I love this freaking C4S. Thoughts from a long time air cooled 911 owner.
07-13-2016, 05:50 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
I love this freaking C4S. Thoughts from a long time air cooled 911 owner.
After owning air cooled 911's for the last 30 years, I finally needed to upgrade to a modern 911. As much as I loved all my air cooled 911's, I needed a faster modern 911 that has reliable AC, and all the modern features like a great sound system, climate control, keyless, etc... you get the point.
The old 911s were fun but came at a cost of performance and creature comforts. I am one of those guys that likes the computer stuff without it being a key design feature of the interior. I am a student of Porsche design history. Every hardcore Porsche owner complains that the latest 911 has crossed the line too far. I absolutely love the 996 design. I never bought into the "996 is too polished" or that the "front light pods look like a Boxster light pod" when it was first introduced. In fact, the Boxster lights were borrowed from the 996 and whats wrong with it emulating the halo and most famous model of the brand??? Now days all the Porsche sport models have somewhat similar looking lights.
If anything the 996's style has come into its own after a few evolutions of 911 styling. Which was once criticized for being too advanced seems about perfect compared to other modern thrill machines without being too techy with its interior styling. 911 owners don't like change and the 996's styling and water cooled engine was just too much for the old school boys to take all at once in one evolution of the 911. Putting a few years on the 996/997 gave me a chance to appreciate all that Porsche did with one evolution of the 911. Like fire , it's scary at first but rather amazing once you understand it.
A proper 6 speed is a must and coming from a 88 Carrera, the 996 is light years better in every way. Clutch is light weight and gear throws are short and precise. PDK?? Tried it and it's not for me. I'll gladly give up 1/100 of a second 0-60mph to row the gears.
What I am getting at is this long time air cooled 911 owner has evolved to accept a contemporary 911 as just as worthy as any 911 before it.
It isn't untill you lived with 911s for decades do you appreciate what is important to you and what isn't. I found a car in the 911 time line that satisfies what I consider some of the best characteristics of my past 911s but delivers them in a more user friendly package and goes like stink in comparison.
Build quality in my particular C4S is outstanding with leather covering everything. The Bose audio system thumps even at triple digit speeds. The only thing that sound better than the upgraded audio system is the Porsche Sport Exhaust that barks its beautiful music.
The old 911s were fun but came at a cost of performance and creature comforts. I am one of those guys that likes the computer stuff without it being a key design feature of the interior. I am a student of Porsche design history. Every hardcore Porsche owner complains that the latest 911 has crossed the line too far. I absolutely love the 996 design. I never bought into the "996 is too polished" or that the "front light pods look like a Boxster light pod" when it was first introduced. In fact, the Boxster lights were borrowed from the 996 and whats wrong with it emulating the halo and most famous model of the brand??? Now days all the Porsche sport models have somewhat similar looking lights.
If anything the 996's style has come into its own after a few evolutions of 911 styling. Which was once criticized for being too advanced seems about perfect compared to other modern thrill machines without being too techy with its interior styling. 911 owners don't like change and the 996's styling and water cooled engine was just too much for the old school boys to take all at once in one evolution of the 911. Putting a few years on the 996/997 gave me a chance to appreciate all that Porsche did with one evolution of the 911. Like fire , it's scary at first but rather amazing once you understand it.
A proper 6 speed is a must and coming from a 88 Carrera, the 996 is light years better in every way. Clutch is light weight and gear throws are short and precise. PDK?? Tried it and it's not for me. I'll gladly give up 1/100 of a second 0-60mph to row the gears.
What I am getting at is this long time air cooled 911 owner has evolved to accept a contemporary 911 as just as worthy as any 911 before it.
It isn't untill you lived with 911s for decades do you appreciate what is important to you and what isn't. I found a car in the 911 time line that satisfies what I consider some of the best characteristics of my past 911s but delivers them in a more user friendly package and goes like stink in comparison.
Build quality in my particular C4S is outstanding with leather covering everything. The Bose audio system thumps even at triple digit speeds. The only thing that sound better than the upgraded audio system is the Porsche Sport Exhaust that barks its beautiful music.
Last edited by TheMystro; 07-13-2016 at 09:06 PM.
07-13-2016, 05:59 PM
#2
Nicely done and great choice! Spot on, the 996 is a worthy son in the 911 lineage and no doubt the best bang for buck model in that history today. The 996 was, in hindsight, the perfect bridge between what was (elegant simplicity) and what has come since (techno marveled tourers). I'd wager it's the purest water-cooled 911 we'll see outside of any special / GT cars. Enjoy in good health!
07-13-2016, 06:17 PM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
I totally agree. Tech intrusions are only getting worse and the thought of a new 911 without a manual tranny is unfathomable to me. I suspect the good old days of the "modern 911" is now with these cars while they are still somewhat affordable. I lived and owned through the last few generations of the air cooled 911s and I could tell then they were a hallmark in development of the car. I suspect the 996/997 will rise to those same admirations in the 911 history and prices will go up accordingly.
07-13-2016, 06:17 PM
#4
Beautiful car, I might be biased as a newbie to the pcar club but don't have a single complaint about the aesthetics of the car. All angles look good imo, especially on a C4S like yours. Every day I drive my C2 is a good day.
07-13-2016, 06:54 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
I agree with your sentiments. Long time owner of many AC Porsche's and my current 996 is a terrific rep of the marque. If you plan to get to New Hope from central PA send me a PM and you can try a C4S with a pair of turbos 
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07-13-2016, 08:44 PM
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. This C4S recharged my 911 battery. 30 years of the same kind of 911s give me a "been there, done that" feeling for the air cooled models. Time to turn the page in my Porsche career. I recommend anyone to own a 87-89 911 to get a feel of what they are all about. You master driving them hard and these new 911s feel effortless at twice the speed without trying to put you into the bushes.
My last 911. (I have thing for deep silver 911s)
My last 911. (I have thing for deep silver 911s)
07-13-2016, 08:58 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
Beautiful C4S and great pics. Truly a beautiful car!
07-13-2016, 09:11 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
I've had each variation of 911s since my first 1972 "S" purchased in 1975. I sold my last Porsche, a 1996 993 C4S, two years ago, and have just purchased my first water cooled Porsche, a 2004 996 40th AE. I take delivery in two weeks, and am anxious to enjoy the "newer" generation of Porsches. As the OP suggested, after years of studying and owning classic air cooled 911s, I think it will be easy to understand and appreciate the clear lineage to the 996. I'm excited to continue the journey and enjoy the drive.