Arrived today

I think all of the effort and time that went into this might have paid off. I originally planned to drive this back from CA to PA if the purchase came together. Instead this was unloaded at my dealer at 8:00am sharp this morning. I had hoped to snap some pics of it coming off the truck, but the transport company is just that good that when they said it will be ready at 8:00am, well - it was ready. 2004 996 C4S 23,500 miles. All of the options I have on my C2 - PSM, PSE, factory short shifter, Bi-Xenon, heated power memory seats, Bose - and a color and interior that is a departure from the C2's Artic Silver over Black. I am still partial to the C2 - but I haven't driven the C4S for real yet and I have a feeling the intended "mistress in midnight blue" might very well be cause for a divorce from the C2. Time, (and common sense -which I have NEVER been accused of having) will tell). Long story as to how I ended up here so we will save that for another day. Not sure about posting photos - so hope this works because I know you will bug the crap out of me if it doesn't.

That is a very good looking automobile. Sincerely, Macster.

What a nice looking car!! The paint looks to be in perfect condition.

I like the black painted trim inside. Very sharp.

Congratulations, beautiful car!

Very nice, but the pumpkins must go - although you can wait to after Halloween!

Very nice!

looking good!

Very nice! Love the color!

Beautiful car, congrats!

Beautiful car.

Thats nice, where the heck did you find this car???? Congrats man Are you selling the C2?

Welcome to the black sheep club.

Congrats John!!! Enjoy it in good health... -Eric

Like the painted accents inside...she is a beaut!

What a nice looking car!! The paint looks to be in perfect condition. /QUOTE] Thanks - paint is not quite perfect but better than very good. I think I have a date with a clay bar this weekend. Not bad - only 5 replies in to hit the pumpkins! But hey - I did post a few pics - and agreed, the pumpkins need to go soon. I had been looking for quite some time - Came across this as a private sale. Not sure on selling the C2 yet - selling it wasn't the original intention but need to come to terms with only needing one 996. For now they look cool next to each other in the garage so I will enjoy the view for a bit. And of course I will drive both - in my opinion they thrive on regular exercise. Thanks Eric! Appreciated the hand holding and advice - not sure I would have taken the leap of faith with out your support. Still a bit down about having to cancel the trip to bring it home. I am now trying to plan time off for a road trip to south carolina in the next week or two - we need some bonding time - alone.

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If all you had to do is to clay-bar the surface then consider yourself very fortunate, get a good detail guy to polish out any swirls and put the Venture Shield clear protective film on the bumper and front half of the hood and fenders, a repaint is never as good as the OEM paint............

That is nice!

What a great looking car. Were the door pull/lid painted as a factory option or is that a bumperplug job? Either way it looks fantastic.

DOH!! me likey !!

Someone took really great care of that car and it shows. Enjoy it every day.

Nice! Love the full grey leather too! Enjoy trying to keep that black car clean!

She's a real looker! Congrats.

Congrats! thanks for the pics... Let us know your impression once you've put some miles on her. Interested to hear some feedback from somone who owns both 2 and 4 wheel drive models.

It totally sucks, but in the true RL spirit I am willing to trade you straight up so you can avoid future embarrassment.

Very nice! I love how the front bumper looks without a stupid plate!

beautiful car! enjoy!

nice! you will like it a lot.

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I have the original invoice and it is completely factory - including the SSK. I had a true OEM SSK put in the C2 but the one in the C4S feels better to me. Thanks for the thumbs up!

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Thanks and agree that the paint is way too good to consider a repaint. I had the Porsche body shop check it out and other than the front bumper it is the original paint. There is a small ding in the hood but unfortunately it is where the sub structure is and the body shop guy said that he can't make it perfect using paint less dent removal - but will try to make it better. Other option is to repair and repaint the hood - I told him I would pass on the repaint. The dent is one of those minor flaws that once you have it pointed out to you your eyes hit it like a laser scope, and you want to smack the guy that put his face an inch from it and put his finger on it to point it out. But I did honestly buy it to drive it and accept that in doing so I will be adding blemishes along the way. The better news is the interior - where I spend my time - it is honestly near perfect, everything you see and touch is as factory new, it is a real joy. Porsche dealer installed new clutch pack, RMS and IMS seal about 500 miles before I purchased the car. Tires are Michelin "N" spec all around with matching "N" series and the rears are brand new - including a 4 wheel alignment when they were installed. Brake pads at 80% remaining life. My local dealer performed a 101 point inspection yesterday - yes I had a PPI done at a Porsche dealer in CA - but wanted reassurance. Found a few minor items that the PPI missed, but literally small dollar type items that in no way threatens the operation of the car. I am prepared for issues to arise as I put some miles on her - that's the way the C2 was and I bought that at about the same miles as this car. The C4S did come with a top tier 3rd party warranty with coverage for another 12 months or 22k miles so I might get some mileage out of that as well. That warranty company was used by the previous owners dealer and the dealer stated that there was no issue at all in having claims covered, including the RMS and IMS seal. Let's hope I don't need it, but it is somewhat reassuring to have it while the car is new to me.

What a sweet looking Porsche. Congrats.

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Very early first impressions of the C2 compared to the C4S. Both cars are 2004 and very similarly equipped. The C2 has factory M030 sport suspension which I thought was the equivelant of the stock suspension on the C4S, but really not sure about that. The C2 is approaching 70k miles and the C4S approaching 24k miles. Since this is purely subjective I will start by saying that I'd describe the C2 as fast and fun and the C4S as powerful and pleasant. I had my 19 year old son ride along because he has spent more than a few hours with me in the C2. Out of the gate he claimed the C2 was faster, at least it "feels" faster he said. I have to agree. The C2 sounds different, louder and more high end howl - both cars have factory PSE - I can only assume the difference in mileage is the reason. I then drove both cars on the same round trip of about 60, the commute is well rounded, twisty country roads, then typical two lane stop and go traffic, followed by about 18 miles of interstate highway. I drove the identical route one day apart, same time of day and traffic conditions. Fuel mileage was identical at 19.9 mpg. The C4S rides somewhat smoother - also a surprise to me because of the M030 on the C2 I expected the ride to be about identical. As expected the C4S feels more sure footed and planted at all times, I personally like that. Both cars have PSM - but then again I highly doubt I am capable of driving these cars anywhere close to their limits to know what being on the edge really feels like. I found and crossed the edge in my 68 911 decades ago and although I landed safely and with no damage, I have not forgotten that feeling - scary for me. What I am most surprised by is my perception that the C4S is more refined, a better build, and a more precise car. I stopped by the dealer and described this to the service manager and the mechanic - they both just smiled and the service manager said that he has been trying to tell me the the 996 C4S is the best built and most reliable car of the 996 series. The mechanic chimed in that the last model year is always the best - 2004 996, 2008 997.1, and soon the 2011/2012 997.2 Too soon to say which car I would choose if it had to. I do think I will be happier in the C4S as the daily driver because of the commute and it feels a tad more comfortable. But I think I would pick the C2 for a let your hair down weekend romp. I am glad I don't have to choose - I almost passed on the C4S because I am just that happy and in love with the C2. I am lucky that my wife is fine with leaving it up to me, she even offered to drive the "silver one" so I won't have to worry about letting either car sit, she is just that thoughtful eh? And, I definitely need to use the C2 for grocery shopping, I barely fit my laptop case and a camera bag under the bonnett of the C4S. If I can get away for a road trip I will be packing light. So after more seat time and many more miles, I will reasses my opinions. Thanks to all for the compliments and comments - I appreicate it.

How nice it is knowing you can't choose incorrectly when you go into your garage, unless your wife or son are driving the silver one. Good info.

Stunner

Beautiful 996 man, enjoy every minute you can driving it!!!

Sweet ride. I'm jealous. the last 3 911s that were selling near me were sold before I could even set up a time to check them out.

Very nice... Enjoy

that is a beautiful car. It's such a young puppy. Hopefully, you'll run her to the edge and back.

I'm happy for you! You got the best looking model in the 996 series, and we all know the 996s look better than the 997s. right? I just can't decide if I like the 4S coupes or cabs looks the best. I think it depends on the particular car, color and my mood. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the C2 vs C4S in a month or two when you have more seat time and the newness wears off. Enjoy! Enjoy!

Beautiful car with really nice options! Congrats and enjoy!

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Thanks. There is a C4S cab locally - some variant of a Red and it captured my full attention the first day I saw it - top down. I see it rarely - and always on a nice sunny day - top down I would say it is my favorite. Top up - not so sure -plus being in the north east and driving the 996 year round - well, coupe made more sense in my case. I just put the winters on the C2, got hit hard this weekend but main roads are clear and dry for the most part. Ambient temp 29F and the C2 ran like a banshee - then took the C4S out but still have summer tires on it - was careful because of the road temp - same route - don't get me wrong the C4S is no dog - but the C2 still delivers a perception of being quicker with more pull felt in the seat of the pants. But the brakes - C4S hands down, and that makes perfect sense. Too bad I have to get up for work tomorrow or I think I'd still be out there grinning.

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Well - I put approx 2k miles on the car, about 1100 of them this past Sunday through Tuesday - plenty of solid seat time for sure! A few perceptions have changed - power is definitely there - noticed it on my third tank of 93 octane fuel - it was if the C4S suddenly woke up. C2 still feels stronger pulling on exit from a corner, but that makes sense given 100% of the power is to the rear wheels. Exhaust note is up there, maybe she just needed to be driven like a Porsche? I actually caught myself turning the PSE off in some of the small towns I drove through - like especially when I noticed a police car across the street in a shopping center parking lot at night while I was getting fuel. I started the car and thought that I didn't need to call any additional attention to the car - turned off the PSE and pulled out nice and easy. Low and behold, those local police pulled over 4 cars, 2 in each direction with in a mile of the gas station I was at - I counted 6 police cars in total. All I could think was "no story about the guy in the porsche getting a ticket, no boys, not tonight" And now the "smoother ride" in the C4S makes sense since I was able to confirm that the C4S has the 032 touring suspension and the C2 has the 030 sport suspension. Tough call - I really like the feeling of being on rails in the C2 yet I also appreciated the smoother ride of the C4S during the 1100 mile road trip. After my bank account recovers I might consider different shocks for the C4S to see if I can hit a compromise on the handling and ride quality. I won't make a decision until the winter tires are off in the spring. I am still more confident in driving the C2 aggressively than I am the C4S, could be the non N spec winter tires on the C4S, the difference in the suspension, or just that I know the C2 very well over 4 years. Now - if I absolutely had to choose between the two cars, I would pick the C4S - it was such a pleasure to drive on the long haul that I would take the slight upscale in comfort and the ride quality of the C4S over the raw fun of the C2. And as a woman commented when I was stopped at a local store to grab a smoke before hitting the Blue Ridge Parkway - "boy, that is a pretty car you have there mister" - yes Ma'am - that it is, that it is.

I drove a C4 before I decided on my C2... liked the way it sprung out of corners better as you point out. Do you notice any difference in understeer or other handling with the wider body, or I suppose the 4WD probably does more for that than the stance.

Beautiful