Buying first Porsche tomorrow -- but C2 or C4?

Hi, I'm yet another newbie (actually not even a newbie just yet) and would be really grateful for some advice. Tomorrow I have to decide which of 2 pre-owned 996 Cabs to buy: a C2 or C4. Trouble is, I prefer the C2 (better spec, sports exhaust, and newer) but the soon-to-be Mrs Porsche-owner thinks the C4 will be much safer and will keep me alive a bit longer because I'll be less likely to bury it in a tree. My local OPC told me that since they both have PSM it's not really an issue. Does anyone know if there is any real difference in safety and driving feel? I've driven both, and they both felt great, but I can afford only one! And another quick one...I'll need to learn how to drive the thing -- which would be better, Porsche's own courses, or Bernard Aubrey's Masterclass? Again, they both look excellent to a novice. Thanks, David.

personally I would get a 993 instead.. but you knew I was going to say that ! but then again you can use the special anti-tree collision pedal in any 911.. that's the middle pedal [:-]

i would go for a C4 try the Don Palmer course http://www.donpalmer.co.uk/ Cheers

Personally having been through the same dilema I went for the C4. It is so planted and so simple to drive I don't think a driving course is essential if you have previous experience of driving a fast car. Just remember that it is so easy to drive that you will glance at the speedo and be shocked at how fast you are going! It is your closing speed at other road users that you also have to be very careful with. If you are not confident with this approach by all means have some tuition as recommended above.

Personal choice, but I much prefer the C2. It's lighter, less complex drive chain (so less things to go wrong/wear out), bigger boot and, IMO, nicer to drive. If you are concerned about keeping out of trouble in adverse conditions, then PSM is more significant tha 4wd.

I would agree with Oliver, C2 feels a lot better and PSM will provide more than enough security. If your driving is dangerous enough to outwit the PSM, nothing will save you! I like the sound of the C2 spec, the sports exhaust will have you grinning from ear to ear. Have fun.

Go for the C2. I have an 03 C2 Cab and I am not a grand prix driver but find it very easy to drive fast. You know it makes sense...[ ]

One point to mention about the cabriolet. If you are planning to carry children in the back, the rear seats are not as accomodating as the coupe or targa. The backrests are almost vertical, rather than slightly reclined, which can make them quite uncomfortable. If you don't need the rear seats then how about a Boxster 'S'?

I had the same dilema recently but when faced with a "plain" C4 and a gleaming black GT3 Aerokit C2 with toys I bought the C2. These cars only go as fast as you drive, drive fast in the wet then you are going to get into trouble. I love my C2 and when I read up like you before hand many people have said the C2 is more a drivers car and the C4 more stable but heavier and a little very little slower, BUT both are awesome cars in their own right both will give you ownership pleasure try both and go with what you fell is best and not what you've read is best.

Go for the C4 - Feels plated and the 4 wheel dive comes in handy ith our weather

You'll never get a concensus here !!! - each of us will have a favourite - I have been fortunate to have a selection now (all coupes) but had the same dilema as you before buying my first one - I went for a 3.4 C4 as it met my then budget criteria and, of course as with all C4's, had PSM. They didn't have any C2's with PSM in my price range. My second was also a C4, this time a 3.6 with PSE - a great option - and then my next was a C2 with PSM - to be perfectly honest I found the C2 to be the better car - again personal choice - but as others have said the C4 is "planted" but the C2 gives better feedback through the steering - of all of them I hammered the C2 the most, partly as it wasn't mine and was on loan from PGB - however it certainly was a great drive and never did I feel that it was unstable or unsafe - providing the right foot is kept in check in the wet they're all great driving experiences. As to taking account of closing speeds - I wholeheartedly endorse this - you get hypnotised by the sound and then glance at the speedo and surprise yourself - like last Saturday on a major dual carridgeway, I won't say which, I was driving my new GT3 home from the dealer and got held up in the outside lane , as soon as he pulled over I put my foot down to pass - drinking in the growing howl and when I glanced at the speedo it was reading 137!!! - I think it is over-reading!!!!!!! - but its so easy to go too fast and collect points - be warned! Whichever you choose - have fun Dave

Total agree with this statement

somebody go out last night ?[ ]

C2 but a 993 would be better [ ]

I had a 996 coupe C2, without PSM. But hey, I drove it like a normal car. These cars are just impressive standing still, they don't really need to be flat out going to get the papers on a Sunday morning.

Ho hum, I just bought my first 911 today, a 1999 C4. Looks like I bought a bummer then. Still, it felt good on the test drive

Many thanks to all for the advice. It was very helpful and, since there were no stories about 2wd spinning off the road (as there were when I first test drove one 25 years ago)...bought the C2. Wife's objections faded when the sales guy showed her the satnav - seems she hasn't enjoyed navigating for me all these years! The real clincher of course was Mr Fuller's eloquent and finely argued case for the c2. The speed warnings were really useful. Even on the test drives I was surprised at the speeds I was reaching. It's something I'll have to take seriously. Don Palmer's course looks great and I'll probably give it a go when I've got some experience of the car. Thanks to Sundeep for the advice on tree avoidance. I've got one of those middle pedals on my departing 330i too but it doesn't make the trees get out of the way - all it seems to do is make the car stop,...what's the point of that? Picking up the car next Sat. It's going to be a long week!

Congrats on your purchase. I had the same issues 8 months ago when I was looking Eventually settled on a C2 with PSM and havent regretted it for a second. Happy motoring.....................

Well done, enjoy the car [ ]

Whaaaat!!!???

...............and if you don't like the "live" steering of the C2, put a 50kg bag of cement in the front compartment. It'll deaden the steering and blunt the performance. That'll be a C4 then, sir! PS and you'll lose that bit of extra space as well! C2 all the way

That's why you need a couple of turbos.

Never underestimate the value of a good driving course. Choose carefully and you will never regret it for a minute (and it may reduce your insurance premium). I had a "roadcraft" course at Cadence when I had a Caterham a few years ago. It was NOT about getting the back out at every roundabout or clipping the apex of the supermarket slip road, but about correct positioning, forward planning, safe overtaking and so on. It sounds dull but it was brilliant. It made me realise how much there was to learn, and it was an absolute pleasure when I felt I was getting it right. When we were out of the towns and into the country I was told to "drive it like I stole it" so there was some hair down fun to be had. It just shows you how much more quickly and safely you can travel by using your head and eyes than just mashing the throttle on the straights, braking, going round the bend and repeating the process a la kids in their spammed up Nova's and Saxo's!