Has grown on me, buying advice please.

I used to have a 993 C2S, sold earler this year and miss porsche driving a lot. Have now more or less gone the full step to use it as my everyday car. One thing the 993C2S was never good at was longer highway trips that I do frequently in my work. So now I am torn between a C4 or a C4S. C4S is an OK deal equipment wise. I have driven both cars but only shorter fun rides. The question is simple. Comfort/Suspension and noise wise, is the C4S a hard one. My 993 C2S was not good for trips, where a std 993 was almost OK comfortable. Same applies to 996 with or without S? Does anyone here use 996 C2/4 or C4S as an everyday and puts between 25-35.000 kms in it a year? Jan

I drive my '03 C4-S pretty much everyday and the ride is stiff. When I first got the car I was actually disappointed in the ride because it was so stiff. After almost 2 months now it's either broken in a bit, or I am getting used to it. I like the ride now but it's still stiff over rough roads, expansion joints, and crack fills. Some people on this forum told me to play with tire pressure setting and possibly other tires to help but at this point I don't feel I need to. I don't know what the roads are like in Sweden so that might be a factor. But I wouldn't recommend it for longer trips in the U.S. as we have poor roads.

My C4 is my daily driver, nearing 40k miles cumulative. Ride is not harsh at all. By the time April rolls around I miss the driving experience a great deal. As much as I think my Tahoe is a great truck for the farm and winter duty, when winter is over my spirit soars with the thought of getting back into my C4. The mor I drive this car the better I like it. Don't even get me started on how passionate I am about my 928 GT........

Would have been nice to hear some more comments, but it seems like this confirms what I expected. C4S is beautiful but a bit hard on you for longer trips. Thanks LanceK and Gretch. Jan

Jan...You're quite welcome. I'm not up on the specific differences between suspensions but if I remember correctly there IS a difference between a C4 and C4-S in terms of ride quality and performance as well. You might try a search of the forums.

C4S has a different suspension set up as well as different brakes. Ride is lowered as well.

I use my C4S as an almost daily driver. I can confirm the impressions that have been given to you. The ride IS firm, and it can get annoying if you are on a long highway with bad expansion joints. Thankfully, most of the US long distance interstates are fairly well maintained, and the annoyance is quite trivial.

Yup, to confirm, mine is a C4 not a C4S. Long ride to work monday and friday, (120+ miles). I am a bit stiff from the ride, but that prolly is because I am old (50+). My 928 GT is a great long distance driver, and the C4 is only slightly less comfortable...... I have no experience in a C4S.......

Gretch, you're never old for a Porsche.. ..at least let us beleive so and give us some hope! Waz (34+)

i live in calif, SF. when the road surface is rough, the ride is pretty bad. but on most fwy and surface streets, i acutally find the C4S suspension WAY too soft. i think it's very much an idividual feel thing. try it. long distance cruising? excellent. it more comfy than my fathers 928 and much better than my 964.

I have a C2 with the M030 (I know not exactly what you are asking C4/C4S). I purchased in Denver and drove it back over 2 days to San Jose. Quite a journey: snow, ice, sleet, hail, rain, sun, desert, hills. Everything! In terms of ride comfort though I found it excellent. Especially considering it had the M030 suspension. Also I deal with the rough SF/Bay Area roads too. And although firm, I still find it no problem. When I go into my buddies LS430 it's a world of comfort and nice cruiser...but it's not a sports car!

I suspect you'll find either one of 'em a lot more comfortable generically than the 993. Having had a 993 c4 prior to my 996, for me the 996 is a more pleasant car, which is what some die hards don't really like about it. Can't say I've made extensive long runs in my car, ( C2 lowered with HR coilovers), but on the ones that I have, I find I'm far more relaxed when I arrive than I was in the 993 C4, even though that had the stock suspension and the new car has a full sport suspension.

My C4 does leave me a bit stiff after an extended drive. But it is better than my 993C2, which left me feeling down right arthritic after an extended drive. If you really want a daily driver Porsche that will leave you refreshed after an extended drive get a 928 S4 or GTS. My wife and I have taken extended trips in the 928 and she agrees it is more comfortable than our Bimmer.

Wait, please... First, I'll be 63 the last of July this year. We took factory delivery of an 01 C4 in the spring of 01. 1600 miles for the tour of the castles of europe, many of those at 130+ on the autobahn, and then 2500 from the POE of entry to home (MPH WILL vary). IMMHO only the LS4x0 would have offered more comfort and assurance for all those miles. Long distance driving? I can chose the RX300, the LS400, or the C4. Both the C4 and the RX have made the trip to central MT and return, 1600 miles. The RX only because it was wintertime.

You are never too old for a Porsche!!!!! A Dr. friend told me a story last week about a Dr. friend of his that lives in Shreveport, LA. His mom who is in her 80s decided she wanted a sportscar. She bought herself a 996TT. She drove it to church and totaled it. Went right back to the dealer and got another one! Watch out for Granny in for Shreveport! Cheers to All..... Robert

i've driven 23k mi since last march. the c4s ride is firm but not punishing. on well maintained swedish roads you should not have a problem. the continental tires have better wet traction an a slightly better ride with less noise than pzeros. the c4s has spoiled me for other cars which now all feel clumsy. long trips are no problem. my wife and i spent a week touring the hudson river valley--drove about 1500 in good comfort. the c4s was also good in the snow with pirelli snows. my only concern is how i'll ever replace this car! btw, i'm 51 y.o. and weigh 100 kilos. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />

Gretch 50+ Waz996 34+ Willard 63+ 993 45+ 996 C4S 18+ fadz 36+

I had a 2000 C4 and found it way too soft. Now I have a 2000 GT3 and I use it as my daily driver. Only on really bad roads do I find it too hard. Last December I took it on a 1500 mile cross-country trip and loved every minute of it. And it has GT3 seats. So it's a personal thing. I find the regular Carrera, C4S and TT to be GT cars more than true sports cars. I should think the C4S would make a superb long-distance car.

Thanks for all comments. C4 or C4S, that is the question. Since I never saw my Porsche as beeing a daily, I have to go back and testdrive them both in a different way. The fun part is understood already <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Plan to do that in the next 2-3 weeks. Will keep you posted. Jan

i have driven a c4 for 2 years as my daily car, winter and summer, and now have a tt. the c4 is a much better idea, if a softer ride is your desire, then a c4s. let me take it one step further-get the 17 inch wheels. it is much easier to get snow tires for them. also stay away from the aero-kit, as it will decrease your clearance over snow.