996 C4S vs. 997S

I'm not even close to doing something about this, but wondered if other C4S owners had compared both cars and what decision they had made. I still have this irrational(?) feeling that in the Midwest the awd aspect of the C4S is appealing. Comments? Thoughts?

i found this topic out of place. on what criteria should we judge compare the 2 cars?

let me know what you find out

Are you asking about use in the snow? I don't use my car in the winter, but I heard it's better than some SUV's so long as the snow is not too high. Use on the road in the other 3 seasons? The 997, S or otherwise, is a progression on the continuing evolution of the 911 towards being a GT car. Use on the track? The 997S in sport suspension comes pretty darn close to the GT3 performance lap times. Some say it's better. Me, I'm so accustomed to the AWD for track I'd have to learn new techniques with RWD that I'd rather stick with the C4S for now. I may get the 997S as a second fun car, though.

Your own I think: that's why I asked for people's opinions. As to being out of place, where would you think it belongs?

It will get used in the snow, but not deep snow - that's the Audi's job. It may get tracked but that's more of a dream than reality. Every track day so far I've had to cancel due to work commitments, sadly.

Palting said: "The 997S in sport suspension comes pretty darn close to the GT3 performance lap times. Some say it's better." I say: Want to buy a bridge? It's not even close. But if you want the security of electronics to help you go fast (and that's not a bad thing) then go with the C4S/997S. If you want direct involvement go for the GT3, but no way, no how, no time is a 997 a substitute for the GT3..there is no substitute. The difficult thing in life is choice!

Well, Colm, I wouldn't buy a bridge, but I keep an open mind. I don't go on blind faith, or at least rarely do. Disclaimers on accuracy and who's driving nothwithstanding, lap time for the MK2 GT3 at the 'Ring is 7:54, and for the 997S with sport suspension is 7:59. Pretty darn close regardless of who is driving. Anyway, my statement was a testimonial to the 997S's performance. I was comparing how close the 997 S, a Porsche dedicated for the road, can come to the performance of the GT3, a Porsche dedicated for the track. They are two different animals.

I love my C4S, I think the styling, awd,SPORT SUSPENSION, turbo brakes etc all make one hell of a car. It does need a little more hp. Imagine a C4S with a GT3 engine! My next car will probably be a 997TT. I don't think the 997s offers enough of a step upward to justify abandoning my C4S at this time. My friend Frayed will chime in to disagree, I'm sure! I love driving mine in all kinds of crappy weather. In the snow, it does ok, needs snow tires, or I just take the train! I did get stuck in both blizzards last year, my car did make it home when others didn't though, but it wasn't pretty with summer tires!

Palting Given your response i don't think we have much to disagree about! Never did actually. In the 997 instance, the lap times are the car! In the GT3 instance, it's the driver (without aids), and that was the whole point! Remember, I sold the 996 TT because the overall experience was numbing!

the reason why i told at the beginning of this conversation said that this topic is out of place, was because thase two cars are not comparable at all. they are diffent. proof of my thought is the fact that after 8-10 replies no one compared the two cars. we are talking about 997 S Vs GT3 GT3 Vs electronic helps..... NUr'ring lap times....... etc... no one said anything about the absoloute comparisson between the 2 cars.the C4S Vs 997 S my opinion is that if you are after a posh porsche, you have to take the C4S. if you are after a track porsche of course there is no other option. GT3. if you are after a nice new fast less involving car (if electronics are on) then 997 S. i would buy the GT3 cause it is my time. pure adrenaline p.s. on the other hand whatever said above, as replies, i have to say that i agree. especially the fact that the 997 S is less involving car, but have in mind that porsche in the end of the day is a car, and it should be civilized as well as other cars, BUT when chance given it should show Its capabilities..... it would be interesting to find out how a 997 S drives without electronics.....

1) 997S: improved chassis, motor, higher hp., PASM 2) C4S: AWD, no first year production problems, less expensive, and damn sexy. I'll NEVER trade in my 03 C4S for a 997S, but if I am in the market, i'll certainly consider it.

I wouldn't even consider 2WD.

Agree with Jeeva,carb. The 997s is nice, but the c4s is a totally different beast. Once you've had awd, you'll never go back!