[DWBOX2000]

In my defense, I tried posting in 996 with no response.

Took a 2004 Carrera 4S for a test drive yesterday. On a straight away it seemed to jump to the right over bumps. I wasn't on it, likely 30-50 mph. Any guess what it could be?

The car otherwise was very nice. It had a few scratches, the front spoiler lip needs to be replaced as well as the right floor trim. Not having the car on a lift, the coolant tank looked good, no drippage from Oil fill hose, under side panels looked good, bottom of engine looked a bit dirty but at 81k, I think okay. I noticed surface rust on some nuts. The dash was leather or appeared to be leather though I did not see on the option sticker (maybe standard?). Three out of 4 rims were really nice, one had some road rash. Brakes pads looked good, discs showed no cracks, rear tail lights and strip appeared very nice. The front head lights are Litronic and are very good, not new. Body seemed good. I took a magnet to it looking for bondo. Gaps all good.

What I did not like was (and I told the salesman) the radiators. Leaf galore in there. Also, under the plastic panels next to the battery, you could tell no one has cleaned in there. I didn't even remove, I just looked through the holes. If I was selling, I would clean just for perception at least (I clean mine all the time). No receipts, auction car.
A PPI is in order.

The ride was very nice. Suspension sounded really good, drove straight (except for issue above). The sound was intoxicating in a non in your face way, just got better and better as the RPM's rose. The cabin itself was quite nice. The interior was grey. Compared to the Box S, the dash (leather vs pleather) was better but the instrument cluster not as nice. Same shifter (though I swapped mine out). I was goo goo that it had a cup holder since my Boxster doesn't. Unfortunately that was short lived since it took some effort to get back in. Sunroof didn't work either. Went up and then said "I'm not moving".

Now I could go 996 Carrera but I just love the body on the 4S and the extra weight doesn't hurt either (totally backwards thinking on my part). The front and back just wow the heck out me. I was telling my car friends that the car seemed small. I know it was an illusion since it's not. Maybe it's the 18's or something else. I couldn't put my finger on it. Just for fun, the 996 2000 Boxster S comparison. It is certainly a different ride than my Box. I feel the Box is a better back road car, more nimble. Possibly more fun. It seems more responsive (I've driven 3 996's now with 33k to 80k). The box is like the young eager kid, zipping all over the place. The 996 is the cranky man who's a bit reluctant to get moving, but eventually gets up and shows who's in charge. Kid could be gone by then though. The 4S currently wins in the looks department though it could be that I have owned the Box for almost 4 years so I am forgetting the awesomeness of it's curves. It's why I bought the Box after all. Now for me, I tend to like road trips, not curve carving so the 4S just seems to make sense at this time. The ride was quieter in the coupe as to be expected though the hardtop on the Box seems to minimize the difference. Interior a tie due to the differences above.

I will likely make an offer with a list of stuff I want fixed. Fortunately, plenty of 4S's out there and I have a Box to ease the wait.

Oh, any thought on the suspension issue please let me know.