Hello All: Just looking around for some advice. Have driven basically all the 997 II but not enough to make a "well pondered" decision. It's a lot of $$ so I would appreciate your constructive comments.

1. Have decided on the Cabriolet S. Sorry purists
2. Won't be driving in Winter
3. Is significant less frame/torsion rigidity noticeable to us mortals on cab?
4. 4S hips look great but is it less fun? Feel heavy, etc..
5. Does 4S understeer more
6. Advantages/Disadvantages C2S and C4S

Thanks. - Patrick
Anymore info and experiences you are willing to add is appreciated.

 

I notice you are from montreal.... Do you come from a powerful RWD car background or AWD? If you are the type of guy who likes RWD, you will enjoy the C2S more.

I personaly love the AWD experience of being able to get on throttle whenever I like without worrying about doing a 180 or 360...

 

1. Have decided on the Cabriolet S. Sorry purists
No need to apologize . Gotta buy what you love even though some of your concerns below reveal a few doubts specifically related to the cab.
2. Won't be driving in Winter
3. Is significant less frame/torsion rigidity noticeable to us mortals on cab?
Yes . Even though the structural compromises won't be noticed at 55 MPH on the highway a can can not be a coupe . Porsche does a great job with the car . It drives well, The door sills are just the right height to reduce wind blowing all over you (with a rera deflector ) too badly .. but it stil is a cab -1) less performance , 2) less acoustics , 3) leak potential , 4) top up visibility compromised , and 5) exposing the beautiful interior to the elements .
4. 4S hips look great but is it less fun? Feel heavy, etc..
Different fun - Less connected and looks a bit like a bathtub in a cab .
5. Does 4S understeer more
6. Advantages/Disadvantages C2S and C4S
In a cab -I see no disadvantages . If one is willing to compromise the roof the awd is merely an afterthought in comparison .

 

This is my first post here. I am glad that modfather asked this question because I am too wondering between C2 vs C4.

After I test drove and fell in love with 911 over a year ago, I started to look for mine - 997 C2 Cabriolet with white exterior, beige or brown full leather interior. Soon I realized it is a rare combination. I kept looking on and off and recently found one that is exactly what I want, except it was C4S instead of C2S.

http://www.circleporsche.com/invento...UI_detail_new2

A part of me says I should keep looking for C2. A part of me says I should jump on it.

I am driving '93 miata (yes, white & beige ) and I like the feel. It turns well. I am very looking forward to learning the depth of 911 driving. I definitely go to driving schools and would like to learn how to make beautiful turns.

Should I get a C2(S) for this kind of fun ? or does C4(S) offer similar excitement ? I test drove both but could not tell much differences with the short time. I would very much appreciate expert's advice on this.

 

That 06 C4S has 35K miles and is an 06 ? Yikes!!!!! $60K ought to get you a car with under 15K miles and spotless.

As far as driving - a C2S coupe is the best handling out of the cars you are listing . In fact even a C2 non S offers a great handling experience but has less Hp , smaller brakes .

The C4S cab is the least handling unless its snowing but other than santa claus who drives with a top down in the snow ?

The question really boils down to --is the car theme centered on --show Vs go .

 

I think you can do better then this price on that particular '06. Seems to me that everyone is trying to sell their 06 s-cabs at the same price, regardless of mileage. You could probably even look at turbo cabs with the $$ you are willing to spend.

If you talk to Larry you might be able to find an '09 base for around the same price, I'm not really sure. There seems to be a lot of give at the dealerships in my area still to clear their existing stock. Interestingly I've noticed that some of them are not repleneshing their stock though, so that makes option hunting hard.

Good luck!

 

x2 on what wdgreene said. Plus w/ 35K on the clock and what appears to be less than stellar condition/care, they should be much lower. Especially w/o power seats....

There's a reason they have been sitting on that car for months. Then again, it looks like a good deal compared to this one on their site..

 

Considering where you live (which is where I live), I'd suggest holding out for the C2S. The differences are not profound, but the subtle gain in weight, change in steering feel, and diminished ability to steer by throttle, coupled with a likely higher cost would seem like a bad trade. OTOH, these are small differences, the wide rear is a very nice design, so you really can't go wrong here.
I live nearby so if you want to take a close look, let me know.

 

Thanks all for your inputs...honestly appreciated and respected. I do have to agree with Yraralis1 when he said is it for show or to go. Well no doubt both C4S and C2S go. Unless you are tracking, 2/10 of a difference is minimal especially city "going" or "showing". For me it is the Cab. Let's face it as much as most of us are reluctant to admit it, we all have a "poser" side to us. Whether you purchase because it is a dream car, mid-life crisis or you want to track and annoy M3s there is a certain flair with a cab and the wide rear of a 4S. Yes the cab may not have the structural rigidity the Coupe promotes, but if you own another car as I do (S5) with a roof, and live in Montreal where you only get 5 months decent weather, it is nice to be able to take the top down. I do not think anyone of us will notice rigidity issues between cab and non-cab to the point where we can make a conclusive statement about performance. Is the C4S Cab heavier than the CSS cab? Yes, but 2/10 is not much. Teh real annoying bit is that with a coupe you can settle with a black interior. With a cab you can go bananas on options as I have. GT Silver, Cocoa Brown Interior, Painted Seat backs, etc.. Is it worth it? Don't know will arrive in May 2010. Thanks again all.

 

Thank you very much. I truly appreciate all inputs. I decided to pass on the car and keep looking for C2(S). Other than the C4 vs C2 concern, I had not realized this was not a good deal

Definitely it's "go". with that I mean it is for comfort of my own. I fell in love with the drive feel of 911. Even stopping at signals was fun (why??). I want to peek into the depth of driving 911. I love driving with the wind flowing on my cheeks. The color is the important part of my whole driving experience. etc.

Thank you. If I buy a C4 when what I really wanted was a C2, and knowing there are differences, even subtle, that I could feel, I am sure I will find a regret somewhere deep in my mind.

I could go with a new car if it is a bargain. The only reason I am looking for a used car is that I want to avoid the initial depreciation. I learned that a fun car is fun regardless of it is new or used. Who is the Mr. Larry ?

 

He's a very wise man

Just FYI -- Here's the scoop gossip to the best of my informal discussions .

1) Porsche might just pull thse finance programs and cut production on 2010 models .

2) You have until Sept 30 to score a deal between 15 to 20 percent of a new Porsche 997S . Many have low inventory and those who have higher inventory are not offering the great deals .

3) If you strive for unltimate savings .. the green launch PDK car is the one that might be yoir best choice . Low to mid 70's .

4) Cash deal --outright buy -- you have all the leverage to get the best price .

Otherwise --you may get a lower price in favor of a great finance rate .

After Sept 30 .. expect to seediscount price tighten up. Do not expect any bargains on 2010 cars right away . I do think the dealerships have gotten used to the idea of selling cars due to thse programs and only time will tell if and how they adjust as buyers have also gotten accustomed to seeing great deals. It will be an adjustment for both .. but I think it tilts in favor of the buyer because even if he doesn't buy the car he still has the money .

 

Here's my favorite shot/angle of my car that reminds me why I'm happy I went with a C4S Cab

As Shakira put it so eloquently, "Hips Don't Lie"

p.s. Yes, that "Mr. Larry" is a very wise man.

 

I'll throw out my 2 cents

Unless you live in an area that gets A LOT of rain or snow (AND PLAN ON DRIVING IN IT), I do not see the point in buying an AWD Porsche that is both more expensive and heavier than the RWD version.

Do C4/C4S's understeer more? Yes

Is some steering feel and response lost due to the AWD system? Yes

How much heavier is the C4 and C4S over the RWD versions? The difference is about the same as having an extra average male human riding in your C2S (about 180lbs for the coupes)

Jason

 

I am not sure of the actual physics involved, but it would seem to me that the added weight in front due to the AWD mechanism, plus the fact that the front wheels of a rotational force in the desired direction would cause less understeer then the RWD version. What is the cause of more understeer?

 

Actually the opposite

More weight in the back actually causes more oversteer and more weight in the front causes more understeer. Hence why older Audi's with their engines over their front axle have been critized for horrible undesteer.

Also, powering the front wheels reduces oversteer as well or invites understeer, however you want to look at it.... One of the reasons Porsche pursued the technology.


Jason