The 993 Porsche 911 Carrera was built between 1994 and 1998, and came with a drastic styling difference from previous generations.
Its sleek headlights, wide haunches, and dual exhausts created an athletic design – which was then enhanced by the 18-inch Porsche Speedline wheels put on the particular model I took for a drive.
The dynamic details continue inside the cabin, with low-sitting sport seats, classic Porsche instrument cluster, and manual gear shifter.
Not only is it sporty, but it is luxurious, too, as there are thick carpets, ample leather, and a “high-end” sound system fitted inside.
Driving this Porsche is a naturally-aspirated, flat-six, 3.6-litre engine that produces 200kW and 330Nm.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission, which allowed a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.6 seconds when the 993 Carrera was new.
The Drive
Driving an almost 30-year-old Porsche was an incredible experience.
The seats were low, snug, and comfortable – and while I couldn’t see the front of the car, the raised light tunnels made it easier to tell the width and length.
The pedals and foot box were surprisingly tight when I got in, but it only took a few minutes to get familiarised with this.
As we were hurtling down the road, the roaring engine behind me fully immersed my head in the glorious driving experience.
The Porsche had an incredibly smooth clutch and a short-throw gear lever that allowed easy changes.
The car was faster than I had expected, too, and I had to stomp on the breaks when speed bumps approached.
The brakes were stiff and required a firm push to properly activate, making me work harder than usual to slow the Porsche down.
Speed bumps were not as big of an issue as other sports cars make it seem, however, and the Porsche gently glided over thanks to its 110mm of ground clearance.
Humps and ditches in the road made known the stiffness of the suspension – but the ride wasn’t uncomfortable, just sturdy.
Going fast
When the road allowed, I buried the throttle and the car took off with the engine screaming – showing off its lack of modern-day silencers and petrol particulate filters.
The sound was loud, uncensored, and in-your-face. It was phenomenal.
The steering was also fantastic, with a heavy sensation that provided great feedback and directness when pushing the Porsche through corners.
While I have been fortunate enough to drive many high-end modern cars in my life, these vehicles are missing the incredible personality and driving connection of the 993 Porsche 911 Carrera.
It’s therefore easy to see why sports cars from the 80s and 90s are popular additions in a car fan’s garage.
Keyword: Driving a 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera – This is what it’s like