Trading 993TT for a 2003 C4S, Any thoughts

I really like all the shiney new stuff on the 2003, and it actually sounds better than my twin turbo (it has the X51 option), but the seats aren't as snug and the driving feels "detached". Has anyone else gone from a 993 to a 996? I'd like to know how you feel about the transition...

No matter what you do you will miss the 993, however with that being said the 996 a great car . You will get used to the way it drives, it really isnt detached its the fact that it doesnt take as much force to drive it.You will see with a little seat time how much better it is. Good luck and let us know when it hits you, Yea this is a better car.With that being said A 993 TT is well a 993 TT, and you will miss the power.

I can't help you much,....but, FWIW 3 yrs. ago when I was looking to purchase my first Porsche, and my decades of dream of owning a Porsche almost becoming a reality, I only wanted a 993TT,...I had on occasions flew out of state to check for a car, and at one time had placed a deposit for a 993TT with dealer in CT. Then I made the big mistake of walking in to my dealership and driving the 996, turned out to be the C4S. Even though I had to pay a bit more to get the C4S, I never regretted making this decision. New car under warranty was a factor on top of the driving feel that made that last bit of convincing to go with the C4S . In your case you've bonded withe the 993TT and may miss the rawness, and the boost. So, may want to look into a GT3 (definitely less of the "detached" feeling and closer to your current car, and you'll get the new shiny stuff). But, for me it turned out to be a C4S (gt3 was not yet available for the 996, neither was the 40th). But, I still love it every time I drive it, and never felt like I wanted a 993TT or the 996gt3, so just an extremely satisfied owner of a 996 C4S.

You do realize you are going from a 400+HP 3491lb car to a 320HP 3241lb one? The 996 C4S is a definite and significant step up in creature comforts and ease of driving as well as ease in driving fast. But, much as I love my C4S, it is a step down in power. Then there is the old "raw vs gentrified" argument. Unless there is a problem with your car, I would hold on to the 993TT until I can afford a 996TT. No question it would be a step up. Or, even better, until I can afford a 997TT.

X51 on the C4S???

Why oh Turbo brother Lots of reasons to go from a 993 to 996, but to take a huge step back in performance and exclusivity.......sorry, can't condone that Now if you are a convertable kind of guy who misses the open air and the 996TT cab is out of reach (it was for me), then I can kind-of see the appeal of going 993TT to 996 C4S.

I've driven both - you will miss the power.

Thanks all, these replys mirror my thoughts exactly. I would actually be going from ~400 hp / ~3500lbs to ~345hp / 3250lbs. But I'm not sure less hp is such a bad thing. The last time I got a ticket I was doing 130 mph (thank heaven the officer didn't show up twice) and I have been pulled over and warned at 160 and 180. Sooner or later I'm going to end up in Jail! But I can't help it, the turbo "calls to me". So losing 55 hp and 250 lbs may be a good thing... What I'll really miss is the feeling of oneness with my car. I am really hoping kilrgt is right, and that I will learn to appreciate the 996, even though I will have to change my member name and my icon.

No way I would trade a 993TT for any NA 996. Come to your senses man, dont do it!

I don't think switching to the C4S will get rid of the speeding ticket problems,...I am talking from experience here . It is plenty easy to hit triple digits without even realizing, will certainly not be as easy as your TT, but it is wickedly fast. The only cure for this is to hit the tracks. The fun on a road course will almost totally destroy the speed demon in you. Trust me, the high of going through corners at the limit will make going at 150+ mph like a walk in the park. Keep your car and hit the tracks, if you have to change then you'll have even a bigger resaon to consider the gt3 (prices may go down, now that the 997gt3 will be soon out). But, if this is'nt an option check out the CaymanS (highly tossable and less difficult to get in to speed problems) so very enjoyable even at low speeds. But my advice, keep your car and hit the tracks.

Have to agree, as much as I like my C4S, I'd much rather have a 993TT.

My vote is for both, or keep the 993tt. If you own the car outright, I would save some cash for a C4S for a daily driver - the best of both worlds. In fact I'm looking to do exactly that, a 993tt is looking more like my next car. Rob

you just have the itch... you know, the itch to get something new. resist it. the 993TT is a keeper. mod it... aero, suspension, interior,engine, whatever... to make it new again. the c4s will get old too especially with much less HP. oh ya, keep those high speeds on the track

In case anyone is curious, after 1 week I remain undecided. Both cars are incredibly fun. Though the 993TT is more fun. All 996 C4Ss include the M030 sport suspension, and the X51 option on mine generates enough power, and it sounds much better than the turbo, but it is not a thinly disguised racer like the 993TT. So I do miss the turbo. I don't however miss the broken door stops, the broken brake light, the broken electric motors, the worn out shocks and springs, the sticking ash tray, the broken passenger airbag cover, the broken dash vents, the ripped up carpet, the dried out wiring harnesses, the chips and scratches (are you getting the point?). So the question remains unanswered...

When you put it that way... C4S all the way!

well your intial complaint of being detached mirrors my experience with a C4s. I had a nagging sense of under steer which can be remedied or tailored more to my liking with some suspension changes. But doing these really reqquires the right choices by a real pro, otherwise the wrong moves can get expensive fast. I'd like the C4s as a daily driver and use my BoxsterS just during above 70 degree weather. THe car is useless on wintery roads. I have GT3 seats so I share your seating complaint. GT3 are a must have IMHO if you have no physical limitations. They work in the 993 with proper brakcets. The seats really make you appreciate the steering on rear/mid engine cars. Eventually you have to move on. You sound to me like a guy who should avoid REALLY high horsepower cars and develop other areas of the driving expereince a bit more. My friend got his final speeding ticket has to sit without a driver's license for at least one year (possibly two years, still in the works) and here in NJ his insurance bill is going to be like giving up a kidney. The more power you have the more you want to use it. THat's why I stay clear of cars with such power. I know my self too well and I'm not nearly that good of a driver(yet). Besides the power game is one you'll never win. I'm sure even a guy with 600 HP years for 700. Kinda like a new mod, put it in the car, get all excited and then its like it was always there and you look for the next one.

For the price you are going to pay for an 03 C4S, you can pick up an 02 TT for not much more $. That would be an OK tradeoff IMO.

PerfectLap: Thank you for the advice; I agree completely. The only mechanical flaws I can find in the 996 C4S are in fact the seats and the front springs. The euro spring set, p/n 996.343.533.30/540, and the GT3 seats should fix the"americanized" version. Any idea where I can find Savanna Beige Leather GT3 seats or order factory euro springs? I also agree that I should stay away from excessive power. The 996 C4S does not "call to me" like the 993TT did. I hate to turn that page in my life, but I have been excessively lucky in avoiding the penalties associated with 180 MPH driving.

The 993TT weighs 3307 pounds... according to all the specs I have seen. Still too heavy, but nowhere near the 3500 pounds quoted in previous posts. The reason that there are so many different makes of cars are because there are so many different opinions about what is right. What's right for me is probably not right for you. Cool.

The best car buying decision I ever made was buying a 993 in 1996. The worse was trading the 993 for an '02 M3. My 993 was an extremely well built, no frills sports car, that I miss dearly. I've had the pleasure of driving a 993TT on many occassions, and I can't believe that you are seriously considering selling it for a 996. As far as getting less HP so that you won't go as fast, I don't buy the argument. High HP gets you to high speeds faster, but you can easlly hit 170+ in a 996.

You will defiantly miss the power and be eaten by mustangs all the time.

Excellent point, you cannot be in to drag racing at all. Get a 996TT, a much better car than both. When you said, "the C4S doesn't call to you" it's clear, DO NOT GET IT, YOU"LL REGRET IT.