I've been looking at a '96 Carrera 2, and I've been assuming these are great
years because the cars have the classic body style many people love, and
Porsche pretty much had all the bugs out of the air-cooled engine by that
point. So, I'm assuming this should be a great looking car -- to me -- and
a very reliable car.

Are my assumptions correct? Any major problems with these models?

Thanks

sheldon@sopris.net

Sheldon wrote:


They are great cars, Sheldon. Varioram gives better power for longer
and the suspension is improved. But as with ~all~ cars, they have their
share of issues, too.

From what I can remember, the ceramic can break loose inside the
headers (not sure this is a widespread issue), the OBDII is not very
friendly to chip changes (not really a defect, but annoying), and the
exhaust can choke a sensor which causes the check engine light to come
on. I think Porsche is reluctant to recognize this last one as a
problem, but I have heard about this more than a few times. It helps to
run the engine for long periods rather than short ones. You may not
really know when buying a used one, though.

Official recalls:
http://www.automotive.com/1996/12/p...alls/index.html

Check the PCA site for more information, but below is an excerpt from a
previous thread here that discussed the sensor/emissions issue:

--
From: Paul - SBC News
Date: Thurs, Aug 25 2005 6:46 pm
Email: "Paul - SBC News" <p.resn...@sbcglobal.net>
Groups: alt.autos.porsche.911, alt.autos.porsche

Before writing the check, the 96-98 993's have had issues with emissions
that can cost $5000 - $6000 to fix.
This has been documented on the PCA.Org web site. See the except below:

Although the 1996 & newer have superior suspension hardware, and other
improvements, the 1995 has one big emerging advantage -- relative
immunity to what is becoming an epidemic. That is of 1996-1998 993's
coming down with the dreaded Check Engine Light for the Secondary Air
Injection system airways getting plugged. Those passages can be cleaned
with solvent and compressed air every 15k miles to prevent the problem,
but once the carbon buildup hardens and sets in, it is too late. Since
we did not know this was necessary, basically every car eventually fails
state emissions testing.
Except for the 1995 that is, because it did not yet have OBD-II onboard
diagnostics and so it does not fail itself. The rebuild for the 1996 &
later models will run in the ballpark of $6000, so this is a big deal if
you live in a state doing emissions testing, or if you ever plan to sell
the car.
--

Keep us posted.

DS
95 993 Coupe