docfink

After driving the car about 10 miles I spent an hour and switched to my winter rims/tires and have only put about 70 miles on the car. Some differences beyond the power increase are very noticeable from my '06 C4S with X51 and short shift. BTW, that C4S/X51 felt FAST and sounded great, if gritty. This car came with 14,000 miles and trade-in came with 26,000 in 2010. It left me with nearly 43,000.

First off, the steering and clutch are lighter in the 997.2 over my previous 997.1 The steering has great feel, but is obviously lighter than the C4S, and I had Super Sports on both cars. The door has a nicer "thunk" in this update, although not quite new 991 or Cayman levels, but close. Turn in seems flatter with less front end movement that my 997.1 exhibited. Sometimes the front end, for lack of a better term, "wobbled" around a bit and didn't always feel as precise as I thought it should, even when properly adjusted. Some secondary controls feel better, especially the window switches.

I prefer the wider steering wheel on the turbo, but think I prefer the triangular, shield-like center of the '06. I know most people don't agree with me on that, but the new one seems more plasticky to me and less luxurious to look at, although its wider grip is better.

This turbo also has the short shift kit, and the shifter fits my hand better in this iteration as it seems narrower to me. The shift throw seems even shorter and springier than my previous car and has an overall tighter feel.

As I've mentioned previously, the engine and exhaust sound is okay during hard acceleration at high-revs, but is otherwise lame; like a deep vacuum cleaner. I'm probably going to have to remedy that as having a car like this is as much about hearing and feeling it as it is about pure speed, the latter something we can only safely approach on a track.

I feel more connected to this car in another way. I loved the C4S; it was my first Porsche, the car of my dreams growing up. The one I found fit my budget with the accessories I desired and it was a great car. Some things bothered me, however. It was older, but not old; newer, but not new. In other words, it was a 2006, so fairly contemporary, but the electronics were a bit annoying to use, and things I take for granted in my 2011 MINI or my wife's older Highlander weren't even a part of the C4S. As stated above, it felt a bit loose in the front end, but wasn't an old car. The door shut sound wasn't as solid as I would have preferred. These things bothered me in an '06 car, but probably wouldn't if the car was from the early '90s or prior. I remember my friend's dad's '85 Turbo-look well. I can still "feel" in my mind the click of the exterior door switch, and the sound and feel of the door shutting. Without the electronics and crash-protection necessities of today, that car door was light, but solid. The '06 shook when shutting the door. I felt at times that the window might shatter. The 2010 so far at least, feels much more tight and solid. Porsche must have addressed some of these issues with the generational update to the 997.2.

The new car addresses the issues that concerned me after driving the '06 for four years, but still has analog qualities I prefer like the short shift. It's seemingly and subjectively more solid, has modern electronics, but doesn't feel anesthetized like some new, fast automobiles. It turns in flatter than my '06 too.

I feel very fortunate to have this car and hope to for a long time. While part of me wants a true vintage Porsche, like a 911T of the '70s, and maybe a 991 GT3 one day, this is the pinnacle of Porsche for me.

About the pictures: The blue is a little TOO blue in the shots; the color in reality is more navy blue. The flash brightens some areas a bit too much. It's a really nice alternative to black. While I'm not a Cowboys fan (Go Vikings!), the Arctic Silver and Sea Blue look great paired. Excuse the dirty rubber mats, but I took out the Sea Blue mats immediately and put these in from my C4S--they're a necessity to me during the winter.

Also, if you want to submit me for a garage makeover at a Cable Channel's expense, I'll do it! I like bicycles too.

Overdraft

Congrats....thinking of ordering my car Rhodium and YB myself. I like the combination - different without being 'out there'. The young lady looks awfully pleased - priceless.

John@Fabspeed

Nice write up and beautiful car! I especially agree on the part about it sounding like a vacuum cleaner... I can fix that

fskof

Nice write up and I love the smile on the girl....priceless
A stock turbo will never sound as great as a C4S with X51 (sport exhaust) but that can be fixed with a aftermarket exhaust like Europipe (EP1)
Enjoy the car!

550bryan

Great pair, your smiling daughter and your 997.2. She's probably thinking of the day when dad will let her take the wheel…...

Psup4s

Where are you guys located?

thekubiaks

Is there any chance that this is the '06 C4S that you used to own?? I just looked at one that matched your description pretty closely with 43K miles (X51/C4S), seal grey. It is in Louisville, Kentucky now. I was considering it but the price is a little high and they don't want to bargain (or CPO it) at all. Thanks for your comments, they are helpful. I'm starting to reconsider the 997.2

Cheers

SEARCH AUTOTRADER - 06 Porsche C4S

Primary information about this vehicle:
AT Car ID: AT-15A75898
Price
$53,990
Mileage Unlisted
Body Style Coupe
Exterior Color Seal Grey
Engine 6 Cylinder
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Two Door
Stock No. P14478B
VIN
WP0AB29956S742371

Vehicle Description
Options Installed

4-Wheel Disc Brakes
9 Speakers
ABS brakes
AM/FM Stereo w/In-Dash CD
AM/FM radio
Adaptive suspension
Air Conditioning
Automatic temperature control
Bumpers: body-color
CD player
Delay-off headlights
Driver door bin
Driver vanity mirror
Dual front impact airbags
Dual front side impact airbags
Electronic Stability Control
Four wheel independent suspension
Front Bucket Seats
Front Center Armrest
Front anti-roll bar

Front fog lights
Front reading lights
Garage door transmitter: HomeLink
Headlight cleaning
Heated door mirrors
High-Intensity Discharge Headlights
Illuminated entry
Leather Seat Trim
Leather Shift ****
Leather steering wheel
Occupant sensing airbag
Outside temperature display
Overhead airbag
Overhead console
Passenger cancellable airbag
Passenger door bin
Passenger vanity mirror
Power door mirrors
Power driver seat
Power moonroof

Power passenger seat
Power steering
Power windows
Rain sensing wipers
Rear anti-roll bar
Rear fog lights
Rear window defroster
Remote keyless entry
Security system
Speed control
Speed-sensing steering
Split folding rear seat
Spoiler
Sport steering wheel
Tachometer
Telescoping steering wheel
Tilt steering wheel
Traction control
Trip computer
Variably intermittent wipers

Seller Comments

This is a very rare X51 Power Kit equipped C4S. The X51 power kit boosted horsepower from 355 to 381. The X51 package featured revised cylinder heads, carbon fiber air cleaner housing, aluminum air intake system, reprogrammed engine management and revised exhaust manifolds with sport exhaust. The Power Kit dropped 0-60 accelaeration by 2/10ths of a second and raised top track speed to 186 mph. Additional options include Sport shifter, Sport Chrono Package Plus, Bose Sound Package, Full Leather Seat/Interior Trim, Multi-Stage Heated Front Seats, Navigation For PCM, and multi function wheel. Msrp was $118,160. Here at Blue Grass Porsche, we try to make the purchase process as easy and hassle free as possible. We encourage you to experience this for yourself when you come to look at this exceptional 2006 Porsche 911. J.D. Power named the 2006 911 as the highest ranked in Overall Initial Quality Design in its class. Blue Grass Motorsport is a Porsche Premier dealer for the seventh consecutive year.
We sell quality vehicles and work diligently to present a vehicle that will meet or exceed your expectations. When purchasing a used vehicle reasonable wear should be expected according to age and miles. Interior wear should be considered depending on age and miles. Options and expectations can vary, so please telephone us if you have any questions or concerns. We are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Psup4s

Great pic of daughter and ride

docfink

@thekubiaks--yes, that's my previous car. Ask for John Dayton at the dealership. If you like the car, I'm sure he can help you out.

montreal911

Very nice! Congrats!

rotesAuto

wow, love some blue!!

what's with all the damn bikes?

docfink

@rotesAuto--Indeed; bikes, cameras, watches, and cars--my non-work/non-family obsessions.

EDEZ TT

If you ever have the need, I removed a small scuff mark in the sea blue interior of my car with a navy blue leather polish from Kiwi (amazon) followed by a light cleanup with Klasse leather cleaner/protector.

DJ23

Congratulations. Enjoy and drive her well.

Jay

docfink

Thanks!