Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.” This project, Porsche Owners File, was born from readers’ requests to share the authentic voices of various Porsche owners. The 10th installment features a purchase, options, and driving review of the last air-cooled 911 model, the 1995 911 Type 993, from “Kimiyua,” who lives in Tokyo. This is the first 993 review on this blog, so please enjoy reading it.

〘Owner Information〙
・Featured car: 1995 911 Type 993
・Pen name: Kimiyua (Registered as Kimiyua on Minkara)

・Occupation: Company executive
・Age: 60
・Residence: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
・Family: Two people, including an 11-year-old child
・Past cars:
1976 Celica XX → 1982 Corolla Levin → 1984 Toyota Mark II Grande → 1989 Audi 80 → 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E Sportline+ (2nd car) → 1992 Golf GLI
ー Then sold all cars once ー
Main cars
1995 Mercedes-Benz C280 Sportline → 1996 Jaguar XJ8 3.2 Executive (308)
…Owned for 12 years, with over 200,000 km driven. At that time, I commuted by car from Chiba City to Akasaka Mitsuke in Tokyo. I hated taking the commuter train, so I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to drive to work.
2007 Audi A6 Avant → 2009 Mercedes-Benz W210 (2002 model) → 2010 Mercedes-Benz W124 E500 (1995 final model) → 2010 Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde → 2011 Mercedes-Benz C280 Avantgarde → 2015 Porsche 997 Carrera 4 (2007 model) → 2018 Porsche 993 Carrera (1995 model)
Second cars
2007 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro → 2014 Porsche 987 Boxster (2007 model) → 2016 Abarth 595 Competizione → 2016 Mercedes-Benz W124 S280 Wagon (1995 model)

A Word to Readers

It used to be that “Porsche meant 911,” but nowadays SUVs like the Cayenne and Macan have been released and become popular and familiar. Still, in general society, Porsche remains “a somewhat distant presence.”

However, driving a Porsche is truly fun, and even commuting fills me with excitement as I head to work.

I drive every day from Futako-Tamagawa to Meiji-Jingumae, and it sometimes feels like I’m “going to work just to drive my Porsche” (laughs).

It adds a spark and brightness to daily life… it’s a strange feeling, as if I’m working just to be able to drive my Porsche.

That said, Porsches are expensive, so I have never bought one new. But even used cars are perfectly convenient. People often say “the latest Porsche is the best Porsche,” but I truly feel that even older Porsches have amazing performance. (Not just sour grapes, I swear!)

Everyone enjoys life differently, but owning a Porsche really enriches every day. Though I’m a salaryman, I don’t think it’s an unattainable dream.

In the past, the term “ageman” was used to describe a woman who supports the man beside her and raises his luck, but Porsche is truly an “age-car”! (big laugh)

So I definitely want everyone to own one at least once.

The only sad thing is when news reports say “a Porsche was involved in a reckless accident.” Accidents are always the driver’s fault, not the Porsche’s, but it’s unfortunate that Porsche itself gets a bad image because of it.

1) How I Came to Purchase

—Loved Cars Since Childhood

Like former TBS announcer Hiroki Ando, I’m from the supercar boom generation and have loved cars since I was little. In my third year of high school, I got my driver’s license early and sometimes commuted from Chiba City to my high school in Ichikawa by family car, and after school enjoyed drives with classmates.

That’s when my love for cars really began.

I loved cars more than food, and my parents often said, “You’re really crazy about cars!” (laughs)

I admired Porsche since childhood, but living with my family, I was only allowed to own a “sedan with proper four seats,” so I couldn’t get a Porsche easily.

—Encounter with the Boxster

Time passed, and in 2013 I met the president of a Porsche dealership privately, who said, “If you like Porsche, you should definitely drive one.” Then one day in 2014, he called me saying, “There’s a well-maintained 987 Boxster available; want to come see it?” I went for a test drive and immediately fell in love…

So I bought the 987 Boxster as a second car to start with.

The Boxster was completely different from any car I’d driven before, with incredible “handling response” and “driving pleasure,” and I thought, “Why didn’t I get one sooner…!”

—Fascinated by the 991

However, reading Porsche books and blogs, I saw many voices saying “911 is the true Porsche,” and my feelings gradually shifted toward the 911.

About a year and a half after starting to drive the Boxster, I visited a friend’s dealership and found a 997 Carrera 4 there. At first sight, I fell for its rear fender bulge and style, so I sold my Mercedes-Benz C280 and Boxster and got the 997 in 2015.

After that, I started taking all my long-distance private trips (Karuizawa, Izu, Nagoya, Osaka, Ise-Shima, etc.) in the Porsche. Many Porsche owners say, “Despite being a sports car, there’s no fatigue from long trips, and you still want to keep driving after arriving.” That was exactly my experience. It was the first time I felt that way.

Currently, with child-rearing in full swing, I’ve given up other hobbies (golf, drinking, etc.) and mainly enjoy drives and trips with my child.

—How I Found the Air-Cooled Porsche

Last year, as I approached 60, I thought, “If you’re a Porsche driver, you absolutely must own an air-cooled Porsche.” One day, while searching online for a 993, I happened to find one at a friend’s shop and called immediately.

I was told another customer had already seen it and was scheduled to sign the contract that weekend.

A Porsche-loving friend (owns a 964) told me:

“The 993 is the last air-cooled model, with fewer examples in Japan than other air-cooled cars, making it more valuable. It’s more reliable than the 964 and has excellent handling.”

After hanging up, I went straight to the shop to test drive the 993 and was filled with the desire to “make this 993 mine!”

Although the other customer had already seen it, the dealer contacted them and learned they would not purchase it, so this 993 officially became mine.

—My Son’s Feelings About the 997

As a side note, I’d like to share a bit about my family when selling the 997. Probably influenced by me, my elementary school son is also a car fanatic. All his smartphone apps and games are car-related.

Both parent and child love cars, so our house is filled with mini cars and car-related goods (laughs).

My son has tried swimming, soccer, and basketball but never stuck with any. Two years ago, he said he wanted to try kart racing and got hooked. Originally, he liked American cars (Dodge Challenger, Charger), but recently he’s a big fan of the Porsche 997 GT3 RS and Koenigsegg Agera RS.

So when I sold the 997 Carrera 4, my son opposed it, saying “I understand wanting to drive the 993 air-cooled, but I absolutely don’t want to sell the 997.” Later, a friend’s dealership president agreed to own my 997, and my son said:

“If Dad promises never to sell it until he can buy it back, I’ll allow Dad to buy the 993.”

Thanks to that, I was able to purchase the 993.

Still, the day we handed over the 997, my son was in tears—it was heartbreaking to watch. The next day, he went to see the 997 at the friend’s house near the next station.

However… that friend later broke the promise and sold the 997. My son says he will never speak to him again… (laughs)

2) Options / Specifications

When purchased, the car had a front spoiler, side spoilers, and rear wing installed (not genuine, manufacturer unknown).

I personally don’t care much about “whether it’s stock or not,” as long as the overall look is cohesive, elegant, and cool, I don’t mind if the specs are modified.

I also needed a “backup camera” and “Bluetooth,” so I replaced the existing audio system with a Pioneer DEH970 from Carrozzeria. I removed the portable navigation and ashtray and installed a commercially available bracket there.

3) Delivery Time

I first saw it on a website in July 2018, and it was delivered about a month later in August.

4) Porsche Performance After Ownership

It’s been about six months since I bought the 993 in August 2018. The only long trip I’ve taken was from Tokyo to Ise-Shima, but the handling is fun, and it gives a sense of unity between car and driver, offering a different kind of enjoyment than the 997.

It’s hard to believe this car was made 25 years ago (1995 model).

Many air-cooled owners say, “Once you own an air-cooled Porsche, you never want to let it go.” I understand that feeling very well.

① Engine: Naturally Aspirated 3,600cc

I want to describe the 993 engine sound compared to other Porsches.

First, the Boxster’s engine sound is unmistakably Porsche’s flat-six when you turn the ignition key with your left hand. Also, because it’s mid-engine, the engine sound coming from just behind the driver’s seat near the back is very powerful. The engine runs smoothly without vibration but makes a roaring “bababa” sound, which really feels like Porsche.

The 991 (997 Carrera 4) water-cooled engine sounds even more impressive than the Boxster, with louder volume at high revs.

Considering all that, the 993’s engine sound is like a saw cutting through wood… a “unique sound only an air-cooled Porsche can make.” The 993’s exhaust note is deeper and louder, with a mechanical feel as if the machinery is working hard at the rear.

② Tiptronic

The 993 Tiptronic has shift switches on both sides of the steering wheel. Personally, I find it “easier to operate than the PDK paddle shifters.”

③ Handling

It’s nimble, like riding a go-kart. However, the turning radius isn’t very good. Still, the steering, braking, and engine sound are all things you can never experience with a water-cooled Porsche. It’s irreplaceable.

④ Fuel Economy

In commuting and city driving, it’s about 6–7 km/l. On long trips, it approaches 10 km/l.

⑤ Ride Comfort and Feel

On uneven roads, you do feel bumps, but the car accurately follows the line you intend. The cabin feels smaller than current 911s, making the drive more exciting.

⑥ Family Reaction

As mentioned, my 11-year-old son prefers the 997 we had before but likes the exhaust and door closing sounds of the 993.

⑦ Favorite Points

I like the compact size of the Porsche and its acceleration when needed.

5) Options I Definitely Want to Add

Porsches are mostly complete as stock, so I currently have no option requests.

6) Concerns

If I had to say… it’s a 20+ year-old classic, so frequent maintenance is essential. Since August last year, repairs included a power steering gearbox overhaul (rebuilt) costing 320,000 yen, and a 30,000 yen part replacement for transmission oil leaks… repairs have continued for a while.

I expect parts replacement and repairs will be unavoidable going forward.

7) Overall Impression

I really like the Porsche 993; it’s an excellent car. I’ve test-driven the 991 a few times, but I felt the 993 was more refined in every way than the 987 Boxster and 997 Carrera.

If you’re not particular about driving itself, the “latest Porsches (like the 992) are the best sports cars today,” and modern fans will be captivated.

But for those who “have loved cars and driving for a long time,” air-cooled Porsches like the 993 will feel more endearing, and I even think “once you experience an air-cooled Porsche, you won’t stray to the latest 911.”

That said, as a car lover, if I had the means, I’d also like to own a Macan while keeping my current two cars.

8) What Porsche Means to Me

Porsche is my “life partner” and my “reason for living.”

As a side note, in June 2008 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given five months to live. I underwent surgery immediately, but the cancer had already spread to my liver, lungs, and abdominal lymph nodes, and I felt despair.

After nine months of chemotherapy and hospitalization, by February 2009 I weighed only 40 kg and couldn’t even walk.

However, six months later, I couldn’t suppress my desire to drive again, so I got a W210, then finally my long-awaited W124 500E. Unfortunately, I was still weak and caused a self-inflicted accident due to pedal mistakes, totaling the E500 and C200.

Still, my love for cars never faded, and I met Porsche, leading me to where I am today.

I believe I became the company president because of my strong motivation to drive a Porsche.

[Blog Administrator’s Thoughts]
Owners of air-cooled 911s always say “the handling is fun, the mechanical engine sound is charming, and these qualities can never be experienced with water-cooled models.” Reading Kimiyua’s report, I felt deeply that for true car and driving enthusiasts, there’s probably no more enjoyable car than the air-cooled 911. Thank you very much, Kimiyua!