996 C4S - thoughts?
10-14-2012, 02:16 AM
#16
Racer
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10-14-2012, 03:27 AM
#17
Nordschleife Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,164
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Great thoughts - thanks!
I do believe in spending a bit more for a car with a good history and sold by a reputable dealership.
What is the maintenance/reliability like on the turbo vs the naturally aspirated models? I had a b5 s4 which had the biturbo v6 and there always seemed to be hoses popping, etc. That's why I sold it and bought the b7 s4 with a v8.
I do believe in spending a bit more for a car with a good history and sold by a reputable dealership.
What is the maintenance/reliability like on the turbo vs the naturally aspirated models? I had a b5 s4 which had the biturbo v6 and there always seemed to be hoses popping, etc. That's why I sold it and bought the b7 s4 with a v8.
I too like the 4.2 over the 2.7t in the Audi. Just fewer things to go wrong. But if you bought the S series Audi, you will be disappointed with the NA Porsche. Just sayin. the regular A4 would be reliable for a very long time.
10-14-2012, 10:27 AM
#19
Rennlist Member
Full leather was standard in '04? Nice that it became standard... I had an '03 C4S and full leather was an expensive option...
My only complaint about the car was that it was definitely sluggish... one of the slower 911's in the decade, but in the right driver's hands... otherwise the car was great to drive. Great looking car...
My only complaint about the car was that it was definitely sluggish... one of the slower 911's in the decade, but in the right driver's hands... otherwise the car was great to drive. Great looking car...
As far as being sluggish, your bar must be set pretty high since Car and Driver set a 0-100 kmh time of 4.6 sec back in the day with the standard M96 engine.
Now with the X51 engine, no one would accuse mine of being sluggish!
Christien: $55K is a high asking price, but if the car is as clean and well documented as is perceived, it could go for high 40's. doesn't hurt Pfaff for asking and helps to maintain the brand values of both Porsche and the dealership.
A discussion on the 996 forum: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...e-996-c4s.html
Last edited by pongobaz; 10-14-2012 at 10:51 AM. Reason: added link
10-14-2012, 11:14 AM
#21
I tested this C4S Cab a few weeks back.
http://torontoautobrokers.com/edit-v...era-s4/94.html
Car drove really well. The K's are reasonable and priced very well at under $40,0000. I believe they will even do the RMS and IMS if negotiated. Came very close to buying the car. I found it performed better than some newer models I tested. And the sport exhaust is so Sweet.......... Speak to Rudy @ TAB he really knows the car well.
I ended up buying an '08TT Cab, but this C4S is a nice car and great value.
http://torontoautobrokers.com/edit-v...era-s4/94.html
Car drove really well. The K's are reasonable and priced very well at under $40,0000. I believe they will even do the RMS and IMS if negotiated. Came very close to buying the car. I found it performed better than some newer models I tested. And the sport exhaust is so Sweet.......... Speak to Rudy @ TAB he really knows the car well.
I ended up buying an '08TT Cab, but this C4S is a nice car and great value.
10-14-2012, 01:23 PM
#22
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
10-14-2012, 01:47 PM
#23
Picky, Picky...... Some are better, some worse. Rather dimple or 2 in the seat than a blown engine. Those things happen over 8 years, it's not a museum piece, just wear and tear. Still a nice car though. Where can you get a C4S cab in good condition under $40K. Sure is a better value than the overpriced car at Pfaff for $55K, unless it comes with $15,000 cash in the trunk (hood).
10-14-2012, 01:53 PM
#24
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
No debate on the value of this car if all checks out. It's a deal !!
I was just raising a flag on the excessive wear and tear on the drivers seat. Most 60k Porsches that I have seen are quite pristine. Then again, it could be just a bad picture.
I was just raising a flag on the excessive wear and tear on the drivers seat. Most 60k Porsches that I have seen are quite pristine. Then again, it could be just a bad picture.
10-14-2012, 03:07 PM
#25
Drifting
I think that Pfaff car is super overpriced...996 values have dropped massively
and there are good deals to be found! If you shop smart (PPI + paint meter +
carfax/UVIP), you can find a great car! Don't be scared of kms/miles, cars that
sit and aren't driven can have serious issues as well! It's all in the PPI!
South of the border shopping will give you a FAR greater selection.
and there are good deals to be found! If you shop smart (PPI + paint meter +
carfax/UVIP), you can find a great car! Don't be scared of kms/miles, cars that
sit and aren't driven can have serious issues as well! It's all in the PPI!
South of the border shopping will give you a FAR greater selection.
10-14-2012, 03:10 PM
#26
Nordschleife Master
Someone posted this up in the 996 forum. I though I'd copy it since it concerns the C4S.
55k is high, you can really get a nice 996 TT for that much money.
From the Excellence Magazine supplement - Porsche Buyer's Guide 2012 on the 996 series:
BEST DAILY DRIVER
2002 - 2005 911 Carrera 4S ($30,000 - 40,000)
It's clear that the Carrera 4S lived up to the "S" moniker that appears on its decklid. It may not have a more powerful motor, but the suspension, brakes, and bodywork - which are based on 996 Turbo components - work astoundingly well with the regular, 320-hp 3.6-liter flat six. It's one of the best-balanced, most-rewarding 996 based 911s you can drive, combining superb handling, all-wheel-drive traction, and aggressive styling, while retaining the everyday usability and comfort 911s are known for.
Porsche's figures indicate the C4S was four seconds quicker around Nürburgring than the lighter, narrower, rear-wheel-drive Carrera. Somehow, the heavy all-wheel-drive system defies expectations and doesn't dilute the car's handling; if there's a 996 that could convert a rear-drive fanatic to all-wheel-drive, the C4S is it. And with a chassis that's "over-engineered" for 320 hp, we said in 2002, "the C4S may be the safest Porsche you can buy."
Safety by the way of stability is crucial if you spend a lot of time on the road. But it's the balance that the Carrera 4S achieves on so many other levels that makes it such a satisfying car to own, as well as the best 996 for daily driving.
BEST DAILY DRIVER
2002 - 2005 911 Carrera 4S ($30,000 - 40,000)
It's clear that the Carrera 4S lived up to the "S" moniker that appears on its decklid. It may not have a more powerful motor, but the suspension, brakes, and bodywork - which are based on 996 Turbo components - work astoundingly well with the regular, 320-hp 3.6-liter flat six. It's one of the best-balanced, most-rewarding 996 based 911s you can drive, combining superb handling, all-wheel-drive traction, and aggressive styling, while retaining the everyday usability and comfort 911s are known for.
Porsche's figures indicate the C4S was four seconds quicker around Nürburgring than the lighter, narrower, rear-wheel-drive Carrera. Somehow, the heavy all-wheel-drive system defies expectations and doesn't dilute the car's handling; if there's a 996 that could convert a rear-drive fanatic to all-wheel-drive, the C4S is it. And with a chassis that's "over-engineered" for 320 hp, we said in 2002, "the C4S may be the safest Porsche you can buy."
Safety by the way of stability is crucial if you spend a lot of time on the road. But it's the balance that the Carrera 4S achieves on so many other levels that makes it such a satisfying car to own, as well as the best 996 for daily driving.
55k is high, you can really get a nice 996 TT for that much money.
10-14-2012, 03:32 PM
#27
I think it's too much. This car has been at Pfaff for a while. I picked up a C4S last year, and paid high 30s. Higher mileage than this, but has new engine (porsche warranty), new transmission (warranty) so the drive train actually has about half of the mileage on the odo. The car was also still CPO'd when I bought it.
even with the low mileage, I don't think I would pay over 45k for this.
even with the low mileage, I don't think I would pay over 45k for this.
10-14-2012, 08:18 PM
#28
I find most of the 911's on auto-trader are grossly overpriced. I had spent the last month trying to make a deal on one, all sellers treat you like you're an idiot and they have the only car on the planet. Nothing has moved, only one or 2 cars sold out of hundreds. I contacted sellers and made offers that we're reasonable to me based on the fact that were going into winter and next time there will be a market for most of these cars they will be a model year olde. So to buy one now, you need to look at what it may be worth April 2013. That is just reality. I ended up finding a super 2008 TT Cab for under 70K. Referred by a leasing company for a car coming off lease, I think it was a reasonable price for much more car than I was going to find in car ads.
https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...1&d=1350256601
https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...1&d=1350256601
Last edited by Goldstar; 10-21-2012 at 10:17 PM.
10-14-2012, 10:52 PM
#29
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
I find most of the 911's on auto-trader are grossly overpriced. I had spent the last month trying to make a deal on one, all sellers treat you like you're an idiot and they have the only car on the planet. Nothing has moved, only one or 2 cars sold out of hundreds. I contacted sellers and made offers that we're reasonable to me based on the fact that were going into winter and next time there will be a market for most of these cars they will be a model year olde. So to buy one now, you need to look at what it may be worth April 2013. That is just reality. I ended up finding a super 2008 TT Cab for under 70K. Referred by a leasing company for a car coming off lease, I think it was a reasonable price for much more car than I was going to find in car ads.
https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...1&d=1350256601
https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...1&d=1350256601
10-15-2012, 12:05 AM
#30