bowmanm98

I am looking at picking up a 99-2000 C4 or C2 and I was wondering for purely road racing which would be faster. I know 1/4 mile times are faster for the C2 but was wondernig about the track.

Alon

C2, no question but it does require more skill than the C4.

TT Surgeon

Not sure about the c2/c4, but the '03 C4S ran' the ring' faster than the '03 C2, Walter Rohl driving both.

Chads996

Depends on the driver. Apples to apples, C4 is heavier.

Chad

Kevin H. in Atl..

'Ring times:
3.4 C2 8:17
3.6 C2 8:17
3.6 C4 8:23

Alon

C4S Surgeon wrote:
"Not sure about the c2/c4, but the '03 C4S ran' the ring' faster than the '03 C2, Walter Rohl driving both."

That's because Walter is getting old and everyone knows how easy it is to drive a C4S when your reflexes and other bodily functions have aged

Under ideal conditions with a "younger" driver, the C2 is lighter and should be faster.

djantlive

The question should be "would you like a heavier car that offsets for bad weather and lack of seat time in 996?"

C4 vs C2 is easy.

Snows, rains hard -- C4
Turbo looks - C4
Less Experience -- C4
Less depreciation -- C4

Light agile -- C2
Better Mileage -- C2
Lower price, more avail -- C2

Alon

Trunk space? C2 has more.

RWO

It will depend on the track, however, on most tracks, for the first few laps, the C2. After the tires get hot, the C4. The C4 has better tire (heat) management. Cars are as fast as their ability to get traction. The C4 is going to overcome it's weight due to distribution of power to 4 wheels. It puts the heat stress on 4 tires that will provide more traction than the one or two rear tires on the C2.

Roy

Kevin H. in Atl..

C4 is a narrow body, same as C2.
Only C4S has "Turbo Look" (widebody and bumper covers) in the 996 series.

fahren affair

on a flying lap, i'd put my money on the c2. lap-after-lap, over changing conditions, the c4 manages tires better and is more consistant. 'ring times are suspect and unreliable in absolute terms. it can be down pouring rain on one section, and dry and sunny at the other...times at the ring should be seen in broad terms, not down to the last hundredths. imo, a 2% difference over an 8-minute lap, is meaningless for comparing road cars.

Rob in WA

Track Challenge has the 3.4l C4 doing the ring in 8:23 also. It also says the 3.4l C4 beats the 3.6l C2 at Hockenheim by a half a second 1:16.6 vs 1:17.1.

In the hands of a pro driver I'd say the C2 probably has a slight advantage, but driven by the average Joe - C4.

JimB

Here's a hint. I don't think I have ever seen a non-turbo AWD in club racing. All things being equal, the c2 wins every time except in the rain. I don't buy the tire management idea either. AWD adds weight. With more weight, everything the tires do is more difficult. It's harder to go, to stop and to turn. I also don't get the novice vs pro idea. I'm not sure what, other than PSM, about a C4 would benefit a novice. Maybe I'm missing something.

Just my $.02. Your opions may vary.
Jim

speedread

After 2 years of track time with a C2, (still a "novice", but doing well), I can only say that I would not want the extra weight of a C4 in my car. I even wish I had the sunroof deleted. The C2 is great in the rain on the track. It holds so well it's only now, after a couple of years, that I am making modifications for the dry track.

Kevin H. in Atl..

Track Challenge also has the 3.4 C2 at 1:15.9 at Hockenheim.