c2 or c4 What should i buy?

s2rm · 03-16-2006, 05:13 PM

Hi, i'm a newbie to the forum. I will be in the market for a 2000 996 this summer. What i would like to know is what would be a better car, a c2 or c4? Is there a lot of extra maintence on a c4 or exspense? Thanks for the info

InTheAir · 03-17-2006, 02:39 AM

Be prepared--there are a lot of opinions on this subject.

Suffice it to say, there are pros/cons to both. Are you planning on driving it year round?

The C2 will have different corner handling vs. the C4. Some like the C2 for this; others the C4.

The C4 is typically about 100 pounds heavier than the C2. Some say this inherently means that the C4 is "slower." However, that is up to debate. In fact, the Owners Manual for the 993's list the C4 as being 0.1s faster than the C2 in the 0-100 kmh, perhaps due to improved traction during takeoff.

There ~could~ be added service required for C4's simply by virtue of the additional parts. As far as "maintenance", however, this is pretty much a non-issue.

The 993 turbos were all AWD; however, I'm not sure if that is true for the 996's.

In inclement weather (i.e. rain/snow), the C4 will do better in handling. Many people drive their C4's in the snow (with snow tires) and report they are quite capable.

There are certainly more C2's available, so your choices may be limited.

TTH.

drisin80 · 03-17-2006, 07:04 AM

hi-- i have a 964 c4 cab, and love it. have had no maintainence problems with it in regards to the awd---currently have 65k miles on it. my own personal opinion is that the c4 is more user friendly-- in other words you have to be a more skilled driver to take corners in a c2 as opposed to a c4-- at high speeds. i just feel very comfortable throwing the car into sharp turns at pretty high speeds. have had the potenzas on the car before, presently the original yokohamas, and in both cases only get about 6000 miles until the rears wear out. that rubber is going somewhere. if you are a very experienced driver, and want the thrill of driving the car as originally designed, get the c2. if not - the c4 allows a less skilled driver an easy way to still enjoy the wonderful performance of these cars. there is a reason why they are making the newer turbos awd. just an opinion-- i could be wrong. tom

Steveinatlanta · 03-17-2006, 02:01 PM

I think drisin80 nailed it. I have a 996 4s and a 86 3.2. I did my first couple of drivers ed's in the 4s. It's an amazing car on the track, like a train on rails. I wasn't really getting it, though. I could screw up the line by a lot and still scorch through the corners. Make a mistake and between AWD, PSM and ABS - you didn't even know you made a mistake. It wasn't until I stepped back into the 86, made some suspension mods, that I caught the racing buzz... make a mistake in that one, and you will pay.

s2rm · 03-17-2006, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the replys, I'm not a true aggressive driver but i do like a good spirited drive.To be honest i just like the looks of the c4 cab, it looks to be a bit beefier than the c2.I have talked to several Porsche service managers and they have used the words "almost bullet" proof for the 2000 996. Can i assume that this car is almost bullet proof? I know they will be very exspensive to get worked on, but what can i expect? Thanks again

InTheAir · 03-17-2006, 05:16 PM

Ballpark- $200 oil change.

DustinTarditi · DustinTarditi's Garage

We have a couple of 996es in our PCA group and the C4S is much wider and stout looking than the C2, but I thought the extra width came from the S, not the 4.

Do the 996 C4 and C2 look dramatically different?

InTheAir · 03-20-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DustinTarditi
We have a couple of 996es in our PCA group and the C4S is much wider and stout looking than the C2, but I thought the extra width came from the S, not the 4.

Do the 996 C4 and C2 look dramatically different?

You're correct--the difference in appearance is due to the S, not the 4. The C4 and C2 look the same.

DustinTarditi · DustinTarditi's Garage

BTW - I pay $70 for an oil change at my local performance shop.

InTheAir · 03-21-2006, 06:48 AM

Wow, $70. That wouldn't even buy my two filters and 11 quarts of Mobil1.

DustinTarditi · DustinTarditi's Garage

Mine has a single filter - they use the recommended oil weight unless the owner demands something else. My C4 came with dino juice, so they put that in... newer ones that came with synthetic get that (I'm sure at increased expense).

The shop is very good and handles everything from PPIs and basic maintenance to split-case engine rebuilds and full race builds.