This car has been a dream of mine for about 14 years... although they do say you should never meet your heroes!

The dream could become a reality at some point in 2014. pending good luck and timing. I'm interested in your opinions around driveability, ownership, maintenance, etc.. A good indy specialist and a good PPI seems to be the norm. The 993 is a 1994-1998 car and so represents a step back a decade or two - which could be an eye opener.. Comparisons to the S2000 in all respects would be welcomed, considering I've owned mine for over 4 years; the cockpit 'feels so right'.

I understand Lurking Lawyer on these forums owned a Targa at some point - thoughts would be appreciated.
Anyone else driven one? Unbiased thoughts welcomed .

 

Great car, get the Varioram version , more torque/hp but buy on condition. Performance-wise it is pretty average now-a-days. Definately get PPI. Look for corrosion around the FR and rear window channels. Check that door check straps have not become detached. Oil leaks are not uncommon but may be expensive to fix. If you can buy a car that has not been a regular driver in UK's salty/wet roads, the condition would be better - the cars do rust despite all the galvanising! The S2000 pedal position is far nicer for those that heel and toe and very often I chose to drive the S2000 esp if sun is out. One word of warning, don't buy cheap as you are likely to sink a lot of money into getting the car sorted. Parts are very expensive..... I would also avoid Targa version as they are rather complex and when it goes wrong it won't be cheap to get sorted. Buy the tin top.

 

Great feedback, thanks . Do you own one?

Yes - the VR (post 96) seem to be the ones to have, offering more low down torque and 285bhp as opposed to the 272bhp of the pre-VR (although it seems owners tend to go for the LWT RS clutch/flywheel setup to negate any horses lost on the pre-VR). Whilst VR would be desirable, a pre-VR wouldn't be discarded. The sport seats seem to be in high demand, too. I think a NB is preferred to the WB of the 'S' and Turbo models (prices for these are astronautical anyway). The Targa also doesn't appeal. The C4 does.

Rust on chassis legs and indeed windscreen surround/scuttle seem quite common and both don't appear to be cheap fixes! Similar applies to the door check straps, as you mention.

Interestingly you mention the pedals. In the S2000 they seem 'normal'. In the 993 they're offset... to the left. The driving position will definitely take some getting used to. I drove a C2 Tip and the driving position (with respect to the pedals) were enough to make me concerned about how a manual would drive, taking into account there'd be 'another pedal to the left'. This makes the Tip a contender despite it's primitive ZF (Merc) 4 speed 'box and slower(+1sec) claimed 0-60 time - although the purists seem to frown on all Tips!

 

Mine is LHD so the offset is not so much an issue. I have never driven a RHD so I cannot help in this regard. You will find that the manual widebody "S" versions (2S or 4S) are more sought after than narrow body unless you get the RS (the ultimate non-turbo 993) which are now extremely expensive - they are narrow body cars. Personally I would not buy the S versions and get a better conditioned narrow Carrera for the same outlay (unless you have he funds). Tips are worth less and manual car is the one to go for. The S2000 gearbox is far superior in feel to the 993. The cabin snugness is about the same but S2000 has the central tunnel which makes it very snug. Agree about pre-Varioram vs VR but you are better off with one.

 

Ah! I understand LHD drive ones command even bigger sums! Any pics of yours?
Agree, the RS is the ultimate, but the sums involved are ridiculous. I don't think I've seen one cheaper than 130k in the 12 months. I'd take one of those over a Turbo S! Whilst the WB of C2S and C4S are more sought after, I am drawn to the NB, hence the C4 - I'd much prefer the added traction it offers over the C2 (although I am informed the front wheels are only driven 5% until loss of traction is identified).

Yep, I have seen that Targa's and Tip's seem to make up the lower end of the market, but having drove the Tip it wasn't as bad as I had thought (forums and owners spread a lot of negativity about these). The Tip will remain an option if I don't get on with the C4, which remains the preferred variant. It will be difficult to find one thats had the windscreen out, rust treated, clutch replaced, and suspension refreshed - all of which will be of concern on cars this age.

When I sat in the C2, it definitely felt more spacious and quite roomy. I much prefer the snugness of the S2000, which, like you say is helped by the transmission tunnel, which also enables you to rest your arm and always be ready to shift. I also found the steering very analogue and heavier than the S2000 (I suppose this is the difference in electronic VS hydraulic assisted?). There are horror stories out there on annual ownership costs too. How do you find it?

 

LHD will always be cheaper in the UK but LHD will have bigger market. I would stick to C2 if I were you. C2's traction isn't an issue - extra weight, complexity and more things that can go wrong, I also understand bleeding brakes is an issue with C4 without the Hammer diagnostics. Cost wise - I DIY my maintenance stuff so not much - I feed it good stuff like Fuchs Pro R, V-Power only; parts expensive as I said. Some will frown upon the DIY but as I will be keeping this til I can no longer drive it is not an issue. I have read stories about the top no 6 spark plug not being changed by garages as it is a pain to get to so I will DIY knowing I have done it correctly. By the time I come to sell it the mileage would be so low that it will be extortionate!

 

Looks amazing . Guards Red, too! It's perfect. It seems you have put big reds on yours too? And those Speedlines - are they genuine? If that's not an RS... ( ) you've done very well to replicate it, at least aesthetically . I've seen a few owners that have gone as far as completing th sunroof delete and 3.8 transplant too - crazy.

Looking at it again, is it a genuine RS?? Seats & exhaust look like it might be, but cannot see a cage...


You mention the traction on the C2 isn't an issue - this is good news. This cautious C4 approach comes from me knowing all too well how the back end is lively on the S2000 and can catch you out from time to time. I ended up getting the RaceLogic TC fitted to so some way to address that. I wouldn't want similar issues if I were to get a C2, hence decided on the C4. You make a good point regarding the extra weight from the engine sitting right on top of the rear axel. Is it still competent in rain/wet/greasy conditions? The guys on who own the C4 use it all year around, including light snow (if need be). Not sure the C2 would fare well on such conditions. I take it you've had no issues then? That's really positive to hear.

 

Mine is the real deal as they say. All the mods you say came with car I don't drive it in the wet... I hate cleaning cars so that is why it only goes out on non-rainy days which includes the S2000. Apparently if you put on winter tires C2s do well but I would avoid it in any case as even if you are careful, there are other drivers who do not know how to drive in the snow. Cage was not standard although mine has aftermarket cage. The Clubsport which I really covet has welded in cage.

 

In which case, you can't have enough of these: . Simply stunning. Congratulations on owning such a machine .



Much prefer the RS over the RS Clubsport myself. Leave the extravagant splitters and rear spoilers for the GT2 .

 

That's what I said at the beginning, but the rarity value of CS is attractive and the fact that those owners who moved from RS to RSCS have preferred the RSCS. I have the big wing and splitters in my garage