What makes the 993 cost as much or more then a 996?

the parts have better quality and they are different models

Alot of it is that the 993 was the last and ''best'' of the old style 911s (mean, air cooled, tailhappy 911s). They wont ever be topped in what they do, while the 996 doesnt have any tricks the 997 cant do.

Alot of it is just the purists. There were also alot fewer 993s made.

It is a better car with a much higher quality engine. You'd have to take the engines apart to see the decline in quality in a 996.

Besides, when Porsche goes racing, which basic engine block do you think they use, adding watercooling to it?

Exactly.

Aside from that, 996s are plagued with rear main seal issues which are, sometimes, incurable except with a replacement block.

Soul.

What they said. l think u have ur . l would think the focus is on:
- relative rarity = investment protection
- novelty of air-cooling (purist, etc)
- looks (classic, mean as someone said)
- pinnacle of the air-cooled Porsches

However, l would also say, as an owner of a 964 (previous generation to the 993) that I've also heard that the 996 is a great car & I've seen many on track that have done very well. l would consider buying a 996, & if l was buying a used Porsche today, that would be my first choice becasue of value.

Many true points so far here. but ultimately, it is about supply & demand. On the supply side, the 993 was made at a time when Porsche was somewhat struggling in terms of sales. While the 911 family has always been a strong seller, the 1990s were a period where Porsche had less sales than it wanted - mostly in models other than the 993, but 993 sales were still less than might be hoped for. Thus, years later, there r not as many 993s as u might find for other Carreras. The 996 generally has had better sales, & was produced for a longer period of time, meaning there r more 996s than 993s.

As for demand, the 996 is an excellent car. & in terms of performance, better in every way than the 993. But the 993 is an air cooled Porsche, & the last of the truelly handbuilt models too. It is considered by many to be the best, or at least among the best, in terms of appearance (the 997 going back to many of the design elements of the 993).

Many buyers will therefore gravitate to the 993 if they r looking for an older, ''classic'' 911. while those looking for a newer car will often gravitate towards the 997. The end result is that 996s often sell for less than u would otherwise think (there have been similar trends in the past involving the 964 & the '74-'77 911S).

all the above points r very true except the one where someone said that the 996 911 is a bit faulty, l think that 996 is have been the most secussfull generation among the Porsche is 911 family.

these days l am looking for 993 Twin Turbo is & the other day l came across one & the seller was asking for $70,000 which l couldnt agree more as the car was a stunner & I'd prefer the 993 to the 996 my self as it was as pure as it can get & back then these werent mass production cars like today is 996 & 997 generation.

back in the 90 is they were very truly among Ferrari is l am not saying that they arent now but 996 & 997 dont hold that special place in the hearts of Porsche enthusiast like me l mean u dont see 911 C4S & CS going head to head with 430 is & Gallardo is where as back in the day I'd love to have traffic light drags with my 993 is vs a 355 is and/or 348 Ferrari's, even though l own a ''08 997 911 Cerrera S which is a stunning car in every possible, imaginable way but I'd still love to own a 993 or a 964 or even a 930 over a 996 or a 997 & for that reason alone instead of going out & purchasing a new 997 Turbo l am going to go for a 993 Twin Turbo or a 993 Turbo & by the end of January next year l will be having 4 Porsche's.

2005 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.
2008 997 Porsche Carrera S.
a 993 Twin Turbo (still looking)
2008 997 GT2 which l will be taking delivery of in early January 2008.

Supply & Demand.

For many of the reasons stated above the 993 model is seen by many to be the last 'real' Porsche eg Air cooled. It is a great car & did have a direct line back to the original 911 in many of its parts. The 996 was an all new design & as such suffered from some initial problems (RMS being one key one) plus with the move to water cooled it was no longer seen as pure.

With the Boxster being popular the 996 was the natural upgrade for many first timers so there r many more about than the 993 generation - supply & demand.