993 2S/4S, much more expenisve than plain 993, worth it?

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

I'm looking at a '97 Carrera 4S, it's a great car but there is a real premium on price for these things it seems. Is this true everywhere? It's hard to find a decent one lower than the 40K range. I know they stickered much higher than their regular 993 bretheren but they seem to be holding their values better.
Anybody else noticed this?

adscab · 11-18-2003, 08:39 AM

Wide bodied 911's have historically held their value a little better than their thinner sisters. The 4S has LSD and AWD, 18" wheels as well as the TT (Big Red) brakes directly from the 993TT. IMHO, the wide bodies are worth it purely for the looks alone. With that said, if the looks are similar in your eyes, I'd go for condition and options. Good luck.

trader220 · 11-18-2003, 10:26 AM

I dont think the 18's are stock on the 4s or 2s, I had to pick up a set on the 2s I used to have. Do they hold value at a better rate ? or are they more epensive just cause they cost more from the get go? Hard to go wrong with any of the 993's. I sold my 1997 C2s with 42k miles for 49,500... 17 months ago. I thought I got a great price.

adscab · 11-18-2003, 11:05 AM

18's were standard on the 4S and options on the 2S.

trader220 · 11-18-2003, 11:18 AM

I was pretty sure they were optional on the 4s too, hmm learn someting new every day.

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

I'm looking at a 4S which has two sets of wheels, the 18 inch
turbo twists and a custom set of HRE wheels. I've never seen them before, they look better to me now than when I first saw them. Here's the car:

adscab · 11-18-2003, 02:17 PM

I think I have seen that 4S on autotrader.com. Looks like a very nice car. I believe those are the HRE 542R's and they look great. Car looks about the same height as mine. I'd find out if the suspension is the Bilstein PSS9s or lowering springs with Bilstein shocks. If the shocks are still stock, they are most likely shot and will need replacing.

trader220 · 11-18-2003, 03:11 PM

By the way this past spring we bought a 96 C4s with 45k mikes on it for 39.5K at the auction. It was stock except for a turbo tail and chromed turbo twist wheels. Car was clean and straight. Just for your reference since you're looking.

Kmatts · 11-19-2003, 05:22 PM

Gibson, regarding the C2S. i was looking for one recently until i finally gave it some good hard thought. it's simply not worth the extra money. C2S is merely a wide body with some wheel spacers. and the split grill of course. i ended up just getting a narrow bodied 993 instead. although i really did want an S, i just couldn't justify the price differential. Now the C4S is a different animal all together, so if you're stricly looking at C4S', then by all means get one. such a great car.
Kyle.

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

Well, thanks for all the advice and comments. I decided that the C4S did make sense to me after all. The car has fairly low miles (32,000) and has been well cared for. So, I pulled the trigger and I'll pick it up on Saturday. I'll post some better photos and more details later.

911 · 11-22-2003, 06:50 PM

Bruce,

Congrats on the 4S! Although ALL 993s are beautiful, there's something special about the widebody look on the S models, and the Big Reds & 18" wheels on the 4S are an incredible visual/perceptual value, IMHO.

Have fun with your new p-car, Bruce.

Rich

911 · 11-22-2003, 06:56 PM

Btw, if anyone else is still looking for an excellent '97 C4S, Addison (adscab) is in the process of selling his. It's black on black with some great mods. He & I went for a drive in August so I can vouch for the condition of this car.

911 · 11-22-2003, 11:00 PM

Hey Bruce,

In your avatar, is that coming out of Turn 6 at Riverside? Sentimentally, RIR is my alltime favorite track.

Rich

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

Rich, yes on Turn 6. I started Time Trialing at Riverside in the late 70's with the POC. My first TT car was a 67 911 that had RS flares and a 2.3 liter motor (Arias P/C's, Webers etc.). It was a blast. I'll never forget the long back stretch when the course was run in it's long configuration. It would take me most of the first session to keep my foot planted going into the kink before turn 9.
What a great place. For several years there I never missed a race. I have photos of snow coming down one winter while sitting in the turn 6 grandstands watching an SCCA race.
Thanks for asking.

911 · 11-24-2003, 04:11 AM

Bruce,

I also ran w/ the POC for several years. Did you run with/against Mike Hammond? I seem to recall that he has a '67 911S.

I was only fortunate to run on that track once and that was at a Skip Barber lapping day. It took me 3 sessions before I could take T2 flat! There was an 18-year old kid in my class who was very quick and he won the school race that weekend. His name was Bryan Herta.

Rich

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

Rich, Mike was my instructor. Things were a bit less organized back then and all I had to do was 3 laps in Mike's car and then some check out laps with me driving and that was it.
I'll never forget getting out of the car after Mike did 3 hot laps. My knees were like rubber bands. I've always found it difficult to ride at speed with someone else driving. When I've got the wheel in my hands it's different.
That 67 S was really fast or maybe it was the driver but that combination was hard to beat. Mike's driving skills really impressed me.

911 · 11-24-2003, 04:49 PM

Bruce,

I've always been told by some top, veteran POC drivers that Mike is one of the best 911 drivers/instructors around.

Rich

ljugete · 11-28-2003, 08:54 AM

IMHO the 993 C2 Cab. is the sleakest and most beautiful Porsche ever made and that's why I own one!

The widebody 993 models are beautiful but more expensive and heavier as well. The TT makes up the HP difference and then some but costs alot of $$$ in maintenance. Don't get me wrong, I would love one but I'm more than happy with my Cab. (it's fast enough for me

).

Peace & Happy Holidays to All!