I sold my 07 BMW M Roadster a while ago and have been shopping for a convertible to replace it. I think I've settled on either a 997 C2S or C4S cabriolet. So I've been reading through all the posts on here for a few weeks trying to get an idea of what to watch out for etc...

To be honest the "throttle lift oversteer" tendency of the car I've been reading about has given me some pause. I try not to get too out of line on the street but I do like to drive aggressive (what's the point of owning a sports car if you don't). I don't see 997's flying off the road very often so maybe I'm worried over nothing but I was wondering if a C4S with the extra weight up front and the AWD might make a better car for a Porsche virgin?

On a side note, it's driving me crazy that every cab I find for sale has black interior. Sure it looks great but gets way too hot in the sun.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. Just drive both and see which you like the feel of better.

 

The C4S has the wider body and looks great on a cab. Really comes down to personal choice. I'm sure you can find one with a lighter interior if you do your research. That's half the fun-finding your ultimate P car

 

Throttle lift oversteer was a real problem with ealier 911's especially the two wheel drive turbos...modern day Porschsce electronic stability helps with this as do the many improvements to the suspension. You will still feel its a rear engined car in certain cirumstances only, but not much.

 

Apocryphal bar-room tales about the 911's tail-happy rear end are legion, but curiously few of them come from those who've owned or actually (and extensively) driven one - particularly a modern 911 like the 997. It sticks to the road like glue, and you'd have to driving like a maniac to unseat it. I'm still learning how to get the best out of my car, but I can say with absolute certainty that it's much more capable a car than I am a driver and it's never once left me feeling worried. Whether you get a C2S or C4S you'll have an absolutely immense car.

 

When I first started looking, I only looked at C2S Cab's because I couldn't justify the price difference to jump to a C4S. However, after buying my C4S (and only because I couldn't find a C2S with what I was looking for AND getting a great deal on my car), I gotta say I love the look of the wider back end. In terms of driving difference, I'll probably never push a car more than 8/10's so the 2WD versus AWD probbly would never come into play (and I would never drive my car in the snow either where the AWD would come into play).

In terms of interior color, here's a black/black/gray:
http://carreraporsche.autorevo.com/w...spx?iid=619713

Not bad looking but I do like the triple black better.

 

I picked the C4S due to the wider hip, at the end of the day, it's all come down to personal preference but you cant go wrong with either one. GL with your decision.

 

C2S vs. C4S? That is a question that nobody can answer for you.

Objectively:
C2S costs a little less, is lighter, better track performance, is a little crisper to drive as the front end is lighter.

C4S has great resale, gives better traction for that once in a while you need it (snow, rain, other sloppy conditions), style points (wider back end, it's a C4S!, etc.)

Personal opinion:
C2S is much more fun to drive. The 4wd system is great if you need the extra traction...I live in So Cal and just don't need it. I have owned a few Carrera's over the years, so I am used to the light front end the C2S brings...personally think the C4S feels heavy and clunky to bring the front end around. You hear quite a bit about the 4wd performance advantage...but it's very hard to build an argument that 4wd does much more than allow fast launch if you have a very high HP car. As an example, one of the first mods a turbo owner who tracks their car does is to remove the 4wd system. Reality is on a track the weight of the system is more costly than the traction gain is advantageous.


Bottom line...both are great. Personally, I would only get the 4wd system if you feel you are going to need it or if you want the style it brings...don't see it as a performance option.

 

I know this isn't quite what you asked, but I would go non-S as my first porsche. My first Pcar is my current 09 C4S. Love it in every way, but if I could do it all over again I would go non-S, and a C2 at that. The beauty of this car is in the details which will take me years and years to fully appreciate.The extra HP, for me, was a waste of money and somewhat gets in the way of getting to know the rest of the car. I could have saved $35k and been just as happy. I do love the wider stance, however, but ultimately not worth it for me.

Either way I don't regret my purchase and it is the best car I have ever owned in my life in so many ways, but just live and learn for me in this case. GL on your search!

 

When I wanted another P-car, I started looking at an 08 TTcab, then a C4s cab and ended up with my C2s cab. It is very powerful, more so in a way that the M6 I traded could not even own up to. I didn't want power, I wanted the feel of the road and the handling. When I first drove the C2S, I thought, wow...way too much power in the 09. Overall, I am glad I got the C2s and not the C2, but I do understand where you are coming from. I am looking forward to many years of driving the ultimate car!

 

Thanks for the responses. I was originally shopping exclusively for the C2S cab and I think I'm back in that mode now.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to be buying used unless I find an absolute killer deal on a leftover 08, so given the minimal price difference between the C2 and C2S in the used market it makes sense to me to go with the S. I certainly wouldn't be able to drive either car to it's full potential on a track but I think I'd regret not purchasing the S. I already know I'm going to have 09 envy but I don't want to spend that much.

 

Unless you need it to drive in snow get a C2S. Being in California, I would imagine your exposure to snow is minimal.

 

In CA a 997 C4/4S is bought on looks only. It's heavier and you'll feel it. Given your driving dynamics concern... you should invest first on some DE sessions.

 

I like the C2S . I would not drive an expensive performance car in the snow even if I lived in that climate region.

The Turbo has the AWD but I feel it serves it's purpose well when making power upgrades to the car while retaining manageability for daily driving in all climate and road conditions.

 

a c4s cab is an oxymoron to me. i mean who would put the top down in the snow?