4S - First test drive.

Looking for some guidance here folks. Leading on from my original post, I had an 03 plate 4S Tip (53k on the clock) out for a run this afternoon for just over half an hour over a mix of Dual and Single carriage-way roads. The car had a good spec including Sat Nav and Rear parking sensors but no Sports exhaust or Sunroof. I was impressed with the space available in the cabin and the ability to really get the seat into a very comfortable position indeed (I am just over 6ft and just under 19st). The drive was "progressive" and I was impressed how easy the car was to drive at lower speeds but (and here is the main point) I felt almost as if the car was "floating" at times and I thought I had quite a "false" feel of the road - especially at speed. The road surfaces were all dry and clean but the car simply did not feel as "planted" as I had expected. My last "progressive" car was an M3 SMGII and I feel that she was more "connected" to the road then this 4S was. The tyres all looked good although the car is needing a service. Any thoughts folks? Is what I (poorly) describe normal or is that car perhaps requiring looked at before I take things any further with the seller? All pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Colin.

Wheel alignment and tyre pressures seem to have a huge effect on how my car feels. If the tyres were overinflated, as mine were when it came back from OPC service, the car feels floatier. BUT It takes a while to get used to the characteristics of the 996.

what sort of speeds did you get to? I would agree that alignment, camber and tyre settings all affect the ride. Not only that, but the 996 does 'bounce' somewhat from the front end and particularly at higher speeds, this can be somewhat un-nerving. Perhaps also some of the drive shaft bushes may be worn? You don't mention whether the car is from an indie or an OPC? How long have they had it? have they carried out their checks on it? Does it carry an MOT and is it recent?

Thanks for the replies guys. I pushed her to just over 100 on a stretch of dual and the rest was around the 75 - 80 mph mark. The car is from an indie and he has had it for about a month (or so he tells me). The tax and MOT both expired last month and the last service was 15k miles ago in early 2008. The guy stated that he was needing a firm commitment to buy prior to giving the car to the local Porsche dealer for a full service - the cost of which he would absorb providing he got the asking price of 28k. Being the first one I have ever driven; I simply had no idea what to expect - what I experienced may very well just be the nature of the beast. It has done nothing to deter me from aquiring a good, high spec, low mileage example.

Hi, Suggest you drive a C2S and you will definately notice the front lift and the famous 911 floaty light steering experience!!! A 996 has specific characteristics, the M3 is a solid bit of kit and for sure gives the perception of being more planted but it is certainly IMHO not as nimble or as reactive. M3 and the AMV8 are similar in that respect. You need to have a good blast for a few hours as you know to get a proper feel of a performance car. Test drive several, plenty of good examples out there for good prices. Coupe all the way, no need for the sun roof :wink: Enjoy your search, 996 C4S the best looking of the 996 fleet hehe :thumbs: Cheers Alan.

I'll be honest - my first few test drives in a 996 were quite underwhelming for me too. At low speed it was more refined than I was expecting and was actually easier to drive, quieter and had better visibility than my previous car (Nissan 350Z). I walked away feeling confused, and even a little disappointed. However, these cars come alive at speed - once you start pushing on they just get better and better, the car just seems to respond to every input and turns from a civilised GT into a fantastic driving machine; it's abilities are certainly beyond mine (on the road) and I am more and more amazed every day as I learn and push it more and more. I would definitely suggest driving as many as you can, 2wd and 4wd, tip and manual, to get a feel for what you want, and also what a healthy one should feel like. I would also recommend the PSE; it adds so much to the car, I think the sound is still my favourite thing about mine. My advice would be to walk away from the one you've driven - it's long overdue a service and there are many more out there that have probably been better cared for (there seem to be a lot of C4S's on Autotrader at the moment)...

+1 on walking away based on service history - limit would be 24 month 12k. Sunroof is nice but very noisy if open fully at speed. PSE or Oettle etc alternative is an absolute must. If you have 28K to spend there are plenty of good C4S just be patient and careful.

This sounds like a perfect description of my own experience. I'm now casually doing things every day that would have scared the crap out of me sixth months ago. You just learn to trust it and keep getting more. And I'm sure I'm nowhere near the limit.

I've had my C2 Coupe for 3 months now and done about 1200 miles and have also been suprised with the feel of the car at high speed (80mph+). I've just had the 4 wheel laser alignement checked and I also run the tyres 4psi below the recommended settings and have found the lower tyres pressures to have helped. I drive a 3 series BMW company car doing 30k miles a year and it does take a bit of getting use to jumping from one to the other but there's only one car that leaves a big grin on my face every time I get out :lol: I also have PSE and have done the mod to cut out the 30 to 45mph bypass and the sound alone is one of the best parts of driving the car. I disagee with the comment about the sunroof as driving with it fully open and both windows down at normal cruise speeds under 80mph is truely fantastic (I do close the windows and have the sunroof on tilt only above these speeds). Good luck with your search but don't leave it too long as the sunny driving weather is fast approaching......... especially on the roads up her in the North Wales :thumb:

Hi Colin I am 8 weeks into my first modern Porsche (a C4S) and absolutely love it! I have had M3s in the past, which on first impressions were good but after a while became a bit dull, and the SMG was was awful (IMO). True the 996 is a bit floaty, but you soon get used to it. Its a great car and as has been said on here before the more you ask for the more it gives. I would be surprised if any sane person could go over the limit on public roads. I have taken mine up to over 140 (in Germany of course!!) :grin: and it feels great! You won't regret it! When I took mine for a test drive it was on Sadleworth Moor, very bumpy, staright and rough surface we topped just over 100mph in places for about 100m then tested the PCCBs. It felt very light and a bit unnerving. BUT, the noise, power, excitement and the way the thing looks had me signing there and then. It was the 2nd one I'd looked at. The one you mention rings a bell. PM me and let me know which it is because if its the one I looked at its a bit of a moose! As regards spec and price, £28k for a 03 with 53k on the clock sounds a bit lumpy. I paid a tiny bit more for a 54 plate manual with 35k, PSE, PCCB's, Sunroof PCM2 service in Novemner (1,000 miles before I bought it) from an indie so that one sounds a bit dear. Ok my indie wasn't a Porsche "specialist" but a high performance specialist with Ferraris, a few 996's etc etc. Warranty and even a 111 point check up by OPC Leeds. Take the plunge, they are great. P.S YOU MUST HAVE PSE, ITS THE BOLLOX! And take the relay out its even better! Good luck Ben

yep - PSE. and to get rid of that 'floatay..... like petay pan...' feeling, you MUST get KW's fitted. :grin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyUNqnE84Ks&feature=related

My last car was a 2003 M3 and I have a 2003 C4 manual now. Both wonderful cars but I enjoy my 911 more and feel more connected with it. The C4S is a great model and I drove several but in the end chose the narrow bodied C4 out of personal preference. My advice drive several variants and don't just buy the first. For £28k plenty to choose from. Get a PPI By a Porsche specialist and get them to have a look at it on a ramp to look at chassis, bushes, suspension. I found mine quite sensitive to wheel alignment changes. The feel of a 911 will be different from a M3. With less weight on front on undulations you can sometimes feel the front lightening more. Something that is just different. You may notice this even more in a normal C2 as less weight in front. However I rate the steering feel on my 911 as much better than my M3 and I can push it harder than my M3. On track days I am a smidge faster too. BMW a bit better under late braking and abut better with rapid direction changes in S bends but I can get on the power earlier and find better traction than in M3. I Use mine everday and find it just as easy to live with as the M3. Good luck finding a nice one.

Gents, thanks again for all the replies. I have decided not to go for the one I tried yesterday; I shall bide my time and look further south (England) when I am next back in the UK. I went into the local Porsche dealer today and they were friendly and informative but very expensive. They tried to tell me that it was not realistic to aquire a nice 03 4S for less then 30k. I certainly hope to get what I want for atleast a couple of grand less then that. I am due home again in late June, so I shall resume the search again then. Thanks again for putting up with what must seem pretty mundane questions from this 911 virgin. Kindest regards, Colin.

Probably a wise decision dude - and forgive me for speaking on behalf of the other members here, but no apology needed - this is what the forum is for...!!! innit?? :dont know:

innit blood, you get me aaaight! Wicked! :floor: Good luck with the search!