Mods to my coupe - or C4S?...

Ok, so now I'm thinking that my new 03 slate grey coupe loaded with options (and a helluva lotta rattles and squeeks that I've spent four trips to the dealer to work out and are now almost gone) needs a sport exhaust. It's a lease, and I'll basically lose out when it's up since I doubt I'd bother pulling the sport exhaust, selling it and replacing the old one at lease end. So this gets me to thinking that I should see about trading in for an 03 C4S - which, as everyone knows, already comes with all the options many of us want and I added to the coupe (18" wheels, full leather, etc). Is this crazy? Without starting a war over which is better - what do those who have driven both think? Coupe or C4S? Should I just drive mine and not worry about it. Forget the exhaust which is spendy for an enhanced aural experience only? I would normally keep this sort of mania to myself, but I have seen over the months on this forum that there's plenty of you obsessing over just these sorts of questions everyday. Hey, it's got me not thinking about tire pressure for 24 hours...

Go back to thinking about tire pressure...

The question is - do you prefer driving 996s with 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive? They're quite different. Whatever you choose to do, you still *need* sports exhausts!

Obviously, I prefer the C4S. But, in your shoes, I don't think I would swap the "loaded" C2 right now for a C4S. It doesn't make sense, IMHO. You've already paid the money for the options, you will lose more money for ending the lease early, and you already have a car that is close to the C4S. Sport exhaust is not standard on the C4S, it is still an option, so you won't even get that in the bargain. If you were still just buying, I would say yes, get the C4S over the loaded C2. But you already have the loaded C2, so keep the C2. Go and drive it like you stole it, as they say.

There are several dealers selling PSE at good prices, get the PSE!

I took an "extended" test drive in a C2 about 6 months ago. i was impressed with the car, but if you put one side by side with a C4S, there is no comparison in my opinion. I prefer the looks, steering response, and overall feel of the C4S. You may be losing money with the trade to the C4S as Palting mentioned, but if you can afford it then I say go for it. If you end up getting a slightly used C4S then the loss could be minimized. All in all I'm sure that many individuals would love to have your dilemma!

Get the C4S - it's an amazing machine, so competent, and do not go out without the sports exhaust system. It is the best option you will ever buy - the engine just wails under strong revs.

You've gotta drive both cars. I too have taken a very long test drive in both a C4S and a C2, and given the same options, I would not take a C4S over a C2. The C2 driving experience feels much more involved; the car is more nimble and is a LOT lighter. With a C4S, you're essentially being forced into buying many "options" (turbo-look wheels, full leather, rigid suspension, PSM, upgraded stereo, etc). That said, the additional things that make a C4S a C4S (AWD, bigger brakes, and a turbo-look body) are a bargain for the balance of the price difference between a C2 and a C4S, but you have to WANT those three things. IMHO, the C2 just feels quicker (because it is). There's a reason why all of Porsche's highest-performing cars are RWD. I hope Porsche doesn't do a 320HP C4S cab...that car will be a pig! -DT

Slate gray with a PSE would be really nice. At this point I would not trade for a new C4S unless there was a significant power difference (there's none), besides you'll really get screwed on the trade in. However a GT3 or TT would be a different story... Whatever you decide don't do anything until you have tried a 996 with PSE, it's freakin amazing.