carrera 4 on track ?

I'm looking for another 911, early 2000's. If I get a 4, I'd drive it all year, but since there is DE in the summer I'm curious as to it's track behavior. Thoughts ? JN

I haven't driven it, but I've run with one and I can say that it's no faster in the dry and staggering in the wet. If you want an all-year car I don't think you'd be paying much of a penalty on track.

I haven't tracked my 99 C4 Cab, but my old '02 996 TT coupe was great on the track. I don't feel that the AWD adversly affected the handling at all.

'99 C4- Had my car on wet track last fall, kicked butt, Boxsters were spinning out and everyone was going slow and sliding around but me, (all wheel drive and PMS rule) it was a hoot. Also, there is a Top Gear comparison video between the C2 and C4 floating around, as I recall, the C4 won but the C2 was more fun to drive in the drivers opinion.

correction-PMS does not rule, it sucks, PSM Rules!!!!!!!!

A couple of lap times from Track-Challenge: N'ring: C2 = 8.17, C4 = 8.23 Hockenheim "Short Ring": C2 = 1:15.9, C4 = 1:16.6. The C4 is heavier, with the same brakes, tires, suspension, etc., as the C2 so these results are sensible. C4S might be a different matter: wider track, bigger brakes, bigger tires and subsequently bigger grip.

[QUOTE=The C4 is heavier, with the same brakes, tires, suspension, etc., as the C2 so these results are sensible. C4S might be a different matter: wider track, bigger brakes, bigger tires and subsequently bigger grip.[/QUOTE] The C2 and the C4 does not have the same suspension. It is my understanding that the C4 suspension has been beefed up to support the extra front weight due to the AWD system. Also, PSM was an option on the C2, while standard on the C4. I think the standard wheel option was also different.

Yes, the C2 and C4 suspensions are tuned differently as you suggest, but they are standard suspensions....... In other words, buying a C4 over a C2 does not net you a sport suspension, uprated brake system, etc. All still base level stuff. And I'm not sure if PSM will actually improve track behavior. Safety net, yes, but improved performance, I wouldn't think so.

For a track as long as the N�rburgring 6 seconds isn't a huge difference, also according to Track Challenge the C4 does beat the C2 in terms of handling: C4 C2 Slalom Course (36m) 129 Km/h 121 Km/h Evasive Course (110m) 136 Km/h 129 Km/h

Yes, the slalom speeds are better, but from the same source, of the 11 turns of tne N'ring for which they post speeds (also an indication of handling capability), the C4 is carries a higher speed on two, the same speed on one, and lower speeds than the C2 on the other eight. On the H'ring, the C2 is faster through 4 of the 5 corners listed. The C2 has better acceleration and braking figures posted as well. If slalom speeds were the ultimate test for a track car, Boxster S would be the most successful racer in the world, as it's slalom speeds are matched by very few cars of any price.

Yea, yea, I'm just sayin'......

Well, I am not so sure about that either. The 996 C4 uses the same body/frame and such as the GT3. I am not suggesting that the C4 has the same suspension, but I do believe the difference between the C2 and C4 goes beyond tuning and includes some level of reinforcement. PSM is a great tool. When your racing for a profession and the coffers of Bud and Ferrari are supporting your trips into the wall, you can drive without. Trying hard not to sound prophetic, I would say that PSM is at the very least a good training tool on the track to tell you where you need to work on things.

Yes, the GT3 uses the C4 unibody due to the additional structural integrity, but without additional hp or additional track and contact patch (i.e. C4S), it doesn't appear to help the C4 get around a track quicker than the C2. The C4 requires the additional structure due to the additional weight and stress added by the front drive system. As for PSM as a track training tool, I suppose when PSM activates it may indicate the driver has made an error, but it also could be something as simple as sand on the track, and have nothing to do with driver input. If driver error does activate PSM, it doesn't tell the driver what the actual mistake was. PSM won't tell you if you're braking at the wrong point, turning in too early, or too late to the apex. Also, PSM applies brakes to individual wheels. The driver can't know which, nor can the driver apply brakes to only one wheel. So, PSM activation as a track training tool might be limited to alerting a driver that " something was not ideal". PSM as a track safety tool ? Yes, I'd agree with that. I'm not meaning to diss the C4. I actually look at 997 C4S with longing eyes. The op was inquiring about tracking C4 vs C2. Just adding to the conversation.