Which one will win the race: the 964 or the 993?
When the Porsche 993 replaced its predecessor, the 964, in the fall of 1993, its sleeker design gave it a distinctly more modern look. Thanks to careful refinement, the “new” model was able to win over even the most tradition-conscious 911 buyers. The 993 also commanded higher prices on the used car market, and its resale value has never really taken a significant dip to this day. This exceptionally strong retention of value was also due to its successor, which broke with many traditions and, as the first water-cooled 911, struggled to win over fans. The shape of the headlights and its resemblance to the significantly more affordable Boxster didn't help either.
As a result, the Porsche 993—in virtually all its variants—remained a favorite among the Porsche community, and its lead over the Porsche 964 persisted for decades.
That is, until a few years ago. That's when the tide began to turn. As an analysis of Classic Data ratings (Condition 2) over 15 years shows, the 964 overtook the 993 (comparing the rear-wheel-drive coupe variants) about two years ago and has maintained its lead ever since.
How did this happen? It's likely due to several factors. On the one hand, there's a very large supply of 993s on the market; second, the 964's appearance is simply closer to the “benchmark” original 911; and finally, many restomod providers are ensuring that the supply of good 964s is becoming even scarcer.
But what do our readers think? Maybe one or two of you have a different theory? Just write it in the comments section...
