Benjamin Choi

So did my S2000

MitchB

Thx for all the responses, guys. All is as I suspected.
The AWD is neither desired nor shunned in my search. All things being equal, I'd rather have it. But I'm being pretty snooty in my search, and I have a pretty definitive "must have" and "can't have" parameters. I've set a pretty firm cost ceiling, so the rest is options vs. mileage vs. condition vs. cost...
Don't worry - there'll be pics when I pull the trigger...
M

Benjamin Choi

good luck bud, i'll never forget my first 911 buying experience

Bossman

Good luck Mitch. I'm picking up my first P car on Saturday, a 2004 C4S. For me the choice was more about styling (I love the wide body look) than the other small differences between the C2 and C4.

newport996

Love my C4 cab....the understeer will go away with suspension mods...the "heavy" steering turns to "solid" feel....and you forget the front wheels are drive wheels, except when you need it and it saves you...great system...as far as upkeep...there is NO extra upkeep....the Porsche AWD uses a viscous coupling system, where fluid activates the front drive wheels...not MECHANICAL....so its not like the 964 C4 system that had lots of wear and upkeep issues....It uses the same drivetrain from the 996 TT, and 997 TT. Its very solid...I have 135k miles on my C4 ad have NEVER had any issues with it. Oh and IMO the extra weight over the front end keeps the car stable at high speeds.....

smackboy1

Hey Dominick, I was there for the 2 day HPDE, how was your 1 day course? Did you get to drive the 997? I have big time 997 envy now. All I can dream about is a 997 Targa 4S, or a Cayman S w/ a supercharger

USS TT

I love mine (C4)...have had lots of experiences with both, and the C4 is an infinitely more confident daily, all weather feel, with emphasis on the versatility (any and all road conditions, weather conditions) at the track, both are undeniably impressive, 99% of us will never drive at the proper limits of either. fwiw.....

CLL ACAB

It's a personal preference, but I drove both back to back and liiked the way the C4 felt. If this is your first Porsche, make sure you check out all the options on the cars. Almost everything is an option. PSM was optional on the C2 and can't be added after. I would definately look for one with PSM and a few other "must-have's" like litronic headlights....

path

+1. Decide what options you want first. These cars cost virtually the same regardless of how many or how few options the car might have. Mileage seems to be the key determining factor in resale value.

lexpilot

Smackboy has it right. I just bought a 2006 C4S cabriolet. I was not looking for an AWD Porsche but it was the COBALT blue car I could find.
The advantages of the RWD car is that the trunk is large enough to fit an 18 gallon rubbermaid bucket inside the trunk plus have room on top to stack more. I drove my 1999 car a lot because it is usable to run errands around town due to adequate trunk space and space over the folded rear seats. The luggage space on the C4S is considerably less and the space is irregular due to the NAV box and the CD changer box.
My 996 feels just as stable as the AWD car but my 1999 car has #220 locking differential, #222 traction control system, # 224 active brake differential, and the 18"wheels. The combination of those options makes it feel as secure as the new car with AWD.
My 1999 Carrera is for sale on autotrader.