Having owned the 993 and driven dozens of 996s I would have to say the 993 has more soul. I does indeed feel like a Porsch is supposed to feel. The engine sound alone is worth the price of admission - and while old fashioned, I think the interior is nicer that the early 996 (although later models are better). I also like the exterior looks better - the car is more coke bottle shapes (or some might say like a womans body).
Having said that, the 996 is a faster car - hands down. It is so much easier to drive at speed, the suspension is mostly unflappable. It has more of everthing, more power, more brakes and more rubber.
The problem with our ranking them is that both end up in MSS where the 993 with about 50 less hp is largely uncompetiive (except for the very fast Kary - go dude
) What we really should do is put the 993 in a lower class where it belongs.
So, long story short - to me it looks like the 997 will be a huge winner, revised interior, much more like an updated 993, coke bottle shape and sophistited suspension and brakes - If only it had an air cooled engine
I just put down a deposit on the 997 GT3
now wondering if I can get a GT3RS