I am facing the same dilemma that countless others have faced as they narrow thier focus on their 993: C or C4? Living on the West Coast I almost never see snow and drive in rain for what seems like six months of the year. I'd like to hear the "reality" rather than the "theory" and I trust you folks.

Is it necessary as a matter of safety or just driver preference to go for the AWD? With a young family and lots left to do in life I have no intention of driving this car to its limit - especially in the rain - but I love to drive . . . and I have found both a C and C4 I would buy.

 

Sorry, there are no right or wrong answers to this question. It all comes down to your own preferences.

Drive both back to back to get a feeling for any difference in steering and handling.

Even better if you can conduct the test in the wet and again in the dry.

My personal opinion is that the C4 is 95% the car the C2 is in the dry, but the C2 is only 75% the car the C4 is in the wet. I went for the C4... <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

(Don't hold me to those percentages, I am just trying to make a point )

 

Hi West Coast Man
My unprofessional opinion (beyond agreeing with graham)
We are dealing with cars which are not produced any longer; this means: you have to compromise.
When I bought my C4 about 2 years ago I was not really "looking" for a 4-wheel drive, but I came across this car and loved it. No regrets.
Take the car you like and make sure you get overall QUALITY (low mileage from a caring owner).
The price difference is not all THAT great....

Good luck with the right decision.
Andy

 

West Coast Man,
I have owned both C2 and C4, having said that, it seams to me that you aren't going to push eitherof these cars to their potential limit in adverse conditions. Therefore in my personal opinion I would go for the C2, again this is not to offend anybody, it's just my opinion. I enjoy my C2 more in dry conditions than I enjoyed the C4 in the wet.
0.02

 

Personal opinion here, but I'd opt for the Carrera as well. Here in Houston we frequently see a lot of rain (i.e. downpours) and my car does fine. I don't think there's ANY part of California that sees more rain than we do. I would have to say that it also depends on the tires (brand, type, wear) and alignment to determine wet performance.

 

My car has done fine, even with one round trip to Oregon in the winter and another to BC and across BC just before it snowed last year. Unless you live in the mountains and drive a C4 every day, I feel a C2 with a good wet performance tire is plenty good. Like others say, you just have to slow down a bit.

 

I have driven my c2s in the rain at Road Atlanta--the car can do 75% of what it can in the dry, IMO, and those limits are way higher than you should see on the street!

You are fine in a RWD car in rainstorms if you have decent tread. No need for a c4, although the AWD will give you added grip/safety (in power- on slides for example) in the wet.

If you want that extra bit of traction, find a RWD car with LS/ABD like the AWD models.

 

I'm about to drive my car through it's third damp winter here in the Northwest with no problems. You can scare yourself as much or as little as you like with either 2WD or 4WD, it's just a bit easier in the wet.

The main concern is the 4x4 trucks and futility vehicles on the road who believe that 4WD alters the laws of physics. A C4 won't help you here.

4WD is only a benefit whilst on the gas. It may provide extra traction whilst accelerating, alter the vehicle dynamics and move its rotation point closer to the centre of the car, but is of no help when you stomp on the brake or exceed the lateral adhesion of the tyres.

 

So, from a west coast guy who has a C4: forget the theory , just buy the best condition car that you can. That's how I ended up with my C4. The P.O. babied it, maintained excellent records and the price was right. Despite my best efforts to drive hard enough in all weathers to explore the handling limits, the theoretical advantages of AWD just don't make themselves apparent. Still, the only component that really matters at the limit is the nut behind the steering wheel.

Good hunting <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Like Chris I really enjoy my C-2 in the wet.

The one place Contis do well is in the wet.

At Road America last spring, it was great fun passing all the AWD (gasp) turbos.

Of course the next day in the dry was payback time for them.

If you want to autocross, you may want to go with the C-2.
Otherwise, I agree with the others, drive 'em both and then listen to your heart.

M in C

 

Drove portland/seattle roundtrip one day a couple weeks ago. Downpour the whole way and in need of new rear tires (being installed next week). That said, my C2 was fine for the most part, and got skittish 2x. Both times I was at 80 and there was a lot of water on the road. I'm positive better tread on the rears would've cured it. I don't know how much a C4 whould've helped.

If you plan to drive over the passes, in snow/ice, or on a wet track (DE/Lapping), or very aggressive street driving in the rain, then I'd me much more in favor of the C4--otherwise you'll be happy w/ a C2.

If the car you really like is a C4, then it's a bonus...

 

The most fun I have in my car is at the track when its raining - hands down. Like Mike, if you know how to drive in the wet, then a C2 is fine. And I'm talking about at the track. On the street, slow down and make sure you have good tires and either one will be fine.

Get whichever one you want, but your decision shouldn't be made based on wet weather performance differences.

E. J.

 

I'll agree with the others; AWD is not necessarily a big plus for rain driving. This is from 26 years of owning one or another version of RWD 911 in rainy/hilly Pittsburgh.

About 2 years ago I was competing in an autocross in my '95 993. There was somebody else there in a C4 993. He spun his car; I had no problems with my RWD and beat him by several seconds. So, AWD is not a guarantee against getting you out of trouble.

Look for the best 993 you can find, 2WD or AWD. Then put a good set of rubber on it and have fun. Whenever the rubber starts approaching 3/32" tread thickness, replace it. As I'm sure you know, the less tread depth the more trouble in the rain. I've driven "R" compound tires between home and various events in the rain and it has been a white-knuckle drive - I personally don't think AWD would have helped.

From PaulM:
[quote] The main concern is the 4x4 trucks and futility vehicles on the road who believe that 4WD alters the laws of physics. <hr></blockquote>

The problem isn't the vehicles, it's one component in them - the nut behind the wheel! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

 

Hey WestCoast!
Here's the bottom line...simply stated.

If it rains and you don't have an umbrella, you're going to get good and wet.

If you need to cut something, you better have your knife with you.

If you want personal safety, have your gun or security person with you.

If you want peace of mind while driving considering all weather possibilities, get a car with 4 wheel drive a/k/a C4.

If you don't have your 'tools' with you, your screwed.

Enjoy the ride!!!