992 C4S vs C2S in Warm Climates
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 261
Likes: 191
From: Fort Worth
I don't know why anyone would buy a C4 in a warm climate - it is a compromised design. A better question would be 'can I live with a C2 in a cold climate (say Portland or Seattle, not talking Antartica)?' With the engine over the driven RWD, the 911 C2 is actually pretty good in light snow/etc with the right rubber. They were developed as a DD car in Germany after all - not exactly a tropical climate. Get the non-compromised front-wheels-steer/ back-wheels-drive one!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 292
Likes: 168
From: Bucks County PA
Hi Guys,
Looking for a little advise from the Pros here... I know this topic has been beat to death in the past, but I'm planning my 992 order at the end of the month. I live in South Florida, the car will never see snow or ice. We do see a lot of rain, but do I really need AWD considering the 992 has "Wet Mode" in all variants? The sales guy I spoke to yesterday was less than helpful. The car will be a DD and will probably never see a track. I like the idea of having more traction and I'm hearing the C4S tends to have a better resale. Although C2S has less weight and better MPG. Whats the consensus? Thanks in advance!
My code for those interested :
PL3VXV57
http://www.porsche-code.com/PL3VXV57
Looking for a little advise from the Pros here... I know this topic has been beat to death in the past, but I'm planning my 992 order at the end of the month. I live in South Florida, the car will never see snow or ice. We do see a lot of rain, but do I really need AWD considering the 992 has "Wet Mode" in all variants? The sales guy I spoke to yesterday was less than helpful. The car will be a DD and will probably never see a track. I like the idea of having more traction and I'm hearing the C4S tends to have a better resale. Although C2S has less weight and better MPG. Whats the consensus? Thanks in advance!
My code for those interested :
PL3VXV57
http://www.porsche-code.com/PL3VXV57
Personally I dithered over 4S vs S for weeks and drove multiple versions of each in the 991.2 model back in Nov/Dec and couldn't tell any difference at moderate speeds and dry roads (and as we know if you cannot tell any difference then get the cheaper option).
I'm in rural PA where we only get about 5 days of serious snow per year - and on those days I will stay home or use the Alfa Stelvio or my wife's Tesla - so that was not an issue. But I did think about wet weather situations which are quite common - until I saw several videos of 992 reviewers doing silly things to try and catch out the WET mode on a S model on flooded tracks - incredibly impressive. I think a 992 S with WET mode should be sufficient to handle rainy days for daily driving (or just drive more carefully even without WET mode).
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,275
Likes: 3,687
From: Newport Beach, CA and Melbourne, Australia
Have to say I’m amazed this is even a question. Rain needing AWD? Crazy.. Tires on the other hand, far too many people expect 1/2 worn rubber to displace water like a new set. I say buy a RWD car, enjoy the purest driving experience and keep those boots in good nick.
But, hey it’s your money.
But, hey it’s your money.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 292
Likes: 168
From: Bucks County PA
I don't know why anyone would buy a C4 in a warm climate - it is a compromised design. A better question would be 'can I live with a C2 in a cold climate (say Portland or Seattle, not talking Antartica)?' With the engine over the driven RWD, the 911 C2 is actually pretty good in light snow/etc with the right rubber. They were developed as a DD car in Germany after all - not exactly a tropical climate. Get the non-compromised front-wheels-steer/ back-wheels-drive one!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 90
Likes: 36
Hi Guys,
Looking for a little advise from the Pros here... I know this topic has been beat to death in the past, but I'm planning my 992 order at the end of the month. I live in South Florida, the car will never see snow or ice. We do see a lot of rain, but do I really need AWD considering the 992 has "Wet Mode" in all variants? The sales guy I spoke to yesterday was less than helpful. The car will be a DD and will probably never see a track. I like the idea of having more traction and I'm hearing the C4S tends to have a better resale. Although C2S has less weight and better MPG. Whats the consensus? Thanks in advance!
My code for those interested :
PL3VXV57
http://www.porsche-code.com/PL3VXV57
Looking for a little advise from the Pros here... I know this topic has been beat to death in the past, but I'm planning my 992 order at the end of the month. I live in South Florida, the car will never see snow or ice. We do see a lot of rain, but do I really need AWD considering the 992 has "Wet Mode" in all variants? The sales guy I spoke to yesterday was less than helpful. The car will be a DD and will probably never see a track. I like the idea of having more traction and I'm hearing the C4S tends to have a better resale. Although C2S has less weight and better MPG. Whats the consensus? Thanks in advance!
My code for those interested :
PL3VXV57
http://www.porsche-code.com/PL3VXV57
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 834
From: SF Bay Area
I don't know why anyone would buy a C4 in a warm climate - it is a compromised design. A better question would be 'can I live with a C2 in a cold climate (say Portland or Seattle, not talking Antartica)?' With the engine over the driven RWD, the 911 C2 is actually pretty good in light snow/etc with the right rubber. They were developed as a DD car in Germany after all - not exactly a tropical climate. Get the non-compromised front-wheels-steer/ back-wheels-drive one!
because to my mind... traction in a car is never a bad thing have... unless my goal is to slide around on a racetrack for fun, the rest of the time, having traction is a plus on all fronts... even the acceleration of the AWD is a good bit faster than the 2WD.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 90
Likes: 81
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Since most of this discussion is about the “S” variants (which are nearly the same apart from the awd) - I wonder what the thinking is on the C2 vs C4? The advantage to the C4 being that it enables you to get PTV+ as well - which isn’t available on the C2.
Would the combination of AWD and PTV+ make the C4 more attractive than the base C2 in your minds?
Would the combination of AWD and PTV+ make the C4 more attractive than the base C2 in your minds?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 261
Likes: 191
From: Fort Worth
Strange point because the rear engine/rear drive is the best possible traction. Adding drive to the fronts makes a tiny bit more traction from a dead stop, but the 911 is not lacking for acceleration, and the RWD is faster-accelerating in all situations but from a dead stop. Driving in rain/snow, AWD has no real-world benefit; braking and steering (lateral traction) does not benefit from front wheel drive. It's weird how people think AWD helps improve safety when driving in rain/snow when what's important is lateral traction and stopping. AWD may help acceleration in snow/ice but that's all. Just get winter rubber.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 834
From: SF Bay Area
Strange point because the rear engine/rear drive is the best possible traction. Adding drive to the fronts makes a tiny bit more traction from a dead stop, but the 911 is not lacking for acceleration, and the RWD is faster-accelerating in all situations but from a dead stop. Driving in rain/snow, AWD has no real-world benefit; braking and steering (lateral traction) does not benefit from front wheel drive. It's weird how people think AWD helps improve safety when driving in rain/snow when what's important is lateral traction and stopping. AWD may help acceleration in snow/ice but that's all. Just get winter rubber.
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Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Doylestown, PA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 880
Likes: 401
From: NE Ohio
Strange point because the rear engine/rear drive is the best possible traction. Adding drive to the fronts makes a tiny bit more traction from a dead stop, but the 911 is not lacking for acceleration, and the RWD is faster-accelerating in all situations but from a dead stop. Driving in rain/snow, AWD has no real-world benefit; braking and steering (lateral traction) does not benefit from front wheel drive. It's weird how people think AWD helps improve safety when driving in rain/snow when what's important is lateral traction and stopping. AWD may help acceleration in snow/ice but that's all. Just get winter rubber.
I'll agree that outside of acceleration FWD makes no benefit (as it's literally a "drive" so therefore when not being driven there's no real benefit), but there are so many other applications of acceleration outside of a dead stop. Straight line acceleration (even not from a stop) is still going to be faster with AWD - the only downside to AWD is going to be your top-end where drivetrain resistance (another phrase for this?) comes into play.
In general, any situation you're applying the gas and your rear wheels lose "any" sort of traction is where AWD can come into play, as the front wheels can compensate for the rear's lack of traction.
In general, I do agree with the AWD and winter arguments (winter tires do make the biggest difference) - but you also turn in the winter too, and a rear-heavy car during a turn would love to have some front wheel drive traction to keep it going where you pointed it.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 1,172
From: Berkeley Lake, Georgia
I have had both and have lived in Florida......AWD and don't even think any more about it......the rain in Florida with the oil on the roads creating slippery surfaces is not something to fool with at speeds people drive there.......also when it rains there the puddles and flooding are ominous........it rains hard there....tropical......
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 261
Likes: 191
From: Fort Worth