C4 CAB OR C2 CAB

HI. CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF THE C4 IS REALLY BETTER THAN THE C2 ? I AM NOT A RACING DRIVER BUT WILL LOOK TO DRIVE THE CAR RATHER THAN USE TO TAKE IT TO WORK AND BACK. IS THERE MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE C4 AND C2 ? ANY ADVICE WELCOME. THX

The most important thing for maximum "driver input" is sports suspension (10mm lower NOT 30mm) rather than C2 or C4, although this may give you more body flex in a cab !! The extra weight over the nose of the C4 does give the car less understeer & a more balanced & tied down feel to the drive. The added traction is also useful on wet bends, the C4 also has Porsches excellent PSM traction system as standard. But the C4 has a smaller boot, due to 4wd "stuff" & it is heavier & hence slightly slower in a straight line. The C2 also has the more traditional 911 "feel" due to the cars balance. New I would probably go for the C2 (only because of the 4's higher price, in relation to it's marginal benefits) but second hand prices are closer so personally I would go for the C4.

If you are considering the C4 Cab you may want to look at the C4S Cab. I have not looked at the pricelists closely but if they mirror the Coupe, with the standard equipment the apparent price differential between the two narrows considerably. The C4S also has the wider track/bigger brakes; I echo Grant's comments that it feels better tied down than the C2, but it depends on the "feel" you want. Regards Ian

Only downside I ever noticed is the smaller luggage space...

Especially if you store the wind deflector in the storage bag![ ]

esasy solution: I never drive without the hood down...

thx very much Grant for this advice and the other. My hunt continues. Unfortunately most of the cars with Sat nav on are tiptronic and i specifically want a 6 speed manual...

Did someone say that C4S Cabriolet prices are similar to those of C4S Coupes ? Putting to one side the fact that I have never seen nor heard of a C4S Cab ( please see below), I am astonished that there would seem to be no price difference, since, as we all know, the Cabs are always more costly than the Coupes. If there is a price differential, why is this ? If it isn't already obvious, I do speak largely from the basis of not knowing what I am talking about, since I haven't bought my 996 yet, but I will do next Spring. In the meantime, I'd love to get feedback on the merits of the facelifted 996 models over the earlier pre-facelift model. I am especially interested in learning more about E-Gas and VarioCam Plus. Does the latter really give a reduction of nearly 20% in petrol consumption ? On a slightly different vein, I read that we have a member who bought their 996 from H.R.Owen at Hatfield ( or whatever they are trading as nowadays ). They are likely to be my first port of call, so I'd be grateful for any feedback on them. I should say that I waited for over 40 minutes to see a salesman when I visited them a few Saturdays ago, before giving up and walking out. S.G.Lyden-Brown.

Sorry Steve, I was making the point that there was little price differential between the (hard-top) Carrera 4 Coupe ("narrow" bodied) and the Carrera 4S Coupe ("wide" or Turbo bodied) models when taking into account standard equipment. The 4S Cabriolet is a convertible version and there is a premium over the Coupe. A broad description would be that it is a Turbo Cabriolet... without the Turbo. There are (I think!) 14 versions of the 911 on sale now, so can understand the confusion. [8|] If you ever have any luck in nailing down a salesman there is a comprehensive explanation of the techy bits of the 911 in the brochure; if not, try the 911 section of Porsche's website porsche.com Have fun looking for the new car! Regards Ian

Ian I have bought 2 996,s from Hatfield. One of the first 996 Coupes and a year ago a new 996 cab c2. I have been a customer of Hatfield for over 15 years but my 996's were the new cars I bought from them. I had a similar experience several years ago when I waited and waited without anybody coming to find out what I wanted. I finally arranged a time with a salesman and would suggest you do likewise. The chap I use is Paddy Patel - say Dr Warren recommended you - it should work and you will have a specific time. As to the benefits of the facelift 996 it is quite a revelation - more torque and noticeably faster - many refinements which I think are worth it. As for an improvement in fuel consumption you have to be joking - with the extra grunt you tend to use more welly etc etc. Jonathan Warren

As between C4 and C2, I tried them back to back before deciding. Had anticipated that I would prefer C2 as I had previously owned a 3.2 Carrera. Preferred the C4, not because of handling - but rather because it felt more "planted" in a straight line. Mine has been lowered 30mm, by the way.

C4 is best although less luggage space. But then who buys a 911 for luggage space?

This seems to be common - Reading have been hopeless since they changed from AFN to Porsche Cars Reading. They were previously very good...

I have to say that my experience with OPC sales has not been good either. Although the service section generally seem excellent & very obliging, the sales department seem to be driven totally by margins & not the slightest bit interested in customer care. I appreciate that we are all in business to make a buck, but if you are spending upwards of £38-100k I don't think that friendly & helpful service (by some one who at least seems interested in you & your requirements) is much to ask. I would go so far as to say that OPC's should make you the customer & the whole Porsche buying process seem "special", sadly this (generally) does not appear to be the case. Did any of you see the TV series right car wrong car, when the chap looked at a 996TT, 360 & Lambo, that about summed up OPC sales for me. Thank goodness for the aftercare service, without that I think I would be driving something else !!!

I'm batting for the other side, I'm afraid. AFN at Chiswick sold me a second hand 996 last year. Prompt attention, a sales approach totally in tune with my situation - ie buying for someone else (my wife) and first time Porsche buyer - proactive in searching for the spec I wanted, drove the car away three weeks after initial visit. Sadly the salesman has now left and set up his own independent business. I am reserving judgement on the service side until I hear how much they are going to charge me for my new engine following a major component failure on a 4 year old car!

Ouch. I hope you have deep pockets and a sense of humour?

Well I have just recently purchased a 996 C4 and test drove a C2 back to back with the C4 and to be honest there was not a lot in it. However having owned a 964 C4 and 993 C2 and 993 targa I always missed the C4. Only had the 996 for a week but I have found the handling fantastic and glad I went for the C4 in the end. Just think it is down to personal choice at the end of the day. Mark

[ ][ ][ ] Well i finally found what I was looking for after 3 months of searching. A beautiful Artic Silver 996 C4 Cab with 18 inch cross spoke alloys. lowered sports chassis etc etc. It's everything I thought it would be and more. The only problem is all the bloody speed bumps and speed cameras and not being able to get out of 2nd gear. Anyway. thanks for all that advised me along the way... I am off to Le mans next year and when the weather gets better will be taking it abroad for a better drive.....

Congratulations on the new family member....GREAT. Do tell more on the spec. interior colour etc., glad you went for sports chassis, makes it more of a drivers car & the 4wd should certainly help this weather, perhaps a small piccy is due...out with the digital camera ! P.S. road angel will help you spot those fixed cameras !!!