buy 996 C2 or C4S?

[Ernest Hill]

looking at 2002-4. not likely anyone is going to let me drive a c2/c4S s long and hard enuf to figure this out. not really a cost issue as i am willing to pay the extra 5K, really want to know: which one handles better. i know the earlier turbo-look cars handled piggy, but i seem to remember R&T thought the c4s handled better? no weather issues as i live in TX. only other concern: my reflexes are quite mortal, and supposedly the c4s is much more forgiving. any thoughts welcomed, i am open-minded abt this purchase

[Racerbvd]

Well, the C4S does the driving for you, great is you live in an area with a lot of rain (something West Texas doesn't have). I say go for the C4S..

[lindbhr]

I drove a C4S once and liked it very much. I think the wide body 996 cars are so much better looking as well. Good luck!

[KNS]

I'm looking to get a 2002-04 C2 in the next year or so... I'd prefer the two wheel drive version myself but the C4S is a fantastic looking car and may hold its value a little better over a C2 in the long run.

[OttoB]

Strictly from an aesthetics point of view, the widebody will look better than the narrow, curveless C2's... From a safety perspective, the 4wd will be more practical. Value-wise, the C4S will be stronger than the C2. From a performance end, the C4S carried some turbo goodies that justified its higher price and made it go faster. That said, there's more moving parts on the C4 that could go wrong, which equals higher maintenance bills - good luck!

[450knotOffice]

As a very happy long time owner of a C2 (incorrect to refer to it that way, but it works for this discussion), I'll say that the C4S is better looking for sure, and likely more forgiving and certainly better in slippery conditions, but my guess is that a C2 probably handles better in the dry and has more of that classic light 911 steering feel than the nose heavy C4S.

[ivangene]

I had a C2, get an Aero...nice looks, the others look plain

Sold my C2 for a 3.2, never looked back

[Ernest Hill]

sorry i forgot part of my question: do CA 996s have different/additional smog controls? and, thanks everyone for your input

[450knotOffice]

No, they do not.

Ed, you shoulda done what I did - keep both of them! I bought my '84 911 in 2004 and my 996 in 2006. I am SO glad I have both of them. Yesterday and today were spent in the old 911. Tomorrow I may drive the 996 - and enjoy the experience just as much.

[OttoB]

Ernest,

Any update or candidates?