Petza914

C2S to experience the classic 911 dynamics, better steering feel, more frunk space, lighter weight, and they handle so well, unless in snow or rain, you'll never miss the AWD, plus GT Silver is the best color

BHMav8r

I would get the C2S unless you need all wheel drive.

Nothing like pushing a 911 until the azz gets squirrly.

But one will speak to you, and you will always wonder about the other one.

cosanchez

Trying not to put you back in paralysis. But here goes

4s has wide hips equals better looks for some

997.1 front drive shaft and diff can be removed if you don't like the awd 'feel'

on my 997.1 c4 I don't feel the awd kick in u til I'm either pushing it or its raining

I like the way it 'pulls' out of corners on hard acceleration. I am planted when it's raining. Amazing grip
​​​​​​

and yes I can still get the back to rotate.

only downside is more weight and trunk space....997.2 is different awd system so my comments don't apply to that

mpath

^+1. I can still go to Costco with it. That Kirkland brand toilet paper fits in the frunk just fine.

Cheeto

Crap! A low mileage 996 Turbo just popped up for the same price, which means I'm now debating a) whether to get the 996 Turbo or 997.1 Carrera S which inevitably leads to b) if I feel I NEED to go the turbo route I really should stretch my budget another $15k for the the 997 Turbo as that is far more desirable in the long term.

997c2sla

997.1 turbo in manual will cost you between 60k and 80k depending on condition and mileage.
I would stick with 997.1 c2s.

SoCal RJ

Yikes. Round two just started. Go drive and I think you will know then.

Petza914

A good 997 Turbo will cost you $70k or so. If you can swing that, it's a no-brainer, especially if your're already considering AWD. Some people make a big deal about the wider hips of the AWD cars, but with the 997 going back to the Coke-bottle shape of the 993 (996 was much straighter sided), even the narrow body 997s are plenty curvy, and in my opinion (though it's probably the minority) actually look better because the rear fenders have a continuous curve to them instead of the relatively flat spot right in the middle.

Here's my curvy NB in the GT Silver color you were looking at on the C2S.

Wayne Smith

If you want to test drive two different cars don't take your checkbook on the first test drive. Doesn't matter which car you drive first.

If you want a turbo and your budget is tight, go 996. If you want a turbo and your budget can stretch, go 997.1. If you want a turbo with more modern electronics or with PDK (not Mezger) look for 997.2 (2010 on).

If turbo isn't critical go 4 if you want to really pull out of a turn or 2 if you like to kick the rear.

Your call. Only you know.

captainbaker

4S for the wide hips. I would have gotten either but a perfect 4S dropped in my lap and I consider myself blessed. Plus you can throw on a TT tail and it looks factory without being over the top.

Floyd Landis

Why choose, buy both.

alexb76

Lol. I actually feel your pain. I was in almost exact same shoes when I bought mine as my first Porsche. I was all over eBay, all over dealer sites and at any point of time was between 3-4 cars. I finally bought a 997 C4S and couldn’t be happier.

The habdljng of C4S is still very much rear biased and feels amazing to me. You cannot make it as tail happy as C2S but I personally love how it handles.

So, take it from another guy with analysis paralysis syndrome, DRIVE BOTH, see BOTH in person and only buy the one that has the features you must have. Like adding sport exhaust (with a button) is very expensive and difficult, same goes for PCM, adaptive sport seats, leather interior, and even wheels (hard to find new OEM wheels if you hated the one on the car).

But it literally there’s no way to do this without driving both. If you fell in love, buy.