C4 vs C2 on wet streets

Any tangible advantage to the C4 when it's wet out? I live in a climate where it's relatively wet (rain) between November and February. My G35 will kick out every so often but the traction control keeps it within reason. I imagine a 996 (especially one without PSM) will break out more..true?

The 911 has way more weight in the rear. I really doubt it would break out more.

A C4 will have ALOT more traction in the wet...its how the AWD system works in it...when the car detects wheel slippage, it diverts power away from that wheel and moves it to the wheels that are not slipping....it works VERY well.

Definitely a C4 in the wet to be more secure. I get crazy with my C2 when it rains and I often freak myself out, call it sick, but I LOVE IT

My '00 C4 is incredibly stable in the wet. Even in the torrential downpours we get here in the Florida thunderstorms. I don't usually take the car out when this type of weather threatens. I have got caught a couple of times. I don't overdrive the car in these situations, expecting the AWD and PSM to bail me out. But, I'm amazed at how unperturbed the car is. Especially considering the wide, warm weather performance tires.

Unless you are experiencing monsoons in Vancouver and the water is literally flowing down the streets, it really isn't going to make that much difference unless you are driving the streets like you are on the track.......

There's not a lot of downside to getting a C4 if it's something you're worried about. It's going to be a lot more confidence-inspiring in wet conditions for sure.

Never owned a C2 but I've owned many different AWD and 2WD vehicles over the years and I notice the advantages of AWD is when accelerating (especially from a stop). It feels like the car is just stuck to road. AWD is particularly useful when accelerating when not all 4 tires have the same traction e.g. when the rears are on ice or gravel.

x2 Your choice of tires is FAR, FAR, more relevant to your experience than C2 vs. C4. With the same tires, would the C4 be better in the wet? Sure. Is it worth it to get a C4 for those times assuming it is dry most of the time, no way. If you are driving responsibly on the roads, a C2 or a C4 should be plenty stable during wet conditions. If you are road "kill" boy, then by all means, go right ahead . . .

I have S03s for tires and no PSM on my car. I have no problems in the wet. Even lifted off in a corner in the wet, it tracks true. I can apply about 90% throttle in the wet (not standing water) withough spinning in 1st and full throuttle beyond that. (I can't say the same thing for my 79' S/C, which is a beast in the wet). These are extremely stable cars. Tires will probably be the biggest factor since they will determine your limits long before the front wheels are applied power in a C4. In snow where you need more tracking, it is a far differente story. I can see a significant advantage in the snow in a C4 over a C2.

Great replies, thanks. I agree that tires probably matter more than the AWD as a first defense for sure. I've noticed that on my current car as well (tire degradation and performance).

The C4 is about 250lbs (or thereabouts) heavier than the C2. So the added weight does slow you down a little. Stability in adverse conditions? If you have constant conditions, you can figure out your limits in the C2 and adhere to them. If the conditions vary (aka puddle of water, patch of ice/snow, small patch of gravel/sand) then I think the AWD wins hands down no matter what tire you have (bald tires excluded). My main experience is when that one rear wheel catches that change in conditions, and your car has that brief lack of control....in AWD you have 3 other wheels to keep your direction true. thanks, Amir

The C4S is awsome in the wet. Particularly when you hit one of the puddles on the right side that would normally cause the car to pull to the right. The AWD straightens that out pretty good. I'm a fan of AWD having owned an Eagle Talon and an Audi S4 before getting the C4S. The Audi and the Porsche are about equally good with each being true to its nature. The Talon was pretty good but no match for the other two. AWD makes you look real good in bad weather.

I have a C2 and actually came from a G35 coupe. The C2 feels ALOT more stable and I have a lot of confidence in the car. I don't drive in the rain but the few times I've been caught with the 911, it's been great. I don't think you need a C4. I have yet to even trigger PSM since I've owned the car...

It's not that much weight C2 Coupe 2000 Manual =2909.9 to 3042.2 Empty C4 Coupe 2000 Manual =3031.3 to 3152.6 Emtpy That only 110.4 to 121.4 lbs difference On a side note. You are going to get 100 different answers on this one. Go drive both in the wet There is a reason Porsche makes an AWD "Whether that be performace in (rain snow or sand) or just to put more money in their pocket that for you to decide

And to add.... I chose a 2 over a 4 because it could be driven looser. In the wet with good tires it's not really an issue - yes the 4 IS more stable but if you want to drive on rails - get a train. The best time of the year is here - snow, turn off the traction control and enjoy the car. There is somewhere a great clip of a C2 in snow at the Ring

I come from old school 911 driving. The 996 C2 is much easier to drive and more stable than the the older 911s. After spinning out and facing traffic one too many times in my old 911, I swore my next one would be a C4. I don't regret it one bit. I can still get the *** out if I want to, even w/PSM on, and like other C4 owners have said, w/the correct throttle input it tracks like it's on rails. I don't have room in the garage for a train.

Similar to the adage about real estate with the Porsche it's all about tires, tires, tires. I have a 99 C2 (non PSM, non Traction control) and with decent tread I have yet to spin the tires when I wasn't trying. I drive this car through every weather condition in Florida, torrential downpours, light mist, fog, standing water you name it but when you have tread on the tires the car is exceptionally stable. I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere....as a side benefit it's pretty fun to go to a wet parking lot and learn how it behaves at the (fairly high) limits. But if your tires are heavily worn you will not have a fun day. This is where a C4 or PSM car would be handy. I've personally never seen the need but ymmv.

Yes under NORMAL circumstances that you can see and predict...the amazing thing about the C4 is its ability when you DONT expect it....for example...I was driving through the amazing twisties of Mulholland drive....having a blast...hit a blind corner at a high rate of speed...but I couldnt see the hydrant spewing water into the ditch and the 10 foot wide section of mud running across the entire road...unavoidable. Hit the mud, all 4 wheels slid, car began to slide, PSM and AWD kept the car facing the right direction until the tires regained traction after the mud....I had perfect tires...Happened again to me on a freeway interchange I always take...its a 3 lane banked high speed sweeper....I can take it easily at 90+.....Once I took it at about 85, not that fast really...car must have hit an oil slick or something becase the back end slid out, PSM kicked in...PSM light flashing, then before I even knew what had happened....it was corrected and moving right along with virtually no intervention from me...