Would like to get a thread started discussing differences/driving experiences with the new 997.2s,
Carrera
vs.
Carrera
4,
Carrera
S vs.
Carrera
4S (cabriolets included). Curious as to what people's experiences are driving both (or one of them, particularly the AWD models). What are your experiences driving either? Was that a decision point for your new purchase/order? Does your AWD have
PDK
or stick? Are there any differences in manual shifting with the 6 spd between AWD and 2WD?
Carrera
S with
PDK
here.. Speaking from personal experience and preference, I definitely prefer the rear wheel drive models. I wanted a C2S specifically, and had no interest in the C4S.
The "4" models offer greater stability, pretty much negating the position of the engine in turns and gives the
911
a more grand tourer feeling, and thus it makes sense that the Targa and Turbo models are also AWD. The added safety and confidence from having AWD is a good match for the Turbo, which is often seen as a high-end GT car even with the tiny rear seats.
The
Porsche
AWD system and PTM is great and it lets you eat up the road. It offers a couple of advantages in safety on varying road conditions with a few disadvantages, including added weight and not being able to swing the car around (which, for the average car driver, would actually be an advantage). It's just that the on-rails ride of the
911
4's would probably feel unnatural to me. On a Turbo, it would certainly be okay.. but on a 4 or 4S, it would be too "easy to drive" for me, perhaps. Purists definitely prefer RWD but I am told that on a lot of models, "most people" don't drive the car hard enough for it to feel different.
I know a lot of people chide the
911
for having a rear weight bias, but I have had so much fun flinging the car around, taking turns like a maniac and letting the back end slip out a little. Learning how to do that well was a challenge at first, but I took to it as part of the
911
experience and enjoyed it. I would miss doing that if I were in an AWD model.
There's a good reason why the pure motor sport derived
GT3
and
GT3
RS are RWD, as well as the GT2 - other than the fact that the AWD systems add more weight to the car. And, if I recall correctly, the new PTM on the
next
gen
911
Turbo can put more power to the rear wheels than the front to retain that
911
feel.
In the most basic sense, I think the difference between the "2's" and 4's" is a difference between purity/rawness/simplicity and safety/stability/confidence.
buyin advice :c2s or c4s coupe
hello , looking to buy a c2s or c4s . i have driven a c2s from my dealer and had a very positive opinion of it. however i was wandering if anyone can give me more information on which one i should go for.
please comment on price difference / depreciation / appearance / desirability /driving experiance. this will be my first 911 hence all information would be appreciated . i would be looking to buy a 2006 model.
Re: buyin advice :c2s or c4s coupe
The 2006 has the old style AWD system, not the updated one in the 997.2 cars. Personally if I had to drive in the snow or inclimate weather a lot then the old style AWD would be fine, if I was using the car on the track some I would want the C2S in the old style system and skip the AWD. I think the newer 997.2 is a much harder choice because at some point the grip of the AWD system can overcome the weight penalty in which case the car is actually faster in AWD form than 2WD form on the track. While it might be a purist view to say give me rear wheel drive only, the simple fact is that awd is faster on a race track if the weight of the system isn't too much of a penalty, combine that with potentially better safety in some foul weather conditions and of course wider hips in the rear and many people opt for the 4S over the 2S. The GT3 while rear wheel drive uses the 4S tub for a wider track and better stability, just not the AWD. I think it would be interesting if Porsche would build a lightweight GT4S version of the 911.
