Why or why not a C4?

[Craig 930 RS]

FWIW, the 1989-1994 C4s are dogs at the track.
One almost never sees them driven in anger - for good reason -

The 1995 and on are amazing at the track - could not be a bigger difference between the two.

Is this the silver car you were looking at?

[Bill Verburg]

I agree w/ most of the others comments, the 964 C4 was a very 4x4 sort of system, great for snow but not so hot from a performance perspective also heavy and power sapping in effect. The 993C4 was a vast improvement, much lighter and efficient as well as transparant. The 993 C4 system allows a lot of stuff on track that a C2 can't tolerate. The only draw back is a little more weight(~50Kg) than C2. As compensation you get one of the best brake setups ever put on a street car.

I know nothing about the 996 versions except that a few friends have them and I have heard no complaints.

[Scooter]

Originally posted by Craig911
Is this the silver car you were looking at?

Yes. I am trying to get some info on the engine. I understand it has had a lot of performance work done on the engine: cam, aluminium flywheel, MAF, etc, etc. It's also had some suspension work done.

[KobaltBlau]

Bill, have you driven a 964C4 on the track? If so, do you have any impressions? Everything you said makes sense to me.

Thanks,

[Victor]

Lap times from personal experience on my benchmark track:

'89 3.2: 1:47
'92 964: 1:43

By comparison to modern standards the '05 WRX STi does the same circuit in a 1:41. But that's with a professional driver. So I don't know that I would call a 964 a slouch at the track.

[Bill Verburg]

No 964C4 but yes 993C4. The 964 system is very similar to the one used on my old Audi V8Q. They are truly remarkable for street cars but not what you want when you really do want to rotate the car.

[Craig 930 RS]

Yessir. Correct. People I knew that have owned and driven the early C4 on the track generally do not like them.

That said, it depends on *what* you want to do with the car --- ie the old standby:

"What is your mission?"

A track prepped early C4 is a bit of an oxymoron -

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by Victor
'92 964: 1:43

C2 or C4?

Actually there is a guy with a 964C4 here in colorado that is mildly track prepped, but I haven't had a chance to drive it. He's not too fast in it but that could be either car or driver.

[a911]

Im not trying to ofend anyone but, are AWD porsches a real PORSCHE?
I could live with almost any porsche except AWD

One of the things i love porsches so much is their RWD. And i think that they start to make AWD to sell, just for the ppl w/o expirience to drive car like it ment to be driven ( they had $ and power and they were old and scared rear wheel drive )

But then again, that is just my opinion.

[Glasgow 911SC]

I think so. Porsche were one of the pioneers in sports car AWD and the technology was motorsport developed.

[expat]

Well...lots of people's coments here ought to be temptered by asking the question have they actually driven a C2 and C4 in a comparison. My suspicion is many have never even driven a C4, let alone hard.

My 1987 3.2 was a no match for my 1990 C4 3.8 track prep'ed vehicle, but that's another story.

I can tell you this. If you drive most of your time on the road you would be very happy with the performance and handling of a C4.

There are compromises in all comparisons. You have to find out what are your wants and how they suit your needs.

Later.
Mark

[Craig 930 RS]

For all but more intense track work, a C4 is fine.

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by Craig911
For all but more intense track work, a C4 is fine.

are you referring to 964 or 993 C4? I think they are very different when it comes to the track. I'm not saying a 964C4 is unsuitable (necessarily), but it's definitely different.

[stuartj]

Originally posted by Craig911
FWIW, the 1989-1994 C4s are dogs at the track.
One almost never sees them driven in anger - for good reason -

Oh Bollocks. The biggest disadvantage they have is weight, coming in at something like 1350kg.

And to the gent who said if he "hadnt let off the throttle it would swapped ends." Bollocks.

At the limit, the traction control kicks in and you can get an instant of big understeer. Just stay on it on and it will tuck in and turn.

Lift off mid corner and a C4 will spin like any other rear engined Porsche.


Stuart 964 C4 Ruf as guts, 86 Carrera

[Craig 930 RS]

Andy -
Referring to a 964. The 993 4 is a great track car.

Stuart -
Think what you may, buddy.