Drsms22

Excluding the turbo version, which I can't afford, does the 996 C4 offer significant control and safety advantages on wet surfaces over a C2 with PSM given equally good tires? Not concerned about ice and snow, since I will not be driving the car in either.

dgjks6

I am interested to see the responses of this.

Never driven a C2 and I own a C4 because of ice and snow. In non ice and snow I don't think a C4 would provide a huge difference. From all of my reading on the internet the advantage to a C4 and the way Porsche set it up (not really a true AWD) the C4 is easier to handle at the edge of performance for non professional drivers. For professionals there seems to be some debate.

Gretch

I dunno if it was the PSM system or the fact that is is tied to 4wd....... my C4 has done some amazing things for me when I got in over my head a few times.

AMAZING things.

Sneaky Pete

^^^^Agreed.

wwest

Prior to the 2010 change to a truly functional AWD system all the C4 system did was add weight and complexity.

MiamiC70

^^^^Agreed.

Seeeu911

Only someone who's not owned a C4S would say some of the comments seen so far.
Fact is it's faster on the track and street than the comparable narrow body.

KoB

I'm willing to believe that is true of a C4S, with its additional hp ... but is it also true of a C4? OP's question referenced C2 vs C4 ...

onewhippedpuppy

C4 is about 200 lb heavier than an identical C2, correct? With the same HP, I find it hard to believe that it is a faster car.

While I don't doubt that the C4 is even better, my C2 daily driver on snow tires will get me around without issue in the winter.

Seeeu911

It's all about power delivery cornering speeds and traction. Yes faster at the press launches and in real life track days.
It's a performance AWD not a snow traction device.

silotwo

I have both an 04 C2 and an 04 C4S. The C2 has the USM030 sport suspension and the C4S has the touring suspension. Both cars have PSM.

Logic would tell me that the C4S would have an advantage in wet conditions with 5% of the power routed to the front wheels at all times.

However, I have never noticed a difference between the two cars on wet or snow covered roads, perhaps because I am extremely cautious in poor weather conditions. The C2 sees more time on the road in the winter and with proper winter tires I have never had a problem, including getting trapped on the interstate in icy conditions.

All this said, in my personal experience the C4S definitely out handles the C2 on dry roads. I like to keep the cars regularly exercised and typically take them out back to back some evenings on local no traffic country roads. I distinctly remember making my run with the C4S first then swapping to the C2. Same road, same route, same speeds, but the C2 had me lifting off the throttle at one point and returning home driving like the old man that I am. It took awhile for my heart rate to return to normal.

I honestly can't say which car is faster, the C2 "feels" quicker but I believe they both wind up to the same speed in the same time. I enjoy the C2 for spirited drives and really like the feel of throttle on launching out of a turn. The C4S is a more comfortable long distance driver.

Too bad I like them equally, I sure don't need two of them but would be hard pressed to choose one as a keeper over the other.

MiamiC70

My C2 w/ X51 & LSD on X74 offset rims and wider tires and 300lbs less weight than a C4s would disagree

Seeeu911

Thanks for making my point. I guarantee a C4S with the same goodies would still out handle a 2wd in an identical configuration.

alpine003

A pissing match between which cars are faster is a moot point in the real world as we all know half the guys can't drive worth $hit and they often look for the "fastest" car they can afford to make up the deficit.

Rather than pissing over which cars are faster, it would be more fruitful to describe how they drive and make you feel. Explaining driving dynamics and characteristics of each model would be more productive IMO.

fpb111

My Dad can beat up your Dad! And he goes faster too!!