all wheel drive that much better?

[chatas17]

I have my eyes on a 1999 996 that doesn't have all wheel drive. I'm attracted to the car because it has less than 40,000 miles. I can buy it for 23,700. It is not a '4'. The cars is as clean as they come and it's the color combo that I'm looking for. There is another car that has 60,000 miles on it that is a '4' and it's clean but the miles are higher and it. I can pick that car up for around $22,000. Similar condition but more miles. Does the 4 make that big of a difference for resale and handling. I have to admit, it will be used for spirited driving off the track, nothing crazy. Thanks for any input!

[JFP in PA]

I think you need to drive a four wheel car (hard) just once to understand the difference, it is profound.............

[Jaybr]

If you plan on driving in snow or general winter weather get the 4. The 2 doesn't go in snow very well, if at all.

[BYprodriver]

All I would add to the good advice given above is that the price & mileage differences should be ignored in your decision making process!

[Litesonic]

My thought process (FWIW) was that there would be less maintenance on a 2WD than on a 4WD. However, I understand there are beefier components on a 4 v. 2, but that may not be the case. As you know 2WD is lighter.

I am also under the impression (rightly or wrongly) that a more frequently used car is a better purchase than one that sits. This may or may not be the case in your part of the country, as a 4WD may be used all year, which might lead to more corrosion exposure than one that "hibernates".

Either way, I preferred the "feel" of a 2 versus 4, and I have had other 4wd cars previously (non-Porsche).

[chatas17]

Thanks for all the comments and opinions. I have decided to pursue the 2wd. The car is just too clean and I can't help thinking about the miles. I am getting the PPI on Monday. I don't think this will be a track car for me. Honestly, I bought it for my wife because I sold her 67 912 last year. I know a lot of people don't like the looks of the 996 but I really do. Now, no problems with the IMS then I will be happy!

[300cd300sdl911]

I have a 2 wheel 996 and 997 4s. Many posts will describe the difference as the 4 feels 'heavier'. Having both I really can't come up with a better way to describe the difference.
I will say my 4s feels invincible in the corners. Hope this helps.

[oMenRC51]

As the poster above says, my 4S feels planted in corners. I would recommend a 4 especially if you live in a wet region like the Pacific NW.

I have a 04 C4S but also in the market for another PCar (Air cooled, RWD, widebody).

Good luck with your search.

[ACE51]

I think the 2 is a better choice IMO, like others said its lighter and less maintenance. For example to do a rear main seal on a 4 is a nightmare!

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by ACE51

I think the 2 is a better choice IMO, like others said its lighter and less maintenance. For example to do a rear main seal on a 4 is a nightmare!

Have you done this yourself on both cars? A 4/4S has just 4 more small bolts to undo to get the drive shaft separated off the nose of the tranny... otherwise it's no harder!

A 4 has the extra scheduled maintenance of a differential oil change at 90K miles... that's it! It doesn't seem like that much more maintenance especially if you never reach 90K!

A 4S and a C2 drive very differently - the steering of a C2 almost feels "light" in a negative/cheap way compared to the comfortable and solid feel of a 4S. They're both fun cars!

[barlowdo]

I like my C4, I talked to someone who owned a AWD 911 and I think it was a 993. He said it felt like it held the road like it was on railroad tracks.

I kinda feel that way with my 2001 C4.

And IMHO the trunk area takes on a much cleaner look with the spare tire hidden in the floor sort of like a modern smugglers locker.

Don

[ShawnM]

Congrats on going with the 2. To me the huge difference with the 911 is feel. I just successfully completed a search for my first PCar and having driven both 2 and 4 I found the 4 felt similar to other sports cars while the 2 is much more alive. I bought an 08 C2S 6 spd.

Few of us use our personal cars to make money on a track. Driving a Porsche for me is the joy in itself- and as Butzi intended- a lightweight unencumbered front end that directly translates the road surface to the wheel.

Enjoy your new car!

[barlowdo]

Its a Porsche - How can you go wrong

[chatas17]

I did switch gears a bit and bought an 84 911. I love the feel of the car. I guess the 996 will be for another time. I still want to drive both types to experience the difference. Thanks for all the input.

[ncmountainman]

I have both, a 996 c4 and 2 boxsters. As someone said, you only have to drive the c4 to realize the difference. I am in the mountains and the c4 is my winter car primarily, but for hard high speed cornering it is great any time of the year

[Rapewta]

Great purchase!
I have never driven an AWD Porsche but love my 996 C2 6sp coupe.
I don't track it. Just drive it a lot.
Stock everything except the wheels and tires.
I went from 205's & 255's to 225's and 295's still all on 17" rims. That made a difference in cornering.
Out here, we have no snow or ice so for me the C2 is just fine.

I feel that the 996 C2 will never be a collectable so I drive it everyday and could care less about all the miles I am racking up. Enjoy.

[superglide]

I completely agree with the mountain man; my 986S was the cats' ass on road or track, total confidence right up to the edge. When reaching that point, you're going so fast, that a new set of challenges happens..
But, as that 986S was destroyed in a flood, I got a deal on an '04C4S. The awd provides the same planted feel when pushed hard, but different and more substantial than the lighter mid-engine car. I'm working up to the edge, and I'm told that the recovery when you finally do lose it, is almost automatic. No more (or less of) tail-wagging.

[DaveBerry]

The "tail wag" is really quite a trip!