Things I HATE about my Porsche 993 | EP046 

993 was the best Porsche ever made.

I've got my '96 993 and it's my 4th Porsche, first air-cooled though... And I will never go back to water-cooled one again..! Great vid, I appreciate your honesty and criticism, sometimes it's hard to admit certain things to yourself! Regards!

Dude, you can either have a perfect car, or you can drive it. Did you buy it to look at it or to have some fun?

I never noticed cars as I lived in nyc but I was in San Francisco in 2001 and was driving behind a 993 turbo and thought it was the most beautiful car ever. I had never even seen one and that was three years after they stopped making them. I still remember that moment like it was yesterday. It took another ten years for me to google it and find out what that car was and also realized it was an air cooled 911.

997.2 was the best porsche ever made.

Car looks dope on the LMs

I HATE the bloody music! Love your car though...

It occurs to me that you may crave "more power" from your 993 because by engine sound, you seem to shift at about 3500rpm max. (yawn). The 993 was meant to be used, as they say, "as if you stole it." shifting at no less than 4500 should 'cure' the perceived power deficit.

Great list...I redid all mechanical items even if they were fine except for internal engine/tranny. Want to be able get in and drive it across country if needed. My list 1. Oil change - sucks!! That second filter is a PITA 2. Performance - like u said its love hate. Already have a faster car so not missing it, but do like to floor it and have some extra power on tap. 3. Patina - mine is blasted with rock chips. Plan to get a respray eventually. It is what it is..been used 4. Seats - I dont fit. The lower side bolsters squish me on the legs. May have to replace them. 5. Floor mat - thing always creeps up against pedals FYI - I just moved the wipers to the passenger side. Otherwise it would have made it the list. You should do it if you dont need intermittent wiper setting. Love it now and can actually see the headlight bulges.

I mostly only see praises on the 993 so I like the idea of your video. I can tell that you struggled to come up with 5 problems ;) You mention a few times that the problems exist with your mental state. I think you just need to pick what you want the car for, if it's a garage queen, fix the paint chips, don't track it and you won't care about the performance. But.... I can tell you love the car and the experience.... so forget that, and drive the crap out of it. It's a street legal race car. I have two 993s and I love both and... they're still just cars ;) BTW - sweet ride!

Really enjoy your videos man! You are so passionate about your car and 993s and I understand they are just so nice. I also understand your views. I actually feel lucky because I had my first 911s before the market exploded so although I didn’t make 100% on the cars I sell both for the same money I bought them and I actually just used them as daily drivers because the people who inspired me back in the day had them to travel and enjoy them. I drove the heck out of them as I do with the 996 c4s I currently have. I’ve always bought at the low end of the value curve in order not to garage queen the cars. I do pamper my current 911 more especially keeping it as well maintained mechanically as I can, that’s also my budget and experience in that aching pains in Porsche’s tend to cost more in the long run...having said that I bought an AWD comfortable 911 so I can drive it throughout Spain and all season enjoying the alps and other excursions. Your 993 4s also has great awd and can handle all year around driving as long as you regularly hose it down for salt and other grunge. I strongly recommend that as soon as you can you repaint and clean up the car for stone chips etc and then ceramic coat it, you can do it yourself...it will help you keep it clean (even small stones) you just hose it down every time you drive it, that way you’ll feel like you’ve protected your baby but you can enjoy it more ! These cars are awesome and deserve to be on the roads. Keep up the videos and thanks again !

Hey Jakob - Mike here in ATL. .. Swapped the gearbox in the coupe ('98 993 C2S) back in year 2000. .. This lower gearing used in '95 and '96 993 production years truly wakes up the car... Keep your '97 C4S. .. Change SAI check valve every 30K miles ...my $.02 .. Cheers, M/S

BBW wheels have always been my favorite on the classic Porsche.

Is your 993 C4S a 1995 model? It's purely bodacious. If it has high-value, consider a trade-down to a newer Porsche that has fewer than 5 things you hate. Depreciation per mile is higher with more expensive cars. Would you agree that the more expensive the car is, the less it tends to be driven each year? At what point should one consider an engine overhaul? I'll bet an overhaul's about $30,000 (i.e., in American dollars). Seems to me, once it has about 300,000 miles, you'd be taking large risks to push such an engine hard without an overhaul, so around 300,000 miles you gotta "wet-nurse it" every mile ... because overhauling an engine with extensive internal damage is a lot more expensive than an overhauling one with extensive internal wear. Unless you don't care about keeping the original engine, so drive till it implodes ... and then just buy a used engine that's been overhauled. I dunno. What do you think?

It's nice to hear about the real world drawbacks to having a 20+ year old Porsche to offset the onslaught of videos about how great they are. It helps keep my lust in check! :-)

from the get go, it's obvious this guy seemingly knows so much yet understand nothing....my 1995 911 is my everyday driver which never to say is boring to drive...a true classic of a sports car then and today..who cares of it value rather the pleasure of owning one , for me now some 20 plus years , my every day driver never boring to drive...so much more as this fellow thinks of it, i say sell it go buy something else.

Dude you keep saying you hate vintage performance ? You hate Pertina? What the hell are you doing driving a vintage Porsche get out and buy modern car and stop being a total hypocrite, If your going to rate your car compared to whatever your comparing it to, then don't because most of us buy these cars for what they are not what we would like them to be. You Bought a 993 not a 991.

On the topic of what I could do financially what could be attainable on a regular joe salary and some frugality in other parts of the life. 2nd gen Cayman to drive hard. 993 for the weekends and baby it. Toyota or Jeep 4WD for forest roads. That would be a dream!

I am so disappointed. This guy is only going half-way. He needs to wear a full race-harness. Everybody can see the roll-cage but what good is that without the extra straps?

Hi Jakob, I never would have thought I would hear you utter the words "hate" and "Porsche 993" in the same sentence. But after watching the video I can understand ... somewhat. I would have preferred you use "dislike" rather than "hate" so my sense and sensibility aren't offended. Have a good break and enjoy Houston. Cheers Peter

First of all nice video.. and AWESOME car!! Don't be worried about performance, as you said, it's a lot more rewarding driving fast a slow car than driving slow a fast car. And what fast car? All these new rockets stuffed with electronics that makes you feel a good driver? No thanks. I'm gonna take your 993 over ANY of the new Porsches, any time. Your car is a men's car, enjoy it!!

Great video Jakob! There are loads of videos that sing the praises of air-cooled Porsches so it's cool to see you honestly address some issues you have with the ownership experience. Also don't worry so much about the patina, your 993 looks great.

Great video as always Jakob! I think it’s great to look at these, warts and all. As an owner, when I look at mine I love the shape and curves but I hate how much the convertible roof sticks out of the car when it’s down. I want to creat a modified 993 roof similar to the 996 cabrio. I think that would be a popular mod. Sad to hear it’s your last drive. No Maintenace videos planned over the winter from the garage? Thanks again! Sk

Hi Jakob, I saw you video and I thought whaaaaat?? The 993 is awesome!, but then I watched and I'm all, yeah... True... The top is a mess too. Last year of that stupid plastic rear window and the fuss with the motors and such. Then, you HAVE to put on the boot and that thing is nuts! The 308 is simpler and faster! But the windscreen being part of the top is great! The 996 top is a breeze. but they didn't fix the windscreen until the 991. Seems like, in a lot of ways it is a transition car - stuck between what was and what will be... Still love it though and it looks and feels special. The spirit of the 356 in that one. F

By contrast, I put 12k on my 2017 turbo S this year, had it at the drag track multiple times with a best of 10.68@135.99, did 5 lapping days at shannonville, maxed it out on a private northern test track (ahem) and generally enjoyed the crap out of it. And it's not paid for yet. lol I think you should just enjoy the car, you only live once. On the flip side, I hate the wear and tear that the road inflicts on these cars. :(

Err, don't like to be a party pooper but you do know that in German Nein = No. Neun = 9.

993 is to slow. 997 is much better. And if you can afford it a 992 is ten times better.

1. I️ can totally see how that would ruin the fun. You wanna take it out and play with it, but with a growing value you have to realistically take that into consideration. 2. Just gonna have to stick with the “drive a slow car fast” mantra. 3. I️ haven’t owned a car old enough to have “patina”, but I️ do know how the little things can wear on you. (Rock chips, worn molding, rattles, etc) It’s hard to remind yourself that it’s not a show car, especially when you are on the forums and see everyone else’s pristine example. 4. I️ had an e46 M3 and I️ swear every sound I️ heard was my VANOS about to explode. I️ can relate. I️ was super paranoid for months. I️ finally got over it and then I did the Beisan VANOS repair and completely forgot about it. 5. Stupid design issue? See number 4. I️’m an hour and a half from Houston, wish I️ knew sooner, I️ might’ve made the trip. Sounds like a good time.

I have had my 1995 C4 993 3.8 for a few years as well now. Could do good cop, bad cop because I can’t fault mine for speed. It’s quicker than a 993 Turbo S and love the 4WD system at the limit that decides its rear wheel drive. Electronics are to much in cars now and was looking, going through many cars to find the perfect drivers cars that a computer won’t correct if your drivings rubbish. And I ended up with mine. Always loved them, even drive in the wet. Keeps you on your toes. But not salt or sand on roads weather. I’m in your position, values increased so much that you treat your car with kid gloves instead of having a fun blast about. But you can’t be nice about your car forever. I can, but that’s just me. I understand exactly as you say about not quick enough, many cars now doing 0-60 in 5 seconds (mostly BMW M cars), and that extra bit would get rid of them. I do and with ease without any changes, So you can do it. You have the power, you can have a supercar once again,.

Every Pcar series has some wart(s), like the 993 air injection system. It's unreal how each series has some big flaw. 997.2 looks to be pretty clean with the 9a1 engines, but some complain of DFI carbon build up issues. Though that sounds pretty minor to me.

You have a very nice 993 but I think your license plate saying "nein993" makes no sense at all. I guess you were trying to express that it is your 993 which would have to be "MEIN993. Instead you are saying "no 993" -> you should have consulted with a German person...

Jacob, your car looks 911% amazing. I have a 98 C2S and wanted to change the original turbo wheels ... this is it! Don’t know if I can ask, but where did you source them? I’m in the US and I haven’t been able to find those LM’s. Hope you get this. Congrats

Ah the dichotomy of a 993 owner. On point and laughed at everyone because I was like...yeah true! Truthfully I just get the itch to drive something else every 4-5yrs no matter what it is. I totally agree with you about the values skyrocketing, and it making me more reticent about where I park, am I driving it too many miles each year, etc. In the end, I just wish I could afford a garage of all my favorite Porsches-air and water cooled ones! But, man drive it like you stole it, keep up those sweet videos, and enjoy it-which I know you do. I bet when it comes time to getting your top end done you could save yourself a few thousand pulling the motor and taking it to a shop to get the rebuild. That job best left to a seasoned pro with the knowledge and tools to do the job like...a professional! Start saving! I would have to say I find the oil changes in this car a PITA job too, and would have added that in your list-I will call them 'dislikes' because I too find 'hate' a pretty harsh word for such a sweet machine! I can't say I've ever even mumbled "I hated" my 993 after four years of ownership! I fall in love with her every time I flip the garage lights on or slip the car cover off!

Close ratio gear box, wakes the car up and a lot more fun to drive. Cant do 160 anymore but couldn't do that any ways on the streets,

What an honest assessment. I think a lot of these cars will find themselves turned into high quality, restomod show ponies.

She's so beautiful, nobody can hate her!! 😁

Nice video. As a 993 owner I completely agree with your sentiments.

Great video, this was REALLY HELPFUL, I am on the cusp of either buying an air cooled classic like my dad used to own, ten in all, to maybe recapture those old memories and feelings, or instead buy a new body style, 2 year old 911 which I just test drove BTW. NO QUESTION your video made the decision for me -- retro performance is a huge negative, the patina issue would be a constant distraction and cost me a fortune, and routinely having to rebuild or replace expensive components would ruin the experience. Thanks for posting.

yoo, hella rad. thx 4 usin my tracks doe

Had my 911 for 28 years.. it’s a 1980 911 SC targa. Stop crying about it.. you got a great deal and there are people lined up to get it!!!Just sell it and see how much you want another.

Awesome video, Thanks for sharing as always. Good list, if I could add a #6... Parts (and labor) are CRAZY expensive. I know this shouldn't come as a surprise but I can't help but fume when shelling out $100+ for crap like plastic fog light lenses. Drives me nuts. Of course, I bought a high milage 993 that needed everything (top end rebuild, suspension, brakes, paint and body work.) I thought buying one that needed some TLC and doing some of the work myself might offset the high cost of ownership. How spectacularly wrong I was! All that being said, I am loving every mile and there's no other car I'd rather own!

Understand most of your complaints about the 993. Have had my '95 C4 since new and always felt it was underpowered. Inter-cooled, super-charged TPS kit adds the 100 horsepower you seek.

Your videos are pretty good, you ramble on a bit much, but, thanks for the trouble you went through. I've owed a 993 NB for almost 10 years. For me, the only thing I am not too fond of is the 1st to 2nd gear long shift. It's not that big a deal though. Carry on eh :-)

Just became a recent subscriber and enjoy the videos you put out ! I gotta question though ? I’m in the market and really want an air cooled Porsche but based on the price hikes of the last few years would you say they are still worth the money or would a 996/997 be the better buy? Thanks again for the great content and look forward to 2018 !

The 4 things I hate the most on your 993 are the BBS LM's since they need to be on mine lol. BTW....the response to this video on Rennlist was UM.....interesting. Keep up the great work Jakob.

I will sleep better tonight. I'm not the only one with those points about owning a 993. Have to explain to my wife now that there's other "me" feeling the same out there. Thanks for the terapy Jakob!

The 993 is the way to go with the 911, nice car.

Jacob I own a 997 convertible and I love it. The performance is definitely all there but every time I see a 993 I often wish I would have that to park by my 997. There's something about that vintage drive without computers to control the car for you that everyone is now after and that is why I believe the price of your vehicle has shot to the roof. Enjoy the natural Drive of a real Porsche

Loved your remembrance poppy “remember them” Top bloke keep these super vids coming from 🇬🇧

The price hike is absolutely absurd to say the least. Esp with the heightened popularity of Porsche builders and RU-vid and social media and other companies modding these cars. I was in the market maybe 3-4 years ago I could have got one for a great great price and I should have but just wasn't in the position where I could have enjoyed it fully. Now for same cars I've looked at those some years ago they are almost doubled in price. I'm sorry but nobody in their right mind should be paying the the mid 30's to low 40's for these cars and most are in Fair to not so good condition. I've seen some in the 40k range with worn paint, ripped interior and just needing tons of work. Terrible.

$8k-$12k for a top end rebuild? Yikes.

cool! video! people dislike so many videos about things you dislike about the Porsches ! I drive my 911 turbo all year round! cheers!

Totally agree on vintage performance!!! I had a '78 911SC. Whenever people ask how I like it, I tell them it's a great 70's car. ;)

As a 993 owner, I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling these same things about the car. Would not trade it for the world though. Great video!

Just to add.... the mechanics in the factory dubbed the 993 the last Porsche to leave the garage - Tony Hatter done the finest job ever

there's a pretty crazy thread on the rennlist forums about this vid. i for one really enjoy your vids.. keep at it jakob. i'm usually not a fan of dark wheels but those LM's look great.

Sadly the 5 things I hate video was longer than the 5 things I love video. Great job, though. Where I live, it seems you see less air cooled Porsches on the road after the prices went up. Good to see you drive yours!

Do you still have your 993?

I fully agree with what you said on the the air cooled prices...it's nice to have an appreciating asset, but there's a little bit of fear associated with it as well for me.

Beautiful pictures as always, and I have a few comments to your list. 1. The appreciation thing, totally agree, it's just ridiculous 2. Slow vintage performance, totally agree, it's just...wait a minute, what else made 0-60 in 5,4 seconds in 1993? But compared to todays standards, and 911's in general it's a bit slower. But you can easily tweak your car to 300-330 bhp, and loose some superfluous items like that cage, the back seat, the stereo, any non-essential items inside the coupe, get carbon engine lid and frunk lid, and throw out all the crap in the frunk, add lightweight (and much better ) seats, then you'll toss out the weight equivalent to a grown man, 150-200 lbs. it makes a difference. then with a few tweaks to the induction system/injectors/new processor you can easily have 300-325 bhp and have the same weight to hp ratio as a 997GT3 3. Patina, seriously what's not to like about it? your car is 20 years old, it should show it's age (like the owner). 4. Noises??? seriously??? buy a new car, and you'll have someone to complain to....It's a sign of a car with soul, and I have had my share through the 80's, and 90's, actually well into the 00's and it's a sign of something being worn. To be on the safe side with your 993, poly the entire undercarriage, and squeeks will be gone. The 993 however is probably the best put together 911 of all times. Porsche lost money on every single one of them, because cost of manufacture was no subject. Be glad it makes good noise from the engine and enough of it to drown the remaining noises..lol 5. Poor valve guide design? maybe/maybe not, it's the air return pump that was required in the US that is the culprit. RIP it out, and loose the problem, RIP out the cat's and loose another huge annoyance. You can get a better improved CPU from several aftermarket providers that'll let you program/tune your way out of emissions problems after loosing those stupid things. I don't know the details of your car, but a top end job shouldn't be necessary until after 200k miles. The 993 engine is pretty bulletproof in that respect. I recently drove one with over 360k miles on it, it had no extraordinary oil consumption. oh well that was my two cents... :)

#5 would be a deal breaker for me. It's truly a money pit if i have to continue to rebuild the head once the valve starts acting up.

Love your videos, I have a 964 which I do feel the same with you sometimes

You don't want a perfect condition car. Your subconscious would drive you crazy and prevent using it as much. The only exception is if you had tons of cash for prof. detailing bi-monthly etc that you could blow

You want more Oomph? Get a 993 C2 or C2S. Those AWD cost 5-10% hp and gives you 80kg more. Also get rid of the cage as you say you don't track anyhow. And if you still need more Oomph get the 3.8 and you should be set.

Killer without the whale tail

Great video. Wasn’t aware of 5. Big deal!! Not on 964?

That rebuild issue scared me out of a deal for a 993 a few weeks ago. Chose an Evora instead...but hope to add a 993 to the stable in the future!!

damn my m5 had they exact some issue with valve guides, oil consumption, and secondary air pump. Definitely gonna pass on 993's know that I know they have this issue. That is thje stupidest design EVER!!! Damn I loved the look of the 993. Have they figured out a work around for this problem?

I always enjoy making these videos. They split opinion so much.

The environment will forever remain a threat to all car protected or not, you can protect your car with a clear film so much. When you let yo' OCD take care of the imperfections after a detail for few weeks, you will get exhaust ik I do after maintaining my 04 black Saturn Vue like a Ferrari SMFH maybe because the paint of my car is black and the tiniest imperfection ends up looking major on black paint.

So, it sounds to me you would hate a Porsche 356? To slow. I've come to the conclusion that speed is not everything. It's more about balance.of the whole car. I had a Porsche 912 and I always wanted more power, but it was the most fun is handling/driving car. Great video. Thanks

Thanks for the vid, Jacob! I totally agree on all of your points regarding my 993 Conv that I have here with me in Miami. Although it is a non-S car and also a Convertible I still found out that the prices have gone up a bit. ;-) Keep up the perfect work here on YT and let me know whenever you make it to Miami. Time for a video for both channels with my 993!

Stop complaining and start enjoying it. It is a thing of beauty. I wish I had bought one years ago. You could say all those things about any classic. I wouldn't touch any new car. They are appliances nowadays. I like your videos. Keep up the good work.

The only thing I hate about mine is putting it away for the winter.

Sounds like regular oil changes would cure a lot of that clogging up you mentioned and using the proper Porsche recommended oil would keep the valve seals supple and thus reducing guide wear. This video just popped up on me and it is 3 years old. Do you still have this car? I also remember the 993s had a thing in the intake manifold called veroram. That adds horsepower at higher revs. It is vacuum actuated and has mechanicals inside that can wear out. Are you sure yours is working?

Jakob, Interesting video and I have liked some of them in the past...thanks again for driving route advice to Niagara on the lake from north of Barrie. Just a point of note...it is great that you are spotting a poppy rather than not at all but it should be worn on the Left lapel or directly over your heart😃

The 911 is the poor man’s 928

How did you pay? Transparency?

Jakob wonderfully put together!! Enjoy Texas!!

Sell it well, buy a minty 997 Carrera 2 and make it the way you want with all that extra money. Hell, get a 997 turbo.

You have one of the most wanted Porsche in the world and last one of the great ones, and you are stating reasons you “hate” about it??? Suck it up, do the proper maintenance and know what you have. Wondering if you did not own this car and wanted one, what would you have say about the 993s. I sold mine 10 years ago and regretting it everyday.

Love these videos! Very thorough and fun to watch. Can you tell me your suspension setup? I need to replace the struts on my ‘97 C2 Cabrio. I love the lowered look of yours!

"Patina" really only applies to antique cars. The 993 and 964 are modern unibody cars. Wear and tear is not a selling point on modern cars.

Good video, good to hear the other side

Stone chips and dents are not patina.

this car is just perfect. I love your great light setting and the light reflections on the car

Calling this car "vintage" makes me feel old.

I’m 4 for 5 with you - I have a ‘95 so the SAI does not plague my 993. If you didn’t have a 993, ...you’d only have one complaint.

I have a 996 GT3 and it is nearest modern Porsche to the old air cooled models. Do not get rid of your air cooled car for some fancy fast computer game Porsche. You will massively regret it later and the value on these air cooled Porsches are going to keep increasing as New Porsche people come to market and the number of cars do not increase.

Fantastic video great job

Your running the gas out so you can store with a full tank of gas??

Lovin that poppy.

You should RWB that baby

Ha, I can relate to every issue here. Great video

Where are all the 996 haters?

what with the scaffolding in the back?

Hey, you forgot the HVAC system ! 😂😀👍

Love your vids! Content is always 👌🏻

I hate that stupid roll cage about your 993.

Without track days I won’t own a high performance car anymore.