carrera 2 or 4?
Author
Discussion

thierryL

Original Poster:

131 posts

242 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
Looking for a Porsche 996... except for driving in all weather conditions, what are the advantages of 4x4? disadvantages (tyres , fuel consumption?)?

I don't intend to drive my car every day, but only the week-end (2nd car)

Thank you for your feed-back

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
996 C4 tip here.

Fuel consumption Don't ask

Mine's got PSM and it's got huge amounts of grip in the wet but it seems to understeer a bit when pushed in the dry.

chris_w

2,571 posts

289 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
One disadvantage is a significantly smaller front boot - might be an issue if you want to go away for the weekend? I was considering both 2 and 4 and am happy I ended up with the 2 as I've found the boot very handy.

C2
C4

(Doesn't look that different from these pics but there's obviously no spare in the C4's).

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
chris_w said:
One disadvantage is a significantly smaller front boot - might be an issue if you want to go away for the weekend? I was considering both 2 and 4 and am happy I ended up with the 2 as I've found the boot very handy.

C2
C4

(Doesn't look that different from these pics but there's obviously no spare in the C4's).
Ah, that's where you're wrong

The spare hides under the load cover, it's very small and there's a compressor under there as well as there isn't room to keep it in the car inflated.

Geneve

4,018 posts

249 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
Personally, I much prefer C2s -lighter, less complex, less mechanical inertia, bigger boot, slightly better performance and, IMO, nicer handling.

If you doubt your own abilities, PSM provides some benefits. And, if you drive in severe weather conditions, you would probably need winter tyres whether you had a C2 or a C4.

job38

1,973 posts

266 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
I love the C4, great for every day all-weather use but if, as you say, its a weekend car then go for the C2.

The more important facor is, whatever you do, make sure its a manual

turbo tim

20,467 posts

261 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
thierryL said:
Looking for a Porsche 996... except for driving in all weather conditions, what are the advantages of 4x4? disadvantages (tyres , fuel consumption?)?

I don't intend to drive my car every day, but only the week-end (2nd car)

Thank you for your feed-back


Good question. I was wondering this also. It's a dilemma I hope to face soon....

Personally, I like RWD 'thrills' and would be concerned about the C4 being a bit 'lacking' in that dept, but at the same time I don't want to be passed by 'Kevin' in his chavved-up Nova if I'm having to drive a bit carefully in the wet because I've only got RWD...

997gt3

3,139 posts

244 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
C4's corner like stink and just hug the road esp with 18" wheels. My 993C4 was immense at cornering!

DucatiGary

7,765 posts

255 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
C2 everytime!!!!

all these agree

Carrera2

8,352 posts

262 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
I really don't see the point of a C4. The C2 has fantastic grip and is great fun in the wet. The 4x4 is the one thing that puts me off a TT.

c2dtg

3,019 posts

243 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
C2 for me.

the mechanical grip is simply awesome. I have had mine 5 months now and I still haven't got anywhere near its limts yet

sleep envy

62,260 posts

279 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
Carrera2 said:
The 4x4 is the one thing that puts me off a TT.



GT2

Carrera2

8,352 posts

262 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
sleep envy said:
Carrera2 said:
The 4x4 is the one thing that puts me off a TT.



GT2


Well there is that I guess.

997gt3

3,139 posts

244 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
Carrera2 said:
I really don't see the point of a C4. The C2 has fantastic grip and is great fun in the wet. The 4x4 is the one thing that puts me off a TT.

It's great fun spinning the back end out exiting from a mini roundabout and smashing through a brick wall backwards??

maxxuk

341 posts

249 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
Also from the C4 Tip squad. Very happy ( although I have a service due so that may change shortly !! ), I'm never going to be the worlds next Schumacher, so it's engaging enough for me, and re-assuring enough for the missus.

Mark.

skyjock6

167 posts

242 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
I've had both and would say overall the C2 is a better car
more agile in and out of bends/roundabouts, tad lighter (or feels it)
and better on fuel...I know the boot on the 997 is much reduced on the C4..
minor consideration.....if you lived in switzerland and went skiing alot
i'd buy a C4...otherwise a C2 is much more fun

Den

chris_w

2,571 posts

289 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
chris_w said:
One disadvantage is a significantly smaller front boot - might be an issue if you want to go away for the weekend? I was considering both 2 and 4 and am happy I ended up with the 2 as I've found the boot very handy.

C2
C4

(Doesn't look that different from these pics but there's obviously no spare in the C4's).
Ah, that's where you're wrong

The spare hides under the load cover, it's very small and there's a compressor under there as well as there isn't room to keep it in the car inflated.


I stand corrected! Either way, another happy C2 customer here although I clearly didn't do enough research on the C4!

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
chris_w said:
BliarOut said:
chris_w said:
One disadvantage is a significantly smaller front boot - might be an issue if you want to go away for the weekend? I was considering both 2 and 4 and am happy I ended up with the 2 as I've found the boot very handy.

C2
C4

(Doesn't look that different from these pics but there's obviously no spare in the C4's).
Ah, that's where you're wrong

The spare hides under the load cover, it's very small and there's a compressor under there as well as there isn't room to keep it in the car inflated.


I stand corrected! Either way, another happy C2 customer here although I clearly didn't do enough research on the C4!
Nor did I... 18.3MPG and that's not town driving

Carrera2

8,352 posts

262 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
997gt3 said:
Carrera2 said:
I really don't see the point of a C4. The C2 has fantastic grip and is great fun in the wet. The 4x4 is the one thing that puts me off a TT.

It's great fun spinning the back end out exiting from a mini roundabout and smashing through a brick wall backwards??




Sure you want a GT3?

clarkeyjnr

382 posts

247 months

Tuesday 15th August 2006
quotequote all
I had am '84 3.2 Carrera previously and altough it was great fun in the dry when you're planning your exit from bends - I was conscious that with anything more than 0.1% precipotation present - it could kill me at any time.....

I test drove a C4 and fell in love. So sure footed and with such great turn it, I fell in love. Couldn't find the right car (why are there soooo many C4 Tips?) so I started looking at C2's with PSM (not the world's greatest driver so I'm happy with a bit of a safety net.....)> When I finally drove one, I was amazed. So different to the 2WD Carrera I'd been used to. Grip is outrageous. Potential for fun is enormous and it handles beautifully. Plus I can say I'm a real man because it's a 2WD......(although 993 owners will laugh as it's not air cooled and I don't have a beard.....).
That said, I don't think the C2 has the same turn in, and it doesn't (IMHO) have the same sure footed/planted feel of the C4. Plus - in the wet - life's a whole different ball game in a C2 versus a C4 - olet alone snow. It is great fun however. I'm heading for a C4S or maybe even a Turbo one day (you gotta have goals aintcha?) so I'm happy with the thought of driving a C4.
The only person that can decide is YOU. Drive them both and then decide.