996 Carrera vs 4S
12-13-2018 | 01:57 AM
#32
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,449
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From: West Hollywood, CA
It’s mostly looks that differ. I test drove an 04 C4S and it felt slightly less nimble than the 99 C2 I ended up buying. My 99 actually feels a little quicker (maybe just placebo effect). Supercars.net lists all P cars 0-60 times. They have a 99 C2 at 5.2 secs and an 02 C4S at 5.1 secs. Too close to feel a difference.
12-13-2018 | 04:43 PM
#35
Pro
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12-14-2018 | 12:04 PM
#37
Pro
Joined: May 2018
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From: Florida
But I can be wrong.
12-14-2018 | 01:47 PM
#39
Pro
Joined: Jun 2016
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Once you focus your eye on that area, from certain angles and lighting it's actually kind of clumsy-looking. From other angles it looks spectacular. But I don't think it's happening in the door.
12-14-2018 | 02:06 PM
#40
AutoX
Joined: Nov 2018
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12-14-2018 | 02:46 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Chicago, IL
Also, don’t forget that pricing can be quite a bit different between the two. An early C2 could be nearly 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of the latest C4S. Is one twice as good as the other? Not in my book.
The increase in price isn’t apples-to-apples (admittedly) unless you are comparing performance (because they are less than 5% of each other in terms of performance). The price comes from age, features, styling, and equipment.
The increase in price isn’t apples-to-apples (admittedly) unless you are comparing performance (because they are less than 5% of each other in terms of performance). The price comes from age, features, styling, and equipment.
12-14-2018 | 04:06 PM
#42
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 535
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From: San Pasqual Valley, CA
I also like the safety that the AWD adds. The viscous coupler (VC) is first class technology, when a wheel spins it transfers the power to the other wheels. So this car is safer whenever you are driving, and especially useful in poor road conditions (rain, snow, loose surface, etc). Applying power to all 4 wheels makes for a much more stable platform. And the PSM is very welcome since it only helps keep you out of trouble, and can be turned off whenever that is preferred. I think Porsches have always been made "rough and ready" and to me the AWD adds another dimension of utility and safety. Oddly I don't think I've ever heard of VC failure, or the failure rate is very low.
12-14-2018 | 05:09 PM
#43
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Chicago, IL
I also like the safety that the AWD adds. The viscous coupler (VC) is first class technology, when a wheel spins it transfers the power to the other wheels. So this car is safer whenever you are driving, and especially useful in poor road conditions (rain, snow, loose surface, etc). Applying power to all 4 wheels makes for a much more stable platform. And the PSM is very welcome since it only helps keep you out of trouble, and can be turned off whenever that is preferred. I think Porsches have always been made "rough and ready" and to me the AWD adds another dimension of utility and safety. Oddly I don't think I've ever heard of VC failure, or the failure rate is very low.
My car doesn’t have PASM. So it’s entirely up to the driver to prevent a situation. The later cars are arguably safer than the earlier ones.
12-14-2018 | 10:12 PM
#44
Rocky Mountain High
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From: Colorado
The viscous coupling failed in my 2002 C4S, requiring the front differential to be rebuilt.
Interestingly, the AWD system in the 996 isn’t especially useful in rain or snow. It really shines on the track, as it allows the driver to put the power down faster when coming out of a corner. The issue with slippery road conditions is that the PSM/traction control system engages when the rear wheels slip, preventing the AWD system from doing much. I found that I couldn’t drive up my driveway in snowy weather unless I disabled PSM.
Interestingly, the AWD system in the 996 isn’t especially useful in rain or snow. It really shines on the track, as it allows the driver to put the power down faster when coming out of a corner. The issue with slippery road conditions is that the PSM/traction control system engages when the rear wheels slip, preventing the AWD system from doing much. I found that I couldn’t drive up my driveway in snowy weather unless I disabled PSM.
