HXS

Long time lurker here and looking to purchase my very first P car!

I've specifically been looking at these two models, in manual transmission. They're in the same price range in the used market with the same amount of mileage. I know the Turbo will hold more value and will nudge out the C4S in performance, but I wouldn't mind the increase in interior space of the newer generation C4S. I would not be tracking this car, and it would be my weekend car.

I'd like to hear some feedback on pros and cons of each car from current owners. Thanks!

Frank996

Hi @HXS and "welcome" to the forum...

I have a reversed experience, meaning that I had 997.2 C4S and then went on to get a 991.1 Turbo S (all my 911’s being weekend drivers)

Now I’m a propper 911 enhusiast and love everything the 911 stands for and not because they may (or may not) hold their price or if are quickest off the grid compared to other souped up hatch backs so my view may be a tad different... Anyway here goes:

- The 997.2 Felt more like a "real" old school type 911 compared to the 991.1 both taking interior and exterior into account.
- The 991.1 is much more up to date "gadget" wise compared to the 997.2 (and especially the 997.1) - The PCM 3.1 is way better than the 3.0, but then again the 3.0 is miles ahead of 2.1 from the 997.1
- Even though the size increase seems small on paper it’s actually very noticable in real life. I preferred the "smaller" 997 compared to the 991.1 and I don’t feel the cabin is any bigger in the 991 compared to the 997.
- I don’t really care if 0-100 km/h (62 mph) is done 0.2 sec or 0.8 sec faster but rather the over all feel (including handling, sound, design etc) of driving the car.

Basically, there are pro’s and con’s for both generations and it all comes down to what feels best... OK, when the turbo’s kick in, it feels like a jet plane taking off or space rocket launching (I could imagine) but then again, the "growl" from a NA flat six with PSE is just worth the buy initself...

You need to go out there and try both.

Does the turbo you have been looking at have PCCB? If so, have them checked before doing anything as getting them changed will cost the same as a standard new car with all the extras and as with all P cars full service history is a must.

sdsc

They’re both very different—I would highly recommend a drive.

Give a 991.2 base a test as well!

Bud Taylor

Drove both and got the S. I did not drive the 4s which is a bit heavier and wider but to me the S seemed to have a much better interior. Also, the sound is intoxicating and although few people mention this the power to me seemed way more linear feeling. Combined with the turbos being older as well as more expensive to maintain it was an easy choice for me. The pdcc makes a difference cornering as well. Turbo is faster but not by much and it hits later. May want to try a non awd .1 as well due to their very liveable personalities.

spiderv6

Can’t under estimate this point.. If you have no idea what this sounds/feels like you are missing out on SO much.

Penn4S

I owned both cars '08 997 TT and a '13 991 4S. Loved them both. The 4S is an amazing car. But the 997 TT cars are very special. I still miss the white cab 997 TT with Europipe exhaust and tune with MT tranny.
For me the Porsche TT cars are in another league even the older ones.

NF4710

Went through the same dilemma. I went 991.1 S and have been very happy. I use my car as a daily so the ride quality and tech enhancements make a big difference. Also, I adore the sound of the NA flat six. You can’t go wrong either way though. From a financial standpoint I’m guessing the turbo would do slightly better but with the requisite maintenance I don’t think it’s as big a gap as many would predict.

Cheers,
NF

TYPE911

This ^.

A manual 997 TT with a europipe, tune or stock tune, long-term is the better car to have.

CSK 911 C4S

C4S...... it's a fantastic package

Give us some comparison details.

HXS

Thanks all for the responses! I guess I'll have to test drive both and see which one stirs my soul.

No, the turbo does not have the PCCB. I agree also with you how it doesn't matter which has the faster 0-60 time, it just has to have the right feel overall.

HXS

Here are the two cars I'm looking at. The main disadvantage of the C4S is that it has over 46K miles:

BASE 911 Carrera 4S
031 Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) with PASM sport suspension
446 Wheel center caps with colored Porsche Crest
487 7-speed Manual Transmission
603 Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
636 ParkAssist (front and rear)
651 Electric sunroof
672 Navigation Module
748 Electric folding exterior mirrors
840 SportDesign steering wheel
A1 Black
AZ Black leather interior
P07 Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way)
P37 BOSE® Audio Package
P3F Premium Package with Adaptive Sport Seats Plus
UN1 Online Services
XRT 20-inch SportTechno wheel
XSC Porsche Crest on headrests
XUB Headlight cleaning system cover painted exterior color

BASE Porsche Base Model
05 Natural Leather Grey
220 Axle-Differential Lock Rear
342 Heated Front Seats
431 3-Spoke Str Whl Multifctn lthr
640 Sport Chrono Package Turbo
810 Floor Mats - Interior Color
998 Leather Interior Natural Lthr CPA Thicker Leather Steering Wheel
E9 Midnight Blue Metallic ECA Gear/Handbrake Lever Alu Look
XMZ Rear Center Console - Leather

Bud Taylor

As it seems to wear poorly but a llus for the turbo is no sunroof. Both great cars. I would not buy a sunroof car again after living through a 928 mail slot nightmare.

Balr14

I am having the same dilemma.I came to the conclusion I'll take the first one that fits a long list of requirements.

m5biemer

Drive both of the cars. I have 997.1 TT and 991.2 GTS. The 997 is more raw, more engaging as it's a manual. Have tune and exhaust and it sounds much better than GTS, Also has PCCB's which are awesome brakes. GTS has pdk so easier as a daily driver and many more creature comforts, along with a more refined presentation. If I had to choose, I'd probably stay with the 997 as I don't daily drive either vehicle.

NJBThor

Definitely drive both. Before I ended up with my 2013 C4S, I tested an '09 Turbo. I was underwhelmed in terms of regular on-street driving. I knew I'd have a different feel under a more spirited condition, but I also knew that the bulk of my use was regular weekend drive and occasional long distance jaunt. When I tested the C4S, I immediately felt like "this is it", esp. compared to the older one. Going on 2 years later, I'm still happy with my decision.