993 C4S vs standard C2
Discussion
I've been on the prowl for a good 993 for the last 6 months. Not as an everyday car, but one 'to put away'. No doubt low mileage, single owner cars may be hard to find, so I wondered whether which model was best to choose, or is it just a question of buying the right car when it arises ?
I have a C4S and they are very fun :-)
At the end of the day you won't go wrong with either as a keeper but for me the widebody 993 without the fixed spoiler is the iconic shape I wanted to own. I would have bought a NB if I had found one in good enough nick but I was a little wary I would still yearn for a WB, in the end the right WB came along and made the decision easy.
I would normally say drive both but it does not really work like that with 993s as so much depends on how well they are setup and they don't hang around long enough so I would just say drive a few if you can even if they are not what you are looking for, it will make your final decision easier.
At the end of the day you won't go wrong with either as a keeper but for me the widebody 993 without the fixed spoiler is the iconic shape I wanted to own. I would have bought a NB if I had found one in good enough nick but I was a little wary I would still yearn for a WB, in the end the right WB came along and made the decision easy.
I would normally say drive both but it does not really work like that with 993s as so much depends on how well they are setup and they don't hang around long enough so I would just say drive a few if you can even if they are not what you are looking for, it will make your final decision easier.
993C4S is, in my view, the worst of the 993 range. Too heavy and not nimble enough but great for posing. I had one with the turbo wing and it looked fab but was as much fun to drive as an Audi 80 - I know, I had one of those too. Find a nice C2 and you will be a lot happier. Assuming that you are actually going to drive it. If you are going to leave it to appreciate in the garage, a C4S is probably a very wise choice.
I'd be looking at the C2 personally. I've not driven the 993 range but I've have driven a standard 996 C2 and a 996 C4S and the C2 was much sweeter. It actually felt faster on a good road than the C4S which can't be the case. Mind, the C4S had an awful tiptronic gearbox and the C2 was manual so maybe that killed the experience.
If you haven't already found Jackals website start here: http://www.jackals-forge.com/lotus/993/993_buy_gui...
You have to drive both and see which you prefer. Once you've discounted a model from your list it really is a case of picking up a car when it comes along, I tried to wait for the "perfect spec" car, but it just never came up, even to this day I've not seen 'my' perfect spec car come up for sale. Break your spec into "must haves" and "nice to haves" and take it from there.
You have to drive both and see which you prefer. Once you've discounted a model from your list it really is a case of picking up a car when it comes along, I tried to wait for the "perfect spec" car, but it just never came up, even to this day I've not seen 'my' perfect spec car come up for sale. Break your spec into "must haves" and "nice to haves" and take it from there.
rlw said:
I had one with the turbo wing and it looked fab ......
Says it all, worst feature on any 993 IMHO, they look terrible so why fit one when there is absolutely no need ?It goes back to what feels right for you, 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, turbo, NA, etc.....
At the end of the day I like fat arses, what can I say and any difference in performance will be more down to driver ability than the car ;-)
It helps when your favourite driving is in the wet, clearer summer roads and just more fun, throw 4wd in the mix and I must just be weird lol
jonttt said:
Says it all, worst feature on any 993 IMHO, they look terrible so why fit one when there is absolutely no need ?
It goes back to what feels right for you, 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, turbo, NA, etc.....
At the end of the day I like fat arses, what can I say and any difference in performance will be more down to driver ability than the car ;-)
It helps when your favourite driving is in the wet, clearer summer roads and just more fun, throw 4wd in the mix and I must just be weird lol
Says what all exactly? I fitted the turbo rear wing as I thought it looked better than the clunky and noisy, and much heavier, moveable wing. Oddly enough, the car ran a little cooler foreverafter too.It goes back to what feels right for you, 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, turbo, NA, etc.....
At the end of the day I like fat arses, what can I say and any difference in performance will be more down to driver ability than the car ;-)
It helps when your favourite driving is in the wet, clearer summer roads and just more fun, throw 4wd in the mix and I must just be weird lol
I traded my C4s for a 6GT3 as it was a total disappointment, even after spending thousands sorting it out, so I'm not really sure what that says about me, other than I like cars that are light, nimble on their feet, reward precise driving and don't have the handling traits of a Thames barge.
The C4S is more of a GT car, not a sports car, in my view. If thats what the OP wants, then fine, but be aware that there are alternatives and some may be better.
Before the C4S I had a 964 Celebration which I found far more enjoyable to drive but I was seduced by the C4S is nirvana nonsense. The GT3 was far more fun than both I should add, especially in the wet.
Dynamo69 said:
I've been on the prowl for a good 993 for the last 6 months. Not as an everyday car, but one 'to put away'. No doubt low mileage, single owner cars may be hard to find, so I wondered whether which model was best to choose, or is it just a question of buying the right car when it arises ?
Lets not forget that a C4s will set you back 50% more than a C2 for an inferior driving experience. Get a concourse C2 or make the jump to a turbo. Either will be a fine investment. Most likely you will not lock it away...you will have to drive it every time you see it...I do!Just to put in a good word for the C4 NB cars...
Mine's a 993 C4 narrow body, manual coupe. I was thinking, as everyone does after researching these cars, that I wanted a rear wheel drive car. My local dealer Phil Raby had a car that had just come in, not even prepped, and he offered me a drive. I didn't even know it was a C4 until after I'd driven it and saw the badge at the rear. I went away to think about it, and kept thinking about the drive, and then studied the details and realised this was a great car in great condition, great spec, low-ish mileage, and cars like this are not coming on the market in this condition that often, and tend to sell quick. So I just went for it. No regrets, love the car.
You probably know, but the 993 4 wheel drive is very different from the 964 C4. It's a viscous coupling, much lighter than the 964 C4 permanent 4WD set up. And it is practically rear wheel drive most of the time, unless the front wheels slip in which case this engages more drive in the front wheels.
Perhaps on track this is going to be less desirable for on the limit handling. But unless you spend a lot of time on track, how relevant is that to your day to day driving? And as others have said, these cars respond to set-up and I'm sure could be set up for track work if that's your thing.
Best of luck...
Mine's a 993 C4 narrow body, manual coupe. I was thinking, as everyone does after researching these cars, that I wanted a rear wheel drive car. My local dealer Phil Raby had a car that had just come in, not even prepped, and he offered me a drive. I didn't even know it was a C4 until after I'd driven it and saw the badge at the rear. I went away to think about it, and kept thinking about the drive, and then studied the details and realised this was a great car in great condition, great spec, low-ish mileage, and cars like this are not coming on the market in this condition that often, and tend to sell quick. So I just went for it. No regrets, love the car.
You probably know, but the 993 4 wheel drive is very different from the 964 C4. It's a viscous coupling, much lighter than the 964 C4 permanent 4WD set up. And it is practically rear wheel drive most of the time, unless the front wheels slip in which case this engages more drive in the front wheels.
Perhaps on track this is going to be less desirable for on the limit handling. But unless you spend a lot of time on track, how relevant is that to your day to day driving? And as others have said, these cars respond to set-up and I'm sure could be set up for track work if that's your thing.
Best of luck...
For me it goes RS > C2 > C2S > C4 > Turbo > Turbo S > C4S
But hey, im a purist, i like being near the limit, i like carrying more speed through, i like savouring the final chassis nuances and i pick feel and input-output over acceleration every single time.
You're probably other things though so dont take a blind bit of notice and go out and decide for you and you only and your own personal intended use. I know one chap who adores his C4S and all power to him.
As for something to 'put away', cant see how you'd go wrong with any of them esp the manual coupes.
Good luck, not an easy time to start a search.
But hey, im a purist, i like being near the limit, i like carrying more speed through, i like savouring the final chassis nuances and i pick feel and input-output over acceleration every single time.
You're probably other things though so dont take a blind bit of notice and go out and decide for you and you only and your own personal intended use. I know one chap who adores his C4S and all power to him.
As for something to 'put away', cant see how you'd go wrong with any of them esp the manual coupes.
Good luck, not an easy time to start a search.
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