996 Turbo v 997S v 997 C4S

[jdh1]

Thinking about getting another Porsche and maybe using it daily this time. I'd like to keep depreciation to a minimum.

What advantages does 997s have over 996 turbo (if any) and in turn, what advantages does c4s have over the s? I gather you need to be in pretty extreme conditions/situations to need more than the 2 wheel drive car. Is that correct?

Is the C4s worth the premium over the s?

[Adam B]

jdh1 said:

Thinking about getting another Porsche and maybe using it daily this time. I'd like to keep depreciation to a minimum.

What advantages does 997s have over 996 turbo (if any) and in turn, what advantages does c4s have over the s? I gather you need to be in pretty extreme conditions/situations to need more than the 2 wheel drive car. Is that correct?

Is the C4s worth the premium over the s?

do a search as these have been done to death but in brief:

997s over 996TT - only think I can think of is other than obviously younger is better interior and n/a power delivery if you prefer that

C4S over C2S - 44mm fatter arse looks a bit nicer (if you can tell), more traction when very wet/snow - thats it

is it worth the premium - not really

[CatherineJ]

There is a 997 C4S in Swindon OPC at the moment in Basalt with a full Aero bodykit. It look absolutely superb even with a full Savanah interior. There is a 996 Turbo next to it and on looks alone I would choose the 997.

[Adam B]

CatherineJ said:

There is a 997 C4S in Swindon OPC at the moment in Basalt with a full Aero bodykit. It look absolutely superb even with a full Savanah interior. There is a 996 Turbo next to it and on looks alone I would choose the 997.

not savannah (a 996 colour) its sand beige (a much nicer shade)

jdh1 - sidicks will be along soon to defend the C4S over C2S to give some balance

[Geneve]

997'S'- 911s should be rear wheel drive (don't see the point of C4S, unless you have money you really want to spend)

[nbetts]

I would like to think I can add to this a bit.

I had a 996 tt X50 - and it was brilliant. I have since traded it for a 997 C2S...

I find the 997 C2S a bit more rewarding for the quick hoon around the back roads... quite simply due to its 2WD platform and Natural Aspirated delivery. The interior is a bit nicer too. Whilst it does not have the massive pace of the turbo, it isn't a slouch by any stretch of the imagination.

The X50 - I found to be just a bit too quick. I will try and clarify that... Think of your favourite road that you have driven along countless times and you know every inch of... over the years you have seen your 'time and speed' improve across this piece of road and you really get to know the limits of your various cars etc etc. Right, you attack said piece of road in your X50 and you re-write all your previous records at your first attempt whilst drinking a Starbucks 2-litre Latte... Now if you want that type of performance then the 996tt X50 is the one to go for. Personally, I was too worried about my license as I found that sort of thing far too tempting to do.

997 C4S - I cant deny it looks great with its fat haunches, but I do not like the tarnished steering feel that the Porsche 4WD delivers and coupled with the fact that you have to pay extra for this and you don't actually gain anything (seeing as the 997 C2S has so much grip anyway) for me it was a no brainer. For some, the looks of the car may warrant the extra cost alone.

[gubbs997]

I also considered the 996TT before getting the 997C2S, and what swung it for me was a much newer car for the money, better interior, nicer more organic curvy shape and it is definitly more agile for the B roads where I live and very illegally fast!

Also think the exhaust note from the 3.8 non turbo engine is fab and don't think you need C4S as grip is immense even in the wet. The shape of which is not really that different unlike with the 996 C4S

[Koln-RS]

A 996 TT could be tempting, but not too keen on the 997 C4S.

Think the 997 C2S would be the 'best buy' and a wise choice.

[sidicks]

Adam B said:

sidicks will be along soon to defend the C4S over C2S to give some balance

[supermono]

996tt every time. Otherwise you'll always be worrying about a)will it blow up and b)why isn't it going fast enough...

edited to add: Oh, and there's an especially nice midnight blue one in the classifieds at the moment

SM

Edited by supermono on Friday 25th August 16:44

[Adam B]

sidicks said:

Adam B said:

sidicks will be along soon to defend the C4S over C2S to give some balance

not one of your most convincing defences old friend!

[sidicks]

Adam B said:

not one of your most convincing defences old friend!

I've decided that I prefer it if there are only a few select members of the C4S club!

sidicks

[jdh1]

Okay, suppose one other question is whether C2S is worth the premium over the C2?

[Geneve]

jdh1 said:

Okay, suppose one other question is whether C2S is worth the premium over the C2?

In terms of equipment and spec, the C2S justifies the price premium. However, I'm still a fan of the base car and, if I was in the market for either, I might be tempted by a 997.

Of course, there's no right or wrong, it's down to personal choices.

[grant3]

nbetts said:

I would like to think I can add to this a bit.
I had a 996 tt X50 - and it was brilliant. I have since traded it for a 997 C2S...
I find the 997 C2S a bit more rewarding for the quick hoon around the back roads... quite simply due to its 2WD platform and Natural Aspirated delivery. The interior is a bit nicer too. Whilst it does not have the massive pace of the turbo, it isn't a slouch by any stretch of the imagination.
The X50 - I found to be just a bit too quick. I will try and clarify that... Think of your favourite road that you have driven along countless times and you know every inch of... over the years you have seen your 'time and speed' improve across this piece of road and you really get to know the limits of your various cars etc etc. Right, you attack said piece of road in your X50 and you re-write all your previous records at your first attempt whilst drinking a Starbucks 2-litre Latte... Now if you want that type of performance then the 996tt X50 is the one to go for. Personally, I was too worried about my license as I found that sort of thing far too tempting to do.
997 C4S - I cant deny it looks great with its fat haunches, but I do not like the tarnished steering feel that the Porsche 4WD delivers and coupled with the fact that you have to pay extra for this and you don't actually gain anything (seeing as the 997 C2S has so much grip anyway) for me it was a no brainer. For some, the looks of the car may warrant the extra cost alone.

A very good post may I say.
My two pennies worth would say it depends what you are coming out of & what you want from a car, I had nearly 4 fabulous enjoyable years in a 996TT, its ability & adrenalin inducing grunt, was addictive. I did have an extended 24hr test drive in the 997S & agree it is a fabulous car, with a mite more adjustability & a more comfortable compliant ride, above 5k revs it also went plenty fast enough to enjoy. But ultimately I just couldn't make the move to the 997S, it was just some how too similar & yet less hardcore. So ironically I went for a complete change with an AMV8, which I am loving.

So I return to my original point it depends what car you are moving from & what you want from your new steed, do tell. But the choice is between 997S & 996TT, the C4S really doesn't justift it's lofty premium like the 996C4S did, in isolation it looks no different & the S is so capable the 4Wd isn't a big plus.

[bumcrack]

[quote=nbetts]I would like to think I can add to this a bit.



The X50 - I found to be just a bit too quick. I will try and clarify that... Think of your favourite road that you have driven along countless times and you know every inch of... over the years you have seen your 'time and speed' improve across this piece of road and you really get to know the limits of your various cars etc etc. Right, you attack said piece of road in your X50 and you re-write all your previous records at your first attempt whilst drinking a Starbucks 2-litre Latte... Now if you want that type of performance then the 996tt X50 is the one to go for. Personally, I was too worried about my license as I found that sort of thing far too tempting to do.

[quote]

LOL
Nice description.

That’s my problem with 4WD cars in general, where’s the fun. It takes no skill to go fast. My wife loves 4WD, I see it as a cop out.

Edited by bumcrack on Saturday 26th August 11:17

[JEBLondon]

jdh1 said:

Okay, suppose one other question is whether C2S is worth the premium over the C2?

Speaking from experience I would say YES. I recently traded a 997 Carrera for a 997 Carrera S. Although my non-S Carrera had all the toys (19in wheels, PASM, etc) that you get on the S version, I always thought it was a little down on power.

I'm your standard commuter driver with the occasional weekend blast but even I can tell the extra 30bhp you get in the C2S.