Noob question

I think this is the first time I'm posting here. I currently own a 99 M3 and an 03. The 99 is modded for the track. Anyway I have been thinking about Porsches for a while, and came across a 2003 C4S with the X51 and Aero kit. It has under 10,000 miles. Also has had suspension work done on it (original Porsche upgrades from what the dealer told me). It's selling in the mid 50s. Looks brand spanking new. With snow tires, can this be an all year car? (Silly question: stock vs stock will it beat the e46 M3 on the track?) Thanks!

OMG!

I need advice!

Yeah - I think the OMG was referring to the fact that a C4S is the ultimate all weather car. 4 wheel drive with snows all around - why wouldn't it be? Will it be fasterthan an M3 - Dunno...

Definately......invest in a winter set of rims......Porsche has specs & I recomend narrower.....you can leave SUVs & trucks behind & have a blast.

Set of rims with snows all year drivability makes it appealing. I had wanted a GT3 but that's way out of my price range currently. The TT seems too wild for teh street and too heavy for the track. And while I was never a great fan of 4WD I think in this case it makes sense. The car, when I test drove it seemed super stable. I loved the sound. A pukka sports car if ever. Are these cars easily modified/upgraded when the urge strikes? Again apologies if I sound too noobish (have to start somewhere)

Tim? Tim where are you?

As a daily......you can do whatever you like from suspension to ride height to wheels and euro exterior. Most of body has been around since MY 02 (or before) so there is a ton of aftermarket out there. The engine can take some mods but generally is not considered as the block to 'build on' for serious track use but the 3.6 has become a very dependable engine and is a pleasure to drive.

Yes, with snow tires you'll be fine. I drive my C2 through the Chicago winter. Yes, stock vs. stock you should be faster than an E46 M3 on the track.

Thanks all - this is going to be an interesting few days while I finally decide what to do. I went and took it out for a longer test drive. What a fun car. Nice noises, and what feels like decent handling. I was expecting it to feel a little twitchy but it didnt. And to top it all of it handled bumpy roads extremely well, all the info coming in clear but not unsettling the car at all. And wow does it go from 50-100 in a hurry, almost as it there wasnt a 60,70,80,90 in teh middle. No I get why the speedo isnt numbered in 10s!

MODS? Did someone say mods? I will be glad to help you spend your money on mods! Here is a list for starters. 1. Clear Side Markers. 2. B&M Short Shifter 3. Brushed Aluminum �Carrera� logo 4. Aluminum Gauge Rings 5. Aluminum Pedals 6. Upper Storage Tray 7. Stock 3.6L muffler PSE Mod (if the car does not have PSE) 8, Spoiler Switch installed in Horseshoe 9. Garage Door Opener Switch installed in Horseshoe 10. Painted "top hats" Silver 11. ROW M030 or X73 suspension 12. Aftermarket wheels How did I do mike? hee hee

Oh no, now he's got a list. Tim, if I've got 6 out of 12 covered after four months of ownership do I pass? Afridi, I promise you won't regret a C4S purchase. I love my car and it's turned into a daily driver instead of a weekend toy. I just can't keep my hands off her. Tim will help walk you through all the "must do" mods. He's already spent thousands of my dollars and I'm getting ready to spend more....all because of Tim.

Matt - yes, you pass inspection with 6 of them completed!

The car Im looking at has #5 and #11 from that list already

I drive my C4S in the winter and love it. You only want to make sure that the car is not too low, otherwise, you will be feeling the pain of snow and ice scraping the bottom of the car.

If you have an E46 M3 and a modified E36 M3, you might find yourself after a while dissapointed with the performance of the C4S (despite X51 kit). It's the haviest n/a 996. I recommend you test drive a 996TT (go 1 or 2 years older and the price will be close). "The TT seems too wild for the street and too heavy for the track." ... The C4S is as heavy as the TT.

The TT will 'seem' heavier to you.......but while it's 'seeming heavier' it will push you back in your seat like a bandit and will turn great track times (and incredible track times if set up properly). Hey, real-world is that these are GTs, not sports cars.......but the C4 (or C2) will 'feel' more like a sports car. Best advice....drive em.....test em....have fun deciding.

I'm proud

Mike, are you encouraging Tim??

Matt - he knows that if he dosen't encourage me, I will come up with some VERY COSTLY mods that he won't be able to resist. So he is really just protecting his own wallet!

Just wondering, do any of you C4S guys track your cars? If yes, how does it do against some of the others one finds at Driving Events/Schools?

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The wallet, I have found, is defenseless to the lore of the P car, and you guys are a bad influence...... Hmmmmm what to buy next......

With snow tires, can this be an all year car? (Silly question: stock vs stock will it beat the e46 M3 on the track?) Thanks![/QUOTE] I have a 2001 C4 Cab. I drive it as my only car (DD in Denver, Colorado). I tell everyone: the worse the weather, the faster it goes! I would keep the M3 as a track car. AWD is awesome for the street, but it does "rob" power vs RWD. As far as it doing well in the winter, mine went through two feet of snow and loved it. With the wider wheelbase, heavier weight, and better suspension the "S" should do even better. I don't track (only street and former 1/4 mile racing But, I think the AWD P-Cars are a lot more money and weight than you would want since you can afford a dedicated Track car AND an AWD Porsche (I am sooo jealous... Best of luck, it sounds like an awesome car. You might want to consider the TT for that kind of money (about 15-20 K more though...)

I think you'd find that with the right tires, even a standard 2wd 996 is excellent in snow & ice. A 2wd is cheaper to keep with fewer parts and is usually quicker on a "short course" (e.g., an autocross). The AWD is not as quick in short bursts in dry weather and won't get quite as good gas mileage. Yet, it does everything well and shines in conditions that would send many into a ditch. Just need to decide what you want to pay for.

Alrighty then _ I asked the salesperson to check into the RMS and it is leaking. They will replace the seal. The car can be CPO'd by Porsche. Once the seal is replaced is the problem gone? I have the choice of this or a Cayman S - am torn. The 996 is certainly a superb street car. The Cayman requires a bit more, but does drive well.

'Does drive well'.......hey, they're a fricken blast. But, not as good a winter drive......even with a wheel & tire change.....so you will have to 'order' your priorities.

Well it was a car with 7 miles on the odo. Didnt go above 4000rpm. It was sharp. Felt light. Almost made me think that dropping in an engine from the 996 GT3 and finding a Limited slip would make it really kick some butt!!! (an after warranty project to be sure)

Michael - give me a list of mods you have completed and I'll give you a new list of mods to do! Oh BTW, your VISA card is near it's limit, so now I need your MasterCard number so I can continue to help you spend your mod money! Damn, now I know how my wife feels when she goes shopping!

Another 'absolutely' for the - can it drive in the winter. I swap winter and summer tires on my C4, and use it as my daily driver out here in Minnesota. As long as the snow is not too deep, it drives like a banshee.

Hey I drive my c2 all year round, even when I was located in Arizona.....

your c4s sounds like a darn good deal at that price and mileage. I wouldn't worry too much about the rms issue. It rarely effects performance, but if it's being replaced...you should be good to go. I believe the repair would cost about 750 bucks if not covered. If they can CPO the car for not much more, that would be ideal. I've had my c4s for a few months, have put over 3k miles on it without issue other than loud brakes, which is being covered by the dealer. New pads and rotors on the house next week....woo hoo. there is something very very special about the feel, look, and history of the porsches. I'm selling my '85 targa now, as it's not getting out enough. I know I will miss it.... GET THE C4S....what options and colors is it? Can you post a link to the car? p.s....if you love the way the car feels now, just wait until you put a short shifter in...(for only 200 bucks). You will really fall in love then. It's incredible. J

I am almost embarrased to say this, but I decided to let the C4S go and I decided to go the cayman S route. It doesnt seem as much an all rounder as the C4S, but there is a certain charm about it. Either way, both these cars are stepping stones to a full fledged GT3, someday hopefully in my future.

Excellent stepping stone. I think you'll have a blast.......ENJOY! As far as an 'all-rounder'....... just remember the Pizza goes in the back......and the ice cream in the front.

Thanks! And I had to LOL - I just realized why the Pizza goes in back and not the ice cream!

Congrats, nice cars, those Caymans! I think our cars are stepping stones for most of us! Mine is definitely a stepping stone! Good Luck and Have Fun!

Yep........I wouldn't mind stepping into a Farnbacher Loles Caymen GTR