Canyon guy- hello again. In your orig post you said that "I have a pal that restores 356s and also wrenches his own C4."


To me- that would answer your maint questions. The Porsche dealer WILL charge you an arm and a leg to work on either car- w/ you friend's help the C4 will be less expensive. It will also out-perform the 968 in just about every way. Yes, more g's, yes, better acceleration, etc.


To defend John Walker you did say "Is the C4 worse on gas"so he was answering your question.


Lastly, as Bill pointed out, good luck finding a nice c4 for $25,000.


Good luck, Sean.


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87 Carrera Cabriolet

I agree with John on this one: "we're trying to help you and you come across as a jerk"

Go to the library and dig up old Car and Drivers or Excellence articles on your own.

You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

I've had some nice replies from plenty of folks that don't downplay my questions as those that have obvious answers. I find that some replies came across to me with "I assume my statements are the final word/if I already know it then so should you." attitudes and found it a bit insulting . That and the fact I was mainly getting comments such as "I can't believe you're even asking this", "Is this a joke?" "OH NO! not another 911 vs 968 topic" and such. You'll never see me replying to those seeking advice in that manner. Just like you won't see me result to name-calling.
Yeah looking back, I sure did say "is the C4 worse on gas?". That it is isn't a given though and I was hoping for some numbers. You know it is possible that a 6 cylinder get better mileage than a 4. My past three BMWs probably got better mileage than most 4s including the 968.
Anyway, I'd like to offer a grateful thanks to those who responded with helpful replies. I've learned from them and that's what I came to this forum for.
Though I wasn't primarily focused on snow performance I was very happy indeed to hear that 911s and the 968 both do just fine in the stuff with real snow tires.
I've started to lean toward the a 911 due to a lot of what I've read on this forum and after looking at pictures of some very nice examples owned by you folks. There does happen to be a very nice looking C4 with 80K for "$27K OBO" http://images.autotrader.com/751/009/75100999_001622_240x160.jpg within 500 miles of me but I wonder if I'd get markedly better mileage with a C2 or even an older 911SC. Also, this isn't a car town and I can get local performance cars for less in many cases but I'll likely have to travel to find the right car.
I'm sure it won't be long before I'm back with more questions. Of course I'll search the archives first just like I did before I asked these.

Thanks again and Cheers!

Hi Again,
As I intimated before, I envy you your problem. The 968 is a beautifully balanced car, with handling characteristics which can be quickly understood. The water pumper means you have heat when you need it and there is lots of room under the hatch. On one hand you might consider it the rational sports car of the two. The other side of the coin: the motor is a four cylinder and sounds like it. Balance shafts do nothing for the aural senses. The car is an orphan, the last of the line. Some can't even identify it as a Porsche (the reverse snob factor)
The C4 is the equivalent of a light plane for the road. Reasonable space for luggage. One of the great engine songs (just hope you don't have to pay to have it rebuilt) And an AWD system that removed the phrase 'trailing throttle oversteer' from daily usage. Plus the resale value of a C4 should be better all other things being equal. Then there's the visual feast. I don't put a lot of miles on the Old E, still the shape of that car makes me smile when I walk into my garage. Whichever car you choose, Enjoy.
Les

Thanks for the insightful comparison Les. Valid points that I'll consider. I still want to see a 968 in person but seeing the photos of 70s and 80s 911s has been a bit infectious for me. It's rare for me to see a pre-90s 911 out in cowboy country. The photos of the SCs remind me of my many years in Florida.

BTW did any of you folks ever go Auto-Xing at Macdill AFB in Tampa with PCA or SCCA? About ten years ago I’d show up out there from time to time.

Cheers

Canyonlands, I only said 'is this a joke', because I think you can figure out that a 968 would be better for a panic stop while turning, downhill. The choice is kind of obvious to me, which is again why I stated that my post was MY '-biased' opinion.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...
My page over1g@hotmail.com
Porsche owners Gallery.../My 944

With all those deer, how bout a F-150 with a brush guard? Sports cars and wild animals don't mix.

Off the top O my head I can think of a 300Z, Vette, AC Cobra replica (high dollar), twin turbo RX-7, 200hp Miata, Z3 and Viper in my little valley. I'm sure there are a few more. In fact there is a well-known (around here) Porsche racer that lives down the road from me. Monty something I think it is. He drives some little European job. Oh yeah and there's the Budweiser Beer guy that has the silver 2000? Carrera Cab. that lives right across the street from me. I guess we're all in the deer lottery together. Well, except my stakes are higher since I'm the only guy I can think of that rides a motorcycle to work from up here. The deer are why I bought my R1100S equipped with ABS brakes and why I wear full riding armor though.
Come to mention it, 911s and F150s don't mix either. There are more F-150s than deer I'd bet so you might want to trade that 89 911 in on one. You'd be safer you know.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/elklaff.gif

Heck, I forgot about all the moose. So much for brush guards!

What next?....shall I buy Special K or Corn Flakes?

Seriously, YOU drive the car so It's YOUR choice. Each car has it's own up and down sides. The 968 is more of a sports car than the C4, maybe you ought to buy one of each.

If you think a discussion of the differences between Corn Flakes and whatever is of more substance then you could have opted to not waste your time reading this.

Anyway, I've pretty much been able to discern which of the two cars would be better for me, thanks in large part to some of the replies here.

Thanks again.


[This message has been edited by canyonlands (edited 10-04-2001).]

i was bored, so i added up how many times you wrote I, ME or MY. 112 times, not counting your double post. you're not full of yourself are you?

[This message has been edited by john walker's workshop (edited 10-04-2001).]

Well it's not the 968. That car might be added at a later time since I think my wife will want her own "fun car".
I haven't figured out which year of 911 to buy though so I still have a lot of research to do. I've really liked some of the older cars I've seen photos of in replies at this forum. I'll have to figure out which years are "the good years". It'll be something I can get between $10K-$25K and I'll just have to decide if I want newer or older. I'm not looking for a show car and nor do I need one with exceptionally low miles so that amount of money should cover a broad year range. From the last ten years the only 911 I've been in extensively is the RS America. That car was great in my opinion but obviously it would me more than I wish to pay.
I have a pal that is fortunate enough to have a huge collection of rare American autos. Worth millions no doubt. I'd be perfectly happy with 4 or so Porsches, two BMWs and my motorcycle. I only have one space left in my garage though. Decisions decisions!

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/...s/beerchug.gif
Cheers!

Wow, you were bored. Did you also go to a thread where you've been asking for advise and see how much you use the words I, me etc. etc.? You have some kind of degree in writing analysis from which you conclude that the totals of your word count are indicative of conceit? I don't have a degree in psychology but I'd bet your last reply was driven by a deeply routed grudge, prejudice or lack of self-esteem. Just filling up space here since you are bored and need something further to read.

Now here's the important part of this reply!!
Tell *me*, since you know how to gauge "full of yourselfness"...does the fact that though *I* serve *my* country in a full time job which puts *my* life on the line, spend many additional hours of *my* days in volunteer work and maintain current first aid and CPR certifications so that *I* can stop and render aid (like I just happened to do tonight after coming upon a terrible accident on my way home) to those in need give any balance to my apparent selfish nature?

Just curious.

My appologies go to those that found that the "*"s in the above paragraph made it hard to read. They were inserted to aid Mr. Walker with his counting.

May peace be with you!

What!

I have to agree with John Walker, and I think it was proven with your last post.
I'm very thankful that you have a job serving the country..but YOU chose it.
You didn't want opinions about which car to buy, just to tell BBS members that you had the money to buy another car (or two).
At the end of the day most people buy cars based on their own feelings.
Finally, you then say that an RSA is valued at more than you want to pay, but you might buy a 968 as well later on!

I wonder what a psychiatrist would make of it all.

Ummm,If you think that most people don't buy cars based on part by many different outside influences then I think you are mistaken. Something had to lead you to Porsche. I started subject to get an idea if either of these cars had problems in areas that I wouldn't know about. If they had then I would have eliminated them. I think that true owner experiences are very valueable in determining whether a car is plagued by some kind of rampant fault or otherwise.
Actually, I do appreciate your last post as unfriendly as it was. It made me realize that it is possible that you may have been stricken with a recent job loss as a result of the economic downturn. Maybe that fate befell someone else that is a regular on the forum. The economy effects us all. If I had made the choice 18 years ago to continue managing a warehouse instead of joining the service I might be vulnerable to layoffs in a non-government job. Joining the service takes a lot of compromise (moreso today than even ten years ago) but stability in pay has always been pretty much a given. Regardless, I do wish you all the best in the current economic climate. I hope you are able to make the most of whatever comes your way. Hopefully things will turn around soon. If my post about the garage full of Porsches was insulting to you then I apologize. It wasn't an elitist display of positive cash flow. I was just dreaming like so many car buffs do. Who wouldn't want a garage full of Porsches?

Canyonlands, my opinion would be that a 968 would be a choice you'd be happier with.

There's a good 968 discussion group here.

Good luck to you.

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

You can find another helpfull link <a href=http://mentalhelp.net/>here</a>

Best of luck, Sean.

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87 Carrera Cabriolet

I'm doing fine thank you and paying my taxes so that you have a secure job.
Yes, we would all like garage full of Porsches and I have nothing against anyone who has achieved their ambitions. However, the attitude of 'oh, which car shall I buy today' smacks of nothing more than selfishness and the 'I'm better that you' syndrome.

And I do agree the 968 is much better than a C4.

Flat6guy...You're paying your taxes for what? No, I don't think so. Defense would be the last thing congress would let go aside from their own paychecks. You want to bust on service men and women then go ahead but just know that every military member pays their taxes. Federal and for the State in which they call home.

Don't be surprised if this is my last reply in this thread. That is unless someone has something of value to say. Childish little jabs like the last post by Sean don't phase me and are a waste of bandwidth. You can be sure there will be more examples such posted below this message before long.

Thanks to those of you who actually replied with the intention of being helpful.


http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/...s/beerchug.gif
Cheers