stsanford

Availability... I got mine because there was a C4 coupe in the showroom. No 4S. I would have gotten the 4 S, but the Widebody was more important to me than the extra 30 horses. My car's got PSE as well as 19"s so it's pretty decent even without the S.

Here's another reason for 4:
what if you're like me and you have that slight fear of having the rear come out and say "hi" at an inopportune time!
I like the "safety" of the 4, but I'm an AWD beliver having had AWD cars for the past 10 years or so. Yes, heavier, maybe less steering input, but I've only driven AWD 911s, so I'm dumb and don't know the difference: 993 TT, 996C4 Cab, 997 C4.

Vitamin_J

stsanford lays out an excellent counterpoint. Ditto...

+1

Jakeman

I think it was Top Gear that had a comparison between a 997 and a 997 4 on a dirt indoor rally track. The 997 4 did better on the track in terms of its time, but the drivers liked the 997 more.

Jakeman

aashish84

Here's the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xkfUA1Gzlo

Edgy01

How many of you are racing your 997s on a dirt track? How many of you are driving your $100K 997 in the snow out there with all the nut cases with bad steering on their rusty 1972 Plymouths?

The training wheels on the 4s are a big marketing angle from Porsche. With PASM and PSM the latest 911 offering from Porsche handles so well in 2WD form that you just don't need AWD. If you really want a 997 on the best financial terms, buy a stripped 997 coupe,--not even an S.

Jakeman

That's what I did-- probably one of the cheapest cars on this forum at 6.25% over invoice.

J

rdstemler

Had a C2 on order when a highly optioned C4 CPO with 2300 miles became available. Since I'm only streeting this one, a C4, even with less gas mileage and the smaller engine, was acceptable. It corners as well as I can ask on the street. I can still get thrown in jail for exceeding the speed limit by well over 100%. And lastly since I won't be drag racing, the slightly slower acceleration was OK!! The C4 worked!! I got it!

HOWEVER, where I tracking or desireous of better performance the C4 would have some/all of the beforementioned drawbacks!!

Figure out what you are gonna do with the car and then get the most you can afford!!!

That is why the 997 GT3 still holds such an attraction!!

MMD

The Hp difference I look at this way:

The only time I'm really (justifiably?) glad I have the extra HP of the S is when I'm passing a slower car and the [expletive] driver of that car speeds up.

dstrimbu

Guys: I'm totally cool with the fact that the 2WD 997s are faster for experienced drivers. I'm not an experienced driver, yet... <g> It's just personal preference, and I agree with both Ron and Bob as to the limitations of AWD. I just feel better in the C4S.

And I understand the winter thing. I have a set of Pirelli 240 SnowSports on takeoffs _simply_ for the really cold winter days where the roads are clear but the temps cause the PS2s to flat spot.

Did I drive the car in snow this last winter? Yeah, I had to for about two weeks when the BMW was down for the count. Did I enjoy it? Hell, the car is a better snowmobile than some snowmobiles...

Was I happy changing it up with the '72 Plymouths out there, as Dan stated? Not at all. Therefore, winter duty will be limited moving fwd.

I think that I bought the C4S because Porsche marketing got my number... :-)

-don

Alan Smithee

It's a non-issue with the 2WD 997. You have to try very hard to unsettle the rear, even in the wet.

mglobe

+1, and true on the track as well as the street. The modern 911 is a very stable car.

Bob in NY

I had an 01 C4, 06 C2 and now an 06 C4S. I like AWD, I won't be driving my car in the snow and salt because it's 4wd. I like the characteristics of the handling, ride and stability at high speed. The C2 and C2S are fine cars but please don't think the only advantage to AWD is traction in snow. My RWD MB does fine in the snow with winter tires. I doubt turbo owners are getting out the snow tires for next winter. The car feels different and for my taste better than RWD. They make all these models of the 911 to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and driving habits. Is there really a bad Carrera in the P car stable? Not! AWD is not just for Snow!

paragongja

How many of you out there have had the back out slip out around a corner?

RonCT

5k miles on C2S with PS2 / Toyo RA1 and back end has never slipped out even under 100% throttle exiting a tight turn at Lime Rock and / or Watkins Glen in Black run group. Suspension and uber grip of the 295s (305s with Toyos) just won't let the back end get out of line...

dndodd

"How many of you out there have had the back out slip out around a corner?'

With the worn out Pirellis on the back, when I wanted to.

With new 305 PS2's on the back now, not so easy.