Curious on people’s thoughts on the different driving dynamics of the base versus the AWD. I’ve never owned a Porsche and am looking at the 992 base. I’ve had some people tell me they can be harde to control under hard acceleration and have suggested the Carrera 4. I currently have a 2016 BMW M3 (RWD), which is basically a 50/50 weight distribution. How different is the 992? Is it as easy to spin this thing out as people are telling me??

still trying to find one I can drive myself to get a sense of it.

 

You don’t need awd for traction in the dry. The RWD has so much traction, you can almost floor it out of a dry corner without wheel spin. Even in the wet my 2S is solid.

AWD has its advantages in the wet and snowy climates.

The M3 has much more traction issues if you aren’t careful with your right foot.

 

Porsche 911's are all about rear grip/traction. It's the defining experience of the car. They're easy cars to drive fast, modern ones anyway.

There are really two circumstances where you should choose (or need) a Carrera 4 over the base RWD car...

1. If you want a limited slip differential (PTV+ option), because the Base Carrera has an open diff and no LSD option.
2. You plan on driving the car, all year round, in all weather. To be clear, there are benefits to the AWD system on dry pavement, but for many drivers, it's the all weather capability that seals the deal.

If you want AWD, the all-new 992 AWD system is very much a heavily RWD-biased system and a significant improvement over the previous generation 911s. It will even let you hang the *** end of the car out -- it's an excellent system. Real power only goes to the front wheels under very specific circumstances. So, you basically give up nothing with the AWD system. The weight increase is approximately the difference between a full and empty tank of gas.

 

Modern RWD 911’s put the power down well. Better than any front engine V8 car that I’ve owned.
So why take the weight penalty of the C4? I’d imagine steering feel is just that more crisp with the C2 vs the C4 also.

 

I went from a 2017 M3 (base) to a 2021 992 C2. The 992 rear end sticks. The M3 had issues with rear traction even on dry surfaces. And I put wider wheels/ tires on the M3 (tires were pilot sort 4s). I have drive. The 992 in heavy rain and had no issues; in fact I was pleasantly surprised.

Unless you plan to drive in snow regularly, I think the rear drive is great. Even with awd, you would deal with potential clearance issues and snow tires can do wonders on red vehicles.

 

I had a RWD 2007 bmw 335 coupe and the back end would get uncomfortably loose at times. I had similar concerns as OP when moving to a 911. Friends with 911s and rennlist posts said RWD was fine. Since it was a big purchase, I needed time in the saddle and more than I could get on test drives. I rented a 911 on Turo for a day and after 100 miles on roads I knew well, I decided RWD was good for me and ordered a C2S. No regrets.

I really recommend renting one like I did. Then you will know what’s best for you.

 

RWD sticks like glue.

I can only see the point in 4 wd if you live in adverse conditions (snow and ice). In those condition I would prefer to be in a proper 4x4.

 

Yes, can attest with my C2. That rear end never break lose on me (under regular dry road condition) either on N spec or all season tires.

 

Many many RWD 911 owners in colder climates get snow/winter tires for those months and are still able to fully enjoy their car year round because the RWD rear engine is so firmly planted. I had a 2008 911 4S and now have a 2021 911 S and with a good set of tires for winter expect to drive the car year round here in Colorado. That said I won't plan to drive it on heavy snow days, but that would have been the case with my 4S too, due to clearance and the sand that is laid down on the roads. I would also likely not take it to the ski hill, but that is mostly because it won't fit 4 of us and all our gear. That's what the SUV is for. Lastly, keep in mind that in poor conditions, the biggest threat is not whether you can maintain control on the road, but rather other drivers losing control.

 

The unique layout of the 911 C2/S, rear engine, RWD, makes for a wicked combination not only in terms of traction, but minimizing drivetrain loss.

There are marginal advantages for the C4/S, including traction through turns and accelerating from a complete standstill, but in terms of traction in inclement weather (wet, or snow) proper tires make much more of a difference than the number of wheels driving the drivetrain.

Proper winter tires can more than double the coefficient of cold-weather friction relative to a standard all-season tire. As such, a mid- or rear-engine RWD car like the C2/S with winter tires will easily out-accelerate a comparable C4/S on all-season tires in snow or on slick surfaces. Of course, combining proper winter tires with the C4/S will provide the ultimate traction solution for inclement weather.

 

For me the main reason to get the C4 vs base is
the limited slip differential (PTV+ option), because the Base Carrera has an open diff and no LSD option.

Just seems like a sports car should have LSD.

 

And you would choose the 4 over the S in that instance? I think you get so much more out the S. Available sport suspension, bigger brakes, larger stock wheels, etc.

 

Agree, I would have probably ordered an S given the choice but I was offered a C4 allocation @ MSRP vs “we can put you on a list and let’s see what happens in 3 months for a S”. I did not want to wait, so I ordered a C4 with the Sport Package and the 20/21 Exclusive Wheels.

I also could have scored a base 992 from another dealer but went with the C4.

 

You asked about driving dynamics. Since I have a 2CS I can’t honestly say if there is a measurable difference. However, the automotive press seems to think that AWD is completely unnecessary in terms of dry weather driving dynamics. And you do give up a little in terms of steering feel and added weight. As others here have said, if inclement weather is your concern, get winter tires and you will be fine. Remember that the RWD 911 layout has won numerous rallies over the years. Also, if the 911 GT3 is RWD then that is good enough for me. Personally, I think AWD is only necessary for very high horsepower cars, like the Turbos.

 

My C4 with PTV+ is a go-anywhere, anytime 911. Monsoon-level rain, snow, ice, gravel...doesn't matter as it's as planted and secure as any AWD but non-4wd vehicle (including an SUV) regardless of road conditions. As pointed out earlier it's hugely rear-wheel biased, and front wheels are driven only in specific low-traction situations. I've had a RWD 911 and a Cayman with proper winter tires, and while that setup is adequate in most situations, this generation AWD system takes the 992 to a different level in terms of all-weather capabilities with a negligible negative impact on handling and tossability.

I'd buy a RWD 992 if it was a fair-weather only car or I lived somewhere where there was no snow and ice on the roads in winter. I bought the C4 with PTV+ to drive every day regardless of weather and road conditions. Life is WAY too short to drive a truck or SUV in inclement weather when there's an AWD 992 with 4 meaty winter tires in the garage.