Hello, new member here.

I've been on the hunt for a low mileage C2 Cab for a little while now and have turned up a C4 Cab at what might be a decent price. It's a 2003 with 4K miles. I'm comparing it to a potential 2002 C2 Cab with 11K miles and roughly the same equipment except that the C4 has PSM. The C4 is about $9-10K more.

Other than price and weight, are there any downsides to the C4 vs. C2? More maintanence or things that break more often?

Thanks for any insights.

 

No additional problems with a c4 v a c2 that I know of....no additional maintenance...
Yes a C4 is heavier, but has the added benefit of all-wheel drive and PSM.
Many say that with AWD you lose that sports car feel, ie sliding the end out...
I love my C4, but then again I use it as a ski machine...

 

C2 is more fun to drive, while C4 feels too safe

 

So it sounds like although not really too much downside, 9-10K is too big a spread to go from C2 to C4.

 

I assume from your note that the C2 does not have PSM. My personal feeling is that this is probably the most important option (for me) to have on the car.

 

I agree - I think that PSM is a requirement.

The C2 does have PSM - what I wrote was confusing. The difference in the two cars really is mileage and model year. So for 9-10K, you get a little newer car and AWD.

 

I feel the benefits of AWD are enormous.
You can get on the power sooner exiting a corner, drive in all kind of stuff like snow, ice and heavy rain.
Rain is all I can comment on from 1st hand experience (So. Cal) and I can tell you that even at 100mph+ in the rain the car feels very stable.
If you absolutely want to have the tail loose then get a C2 or better yet a Mustang, but if you just want to go fast in all conditions, in safety, then the C4 is for you.
The AWD system is not very obtrusive and the car feel like a RWD most of the time, but stomp on the gas exiting a corner and the car catapults out way before RWD cars can get to WOT.
This does not mean that you cannot have the tail hang out if you want, just ease off the throttle in a turn and the rear breaks loose just as in any car.
Until your driving skills are very, very high, you will be faster and far safer in a C4 vs a C2. That's the reason all Turbos are AWD, but GT2s are not.

 

Thanks for the feedback - that is one piece of the puzzle I'm missing. I wasn't sure how different a C2 with PSM drove vs. a C4 (with PSM and AWD). I've test driven the C2 hard, but only in good weather and surface conditions so I don't know what the dropoff is like in less than ideal circumstances. Can anybody put a dollar figure on what the C4 vs. C2 should be worth - all other things being equal.

 

Well, Porsche charges 5K more (for the AWD) for two identical C4s and C2s....

 

Ms indi, Since when does Porsche make a 996 C2S?

I would go for the C4 Cab, more expensive, newer and less mileage, much rarer than the C2, less downside, tons of grip and great car, take it from a former owner of one.

 

I meant the "s" as plural LOL not "S" as in widebody version...
Also, its Mr. Sindi not Ms. Indi (common musconception - no big deal...)...Thought would be cool if all of us top posters knew each other better

 

Mookie,
It doesn't matter which car you buy as long as you buy a certified car from a Porsche dealer or have the car inspected by one. There might be a reason the C2 is 9k less. Don't rush, take your time and find the right car for you in the BEST condition possible. Let us know what you decide. Best of luck...

Pat

 

awd, newer and less miles. get certified if possible. make sure the car is the one you want.

 

Mookie: Love my C4 Cab. I think unless you're going to track it a lot, and if you're going to use it as a frequent or daily driver, should strongly consider the C4. Much higher margin for error in multiple driving condition. I'm having mine supercharged so I'll get the best of both worlds (and be able to offset the slightly heavier weight of the C4). Good luck.

Regards

 

Thanks for all of the encouragement and advice.

I agree that the price difference is a combination of several different things: AWD, mileage, and model year. While the equipment is roughly the same, the C4 is a little better color combo, silver/black, than the C2, black/beige, at least to me. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't getting into something unknown.

Until 3 weeks ago, I was buying a new M3 Cab. But then I by chance stopped by the Porsche dealer and drove a C2 Cab. I was blown away by the difference and I'm afraid I'm hooked, but I'm worried that I'm getting into car creep by going M3->C2->C4->?.

Of course, I may end up with neither car and continue searching.