jumper5836

2005 was the year the 997 C2 came out, the C4S was still a 996 and it was 320 hp with 0-62 in 5.1. The 997 C2S 355 hp was 0-62 in 4.8

hotelguy

I use my 4s as DD and love it. Fast, fun and not too bad on the gas to boot.

from Car and Driver .....not all specs are correct....
Base price $81,880
Price as tested $90,575
Vehicle layout Rear engine, awd, 2-door, 2-pass
Engine 3.6L F-6, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
Hp @ rpm 315 @ 6800
Torque @ rpm 273 @ 4250
Transmission 6-speed manual
0-60 mph, sec 4.6
EPA mpg 17 city/24 highway
Total mileage 5771
Average test mpg 17.3
Problem areas None
Non-warr cost $0

5CHN3LL

The 355 HP seemed high. Specs are all over the place - but even even a lowly 315 HP with a 5-sec 0-60 time isn't pathetic.

silotwo

Let me jump back in here. The C4S is by no means under powered or a dog. I have the opportunity to often drive the C2 back to back with the C4S and it is a "feeling" kind of thing where the C2 "feels" like it has more punch. I have attributed that to 100% of the available power being at the rear wheels of the C2. This said, the C4S attains the same speed as the C2 over the same stretch of local roads I routinely travel. The C4S handles better - I can seemingly breeze through some specific turns in the upper 80MPH range with the C4S - swap for the C2 on the same evening and same road and those turns in the upper 80MPH range sometimes scare me a bit and I catch myself rolling out of the throttle much sooner. My C4S has a touring suspension and the C2 has the U.S. M030 sport suspension. This makes the C4S a more comfortable long distance cruiser (which the wife prefers) and the C2 feel a bit more raw (which I appreciate when driving solo and getting to kick things around a bit).


I thoroughly enjoy both cars and appreciate the subtle differences each has to offer. I'd still be hard pressed to choose one car over the other. That day might very well arrive and I'd probably make a more logical decision on which one I'd keep since I seem to be addicted to both of them.

I have zero experience with a 996 TT - but I do remember driving a Turbo in the mid 80's and it truly scared the hell out of me - my knees were knocking and I was literally trembling when I got out of that car.

And 320 HP is plenty much for me - I guess if I ever learn how to use the power it has to offer I might become interested in a TT.

pjman50

I think for a first time Porsche owner, I will start with non TT. First off the TT is a bit above my budget and I think right now its a bit too much for me. I am curious to know how a all wheel drive sports car feels powering out of corners rather than a rear wheel, I am looking for some in my area now to go and test drive.

I won't be a track rat, I will most likely spend 1-2 track days a year. Can you elaborate more on the recommendations for a 3rd rad, and X51 and manual switch for an oil cooler?

Would a C2 not require these same things?
Why is the C4S not as good as a track car compared to the C2?

jyoteen

You dont need the 3rd radiator. The C4s has the turbo's larger radiators (unlike the narrow body cars). I've NEVER gone above operating temperature in all the track events I've done and I beat my car to ****. Yes, i have a pretty ridiculous maintainence schedule, but then again, if you're tracking it, you need to be up on the service.

Car hit Laguna Seca with 1100 miles on the odometer. Currently has 143k miles and I'm registered for Sears Point in 2 weeks.

otto06

I switched to an 04 C4S Cab with 39k miles on it as my daily driver in April of last year. It's at 54k today - my commute is canyon roads and PCH and I love it. I prefer rear wheel drive cars (also own an 84 911) but I really like the AWD for foggy canyon roads and don't really notice it otherwise.

Since buying it:

- oil change
- rear brakes (knew this from the PPI)
- new tires (knew I needed rears when I bought it)
- Replaced the water pump (started leaking at almost exactly 50k - which I believe is when it is supposed to be replaced.)
- Broken Power steering hose
- Alternator/Battery (unusual that the alt died - but it did and I killed the battery driving on it)

I will likely swap out for a Turbo though I might hold out till I can move all the way up to a 997 Turbo Cab.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

O

jumper5836

A C2 would need the same things. The C4/4S is just as capable track car as the C2. Heavier but easier to drive and you can get on throttle way earlier and harder coming out of the corners.

Search the forum for X51 pan and 3rd Rad and low temp
Here are a few links
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...or-on-c4s.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...solutions.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l-baffles.html

chsu74

A 996 C4S will have an ask price in the high $30s or just under $40. A few grand more gets you a 996 Turbo with maybe 65K miles.

That few grand gets you the legendary Porsche power plant instead if the M96 power plant in the C4S. Well worth the search and wait for a stock 996 Turbo. They are reliable and no 10 year old cars will be prefect so budget for extra cash. I have yet to hear a M96 engine hitting 300K miles with regular maintenance.

FastFord

I am in the UK and have had a 996 C4S '04 with 50k miles for just over two years now and have replaced the usual things that probably would also need doing on a 996 turbo.

Includes:
Failure of alternator voltage regulator approx $30
New battery due to above problem $120
All new tyres - same as the turbo $1200 + geometry
Oil pressure switch $90
New condensor - $200 +$600 fitting unfortunately had to repeat myself as leaked after garage crushed O rings.
Unusually failed casting on convertible hood mechanism.

I'm looking for a turbo as no IMS bearing problem and no cylinder scoring problems on the Mezger designed engine. Also I hear it's faster(!); sometimes just as I think the C4S is really starting to get into its stride it hits the rev limiter - usually in second but sometimes in third.

I have not driven a two wheel drive 911 but I had a 3.2S Boxster for 5 years and on the 911 you do notice that the front can get light under acceleration in tight corners, which the 4wd probably helps to keep under control by switching torque to the front. The suspension is also lowered compared to a standard 996 by I think 15mm and the brakes are from the turbo so more powerful but in reality probably not noticeable on the road.
The X51 variant has 25 hp more from factory changes to the engine, and as mentioned above a revised sump, in the UK they are not very usual so other factors are probably more important, e.g. regular servicing and oil changes.

Hope some of the above is useful.

JETninja

So a 996 TT would be as reliable as a 996 NA engine in daily driving? I'm a bit of a Porsche newb and learning fast. Live in the PNW, not afraid of 2wd in Snow/Ice up here the few times we get it. (Drive a old M3 as my DD, Z06 as my toy)

Looking at 996's to either replace my M3 or the wife's 08 TTq V6 6sp. (In which then I'd get an E46 M3, need decent back seat) Probably a year away, but I like to research a ton before purchasing. Also, are all 996 C4's C4S's? Or did they build both, cause I rarely see any labeled as C4S in ads...

chsu74

I would argue 996TT would be even more reliable in the long run providing you warm up and cool down turbos. Plus your need for speed is satisfied with one purchase saving upgrade transaction costs from selling your NA car.

The 996TT is the deal of the century for fast cars. Front bobbing is solved by suspension upgrading from stock.

JETninja

I've owned a Turbo before and I'm very aware of cool down, plus I only use Top Synthetics to keep everything clean and running well...

996_C4S

I'm on my second C4S and I love this model for lots of reasons. Get your IMS bearing taken care of and then take it to the track and thrash it. I abuse the hell out of mine and it's never complained. A fair amount of maintenance related to tracking, but it's a stout machine that's a lot of fun to drive ... around town, in the mountains or on the track.

I don't know why someone would convert it to RWD aside from getting a BIT less push on the track. Also seems to violate the soul of the car ... like adding turbo to a NA 911, or turning a Cabrio into a coupe somehow. If AWD isn't your thing, neither is the C4S.

pfbz

I think the spread between a C4S and a TT has reduced to the point that the C4S doesn't make much sense... C4S is essentially a Turbo without the Turbo (and perhaps more importantly, without the Metzger engine). Plus the Turbo bodywork is even a bit better looking with the intake vents.

Figure $35K for an extra clean C4S and another $2,500 if you want to put in a LN IMSB
vs.
$43K for a similar year/condition TT that will never need an IMSB.

Both can be had for about $5K less (still in great condition) if you find a great deal or with a bit higher mileage.

My personal picks for 996's:

• A cheap, high mileage, well mantained MkI Carrera 2 for under $20K.
• A perfect, mid mileage MkII C2 for mid to high $20K's.
• An extra clean, well maintained MkII TT for low $40K's.

The biggest problem I find with Turbo's is that so many of them were configured with 'ugly' options or tiptronic. It's definitely just personal taste, but I find that the grey and tan interiors just didn't age well at all, and also find the wood interiors to be deal-breakers.

I'm still looking for the right TT for me.. 2002-2004, six speed, under 70K miles
Black interior (full leather a plus), cosmetically stunning, less than 2-3 previous owners, service doc's, unmolested by spurious mods. Track use o.k., stone chips o.k., hey, I'll even accept some minor paint/bodywork!