Carrera 4S?
#1
Carrera 4S?
Is the extra $6th for the C4S worth it? I have decided on the CS but my production doesn't start till October so i can still make some changes. Unfortunately my dealer has no demo unit on the C4S so i can't test drive it. Anyone here have one? Do you loose performance over the CS on a dry surface?
#2
Lose performance? Not in my opinion. I love my C4S. You will find that owners are very polarized on this issue - some swearing that AWD is useless in the dry / you give up steering feel / too much extra weight, et al... (the C4S might be a tenth or so slower than a C2S 0-60, but so what?) -
I'm of the other camp - I believe that the C4S is the best deal in the current 997 stable. But, I'm just a bit biased. I think that the extra "weight" in the steering is spectacular, and I love the stabliity that AWD gives me. The C4S is exactly the car I wanted, and it has not disappointed me yet.
You've got to drive them both to make a decision, Tom...
-don
I'm of the other camp - I believe that the C4S is the best deal in the current 997 stable. But, I'm just a bit biased. I think that the extra "weight" in the steering is spectacular, and I love the stabliity that AWD gives me. The C4S is exactly the car I wanted, and it has not disappointed me yet.
You've got to drive them both to make a decision, Tom...
-don
#3
C4s all the way! I have a 2006 C4s Cab and wouldn't want it any other way. I have to admit that one of the leading reasons for me getting the C4s was the extra 1.7 inches in the rear. I am rear obsessed!
#4
Originally Posted by dstrimbu
I believe that the C4S is the best deal in the current 997 stable. But, I'm just a bit biased. I think that the extra "weight" in the steering is spectacular, and I love the stabliity that AWD gives me. The C4S is exactly the car I wanted, and it has not disappointed me yet.
-don
-don
One other point, the enhanced brakes are amazing.
For me, the C4S is also just so aesthetically pleasing... here's something to tempt you with...who says "width doesn't matter"?
#5
C4s all the way! I have a 2006 C4s Cab and wouldn't want it any other way. I have to admit that one of the leading reasons for me getting the C4s was the extra 1.7 inches in the rear. I am rear obsessed!
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#8
wow no one in the C2 camp chimed in...
well imho the 4s butt looks nice, but for me wasnt worth it because I wont (or shouldn't) be driving in bad rainy/snowy weather... thats why my wife has the volvo xcountry which i might add is insane in the snow. i sware that thing could double as a rescue vehicle up in the tahoe mountains in the dead of winter.
performance wise they are pretty neck and neck according to some top gear videos i watched so i wont argue who's quicker. and i know the 4's arent all about snow and rain i just like to stir a tizzy... what if the turbos were only 2wd ?....
well imho the 4s butt looks nice, but for me wasnt worth it because I wont (or shouldn't) be driving in bad rainy/snowy weather... thats why my wife has the volvo xcountry which i might add is insane in the snow. i sware that thing could double as a rescue vehicle up in the tahoe mountains in the dead of winter.
performance wise they are pretty neck and neck according to some top gear videos i watched so i wont argue who's quicker. and i know the 4's arent all about snow and rain i just like to stir a tizzy... what if the turbos were only 2wd ?....
#9
Admittedly I've never driven one, but I don't see the point of the C4/C4S. I'm sure they're great cars, as all of the 997s are. But to me the added weight, cost, and complexity don't provide any benefit; these cars have no problem putting the power down to just the rear wheels. I find it hard to believe that the C4/C4S's wider rear tires and added weight in front don't increase understeer (I hate understeer...just sold my S4 because it was driving me crazy).
But I'm not a fan of AWD in general. I prefer light and tossable whenever possible. Yes, I know it's possible to provoke oversteer in the C4/C4S, but it's hard enough in the 2WD 997s...
But I'm not a fan of AWD in general. I prefer light and tossable whenever possible. Yes, I know it's possible to provoke oversteer in the C4/C4S, but it's hard enough in the 2WD 997s...
#10
Well...does a 2002 C4S count in this case?
I love my C4S, and dstrimbu is right on the money about the steering.
The feel is slightly heavy, exactly just what I like! (not something a lady driver would appreciate though)
And that *** with the wide rubbers give you the impression that it will not budge an inch off track.
I love my C4S, and dstrimbu is right on the money about the steering.
The feel is slightly heavy, exactly just what I like! (not something a lady driver would appreciate though)
And that *** with the wide rubbers give you the impression that it will not budge an inch off track.
#11
Originally Posted by rzundel
C4s all the way! I have a 2006 C4s Cab and wouldn't want it any other way. I have to admit that one of the leading reasons for me getting the C4s was the extra 1.7 inches in the rear. I am rear obsessed!
#12
I think it depends on four factors:-
1: The look of the car - if you like the style of the 4S more than the others - go for it.
2: Your driving experience - if you've never had a P car before you may feel more confident with AWD.
3: Where you live - if you live in a location with poor weather it may add to the year round usability of the car if you have the AWD.
4: What do you intend to do with the car - a daily drive needs are a little different to weekly tracking requirements.
This is based on my own experience of ownership which is as follows:-
1st Porsche - 2001 C4S. Love at first sight! I could not believe how sexy that car looked. For a novice P driver I think it was a great choice. The grip is unbelievable, I never scared myself or ever came close to losing it on a bend. In truth I never came close to to the cars real abilities how ever fast I thought I was going. In poor weather the AWD is a great tool. On wet roads it is a great asset in maintaining safe speeds. In snow and ice it will not really work unless you buy a set of winter wheels/tyres.
After a couple of years I got fed up with the hard ride that was typical with that car.
2nd Porsche - Cayenne Turbo. I bought that car on the basis of the quality of the AWD in the 4S.
3rd Porsche - 2005 Carrera S. What a fantastic car, beautiful, fast and exciting. Now I love not having the AWD. I have to work a little harder, I have to stay a little safer. I don't really think I could lose it on a bend but I feel more on the edge. The wheel is much lighter in your hands and the car seems to be more responsive to all inputs. I doubt I can drive it as fast as I could the 4S but the pleasure is greater overall.
4th Porsche ? - I just spent a couple of days in a loaned Carrera and I loved the simplicity of the car. No frills or extras just a great ride and light responsive handling. Who knows, maybe less is more.
I use my cars as daily drives all year but don't track them - yet.
Overall I'd say follow your heart on making a choice and don't worry too much about getting it wrong - they're all fantastic!
1: The look of the car - if you like the style of the 4S more than the others - go for it.
2: Your driving experience - if you've never had a P car before you may feel more confident with AWD.
3: Where you live - if you live in a location with poor weather it may add to the year round usability of the car if you have the AWD.
4: What do you intend to do with the car - a daily drive needs are a little different to weekly tracking requirements.
This is based on my own experience of ownership which is as follows:-
1st Porsche - 2001 C4S. Love at first sight! I could not believe how sexy that car looked. For a novice P driver I think it was a great choice. The grip is unbelievable, I never scared myself or ever came close to losing it on a bend. In truth I never came close to to the cars real abilities how ever fast I thought I was going. In poor weather the AWD is a great tool. On wet roads it is a great asset in maintaining safe speeds. In snow and ice it will not really work unless you buy a set of winter wheels/tyres.
After a couple of years I got fed up with the hard ride that was typical with that car.
2nd Porsche - Cayenne Turbo. I bought that car on the basis of the quality of the AWD in the 4S.
3rd Porsche - 2005 Carrera S. What a fantastic car, beautiful, fast and exciting. Now I love not having the AWD. I have to work a little harder, I have to stay a little safer. I don't really think I could lose it on a bend but I feel more on the edge. The wheel is much lighter in your hands and the car seems to be more responsive to all inputs. I doubt I can drive it as fast as I could the 4S but the pleasure is greater overall.
4th Porsche ? - I just spent a couple of days in a loaned Carrera and I loved the simplicity of the car. No frills or extras just a great ride and light responsive handling. Who knows, maybe less is more.
I use my cars as daily drives all year but don't track them - yet.
Overall I'd say follow your heart on making a choice and don't worry too much about getting it wrong - they're all fantastic!
#13
I've driven both. Get the C4.
The only reason I have a C2S, is because it was the only 06 Red Cab S at all the dealers I checked in New England. Given the choice between a Red C2S or a Red C4S, I would have taken the C4S.
What's another $6k or so when you're spending $100k on a car?
The only reason I have a C2S, is because it was the only 06 Red Cab S at all the dealers I checked in New England. Given the choice between a Red C2S or a Red C4S, I would have taken the C4S.
What's another $6k or so when you're spending $100k on a car?
#15
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From: Winston-Salem, NC
Originally Posted by CosmosC4S
If I'm not mistaken, the rear quarter sections in the C4S is a total of about 2 and 9/16 inches (65mm) wider than the C2