996 4S - Heavy Steering, lifeless

Hello everyone! I'm hoping some of the folks can help guide me through as I navigate to the possibility of my first Porsche! I currently have an ND Miata in manual as a daily, and it is a joy and dream to drive. But I now need a back seat for my daughter, so the Miata is likely going to go away in favor of something hopefully equally fun and engaging to drive. I test drove an M240i in the automatic with paddle shifters, and I was surprised at how small and engaging it felt. I was able to break the rear tires loose a bit and the B58 pulled harder than I expected. I thought I was going to dislike it, but I did not. As for 911s, there are few that I could take out for a good spin, but I was fortunate enough to step into an 996 4S. I'm based in SoCal so I wasn't planning on a 4, but that's what I could drive for the time being. The power was delicious, the sound a symphony. The interior really still felt modern and elegant. But the steering felt surpassingly heavy, and the gear shifter felt a little floaty, not nearly as mechanical and direct as the Miata. The car I drove had 40k miles on it, so likely a bit of a garage queen. Two questions: 1. Is the heaviness of the steering due to the AWD? Might I find it significantly lighter in the C2? 2. Is the shift lever in the 996 always on the floaty side? Thank you all in advance! P.S. For those wondering why I'm comparing an M240i to a 996 Carrera, they are right in the same price range, that low 40k range. Certainly the BMW comes with plenty of new tech, but what is most important to me is driving experience and fun factor.

The 996�s steering, when it was released originally, was criticized by some as feeling too light. My 996 also has light steering (especially light when the tank is empty). So I�m not sure why the 996 you drove has heavy steering. I would find another one to drive if you can and report back. The 996 shifter isn�t floaty, but it�s also not super precise either. Folks coming from other cars that want better shifting feel either replace the cables and/or shifter, but in general, the shifter is good. Again, I would drive another 996 and compare the two.

1. Yes for the most part. U also have to remember 57% of the weight is over the rear tires so they balance the car with staggered tires. The type if tire, size and quality really has an effect on these cars. 2. The shifter feel can be transformed to riffle bolt action feel with a $750 Numeric shifter. There r other options from $50-500 too.

M240i has electric power steering which has high levels of assist at lower (manoeuvring) speeds and up to something like 35-40mph. A hydraulically assisted rack like on the 996 will have not such high levels of assist at these speeds. Does that align with your observations or did you notice it at higher speeds?

I hear that loud and clear that I should drive another 996. I have to admit, I think they are aging so nicely. The steering feel definitely was at lower speeds, this was in some more traffic heavy areas around the dealership before I got to open up a bit. Duly noted on the Numeric shifter. I'd love to learn more about those if I end up going this route! What I'd really love to do is rent a 996 C2S for a weekend. Turo in my area has really nothing older than about 2012 which I don't think would be a good comparison by any means.

If you want to try a C2S, you will have to go a 997 C2S, 996 did not come in C2S model.

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If the 996 C4S is in the low 40s, make sure you have an answer for the IMS bearing and all the service records. If it has more than 4 previous owners, I would bail.

That's wild. I completely assumed they made a 996 in the Carrera S. How did I miss this?! And thank you for the buying advice!

Try a 996 C2. Completely different feel than a C4S and Turbo. Nothing lifeless about the feel. But if you want a nimble and tight experience with the 996 C2, you should consider a set of coilovers and sway bars with the suspension set to GT3 specs.

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Myself and a few others managed to get a 996 C2S�. By converting the C4S to RWD. Relatively simple and reversible procedure which should lighten the steering feel and make the otherwise heavier C4S more nimble. As far s as the shifter goes I can�t wait to upgrade mine as well. Something I have on the to do list in the not so distant future. Good luck with your purchase, the C4S is the best looking 911 of all generations so it�s an absolute pleasure and privilege to own one.

While I haven't driven a C2 of any year I love my 2005 C4S. The steering does not feel heavy to me and I'm an old guy. The steering feels precise. Turn it and it goes where you want it to go even on an AutoX course. Before I ran it a guy who has AutoX'd about every car with great skill told me my C4S was going to be a push monster. After my first session during which he was corner marshalling, he walked over and said "That thing is not pushing at all...is it?" My reply "Nope...not at all." I know someone who pulled the front drive out of his car and loves it, but I have a question: Considering everything else remains stock wouldn't pulling the front drive et al affect the intended design balance of the car? This is beside the fact that I totally prefer the look of the C4S...

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There's a weight difference, but probably the best opportunity you get from pulling the front drive is just being able to use RWD 996 front suspension. AWD 996 has some pretty strange front geometry (strut angle) and without having done the kinematics I assume that's part of why they feel so different.

As someone who owns both a 996 and a Miata, I think what you'll find is that the inputs of the Miata are arguably better than most 911s. People here won't like to admit it, but that's simply the case. The 996 shifter is garbage next to a Miata (either the 5 or 6 speed, any generation really). I find the steering in the GT3 to be quite lively and communicative, on par or maybe a bit better than the Miata (it is certainly a different experience). The 4S has a few disadvantages that are pretty easily rectified (pull front diff, driveshaft, throw stub axles on the front, or just replace uprights altogether). Steering feel does depend a good bit on the tires as well, so I wouldn't be too discouraged yet. Go drive another one (my recommendation is always a 1999 C2 coupe if you can find a decent one).