996 c4s - first sighting
05-07-2002, 04:21 PM
#1
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996 c4s - first sighting
Sat behind a new C4S with dealer plates today - the first I've seen in the flesh. Finally, a good-looking 996, with broad hips that give it shape, and make it looks like a 911, and the full-width reflector panel making it look like 993-ish.
It still looked like a Boxster from the front IMHO, and it sounded like a sewing machine not a sportscar, but it's a start.
It still looked like a Boxster from the front IMHO, and it sounded like a sewing machine not a sportscar, but it's a start.
05-07-2002, 05:57 PM
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I am not a big fan of the 996; however, I would be hard pressed to say it "sounded like a sewing machine". I recently drove at my dealer's a '02 Cab and the exhaust note was wonderful. My biggest complaint about the 996 (w/o getting into engine cooling debate) is that the interior of the car looked/felt very cheap. 993 cabin is much nicer IMHO. Maybe with all leather interior the 996 would feel better. On the engine front, the 996 clearly had noticably more "get up and go" at lower revs (in other words the 996 had a broader torque band than our 993's). My opinion any way after 20 minutes behind the wheel. <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />
05-07-2002, 06:14 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by laurence '97 C4S:
<strong>I recently drove at my dealer's a '02 Cab and the exhaust note was wonderful. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Any chance that particular car was equipped w. the motorsports sound option? Just curious.
<strong>I recently drove at my dealer's a '02 Cab and the exhaust note was wonderful. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Any chance that particular car was equipped w. the motorsports sound option? Just curious.
05-07-2002, 06:27 PM
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For 2002, option XLF which is a "Sport Exhaust System" makes the 996 sound a lot like older 911's. Otherwise, the standard car still sounds like a sewing machine.
05-07-2002, 06:31 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Robert Henriksen:
<strong>
Any chance that particular car was equipped w. the motorsports sound option? Just curious.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Most likely did. I was not interested in buying the car (just wanted to drive the '02 for fun) so I did not pay attention to how the car was equiped.
<strong>
Any chance that particular car was equipped w. the motorsports sound option? Just curious.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Most likely did. I was not interested in buying the car (just wanted to drive the '02 for fun) so I did not pay attention to how the car was equiped.
05-07-2002, 10:07 PM
#7
I happened upon an 02' recently and also thought it had a VERY pleasing exhaust note. It was a new car with temporary tags so at best, it had the Porsche upgrades.
Either way, I was impressed with this particular bit of evolution.
Matt
Either way, I was impressed with this particular bit of evolution.
Matt
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05-08-2002, 03:08 PM
#9
I agree with Leslie.
I test drove an 02 996 recently with sports exhaust. The closest thing i've heard to that wonderful sound is my friend's 3.2 Carrera with a sports exhaust. Porsche have sorted the sound gremlins with the 996 thats for sure.
Other than that, very very impressive car to drive, the speed is much more accessible than in my 993.
But the gift of these cars is not speed alone - that can easily be found elsewhere - the gift is the involvement of driving and the joy of how it feels when you get it right - of making you feel like a complete hero just for getting there. All this my 993 provides in bucket loads.
Sorry if i'm preaching to the converted.....
Ajit.
I test drove an 02 996 recently with sports exhaust. The closest thing i've heard to that wonderful sound is my friend's 3.2 Carrera with a sports exhaust. Porsche have sorted the sound gremlins with the 996 thats for sure.
Other than that, very very impressive car to drive, the speed is much more accessible than in my 993.
But the gift of these cars is not speed alone - that can easily be found elsewhere - the gift is the involvement of driving and the joy of how it feels when you get it right - of making you feel like a complete hero just for getting there. All this my 993 provides in bucket loads.
Sorry if i'm preaching to the converted.....
Ajit.
05-08-2002, 04:38 PM
#11
I saw one too and was generally impressed but thought the details were a little overwrought (is that the right word?) i.e. a bit too much or too finicky esp. the rear brake ducts. I also had a chance to drive a number of student cars at an HPDC we had recently and was very impressed- there was a brand new Targa that was particularly attractive and sounded relatively nice (not as deep as a 993 with MS for sure but not bad). I was most impressed with the interior. This one had the leather and aluminum package and looked very high q. I liked the new wheels as well.
05-08-2002, 04:40 PM
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Two months ago the "Porsche Driving Experience" visited Muscat with 8 brand new 2002 Boxsters and 996's. I had the good fortune of spending 45 minutes as a passenger and another 45 minutes driving a brand new C4S. Admittedly the 2002 C4S wide body/no air inlets exterior is beginning to grow on me. This car was a test driver for prospective new car buyers in the Gulf, so it had to be a "tip" and fully loaded (but no carbon fibre "exclusive" stuff). I agree with posts above that this car clearly has more oomph compared to my '95 C4, and I think the exhaust note is quite good but very muted inside the cabin at part throttle.
However, on this car, when accelerating hard from almost anywhere in the rev range the driver is rewarded with a decent 911 growl form the rear with real "presence". And the good part is I could switch this growl on and off at will with my right foot, without going to WOT. If this car was my daily driver this treat could get me in a lot of trouble
. And IF that is the result of the optional sport exhaust then that is probably worth it's weight in gold. The interior did not feel cheap to me either, with subtle updates compared to my friends '99 C4: textured surfaces, a glove compartment and a good sounding hifi with sub, all good stuff.
But the tip still doesn't get my vote, albeit much improved compared to the 4-speed Boxter tip that I have driven. For urban driving the steering wheel shifts are good enough, and I don't really crave for the 6th ratio, I guess the torque and 15+ years of 5-speed driving before my 993 makes it feel very natural. But full auto is always in too high a gear for my taste. And spirited driving on the open roads still brings about awkward shift "moments" and I cannot get used to that. IMHO it is the (milliseconds?) difference between when I "think" it shifts and when it actually does shift that I cannot get used to and does not compare to the intuitive sense of control over the manual stick. And somehow sometimes I managed to confuse the computer into downshifting late/slow on my pressing the button during decelleration. The upshifting under full acceleration maybe very quick, but ultimately not as satisfying and crisp as the manual.
Overall conclusion for me is that this is one excellent car, sportscar even, and it impresses with truly effortless speed (this is a C4, I can hardly imagine what a turbo must feel like). It is this quality of "effortless" which I think is a strength as well as a weakness to us 993 drivers.
After 1.5 hours '02 C4S gettting back in the 993 the interior feel/look/smell is immediately gratifying, pure Porsche. The 993 IS and feels louder, smaller and a bit more work, but ultimately very satisfying indeed. There's more of a mechanical clatter, whirring and whining and I feel more in touch with the machine. This is what it is all about isn't it? Hey, but then this entire review could have been copied from the 911 board substituting 996 for 993 and 993 for 3.2 Carrera. Maybe I should consider changing to an earlier model: '88 5-speed Carrera Turbo anyone ……..?
Enjoy, Nol <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
PS the first C4S (official model launch car) here is for sale, 78k$, owner trading up to a Turbo.
However, on this car, when accelerating hard from almost anywhere in the rev range the driver is rewarded with a decent 911 growl form the rear with real "presence". And the good part is I could switch this growl on and off at will with my right foot, without going to WOT. If this car was my daily driver this treat could get me in a lot of trouble
. And IF that is the result of the optional sport exhaust then that is probably worth it's weight in gold. The interior did not feel cheap to me either, with subtle updates compared to my friends '99 C4: textured surfaces, a glove compartment and a good sounding hifi with sub, all good stuff. But the tip still doesn't get my vote, albeit much improved compared to the 4-speed Boxter tip that I have driven. For urban driving the steering wheel shifts are good enough, and I don't really crave for the 6th ratio, I guess the torque and 15+ years of 5-speed driving before my 993 makes it feel very natural. But full auto is always in too high a gear for my taste. And spirited driving on the open roads still brings about awkward shift "moments" and I cannot get used to that. IMHO it is the (milliseconds?) difference between when I "think" it shifts and when it actually does shift that I cannot get used to and does not compare to the intuitive sense of control over the manual stick. And somehow sometimes I managed to confuse the computer into downshifting late/slow on my pressing the button during decelleration. The upshifting under full acceleration maybe very quick, but ultimately not as satisfying and crisp as the manual.
Overall conclusion for me is that this is one excellent car, sportscar even, and it impresses with truly effortless speed (this is a C4, I can hardly imagine what a turbo must feel like). It is this quality of "effortless" which I think is a strength as well as a weakness to us 993 drivers.
After 1.5 hours '02 C4S gettting back in the 993 the interior feel/look/smell is immediately gratifying, pure Porsche. The 993 IS and feels louder, smaller and a bit more work, but ultimately very satisfying indeed. There's more of a mechanical clatter, whirring and whining and I feel more in touch with the machine. This is what it is all about isn't it? Hey, but then this entire review could have been copied from the 911 board substituting 996 for 993 and 993 for 3.2 Carrera. Maybe I should consider changing to an earlier model: '88 5-speed Carrera Turbo anyone ……..?
Enjoy, Nol <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
PS the first C4S (official model launch car) here is for sale, 78k$, owner trading up to a Turbo.
05-08-2002, 05:09 PM
#13
[quote]Originally posted by Singh:
<strong>But the gift of these cars is not speed alone - that can easily be found elsewhere - the gift is the involvement of driving and the joy of how it feels when you get it right - of making you feel like a complete hero just for getting there. All this my 993 provides in bucket loads.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Singh,
I like to think of it as “taming the beast.”
Tom
’95 993
<strong>But the gift of these cars is not speed alone - that can easily be found elsewhere - the gift is the involvement of driving and the joy of how it feels when you get it right - of making you feel like a complete hero just for getting there. All this my 993 provides in bucket loads.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Singh,
I like to think of it as “taming the beast.”
Tom
’95 993
05-08-2002, 06:12 PM
#14
[quote]Originally posted by tom_993:
<strong>
Singh,
I like to think of it as “taming the beast.”
Tom
’95 993</strong><hr></blockquote>
Pray tell more, like a wild stallion perchance.....for the lucky few to recognise this gift is a rare but much to be desired pastime....
<strong>
Singh,
I like to think of it as “taming the beast.”
Tom
’95 993</strong><hr></blockquote>
Pray tell more, like a wild stallion perchance.....for the lucky few to recognise this gift is a rare but much to be desired pastime....
05-08-2002, 11:17 PM
#15
Three Wheelin'
I think the 996 C4S is the best looking 996 yet, although I still prefer the 993 by a considerable margin.
About the interior, though . . . To me, it looks too "styled," whereas the 993 and earlier cars look functional -- form follows function, etc. (nevermind that the 996 may have "better" ergonomics). The sorest point to me is that I really don't care for the instrument layout in the 996. I don't like the trendy overlapping gauges. The speedo is absurdly small, which is made worse by its overlapping the tach, hence the extra digital readout. The tach itself is much smaller than the 993 tach, but worse, with the big digital display at the bottom taking up so much room, the needle swings through LESS than 180 degrees from idle to redline. The 993 tach is so much easier to read. Also, the '02 996 I looked at recently (a Targa) at the dealer still wasn't up to the build quality of my 993 or my SC. For example, the doors just didn't sound impressive when they closed -- a little rattly (the Boxster next to it was better, for whatever reason). It's a great car, better then the 993 is many ways, but not as good in others. Ultimately, it just doesn't make me want it as badly as the 993 does, though I'd love to have one as a daily driver in addition to my current cars.
About the interior, though . . . To me, it looks too "styled," whereas the 993 and earlier cars look functional -- form follows function, etc. (nevermind that the 996 may have "better" ergonomics). The sorest point to me is that I really don't care for the instrument layout in the 996. I don't like the trendy overlapping gauges. The speedo is absurdly small, which is made worse by its overlapping the tach, hence the extra digital readout. The tach itself is much smaller than the 993 tach, but worse, with the big digital display at the bottom taking up so much room, the needle swings through LESS than 180 degrees from idle to redline. The 993 tach is so much easier to read. Also, the '02 996 I looked at recently (a Targa) at the dealer still wasn't up to the build quality of my 993 or my SC. For example, the doors just didn't sound impressive when they closed -- a little rattly (the Boxster next to it was better, for whatever reason). It's a great car, better then the 993 is many ways, but not as good in others. Ultimately, it just doesn't make me want it as badly as the 993 does, though I'd love to have one as a daily driver in addition to my current cars.