plpete84

Like I said, It's not just 25HP but how it's delivered. You can definitely feel it pull harder in the upper rev range. I've driven both cars for an extended period of time and could tell the difference. And of course AWD is better in the snow but RWD will hold its own with a set of good tires. Don't forget rear engine weight over rear driven axles + solid tires = traction.

hardtailer

Porsche could have chosen the Carrera 4S as the canvas for their 40 Jahre anniversary model but they chose the Carrera 2.
That says it all, really.

cqhall

The question isn't about if they can hold their own. The question is about which one is better for OP's intended usage:

Emphasis mine.

Y'all gon' have OP in a ditch or off the side of a mountain 😂

cqhall

Last post then I'm out.

That says absolutely nothing.

They could have also chosen a Turbo, GT3, or GT2, which are objectively superior to anything mentioned so far...but they didn't.

peterp

I reluctantly agree with you. While (having owned a C4 and C2 996.1's) I very strongly prefer 2wd for normal driving, I've heard that the C2 is also quite competent in snow (versus other cars because of rear engine), and I would take the 40 Jahre over the C4S all day long because lightness is hugely important to me (helped by the power bump on the Jahre) -- for the OP's situation, with frequent snow use, I don't know how you don't go with AWD. From every other perspective, though, I'd pick the 40 Jarhe.

GC996

Both are great cars. Comes down to your preference. Kinda like a room full of pretty blondes, brunettes or red heads. One will catch your eye first.

But yeah, you can feel 25 more HP. Before the 40AE came out, I had the chance to feel the difference between my 996.2 and a 996.2 X51 on the track at Road America back in the mid 2000s. Felt it on the straights as you would wind thru the gears.

I never drove a C4S in the snow so I don't know if it has a significant advantage to a C2. But I have owned 9 different Audis over the last 30 years knowing I have AWD for the snow. However, I have driven my C2 with snow tires and a guard LSD in the snow and it cut right thru. Alot of fun. Never had any problems with my C2 in the cold and wet eithet. Key is driving with the right tires in the right conditions.

Can't go wrong with either as long as they are in good mechanical shape.

Mike Murphy

Can you? This is the most important piece and would likely resolve your decision.

e90steve

I've owned both... a 2002 C4S and currently have a 40th Jahre.

The 40th is WAY faster vs. the C4S. C4S is one of the heaviest 996's ever made and from my experience was a bit dull to drive.

Now the C4S does look fantastic and for your application of using 24/7 in the north it does make sense.

But if it tells you anything, I never really loved the C4S but the Jahre is going to be in my garage forever if that says anything.

Good luck with the choice, I'm sure you will end up where you are supposed to be.

connect_yvr

Yeah I wish it were easier to find examples to drive. I haven't found most sellers being willing to allow test drives unfortunately.

I also got a PCA 'test drive' membership (their membership for non-porsche owners) and reached out to my local chapter a few times but heard nothing unfortunately.

Appreciate all the input from everyone. Leaning towards the Jahre the more I look into it.

I also spoke with the c4s seller today and found out he was not nice to deal with at all - basically told me to look for another car after I started asking a few basic questions about the service history (oil change frequency, imsb brand, mod history), so that option is off the table now anyways.

GC996

Take your time and be selective. If the owner doesn't want to share info, it means they didn't do what they were supposed to do over its life. Besides, it's now a buyers market.

hatchetf15

OP - Everyone is on point. All the comments are correct. My two bits: When I look at a Porsche, any Porsche, a subtle earworm background symphony plays in my head. A C4S or 40J kicks the volume up to a 7 right away. Color and sound are good for a bump to an 8 or 9. Sitting in a 40J with sport seats gets me to a 9. After the first corner on a track at 7000 rpm, the 40J can take it to 11. The C4S, in any color, is fast-looking parked in the garage. Those hips!

What makes an Adele or Aretha for you? Two of the best voices ever put on earth. Hard to go wrong choosing one woman over the other. The cars? C4S is one of the most beautiful cars made (A 360 Modena is up there too). 40 Jahre is an expression of what Porsche designers thought best captured the spirit of the 996.

Do whatever it takes to drive them both. You’ll know which voice takes you over and enthralls you.

2mAn

On paper they might have similar specs, but the proof is in the pudding. Drive both and you'll know which one is likely better.

While I'd suggest the C4S because Canada, snow and all that you could always get a set of snow wheels/ tires and send it...

peterp

It looks like the 40 Jahre is about 200 lbs lighter than the C4s. The C4S (coupe/6-speed) weighs 3240 lbs according to factory (https://www.excellence-mag.com/resources/specs/92) versus 3020 lbs for the 40 Jahre (https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-sp...-40-Jahre.html). Excellence uses Porsche factory specs for their numbers (C4S) -- not sure what "UltimateSpecs" uses, but their weights for other 996 models are within less than 10 lbs of factory numbers, so it seems like their number for the 40 Jahre should be quite close.

Actual weight of a given car will vary based upon options (and modifications!), but I think the factory numbers are accurate for showing the weight differences between different flavors of 996.

e90steve

-200lbs
+25HP (rumoured more, but dumbed down by Porsche to not compete w/ GT3)
LSD
M030 suspension
= a significantly more visceral driving experience in the Jahre

But on the other hand, the C4S is a looker and def makes sense for someone who has to deal with snowy winters.

csanderstn

I have a 40 jahre and the C4 is probably a better choice considering how you plan on using it. The 40 jahre is a special car and very fun to drive but like the other guy mentioned no one knows about the car. I’ve been to several pca events and not one Porsche person knows it even exists.