Discussion
I have now decided that when my Cerb is sold that I am going to get a 996 Carrera over the Box S. Now I know that the performance is not TVR levels but in real world driving I dont think that they is much between a 996 Carerra & a Speed Six Cerb (especially if you throw a few bends into the equation). Anyway, my current dilema is 2wd vs 4wd. I have decided that I do nopt want to buy anything newer then 2 yrs old for depreciation reasons (already losing far too much on my Cerb which was bought as ex-demo). With this in mind i am looking at a 1999/2000 model 996. So I have test driven both types and could not really tell the difference (in dry), the 2wd has more boot space which is appealing but apart from that I am really not sure which to go for. I keep thinking that the 2wd will be the more fun but having driven the 4wd I was impressed at how I could push round bends where I would be scared in the Cerb. So is the 4wd more fun albeit it easier and the 2wd more "pure". Is there any real performance differences because of weight factors (4wd heavier)?
I just dont know which to go for but want to get it right if i can.
>>> Edited by kris wood on Monday 1st July 18:05
I just dont know which to go for but want to get it right if i can.
>>> Edited by kris wood on Monday 1st July 18:05
Hmmmm, you have driven both types, which puts you in a far more knowledgeable position than most people who might answer 
In real world situations, you have discovered that there is not much difference. It doesn't surprise me, although there will be more traction in then wet with the 4 and more fun on the racetrack with the trac control turned off in the 2.
If boot space is essential and you don't mind the rain, go for the 2. It may also be slightly cheaper to run and maintain than the 4.
If you are more of a GT driver than a sports car driver, the 4 will win over I should think.
Both are good cars, and spiritually and dynamically pretty similar. One other factor may be that C4 993 prices are now marginally lower than C2 prices, although this may be because the 993 is more of a purist's Porsche than an accountant's one. The new 996 may win more 'GT' admirers in the second hand market in the future.
Flip a coin?
In real world situations, you have discovered that there is not much difference. It doesn't surprise me, although there will be more traction in then wet with the 4 and more fun on the racetrack with the trac control turned off in the 2.
If boot space is essential and you don't mind the rain, go for the 2. It may also be slightly cheaper to run and maintain than the 4.
If you are more of a GT driver than a sports car driver, the 4 will win over I should think.
Both are good cars, and spiritually and dynamically pretty similar. One other factor may be that C4 993 prices are now marginally lower than C2 prices, although this may be because the 993 is more of a purist's Porsche than an accountant's one. The new 996 may win more 'GT' admirers in the second hand market in the future.
Flip a coin?
Kris
I've also made the jump from TVR to Porsche (just over a year ago now - V8S and Grif 4.3) although I ended up with a 993 not a 996 - really because I was more sold on the looks and driving experience of the air cooled models over the water cooled 996. Re your dilema on 4wd vs 2wd all I can say is that having driven both as far on "the edge" as I have the balls to, both track and street, 4wd wins hands down for me (993 chipped and lowered C4 Cab for me). Sure its great fun on a track with 2wd giving it some tail happy action, but in the real world (mine's a daily driver) I want to be able to drive enthusiastically without worrying whether I'm about to wrap £40k of car (some hard saving in my case) around the nearest tree (which, testiment to my lack of driving skill, I have managed to do with a TVR in the past) or worse still, another car. I agree with Domster that 2wd is a purer driving experience on the track but trying to unseat a 4wd (I've not managed it yet despite trying hard!) can also provide some fun if you get my drift!
Whichever you get you'll love it, especially after after a couple of months (I found that after the TVRs the very different handling characteristics take that long to get used to at the limit) - my only other suggestion would be to try a 993TT (for 4wd and some really serious fun at a "reasonable" price) if 996 money is in in your budget!!
Have fun with your quality problem!
I've also made the jump from TVR to Porsche (just over a year ago now - V8S and Grif 4.3) although I ended up with a 993 not a 996 - really because I was more sold on the looks and driving experience of the air cooled models over the water cooled 996. Re your dilema on 4wd vs 2wd all I can say is that having driven both as far on "the edge" as I have the balls to, both track and street, 4wd wins hands down for me (993 chipped and lowered C4 Cab for me). Sure its great fun on a track with 2wd giving it some tail happy action, but in the real world (mine's a daily driver) I want to be able to drive enthusiastically without worrying whether I'm about to wrap £40k of car (some hard saving in my case) around the nearest tree (which, testiment to my lack of driving skill, I have managed to do with a TVR in the past) or worse still, another car. I agree with Domster that 2wd is a purer driving experience on the track but trying to unseat a 4wd (I've not managed it yet despite trying hard!) can also provide some fun if you get my drift!
Whichever you get you'll love it, especially after after a couple of months (I found that after the TVRs the very different handling characteristics take that long to get used to at the limit) - my only other suggestion would be to try a 993TT (for 4wd and some really serious fun at a "reasonable" price) if 996 money is in in your budget!!
Have fun with your quality problem!
Personally I'd always go for the lightest possible option. Saving weight is the same as gaining free horsepower. A C4S tiptronic weighs 1/4 tonne more than a C2 manual. It's possible to achieve a higher power to weight ratio than the turbo by a touch of further pork dieting.
Also I want to learn how to drive a proper RWD sportscar and develop my driving skills.
>> Edited by Roadrunner on Tuesday 2nd July 10:24
Also I want to learn how to drive a proper RWD sportscar and develop my driving skills.
>> Edited by Roadrunner on Tuesday 2nd July 10:24
quote:
Personally I'd always go for the lightest possible option. Saving weight is the same as gaining free horsepower. A C4S tiptronic weighs 1/4 tonne more than a C2 manual. It's possible to achieve a higher power to weight ratio than the turbo by a touch of further pork dieting.
Also I want to learn how to drive a proper RWD sportscar and develop my driving skills.
>> Edited by Roadrunner on Tuesday 2nd July 10:24
Don't know about triptronic (stupid name..) but the 4WD is 50 Kg heavier. Thats all.
Thanks for your comments. The 2wd is slightly lighter and therefore perhaps slightly quicker but the 4wd handled so brilliantly that it actually added to the fun as you could do things that were unimaginable in a TVR. The downside is that the boot is smaller and it has more weight.
993tt - I have been in one but never driven. After my Cerb I am looking for something that is more useable, practicle & comfortable eg 996. This is critical as my wife used to moan when we went out in the Cerb so I would end up taking the beemer. Now I am convinced that my wife would prefer driving in a 996 to the cerb but would a 993tt be getting a bit too raw again?? I do not want to end us having a 993tt sitting in the garage! The other thing with a 996 is the interior is nicer and the shape has really grown on me over the last year or so. Perhaps I should try a 993tt first before deciding.
Decisions, decisions!!
993tt - I have been in one but never driven. After my Cerb I am looking for something that is more useable, practicle & comfortable eg 996. This is critical as my wife used to moan when we went out in the Cerb so I would end up taking the beemer. Now I am convinced that my wife would prefer driving in a 996 to the cerb but would a 993tt be getting a bit too raw again?? I do not want to end us having a 993tt sitting in the garage! The other thing with a 996 is the interior is nicer and the shape has really grown on me over the last year or so. Perhaps I should try a 993tt first before deciding.
Decisions, decisions!!
Kris,
as you know I have a 993TT for a year. - Its totally pratical car. I used it every day (and some track days). Crawling in traffic is very easy - the clutch is very light. Its very compfortable. The interier may look basic but it works very well.
Its definitly not too raw.
Anothing that may be effecting your decision is the look of the interier?. I, like most people, thought that the interier on the 993TT is a bit dated. Once you actually start living with it though it becomes much more appealing than a 996. After owning my car for a year I test drove a 996 and I though the interier was so plasic and cheap looking - the quality just isn't there compared to the 993TT. Remember everything is full leather and everything feels like is be carved from solid steel.
IMHO I thnk you'd be mad to get a 996 C2/C4 over a 993TT. If you where looking at the new Turbo or GT2 though it'd be a different matter...You'll have much more usuable performance in a 993TT than you ever did in the Cerb..(sorry Cerb guys). Looks have a lot to do with buying cars, but if you're fairly even on this front the TT wins my a mile.........
as you know I have a 993TT for a year. - Its totally pratical car. I used it every day (and some track days). Crawling in traffic is very easy - the clutch is very light. Its very compfortable. The interier may look basic but it works very well.
Its definitly not too raw.
Anothing that may be effecting your decision is the look of the interier?. I, like most people, thought that the interier on the 993TT is a bit dated. Once you actually start living with it though it becomes much more appealing than a 996. After owning my car for a year I test drove a 996 and I though the interier was so plasic and cheap looking - the quality just isn't there compared to the 993TT. Remember everything is full leather and everything feels like is be carved from solid steel.
IMHO I thnk you'd be mad to get a 996 C2/C4 over a 993TT. If you where looking at the new Turbo or GT2 though it'd be a different matter...You'll have much more usuable performance in a 993TT than you ever did in the Cerb..(sorry Cerb guys). Looks have a lot to do with buying cars, but if you're fairly even on this front the TT wins my a mile.........
quote:
After owning my car for a year I test drove a 996 and I though the interier was so plasic and cheap looking - the quality just isn't there compared to the 993TT. Remember everything is full leather and everything feels like is be carved from solid steel.
Don't underestimate this either. Go and see both cars together and you will certainly think the same thing. I like both and nearly bought one or the other but what really got me was that the 996 did not have the same level of build as the 993, it doesn't feel as solid. I agree about the 996 C4 feeling more planted than the C2. You really can take the piss with what you try!!
I have just sold my Jag and am in the process of looking around for its replacement , i really want a cab but i have loved the 993 TT from the first time i saw one , i am strongly drawn to get one before they get too long in the tooth, and after seeing the prices on that German search page as i said before it would be rude not to get one , they will be an all time classic in years to come .
quote:
I still wonder if I should sell my order 'place' and get the 993TT nearer the time. Especially the 'S'. Trouble is they're so bloody complex with 4x4 and all the gubbins. I'd need a very low miler to sleep at night.
that is my main concern as well , i guess around 50-60.000km is OK on these .
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