mlambert890

Id have agreed here except for two things...

1) OP says "never going to drive in snow"... I live in PA, but the 911 isnt going out in snow. Thats the Range Rover and 335xi's job

2) OP says "worried about more parts to break"... no matter how simple, and durable, an AWD system can be, there is absolutely more to worry about vs RWD

Of course in the end there is no *wrong* answer IMO. Both awesome cars, C4S prob one of the most "practical" sports cars possible

Comes down to the wants/needs of the individual

desmo907

For some reason I stopped getting emails of replies.

I should have asked before.... but I was looking at a few different 2001 Carrera 4 Cabrio (40-50k miles and clean). I tried to find info but is there a difference between a "4" and "4S"?

Thx!

Hardback

Desmo, I'm a ducati die hard also.... Funny last desmo was S4! To answer your question, the 4 was built until 2001. Then Porsche decided to incorporate the widbody of the turbo with a few of it's components. Awd, big red brembos, unique to 4S rear reflector plus a 10 mm lower suspension and new splitter. The 4S cars are standard full leather. Basically they are loaded option cars without the turbos. Drive c2 and c4s and then decide if the premium is worth it. No decision really... And to be clear, I'm with the other members who wanted a pure rear wheel drive car... I just couldn't pass up buying a loaded widebody.

azaytsev

c4 - narrow body all wheel drive
c4s - wide body all wheel drive

Dennis C

Technically, this is true. There is more to break with the AWD system. However, this isn't really the best way to decide what options you want or don't want on a Porsche. If you use this logic, then you would definitely not want a sunroof or power seats. You wouldn't want an auto-dimming mirror or rain-sensing wipers. All these options add more parts that could break. Forget about HID headlights... the auto-leveling system could (and sometimes does) break.

The AWD system does have more parts and it can break, but it's not a known issue or a serious problem with the AWD cars. Not choosing an AWD car just because the system might break is a bit silly... It's not like we're talking about the air-suspension in an Audi or something crazy like that!

996_C4S

Biased here too -- I'm on my second 4S (it's an '03; other was an '02). Originally bought it for looks/brakes/suspension package as a street car. Have been transforming it into a DE/Time Trials special over the past 2 yrs. Purists don't like AWD because it inhibits rotation into turns. While that's true, in my experience you make that up coming out of the apex with all that traction up front ... with the right suspension setup & camber, the 4S is a formidable track machine. And remember, only 5-40% of power goes to the front wheels. Last weekend at PCA Time Trials at Thunderhill, I never got tired of passing GT3s, including some that were really track prepped. AND it's still a great Sunday drive car. VIVA 4S!

Sue Esponte

I love my C4S cab so I am biased but I say go for it! Its basically a Turbo without the turbo, wing and intakes on the sides. I was originally in the market for a C4 but when I found mine I just couldn't pass it up.

Oh, and as for power, I've got an EvoMS airbox and headers, a Fabspeed exhaust and Sharkwerks tune that, according to the dyno, make my own personal x51.

-Eric

sk2929

Don't go for looks, go for personality.

dotframe

Love reading about others going against the grain and tracking their 4S's! Rock on!

Dennis C

It's foolish to think a pretty girl can't have a good personality!

mlambert890

Be that as it may, it's what the OP asked and it isnt all that unreasonable, IMO. I am sure someone would say that the Audi suspension is also a silly place to draw a line. Or a dual clutch is a silly place to draw a line. Or EPS is a silly place to draw a line.

On the other hand there are *many* folks who feel a 996 is already way over engineered, much less a 996 C4S. Its an individual thing.

I've owned some world class AWD sports cars, but personally prefer the feel of RWD and the lighter weight and found that I dont really need AWD for what I want to do (fun spirited driving in fair weather).

Clearly this is a minority position here on this thread of course (it seems every C4S owner has weighed in and there are apparently no C2 owners who bought it because they actually like it! LOL!), but it isnt outrageous. If it were all sports cars would be AWD rather than it being a minority few (GTR, 911TT, C4S, Gallardo, R8, few others)

Dennis C

I actually almost bought a C2. I think they are fantastic cars. For me however, the AWD combined with the looks made the C4S the right choice. I know many people prefer the handling of the C2.