test drive and go from there. Best of luck.

 

Good thread. I just sold my 996tt and am looking at 95+ 993 S's. I like how the 993 is smaller, and the air cooled engine sounds great.