Porsche 996

[vegard_dino]

Hi all I am seeking around for some help on my first Porsche. Tomorrow I will go and test drive a 996, 2004 model C4. And a 2005 model C2. From my seat now, I think the C4 is more for me, as it will give me the help of the awd, yes the car will be used in winter time. Are there something I need to look out for, when looking at these two cars? Some big red lights? Or is it more or less solid well made? Also, how is the awd from Porsche? Good? Need lots of service? Thanks all Yes, will be back with some information on how the test drive did go

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[function12]

I dont think you will miss the AWD if you dont have it. From my research there are a lot of people that drive in the snow with just a 2wd. A lot of the turbo guys disable the awd because of the added weight. Good luck and have fun.

[markar]

Go with carrera 4S.

[vegard_dino]

Thanks for the replys to me.

Well, why I need the awd? Well, just thinking that I do drive on snow and icy roads now and then. And yes, will feel better off with awd in a car like the 996.

Have read, been told, that it is to tail happy for wet/icy roads in the C2, so I am thinking about the C4.

Will be back with information on how the test drive did go later.

[OS Inspector]

c4 if your not in a tropical enviroment, get a 997 if u can afford it

[vegard_dino]

Hello and thank you.

Yes, I will get the C4. And a "old" 997 is in my budget.
But, not sure, then I get a 997 with less equipment on, than a late 996 with lots of equipment and also lower milage.....hmmmm..

Is it THAT big gap from the 996 to the 997?

[OS Inspector]

nonturbo definately 997 yes do some searching on the drivetrain technology and IMS shaft failure that nonturbo 996's can have

basically the awd in the 997 is completly revamped and a more reliable engine.


turbo both are good i picked 996 cause of price difference

[vegard_dino]

The one I am testing is a non turbo. Think I also will go with that, it is going to be a daily driver, and I do not, think, I need the turbo.......maybe on my next Porsche.

How about the interior? Is it more or less the same from a 996 to a 997?

The 996 I am going to look at is a 2005 C4 model, one owner, automatic, only 23 000 km, and from what they say to me it got all the equipment that was offered back then.

Then they have a C4 997, 2006 model, with 55 000 km automatic and some equipment, but by far not all that was around.

[OS Inspector]

they are different generations mostly everything is slightly different the 997 is more geared towards a daily driver luxury car from what ive seen but with many improvements. most if they could afford it would get a 997

[vegard_dino]

Oh, I got it

Well, time to go now for the test drive.

Thanks for helping me..will let come back with info on how it did go.

[vegard_dino]

Hi all

Well,, back from the test drive now...and..woooow....what can I say???

When I did start to seek around for a car after I sold my CLK, I had a BMW 645/650 in mind.....and yes...a 996/997.
But, I had NEVER driven any Porsches at all, only looked at them and had no idea what they will be like....In my mind, they was was, hard to drive and not very comfortable at all. Loud and back breaking was what I was thinking.

So, was I right?? NO!

Today I did try a late 996 C4 and a 996 C2, the two did have automatic, the late 996 C4 had a lot of equipment, they told me it got it all.
The C4 was a cabrio 2004 model and the C2 was a 2005 model.

But, they was good to drive, I did not break my back or got any pain in my ears from the noise at all. Yes, sure you can hear the engine, but it is not loud, just coool .

I am NO expert at all when it come to cars, and even more far from it when it comes to Porsche, but from what I did learn they was easy to drive.
I will be happy in the 996 to, as my only car, used daily.

When driving on the high way, they was so easy, relaxing to drive, like a standard car, like my moms car. And that is good news for me .
City driving with small streets, stop and go, easy! So was parking, also parking in a parking house. Easy.

From the drivers seat, I was able to se out, not just to se "something" in front of me.....( Like I was in a 360)
It made me feel relaxed and comfortable. So did the automatic. Just great.

All in all, I had a good time, cabrio or coupe.
Witch I will go for?

Not sure at all.......They are at the same price. The C4 has a lot of equipment, so that is good......hmmm. The coupe is white pearl and the cabrio is dark blue, black leather....so, yes, I like that!


I like the Porsche a lot. I do. But over a BMW 645/650?
Yes, I do. Even with it smaller boot and the "back seat" that can only be used by a teddy bear, I do like it. I do

The only thing I need to look into is how safe a 996 is in a crash and how the reliability is on them.


Thank you for

vegard_dino

[Guybrush]

You have propably made your choice by now but if someone is debating between C4 and C2 and is living in a country with a real winter, here is my input. I live in southern Finland, despite the greenhouse effect we still have ice and snow 4 to 6 months per year. When I was making my choice between C4 and C2 I chose C2 because I wanted the most performance I could with the money I had. I bought a set of winter tires for my C2 and thought I would be ok. Wrong. C2 is ok when driving short distances but if the road gets really slippery, the car gets dangerous. Too much weight in the back, the front and rear axels are too close for the car to be stabile. C4 would have been a better choise. My C2 is manual and doesnt have PSM. I guess you could be better of driving in the winter with the automatic gear box.

[h1sp]

isnt the 2004 C4S wider in the rear?

You will like that look

[TXPORS]

I was in the same situation when picking out for a Porsche. Over here Texas we get 100 Degree + almost all year round therefore I choose coupe over cabriolet. But if I were you live in a country that cold weather come every now and then. I probably would pick an Cab that way on an beautiful day you can have a whole sky for yourself. Too bad the cab is not an AWD otherwise would be perfect for you. Either way you can't go wrong with C2 or C4.

[PyroKerry]

I had a '00 Carrera 4 for four years, everyday driver. The AWD was excellent and never required any service. It was fantastic on snow and ice.