Experience with a Carrera 4?
 

I'm looking to move up to a 996. Can't make the stretch to the '02s and later so am looking at '99 - '01 models. A nice '01 Carrera 4 has appeared in the area. I never really considered a four wheel drive P-car, but have heard nothing but good things on this board so far.
Are there any negatives?
Thx.

If you do a search there's a bunch of opinions RWD vs. AWD. But off the top of my head:

AWD cons:
costs more
heavier
steering feel a little different and is just a tad heavier
1 more item to maintain/repair
less trunk space
collapsed spare tire
might be more prone to understeer in certain situations vs. RWD
PSM is standard, not optional (not a con in my book, but maybe for others)

AWD pros:
better acceleration grip in the dry/rain/snow/mud
handles like a RWD for most of the time, until the rears lose grip (5/95% F/R normal torque split with up to 40/60% under slip)

None.

how often do you guys drive hard enough to even begin to experience the "negative" that's called understeer on public roads to make the experience less fun for you guys?

I love my C4 ... I say go for it, if it is something you want.

Only reason I have a C4 is because thats the car I wanted since 13 years old. I blame my dad for this :icon501: :D

Buy the car your heart desires

For me it's "never". Everytime the car starts to show understeer or oversteer, usually on icy roads, PSM comes on and makes it all right. As far as on the track, ask me again this time next year and I'll tell you.

I Just bought a '01 C4 and I love it. I agree with smsackboy regarding trunk space but with the rears seats down there is more avail space then you might think

I cant say I would ever notice the performance issues. When I want to drive hard, I go to Skip Barber and use their cars ;)

AWD is a must around here since she is my daily driver and we tend to get snow in the winter, but she does quite well in the rain too

Good luck

I love my C4. I drive a couple of very curvy roads very aggressively on a regular basis and I like knowing I've got the AWD.

You will find that the C4 performs exceptionally well in the rain, especially HARD rain........ Between PSM and 4 wheel drive, the things that car can deal with are nothing short of amazing.

I have 97+ thousand miles on my 2000 C4 cab tip, and it has been a terriffic experience.

There is a video on the net somewhere of a 996 C4 on the 'Ring in the snow......... That is one amazing video............

I think I'll always be a RWD fan, but I gotta say, the AWD experience thus far in the C4S has been a lot of fun. I can still get it to slide, but there's just more confidence here.

I have a 2000 C4 Cab that I drive here in Germany. Drive the car all the time at 160MPH+, handles corners etc.. just fine. I love mine.

c4... solid performance, very confidence inspiring to drive

160 all the time? WOW

I fastest i got the 4s was 142mph on US roads

Hey Mitch - Any 996 you wind up with will be a killer car! Way nicer than a 944/951, and faster, without seeming fast. I find I could be cruising on the turnpike, look down at the speedo, and am shocked to see I am going 90! These cars just go!!