C2 vs. C4
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
It is interesting to see so many people think C4 or C2/PSM is necessary. I live in Seattle and drive C2 no PSM. I absolutely have no problem at all with my car. While AWD is great but I don't believe it is necessary. I have a couple other AWD vehicles in the garage w/ESP but I dont get to use those features unless I drive in snow.
I believe both GT2 and GT3 are RWD :-)
If this is the only car you will have and live in an aread where the whether can be of concern, I say C4 is a better choice but for CA, I highly doubt it.
Probably that's the reason why most luxury SUVs sold in CA are 2WD!
I believe both GT2 and GT3 are RWD :-)
If this is the only car you will have and live in an aread where the whether can be of concern, I say C4 is a better choice but for CA, I highly doubt it.
Probably that's the reason why most luxury SUVs sold in CA are 2WD!
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: San Diego County, CA
ervtx:
I'm not saying the C4 isn't a real 911. In my first post I stated both the C2 and C4 are wonderful cars. My point was the original 911 was rear engine, rear wheel drive and the 996 C2 is the closest to that configuration of the current production cars.
You're correct on the 953, but it was a purpose-built racer and only three were produced. Porsche competed at Paris-Dakar the following year with the 959, built in limited numbers. The 959 was a supercar, way ahead of its time in performance and unfortunately cost, which hastened its quick demise. The C4 introduced as a 964 variant in early 1989 was the first AWD 911 built in significant numbers.
I'm not saying the C4 isn't a real 911. In my first post I stated both the C2 and C4 are wonderful cars. My point was the original 911 was rear engine, rear wheel drive and the 996 C2 is the closest to that configuration of the current production cars.
You're correct on the 953, but it was a purpose-built racer and only three were produced. Porsche competed at Paris-Dakar the following year with the 959, built in limited numbers. The 959 was a supercar, way ahead of its time in performance and unfortunately cost, which hastened its quick demise. The C4 introduced as a 964 variant in early 1989 was the first AWD 911 built in significant numbers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Foothills of Colorado
i don't think PSM is necessary for most people, but it is nice to have. i actually turn mine off a lot of the time so that i can push the car through corners more without having the PSM intervene. if you drive in snow with your p-car, then i think it's smart to get it. if you're used to driving in snow, you don't need it most of the time, but even if it saves your butt once, i think it's worth it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 725
Likes: 89
From: Nashville
Originally posted by teflon_jones
the steering feel is definitely different between the two, with the C2 steering feeling lighter with less feedback to the driver. and the C4 also feels more planted on the road than the C2 overall.
the steering feel is definitely different between the two, with the C2 steering feeling lighter with less feedback to the driver. and the C4 also feels more planted on the road than the C2 overall.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
Originally posted by teflon_jones
the steering feel is definitely different between the two, with the C2 steering feeling lighter with less feedback to the driver. and the C4 also feels more planted on the road than the C2 overall.
the steering feel is definitely different between the two, with the C2 steering feeling lighter with less feedback to the driver. and the C4 also feels more planted on the road than the C2 overall.
As others have said, one has to drive both and make a decision.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Point Loma)
I love the planted feel of my C4. Its so nice for an inexperienced driver like myself to push it hard in the tight turns with confidence. I must admit that at times I kind of miss sound of tire chirp between shifts when driving aggressively. Also can't drift the tail out.
On the flip side I can do all of that stuff in my G35 but rarely do, go figure...
On the flip side I can do all of that stuff in my G35 but rarely do, go figure...
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Madrid, Spain
Oversteering with 4wd
Ervtx,
I have owned a C4 and now a 996TT. You can force oversteer in a TT and throttle steer it. It's much more difficult than a C2, but you can do it. I have driven my TT sideways, turn after turn, in a special slippery circuit. I have done the same with a C2 and with a plain BMW 3 series. The easiest: the BMW. With the TT you need much more speed and....decision once it is sent sideways. Anyhow, I would NEVER want to do it outside a circuit. You need a lot of trial and error and the error can be fatal in a road !!!
PS.- I do enjoy letting the TT ( 4wd ) oversteer softly
a bit (!!) during my trips. Nothing wrong with it, perfectly safe. It takes more time to be learned than a C2 but that's all.
The "original" fans are referring to the satisfaction that comes from controlling a car with oversteer and using the throttle to steer the car through a turn (on the track).
PS.- I do enjoy letting the TT ( 4wd ) oversteer softly
a bit (!!) during my trips. Nothing wrong with it, perfectly safe. It takes more time to be learned than a C2 but that's all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: Randolph, NJ
C4 For Me - I Tried But Fell in Love On The Way
I also was looking into a C4 coupe, But when I Saw My Black Beauty and sat in the TARGA and that was all that was needed. As much as I love the C4 the targa is more my speed - During the winter months I mount on My Dunlops M2 Winter Sports and she is great in the snow, what more could you ask for...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: Randolph, NJ
what
Interesting. The C2's steering certainly has a lighter feel, but less feedback? Not my experience at all; on the contrary I think the C2 has more feedback than the C4, without the extra hardware and mass up front
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Foothills of Colorado
well, to each their own! i've driven both and felt like i was getting better feedback from the C4 than the C2. it could have been the tires since they were different on each car, or hot versus cold days, or me just having different perceptions due to the AWD versus RWD. or maybe it's the extra 150 pounds in the front of the C4 due to the AWD hardware?
regardless, i still felt like i was getting better steering feedback in the C4.
i've driven both and felt like i was getting better feedback from the C4 than the C2. it could have been the tires since they were different on each car, or hot versus cold days, or me just having different perceptions due to the AWD versus RWD. or maybe it's the extra 150 pounds in the front of the C4 due to the AWD hardware?regardless, i still felt like i was getting better steering feedback in the C4.
