Some love for the 996 C4S

From the Excellence Magazine supplement - Porsche Buyer's Guide 2012 on the 996 series: BEST DAILY DRIVER 2002 - 2005 911 Carrera 4S ($30,000 - 40,000) It's clear that the Carrera 4S lived up to the "S" moniker that appears on its decklid. It may not have a more powerful motor, but the suspension, brakes, and bodywork - which are based on 996 Turbo components - work astoundingly well with the regular, 320-hp 3.6-liter flat six. It's one of the best-balanced, most-rewarding 996 based 911s you can drive, combining superb handling, all-wheel-drive traction, and aggressive styling, while retaining the everyday usability and comfort 911s are known for. Porsche's figures indicate the C4S was four seconds quicker around N�rburgring than the lighter, narrower, rear-wheel-drive Carrera. Somehow, the heavy all-wheel-drive system defies expectations and doesn't dilute the car's handling; if there's a 996 that could convert a rear-drive fanatic to all-wheel-drive, the C4S is it. And with a chassis that's "over-engineered" for 320 hp, we said in 2002, "the C4S may be the safest Porsche you can buy." Safety by the way of stability is crucial if you spend a lot of time on the road. But it's the balance that the Carrera 4S achieves on so many other levels that makes it such a satisfying car to own, as well as the best 996 for daily driving.

Amen brother! From the GTPorsche June 2011 "Buyer's Guide" issue" Best Buy �20,000 - �25,000 ($33,500 - $41,775 USD) "However, if it's a modern Porsche you're looking for, the options are still varied, such as the superb 996 Carrera 4S. With its Turbo look, suspension and brakes, the C4S was an instant hit and today is a 911 that's hard to beat both in terms of point-to-point base, value for money, and future classic potential. The broad-minded have even considered the Carrera 4S to be the water-cooled equivalent of the 1973 2.2 911S; high praise indeed."

LOVE the C4S....................you know I am an honorary member of this religion

Yes, I did know that!

I am liking my C4S more and more every day. Went for a pleasure drive yesterday and started thinking again that I really could live with just the C4S and as much as I like the C2 maybe I should let that one go. A local used car dealer has a 2003 C4S with 37k on the clock. Stopped to check it out and it looks to be a very straight and well cared for car. The dealer has no clue what they are sitting on, all they know is that it is a clean, low mileage 2003 Porsche so they think they can get $43K for it. I felt them out for mid $30's and received a rather negative response along the lines of "we don't resell cars at trade value or auction prices" Made me wonder what they have invested in this car. And when I mentioned the IMSB issue they were clueless and stated that they have sold Porches before and no one ever mentioned it. If I didn't already own one I'd pursue this one, wife got a little nervous when I told her I stopped to check it out, she knows I do crazy stuff.

I have a c2, but love the C4S, and could see myself owning one someday. It made my wife nervous the other day when I referred to my C2 as "My first Porsche." I got a look like...oh crap, this isn't going to go away Btw, I love Silo's "she knows I do crazy stuff" line, classic!

Funny thing about my C2; it was optioned up to nearly the price of a C4S ($83k original sticker). Most of the options, such as PSM and full leather, were standard on the C4S. I always wondered why the guy didn't just buy the AWD car. I would have.

I will say I get more positive comments about the C4S than the C2. Yesterday ended up being a perfect sunny day for a drive. So with windows down and roof open I went for a cruise. Stopped at a light to make a left and I suddenly hear a really loud "beautiful"! I turn and look and the guy does the thumbs up and says "beautiful car". Hell - I knew he was talking about the car - no one has called me beautiful in many years.

When I first got mine I was on cloud 9! Took it to the track within 6 months and was kinda regretting not getting a C2. Then I kept going to the track and hearing more and more from other track going C4S's and I'm on cloud 9 again

I agree. I like that it looks significantly different than a regular 996. A 997 4 or 4S doesn't look that different at all except for wider rear fenders and a a reflector on later 997s

Love the C4s but I just can't stand the front bumper. I'm more of a gt3/aero front end.

+1 trendy 996 plus i like to let the *** rip every now and then.....

That's a nice little write-up! I love my C4S. I love them all but I've always had a preference for the widebody cars. I guess I like big butts (I cannot lie). -Eric

i use my c4s as a daily driver. better every drive.

NICE! I love mine as well... its my only car and I wouldnt have it any other way.

Thanks for raising awareness about this article. I am hit or miss on regularly reading Excellence. As a 2002 C4S owner I always like to see positive references to the car. It is not my first Porsche and is a long way from being my first and only sports car, but for a 10+ year old car now it still gets more complements than almost any other car I have owned (except for my '72 Stingray) and I enjoy every moment that I drive in it. I did have a great weekend two weeks ago up here in western WA and spent most of the day driving the back roads around Mt. St. Helens and down to the Columbia Gorge. Just me and the car, no wife to get car sick and complain I am driving too fast. Just a few days like that each year keep my "affair" with the C4S alive! Enjoy the road