c2 vs c4

Hi All, I am considering change my Boxster S for a 996 C4 (02) or 996 C2 (03) both have similar specs and are a similar price but what which would be the better car to own? Which would others choose and why? I plan to drive both back to back this weekend time permitting but would be interested in all your thoughts. Thanks Uppy

I had the same dilemma. Went for C4. Just felt so much more planted. Don't regret it. Spizz

C2= lighter & more responsive steering, less weight, more accelerative, bigger boot and less bits to go wrong! And the front tyres last longer...

I'd do a search of the forum as this has been discussed a few times before & get one of the buyers guides! Peter B has the C2 benefits about taped! The C4 does feel more tied down & stable (confidence inducing) with a little extra weight at the front & the driven front wheels do certainly help traction on the twisty stuff in the wet. Also comes with PSM as standard & there is no boubt it works better with the 4Wd system, but the C2 is so good it's close! If it was my money it would be a C2 or a C4S, for the price of an OPC C2 you could get a private C4S, the sports suspension, wider track & tyres & huge Turbo brakes do make it a fabulous point to point beast, worth the extra..looks fab too!!!!

If you want to go as fast as possible with minimal effort, then go for the C4. If you're the purist type and consider your self a bit of a 'wheels man', it has to be the C2

If I was buying new, I would not pay extra for a C4. If I was buying used I would probably seek out the best example (whether C2 or C4), in terms of mileage, condition, spec., colour etc. There are varying opinions on the merits of each as you will see above. However, for the reasons Pete has given, I prefer the C2. This is largely because I have been brought up on a diet of rwd 911s - from early cars, through SC, 3.2, 964, 993, to 996 and I prefer the rear wheels to drive and the front wheels to steer. I've had the opportunity to drive several C4s (on road and track) still prefer the C2. However, the C4S is very good and, if you need to transmit 400 bhp+ through all four wheels in all weathers, then I can understant the merits of 4wd on the turbo. If security is a consideration then make sure any C2 has PSM.

Thanks for all the feedback I did search around the Forum for previous notes but wasn't having much luck hence the post. I had a V6 4motion Golf that was awesome though not as quick as a C4 but I got the gist of the benefits of 4x4. My Boxster S has no traction control and I've managed thus far to keep it on the road with out aids I still think it's a hard choice to make and I think I am right in saying that either will bring me great pleasure and neither is the wrong choice. I am going to take out a C4 and C2 back to back and just see which "feels" better. I'll look around for the buyers guides. Thanks Uppy

Went for a C2 in the end should get it in a couple of weeks time. Didn't try a C4 as the C2 felt great after my Boxster S and I had read great things about the C2 plus it gives me something different in the future..[ ]

I think Oliver has hit the nail on the head. Those of us brought up on a diet of air cooled, torsion bar 911's will tend towards C2s, as they inherit all the good bits, without the bad. I suspect a lot of C4 boys and girls have never experienced the raw excitement of a 2.7 RS, or skinny tyred 3 litre SC's. Older 911's do enjoy a rather intimidating reputation and tend to dictate how they want to be driven, yet are massively rewarding when you drive them their way. C4's seem (IMHO) to lack that edge, and are just a bit too safe. I would spend the difference on some tuition, and learn that the 'planted' sensation of a C4 is just torque steer. Good man for trying a C2!!

Thanks I am looking forward to getting it.