shuang

Hi all,

I'm currently considering a 97 C2 with 19K on the odo and a '96 C4S with 57K. I have driven the C2 and it is immaculate inside and out. I haven't seen the C4S yet but I've been told that it has been very well taken care and is in excellent condition as well, I get to see it next week.

I wanted to ask you all your opinion as to which to get, they're both going for the same price. I'm partial to the "S" body but have to admit, I'm starting to lean towards the narrow body now (I find the "S" just a little too wide in the back). The low mileage of the C2 is really appealing, and the relatively higher mileage on the C4S is somewhat discouraging. As well, the C4S is originally a US car (I'm located in Canada), but it was imported into Canada a while ago. Both cars are accident free and have had two POs. Both cars are optioned out the way I want with a slight advantage to the C2 for already being at ROW height.

The other important point for me is the AWD since more often than not I'm driving in the rain. Does anybody drive their C4 or C4S in snow? Is it feasible or advisable with snow tires? If so, this would be a big advantage for the C4S since I would be able to drive year round and wouldn't have to keep a winter car. I drove the C2 in the rain today and didn't have any problems, so I'm not sure the AWD advantage in rain is all that important to me.

I'm really itching to get a car, but I'm finding it particularly difficult to decide between the two!

Thanks for your comments!

Steve
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Bins

Steve,

That really is a difficult one. If it was a c2s then I would without doubt suggest the c2. But the AWD superiority in snow and the wet will probably make you feel more confident in the car and it will be less likely to slide sideways.

See if you can test a c4 this weekend. It may help you decide. Although sounds like you are already going in the direction of the c2.

Regards and Good Luck.

KC993

Steve,

My $.02, I like the idea of a newer car in this case the 97 C2. But IF you would drive the car in rain and/or snow conditions, the C4S is the way to go. C4S drives very very similar to C2, until slick condition then the 4WD would come up and help you through.

If I were you, I'd go with the C4S since I would put safety of the rain/snow conditions above all. No sense of getting a newer C2 and wreck it in the rain, right? Be sure to get a set of snow tires for it, too.

Bins

Just thinking. If you can get a c4s at the same price as a low mileage c2, then you can consider a c4 for even less, although price may not the issue.

Mike in Chi

Ahhh, decisions, decisions, decisions.

To each his own obviously, and it's wonderful choices Zuffenhausen gave us with the 993 range.

I was looking for a coupe a few years ago and faced a similar decision.

While awd is great, especially for inclement weather, I find the steering with rwd more lively and sporting. Plus I don't drive the car much in the rain, and rarely in winter. (Here the streets turn white with salt, not snow.

Which narrowed it down to wide-body versus narrow.

The C2S prices have held up better, but ultimately I chose a low-mileage, narrow body. I think the proportions on the car are perfect, while still having curvaceous flanks (think how great the 993 Cup cars look). And there are more miles left in the car for me to enjoy.

Have fun with the decision.

Mike in Chi

dcpmark

Given the circumstances you've laid out, I'd go for the newer, lower mile C2. And go get it TODAY!! Every day without a Porsche is just another day closer to the end of your life.

Bins

Got to admit, at 19K, its almost like buying a new Porsche. It hasnt even been broken in yet.

Dick in TN

Hi Steve,
Don't rule out driving the C2 year round (but not on salted streets, of course). The C4S would have the advantage, but with the the awesome capabilities of modern winter tires and the weight bias over the rear drive wheels you can get along just fine in the C2.
Although the wide body cars offer a little more "eye candy", I love the classic look of the narrow body cars too. For me, the lower mileage of the C2 would swing it. Good luck.
Dick S.

Speedraser

Unless the snow driving swings you toward the C4S, I'd go with the newer, lower mileage rear-drive car. The "narrow" body 993 Carrera Coupe is the best performing naturally aspirated 993 -- it has less weight and less aerodynamic drag than any other 993. To me, this makes it more fun.

STLPCA

Steve
Obviously if the cars were otherwise identical, you would go w/the '97 - it's a model year newer & way fewer miles on it. So, what are your preferences between narrow/wide body & RWD/AWD?

Narrow v. wide body is entirely a matter of personal aesthetic preference - I prefer the narrow body.

As for RWD v. AWD, my thoughts (& all IMO):
1. RWD is more sporty/fun to drive & as Mike said, has better steering feel.
2. Rain has caused me no problems w/"just" RWD. In heavy rain/wet track at a DE last weekend I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. The car did quite well at speeds well beyond those I'd drive on the street in the wet. If your brain has decent connections to your right foot, RWD is not a problem.
3. My car is a daily driver including daily winter use w/Dunlop Winter Sports. The 993 is as good in the snow as my FWD Volvo w/winter tires & better than my AWD Audi on its all seasons. I can easily outdrag most SUVs. Obviously, tires are the key. While I'm sure it would be even better w/AWD + winter tires, for my climate that would be overkill.
4. AWD adds weight, complexity (more to break) & intrudes on trunk space.

At the end of the day you're back to your own personal priorities & preferences. However, if you'd like to buy one for me, you know which one I want

P.S. Aren't you glad you're faced with this dilemna instead of having to decide between a Geo Prizm & a Dodge Neon!
We are a lucky bunch <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Flying Finn

I'd defenately go with '97 C2 (less miles, never and most important (to me), narrow) but that's just me

H. Miller

IMHO: go with the C2 for all the same reasons mentioned above.

Terry Adams

Take a look at <a href="http://p-car.com/temp/993service.htm" target="_blank">Robin's cost of ownership</a> and figure that coming up at 60K, you have about a $1200 service, at 70K or so you have a new clutch ($2500) and new shocks if they have not been replaced already. At 19K that '97 is just hitting its' stride, and I think it is a much better deal.

Mike J

Steve did not mention all the options on the C2 but since I know him personally I recommended the C2 since it already has upgraded suspension, litrontics, 18" wheels, sport seats...sounds sweet!

My biggest concern is the market price for these cars..I think the prices asked for these particular cars are too high especially in this market. Up here in Canada the cars are definitely cheaper..I bought my 96 Targa with 60K for $34,500US. It was a good deal but still lower than most I have seen on this board.

The question is perhaps, for a daily driver, is it worth the premium for a "perfect" car if its going to get the eventual wear and tear of daily use?

Steve, go for the C2!

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Bins

At independent dealers In the UK,I suppose a low mileage c2 (40K miles) would go for about GBP 30000/35000 whereas a 'S' at higher mileage (55/60) would be about GBP 35000/40000

On that basis I would have thought the price of a 97c2 at 19K miles with upgrades would be at the lower end of the "S" prices scale.

Dont know if this helps ...