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To Everyone: I appreciate all the input. Received many comments and things to ponder.
I won't be driving the car to the limit (I say that now) and have no idea what a purist vehicle is to drive like (my current daily is a mini-van). I like the wide body look and will concentrate my search for the 4/4S; leaning to the latter more esp since the pricing between the 2 are similar enough.
It appears that about 7600 997.2 C4S were manufactured and I read about 20-30% of them are manual, so my search will be long for the right one. Does anyone know the breakdown on % in available colors? How many made in silver, black...etc?
If anyone has a lead to a good candidate, please reach out. Higher mileage doesn't scare me as long as the maintenance was performed. @qikqbn - thanks for the links. @Nate R - do you preference the PDK or MT? @TommyV44 - that color is amazing!
I am 100% MT. PDK is faster but I think MT is much more fun. Really like the normally aspirated motor too. Completely subjective. But I think those things are more important than RWD vs AWD.
I tend to look at it this way if a fair weather car;
+ Wider hips
- You can feel the front end claw/pull on corner exit, do i want my dedicated sports car to do this?
- Slightly heavier nose
- Slightly more servicing
- One more thing that can break
You really, really need to like the wider hips to go after a 4 if you are not driving year round in northern climates but each to his own, no judging.
Couldn’t do a non S because I would always look at an S and be jealous, even though difference is minimal. Plus the red calipers and quad exhaust just fit the car better.
I was lucky enough to drive a 997.1 C2S, 997.2 C2 and 997.2 C2S back to back to back in the same visit to RAC.
Glad I did because I walked away wanting a 997.2, regardless of S.
They all seemed to have the same shove, def not worth the $12k difference.
I kept looking at found a $39k 40k Mile 997.2 C2 6MT on PCA Mart, at the same time RAC had a similar mile 997.2 C2S for $57k.
$200 exhaust tips and the back was transformed, not a big fan of red calipers or white gauges at all. So glad I got a C2.
Last edited by ATX_Native; 08-07-2022 at 02:28 PM.
I tend to look at it this way if a fair weather car;
+ Wider hips
- You can feel the front end claw/pull on corner exit, do i want my dedicated sports car to do this?
- Slightly heavier nose
- Slightly more servicing
- One more thing that can break
Im not sure that the additional weight is really that noticeable...and the additional servicing (gear oil change every 6 years as I recall) is not even worth mentioning. BTW, others have shown that if you have a PDK you can disable the 4WD system by simply pulling up on the hand break 1-click...but still unsure if this can be done on a manual. I actually prefer more of a planted feel when pushing the car through twisty roadways when driving a manual but also understand the added thrill of the the car breaking loose (in a controlled manner) as well
Extra weight = non factor to performance. Lap times and acceleration have shown the 4S at par or better than the 2S.
Feel = minimal compared to 95% of the rest of the car’s attributes (eg vs other 911 platforms, vs other Porsche platforms, vs other brands).
If a 4S is on your radar get one. Don’t settle or it WILL cost you when you flip and buy in the future.
No knock on the 2S, awesome car. No better or worse than a 4S.
Great points. I've had two 4S's and now in a RWD GTS. As you say, the weight difference is a non issue as far as I'm concerned. Anyone who says they can feel the difference in weight between an AWD and a RWD is blowing smoke imo. What is it? 75 lbs? As has been noted over and over, the biggest difference between the two is the feel of the steering wheel. A bit less responsive and a little heavier feeling on the AWD than the RWD.
To make up for that though, the 4S just glues to the road, even a rain soaked one. I tried more than once to throw the tail out on a rainy day. Got a little bit of it a few times but it's clear it doesn't want to do it. The front wheels bite right away when they feel the rears are losing traction.
I'm in the market to buy a 997.2 convertible very soon and narrowed down what I want. However, the one question I have is should I get the S or 4S. Does it matter? I live in PA but the car will not be a daily and most likely not come out of the garage during the winter season either. So, does the 4S matter?
Does the AWD system on the 997.2 have issues that need to be addressed? Are there components of that system that are prone to break? Does the car drive differently with or without it? I will not be tracking the car at all.
I've read some reports the 4S is wider than the S but other reports say they are the same. Which is it?
Also, are there any differences between 2009, 2010, 2011 years in terms of quality or reliability, changes made between the years?
Oh, and a manual trans is a must too.
Any other information would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
This comes up about every other month. Personally I would avoid all wheel drive unless you're racing. Even then you don't see the GT cars with it.
It's just more weight, more maintenance, and chances for more to go wrong.
Seems most folks on here trade every year or two so it doesn't matter to them. I relate more to the 2S with narrower foot print.
Teutonic understatement is more my thing, not saddle bags.
If you have any respect for rolling sculpture you won't be driving it in the salt. You are smart to be hunting for a .2.
I haven't heard of any problems with all wheel drive outside of a bone head previous owner who doesn't know how to drive and causes damage.
I'm not a fan of rag tops. If I want wind noise I open the sun roof. If I go off road and into the woods I want a steel cage around me.
I'm not a fan of rag tops. If I want wind noise I open the sun roof. If I go off road and into the woods I want a steel cage around me.
In defense of cabs, I wouldn't want another coupe although I like the way they look. Open air driving in the mountains is thrilling to me. I get the sunroof argument but it's just not the same thing as putting down the top and soaking in the wind and sunshine. I don't track my cars, just drive them on country roads and mountains.
In defense of cabs, I wouldn't want another coupe although I like the way they look. (I've had several). Open air driving in the mountains is thrilling to me. I get the sunroof argument but it's just not the same thing as putting down the top and soaking in the wind and sunshine. I don't track my cars, just drive them on country roads and mountains.
I have my daily vehicle with a sunroof and enjoy that. The rag top is for nice days when cruising around whether it be on a mountain road or downtown. Plus, hearing the exhaust more is a benefit.
The drop top is awesome, especially if you don't have great roads and struggle to drive for fun. The kids love it to and tbh, the visibility is fantastic.
When I chose my 997 there were three fundamental factors:
1) manual (I don't like automatic transmission)
2) 4S (Must-have wide hips)
3) 997.1 (Not 997.2 because I hate this ...)
07-26-2022, 11:44 AM
