Porsche 993 Carrera – Buying advice & price development

The new 911 Carrera of the 993 generation could first be admired in the showrooms of Porsche dealers at the end of 1993. The Porsche 993 was able to maintain the high quality level of its predecessor, the 964, and even improve on it. It is excellently finished in detail and is considered to be the most sophisticated air-cooled 911 ever. The newly developed chassis with the LSA rear axle created the first nine-eleven that was truly comfortable to drive and also demonstrated real long-distance capability without losing its sportiness. In addition, the technology of the 993 was designed to be much easier to maintain.

As a result, the cost of an inspection was almost halved compared to its predecessor. The 993’s handling had also matured further. Even demanding curves could be driven very fast without any unwanted surprises.

Many Porsche enthusiasts consider the Porsche 993 to be one of the most beautiful nine eleven ever built.

Porsche 993 Carrera Cabriolet directly from the model year 1994 on

The cabriolet version was offered directly in the first model year of the new generation of the nine-eleven. The Porsche 993 Cabriolet was a great success for the designers. It is by far one of the most beautiful 911 cabriolets ever. The new Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio was based on the coupe version of the 911 Carrera launched in September 1993. Numerous convertible-specific components were optimized compared to the previous model. The new 993 Cabriolet was also extremely popular with the ladies, as it was the most comfortable 911 ever and was also frequently ordered with the Tiptronic transmission.

Price developments of the Porsche 993 Carrera and 993 Turbo.

Many air-cooled Porsche rarities reached their highest price level in 2017 and have since fallen in price. In 2017, a Porsche 993 Turbo in condition grade 1 traded around €200,000 and can currently be purchased again at a slightly lower price of €175,000. The Porsche 993 Coupé has remained relatively constant since 2017 and is currently trading even higher than in 2017 at €89,000.

You can find detailed buying advice and price trends for all 993 models in our book “Porsche 993 – 25 Years.”

Porsche 993 Carrera Targa from the 1996 model year with Varioram engine.

The 993 Targa with a completely new roof concept was not available until two years later, starting with the 1996 model year. To this day, the Porsche 993 Targa is considered one of the most beautiful air-cooled nine-eleven ever. The classic Porsche Targa concept with the removable folding roof, which was offered from 1967 to 1993, was no longer used for the first time in the 993 generation.

Porsche designer Steven Murkett provided the first ideas for a new roof design as early as 1989 with the Carrera Panamericana prototype, which Ferry Porsche received as a gift for his eightieth birthday. Like the later 993 Targa, the Panamericana had a glass roof design.

Which of the three body styles one chooses is certainly a matter of taste. However, the Coupé and Targa in particular have a fascinating look.

Porsche 993 Carrera RS and RS Club Sport Version

After the fascinating 964 Carrera RS, some Porsche customers also wanted a comparable model in the 993 with more power and a much sportier chassis design. This wish did not fall on deaf ears at Porsche. The Zuffenhausen plant presented the new 911 Carrera RS at the 1995 Motor Show in Amsterdam, which was then delivered to customers starting in May 1995. The new Porsche 993 RS became one of the most beautiful and harmonious RS models ever seen on the 911. The 993 RS was produced in an edition of only 1014 units. Of these, 227 units were built as RS Club Sport. There has never been a more beautiful racing version of an 911, and in contrast to its hard-as-nails predecessor, the 964 RS, the 993 RS was quite capable of being a comfortable daily driver.

The first Porsche 993 Carrera S in the 1997 and 1998 model years

In the last two model years of the air-cooled nine-eleven, the 993 Carrera was offered for the first time as an S version in 1997 and 1998. The 911 Carrera S featured the wide body of the Turbo, but was offered without the distinctive rear spoiler. The 993 Carrera S is one of the greatest rarities among the air-cooled 911s because of its coherent concept, low production numbers and attractive design. However, this is also reflected in the price.

The fully galvanized 993 defies the decades, but only with continuous maintenance and professional care is this nine-eleven the partner for life. As with all cars, there are a few things to keep in mind with the 993 Carrera.

Engine with or without Varioram?

The 993 Carrera from the 1996 model year onwards is particularly recommended, as only the Varioram engine with 285 hp was installed from this point onwards. The increase in engine power from 272 to 285 hp is not too significant. However, a well-running Varioram engine delights with its high torque. Acceleration from higher speeds, for example on the highway or when overtaking on country roads, is very relaxed thanks to the powerful response of the engine. However, the normal version without the Varioram also provides enormous driving pleasure, but its performance characteristics are more reminiscent of the predecessor 964.

Conclusion Porsche 993

The 993 Carrera is a beautiful modern classic. Accident-free examples with verifiable mileage and service history will always be sought after in the future. There is almost no Porsche enthusiast who can resist the charm of the last air-cooled nine-eleven, because in addition to its unique engine sound and perfect looks, the 993 is also very relaxed to drive. Despite the remarkable driving comfort, the 993 Carrera still communicates with the driver as only an air-cooled nine-eleven can.

You can find detailed buying advice and price trends for all 993 models in our book “Porsche 993 – 25 Years.” Porsche 993 can be found in our book, which is limited to 1998 copies. It also contains unpublished photographs from the historic Porsche archive.