I love this freaking C4S. Thoughts from a long time air cooled 911 owner.

After owning air cooled 911's for the last 30 years, I finally needed to upgrade to a modern 911. As much as I loved all my air cooled 911's, I needed a faster modern 911 that has reliable AC, and all the modern features like a great sound system, climate control, keyless, etc... you get the point. image.jpeg The old 911s were fun but came at a cost of performance and creature comforts. I am one of those guys that likes the computer stuff without it being a key design feature of the interior. I am a student of Porsche design history. Every hardcore Porsche owner complains that the latest 911 has crossed the line too far. I absolutely love the 996 design. I never bought into the "996 is too polished" or that the "front light pods look like a Boxster light pod" when it was first introduced. In fact, the Boxster lights were borrowed from the 996 and whats wrong with it emulating the halo and most famous model of the brand??? Now days all the Porsche sport models have somewhat similar looking lights. Front%20net.jpg If anything the 996's style has come into its own after a few evolutions of 911 styling. Which was once criticized for being too advanced seems about perfect compared to other modern thrill machines without being too techy with its interior styling. 911 owners don't like change and the 996's styling and water cooled engine was just too much for the old school boys to take all at once in one evolution of the 911. Putting a few years on the 996/997 gave me a chance to appreciate all that Porsche did with one evolution of the 911. Like fire , it's scary at first but rather amazing once you understand it. Hi%20Rear%20Net.jpg A proper 6 speed is a must and coming from a 88 Carrera, the 996 is light years better in every way. Clutch is light weight and gear throws are short and precise. PDK?? Tried it and it's not for me. I'll gladly give up 1/100 of a second 0-60mph to row the gears. Interior%201%20Net.jpg What I am getting at is this long time air cooled 911 owner has evolved to accept a contemporary 911 as just as worthy as any 911 before it. C4S%20side%20tail%20up%20net.jpg It isn't untill you lived with 911s for decades do you appreciate what is important to you and what isn't. I found a car in the 911 time line that satisfies what I consider some of the best characteristics of my past 911s but delivers them in a more user friendly package and goes like stink in comparison. C4s%20Top%20side%20sun%20Net.jpg Build quality in my particular C4S is outstanding with leather covering everything. The Bose audio system thumps even at triple digit speeds. The only thing that sound better than the upgraded audio system is the Porsche Sport Exhaust that barks its beautiful music. C4s%20Fat%20rear%20low%20net.jpg Tail%20up%20Net.jpg

Nicely done and great choice! Spot on, the 996 is a worthy son in the 911 lineage and no doubt the best bang for buck model in that history today. The 996 was, in hindsight, the perfect bridge between what was (elegant simplicity) and what has come since (techno marveled tourers). I'd wager it's the purest water-cooled 911 we'll see outside of any special / GT cars. Enjoy in good health!

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I totally agree. Tech intrusions are only getting worse and the thought of a new 911 without a manual tranny is unfathomable to me. I suspect the good old days of the "modern 911" is now with these cars while they are still somewhat affordable. I lived and owned through the last few generations of the air cooled 911s and I could tell then they were a hallmark in development of the car. I suspect the 996/997 will rise to those same admirations in the 911 history and prices will go up accordingly.

Beautiful car, I might be biased as a newbie to the pcar club but don't have a single complaint about the aesthetics of the car. All angles look good imo, especially on a C4S like yours. Every day I drive my C2 is a good day.

I agree with your sentiments. Long time owner of many AC Porsche's and my current 996 is a terrific rep of the marque. If you plan to get to New Hope from central PA send me a PM and you can try a C4S with a pair of turbos

Great write-up OP...T

Well done on the pics too

Nice to hear from an owner with an extensive air cooled background that loves his water cooled 996. Great looking C4S BTW.

Very good write up. Thank you for making my 996 increase exponentially in value. Marc

Here's mine!

Thanks guys. This C4S recharged my 911 battery. 30 years of the same kind of 911s give me a "been there, done that" feeling for the air cooled models. Time to turn the page in my Porsche career. I recommend anyone to own a 87-89 911 to get a feel of what they are all about. You master driving them hard and these new 911s feel effortless at twice the speed without trying to put you into the bushes. My last 911. (I have thing for deep silver 911s) 8e9dbdcf-308c-49fa-9792-ab61fdbfb8b3.jpg

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Seal gray?? Man, the paint gives a wet fresh glazed donut look 50' deep. Porsche knows how to do a paint job.

Well said! I've been in love with my C4S for the last 10 years!

Beautiful C4S and great pics. Truly a beautiful car!

I've had each variation of 911s since my first 1972 "S" purchased in 1975. I sold my last Porsche, a 1996 993 C4S, two years ago, and have just purchased my first water cooled Porsche, a 2004 996 40th AE. I take delivery in two weeks, and am anxious to enjoy the "newer" generation of Porsches. As the OP suggested, after years of studying and owning classic air cooled 911s, I think it will be easy to understand and appreciate the clear lineage to the 996. I'm excited to continue the journey and enjoy the drive.

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You are in for a treat. I had a 993 C2. The 996 will feel like a rocket. What is surprising is the rate of speed you will go compared to your 993. What 65mph felt like is now triple digits in the 996. I updated my radar detector but unless you are a choir boy you are gonna get tickets, especially with your nice roads in California.

To add a smidgeon to the discussion, I went from my last air cooled 911 ('87 coupe w/3.8RS engine) to a 987S that I track prepared and thoroughly enjoyed. After about 3 years I was still wanting a 911 "again" but getting an AC car again didn't get high on the list, I just found the H2O generation that much better on the track and as an occasional driver. So I set my sights on the 997s but when I cost shopped other alternatives the 996TT came into play. So did incredibly nice 80's 911s but "been there done that" over and over pushed me to my current ride. And while I still succumbed to the siren song of another AC car shortly after the 996 took a spot in the garage, that one is a project and not a regular driver. The OP comment subtext to me is that not only is it "ok" to like the water cooled first gen, it makes for a pretty smart choice emotionally, financially and practically.

I drove a friends 85 Carrera a few months back and it made me realize that I don't miss my old 85 at all. Just felt so archaic. If I ever go back to air cooled, it would be a 993 again. But it would be in addition to my 996 c4s. For some time, I had both the 996 and 993, I would enjoy looking at the 993, but found myself wanting to drive the 996. The only car I would replace the 996 with would be a 997.2 variant.

Welcome to the C4S club! Great car - Enjoy!!

Anyone else agree that after owning your air cooled 911s for awhile made you a much better driver??? You master a old 911 and you earn your superman drivers badge. IMO. I did the Glen and Poccono many times with the AC 911s at speed and that was a steep learning curve back in the day.

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Yep seal.

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^^^^This, but i'd LOVE to see the expression on their faces now after your new found Love Nice looking car BTW!

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Agreed. Consider this typical AC 911 track moment - first it's understeering when trail braking on Corner Entry... Mid corner turn in is pretty awesome with a big dramatic lift to unweight the back end and then - oh wow - now it's power on over steering on Corner Exit! Big fun to get that sorted and working right. Then you try a 944 or H2O 911 - incredibly easier.

I know the feeling. I bought a little Ferrari about 20 years ago. It's quick(not 'fast'), nimble, and lets face it, it's a screamer to listen to! But - gosh it's a job to have fun with. No ABS, limited AC, hard as heck to get in and out of, not much driver comfort or adjustment. Then -- last year I get this 996 and Bazinga! It was like I was 18 again and just got my first Fiat X1/9 but on STEROIDS. Oh man, there's so much car here that I can't even find all of it to exploit. Still like to row the trans, but I have ABS, a decent stereo, traction control, AC, great lighting, comfort and with the 99 aero, really sweet looks. I could get the C4S, but the C2 is just fine. and the price for what you get, again - I'm gobsmacked. Glad you like yours. Welcome.

Totally agree about the difference between air and water cooled. To me it is almost night and day when it comes to performance, comfort and overall useability(if there is such a word). I have only owned a few Porsches but hands down the C4S is my absolute favorite. Welcome!

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Looks wet all the time.

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Your car and photos are awesome

Good post. My air-cooled's are my toy fun cars. My 996 is my DD. My Boxster is my track car to abuse. All Porsches have their merits and place

I don't get it. My 993 is comfortable, easy to drive, quiet (without an aftermarket exhaust), easy to get in and out of, etc. If you don't mind the lack of tech, there is no reason it can't be a DD. Even the A/C is decent. If we're talking about an 85 911, ok, I'll grant you that, but with a 993, I don't see the argument that its any less comfy than a 996/7.

^personal preferences are personal.

Why settle for less, I like them both :-) Home of the C4S�s. Floor needed to be cleaned today.

Excellent and refreshing post!! Enjoyed reading it. Welcome to the C4S club!

Great write up, congrats. The C4S to me is the 2nd best looking modern 911 with the best being the mezger engined 997.1 GT3 RS. It's modern enough yet still bare of all the buttons and gadgets. The later generation 997.1 may also share some of the same rawness and lack of technology in the interior with a improved standard interior finish but the rear become bulbous instead of sleek muscular hunches the 996 C4S has and it lost the red reflector and moved the window buttons from center console to the door where I just don't like them there.

Awesome looking car. Do you know what shifter and **** that is? I've seen the combo in pictures of many 996s but I have to assume it is a swap from another model or aftermarket kit? I much prefer the look to my very narrow and tall stock shifter and ****.

Almost 8 years ago when I was looking for an upgrade from my 944 S2 I shopped across the 964, 993, and 996. I actually drove them in this order as well. The 964 excited me the most, it felt like a go kart and had all of the right sounds, smells, and felt so connected to the road. I had a smile so big I thought my face was going to crack in half. But I was concerned about the age of the car (same year as my 1991 S2) and the maintenance I would need to keep up with using it as a daily driver. The 993 felt like a premium version of the 964 but actually didn't stir the same kind of emotion for me. It was a bit more insulated and refined which was a good thing since I was looking for a daily driver, but after reading about some of the concerns about maintenance on the 993 I became a little worried. Yeah the engine was bulletproof but SAI ports, 3 hour oil changes, and other tasks that seem to be a big deal for the DIYer kind of scared me. I had believed all of the negative press about the 996 being too much like a Camry and went into the test drive not expecting a whole lot. I was pretty impressed as it had great power, was still sporty but comfortable, and from what I understood the maintenance was improved. During that time the IMS issue was coming to light but a solution had just been released so I wasn't too concerned. Went with the 996 of course but I think I would have been happy with any of the 3. Looking back now though I could kick myself because of the prices I had the opportunity to buy the 2 air cooled models at: 1991 964 - $17k!!!! 1997 993 - $26k!!!! Oh well, the 996 has served me well and I bought it to drive, not as an investment! To the OP - congratulations on your purchase and welcome!

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I do not know which shifter other than its all stock and there are a lot of aluminum upgrades. The previous owner ordered about ever option on this particular car. I have the window sticker and the list is long and expensive. I am use to Porsche upgrade option prices but some of the upgrade cost are outrageous on this car. Here is a little better pic: image_1.jpeg

...I have a "been there done that" attitude when it comes to manual shifting...on several cars over the years, and forever on motorcycles. I do shift every time I'm in the c4s...only by my thumbs this go around. Your pictures made me get up and go look in the garage- Gr8 post!

Great post and great pictures!

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Bet you need a big lawnmower with all that grass! Nice car its got a good look O_sR