Carrera 4 desirability

[Scott Parker]

So following on from the recent Carrera 4 release. Why do people buy the 4?

Apart from the obvious wider body look that people like, is the 4wd drive really needed in this type of car? The 4 has never been an option for me, ive always wanted the purer 2wd Carrera/GT3 variant. Not knocking people's choice's but would like to hear why people buy the 4

[Mermaid]

Marketing

But seriously - it is the 2 things you refer to, aesthetics & reassurance in driving in all weather conditions with a high power rear engined car.

Traction in amazing in the quattro Audis, is it not? But what % of Audi owners need that traction?

[gd]

I bought two 996 C4S, one new and one used (the second one was bought after I realised I shouldn't have sold the first one!)

I bought it partly on the idea of 4WD in a car that is rear engined, without knowing much about them at the time I figured it might be better to drive. But 90% of my decision was the based on the look of the car - I just loved the wider shape, the red strip on the rear, the Turbo wheels and brakes...

Thats why I commented on another thread that I was surprised the new C4S isn't wider or 'turbo look' like the last one. Not sure I would have bought one that looked just like a C2/C2S.

[Scott Parker]

Mermaid said:

Marketing

But seriously - it is the 2 things you refer to, aesthetics & reassurance in driving in all weather conditions with a high power rear engined car.

Traction in amazing in the quattro Audis, is it not? But what % of Audi owners need that traction?

Yes, people confuse traction for handling.

Years back I had a 400bhp impreza, gripped yes, handled no. So much so that I went from that to a mx5 and had more fun with 150bhp

[williaa68]

My first Porsche was a 997 C4S. I bought it for two reasons - (1) it was my first decently quick car since a VW Corrado 20 years earlier and the more planted front end gave me more confidence when pushing on and (2) I live up a steep and sometimes snowy drive and thought the extra traction would help. It certainly did- with winter tyres on the car was exceptional in the snow, the main problem being ground clearance not traction. I also thought it looked better but that wasnt decisive. Having sold the 997 and bought a 993 cab I now need another way round the winter problem!

[monthefish]

It's quicker (in all but perfectly dry conditions - how often do we get those in the UK?)

[GTrr]

I preferred it over the C2S; the 4S has a better front (the 2 can go light at times). And I use it everyday so general safety was important too, also for the wife who is not used to high power rear wheel drive cars (but she goes like mad in the 4S).

[phib]

Perfect for an every day car, always had c2's but then had 996 turbo and really could use it in the wet rather than tiptoeing round in the the c2

Would only have another c4 or turbo

Phib

[Geneve]

IMO the best '911s' have tended to be rwd, normally aspirated, manual, coupe.

Only the Turbo really needs 4wd.

[mollytherocker]

Geneve said:

IMO the best '911s' have tended to be rwd, normally aspirated, manual, coupe.

Only the Turbo really needs 4wd.

I agree with everything you say.

Except for the last bit. bks.
MTR

[Koing]

Is 4WD that much better in snow with summer tyres than 2WD in summer tyres? And when the conditions are that bad do you really want to be driving your £35k+ car?

A couple of years back when we had inches of snow on the floor my M3 was terrible in the snow, and I don't think I'd have liked to be driving a car that is 3-4x as expensive in those conditions even if it had 4WD.

Koing

[PiB]

Consider the global market. A good portion of USA gets snow. Porsche trades a bit on practicality so 4wd helps. It's also a way P can exhibit their engineering - Multi-trick pony. That said - people can't believe me when I say my e36 M3 had better steering feel/feedback than my 993 Turbo.

Does the Carrera 4 really have a wider track? I thought only the 4S does. Maybe I'm thinking 993's and not 991's.

Wish they would just engineer a powerless steering system and not electronic assist.

[Helicopter123]

Perhaps for some the smaller boot is a bonus?

No wait, hang on a moment...

A C2 on winter tyres will get further than a C4 on summer tyres.

[monthefish]

Helicopter123 said:

Perhaps for some the smaller boot is a bonus?

No wait, hang on a moment...

A C2 on winter tyres will get further than a C4 on summer tyres.

And if they're on the same tyres?



or, seeing as we are doing unfair comparisons, a C4 on summer tyres will go further on a flat piece of tarmac'd road, than a C2 on winter tyres will go on a 30% incline on a rocky, muddy & icy surface...... but that doesn't really tell you anything.

[Helicopter123]

monthefish said:

Helicopter123 said:

Perhaps for some the smaller boot is a bonus?

No wait, hang on a moment...

A C2 on winter tyres will get further than a C4 on summer tyres.

And if they're on the same tyres?



or, seeing as we are doing unfair comparisons, a C4 on summer tyres will go further on a flat piece of tarmac'd road, than a C2 on winter tyres will go on a 30% incline on a rocky, muddy & icy surface...... but that doesn't really tell you anything.

Point I would make is that rather than cart all of the extra weight and complexity around for 12 months of the 4wd system, and put up with a less engaging car, why not get the C2 and pop on winter boots if you need to drive in wintery conditions?

Just a thought...

[Mermaid]

Helicopter123 said:

Point I would make is that rather than cart all of the extra weight and complexity around for 12 months of the 4wd system, and put up with a less engaging car, why not get the C2 and pop on winter boots if you need to drive in wintery conditions?

Just a thought...

Makes sense.

[monthefish]

Helicopter123 said:

Point I would make is that rather than cart all of the extra weight and complexity around for 12 months of the 4wd system, and put up with a less engaging car, why not get the C2 and pop on winter boots if you need to drive in wintery conditions?

Just a thought...

It's a fair point. But the reason most UK buyers, that opt for a C4 over a C2, do so won't be for reasons of coping with the type of 'wintery' conditions where winter tyres will give the upper hand. Most (myself included) have a different car for that.

[Carl_Docklands]

monthefish said:

Helicopter123 said:

Point I would make is that rather than cart all of the extra weight and complexity around for 12 months of the 4wd system, and put up with a less engaging car, why not get the C2 and pop on winter boots if you need to drive in wintery conditions?

Just a thought...

It's a fair point. But the reason most UK buyers, that opt for a C4 over a C2, do so won't be for reasons of coping with the type of 'wintery' conditions where winter tyres will give the upper hand. Most (myself included) have a different car for that.

the 2WD 991 aint half bad in the snow with the right rubber on:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[GTrr]

C2 is more fun

C4 is more allround, safer and most of the time faster (not only snow but also in the rain or on slimey roads)

[BullyB]

gd said:

I bought two 996 C4S, one new and one used (the second one was bought after I realised I shouldn't have sold the first one!)

I bought it partly on the idea of 4WD in a car that is rear engined, without knowing much about them at the time I figured it might be better to drive. But 90% of my decision was the based on the look of the car - I just loved the wider shape, the red strip on the rear, the Turbo wheels and brakes...

Thats why I commented on another thread that I was surprised the new C4S isn't wider or 'turbo look' like the last one. Not sure I would have bought one that looked just like a C2/C2S.

Totally agree with that, I'm looking at 996 C4S's currently and it is mainly due to the fact I think they are the best looking.
I also like the idea of the 4x4 as I learn to drive again.
The 996 C4S seems to be very desirable and not many on the market compared to other models.