Discussion
Okay, I know this has been done to death, and im not after the age old 'my car is better' argument.
It's simply that in my search, i've come across 2 cars that come close to what i was looking for.
There is a C4 that is more expensive, but much closer to what i want - and a C2, which, while not perfect, is a close runner.
And i know 'buy on condition' - and i will go look at both when i have a chance...
My question is as follows:
I aimed for a C2 because of the extra luggage space - so I'd be interested in knowing from C4 owners how they get on with theirs...
However, the C4 does appeal as it will be my only car, including some winter driving - but i have no idea how a C2 handles in the wet, ice and snow...
So, if any owners can give honest opinions on their cars in the above siutations, i would most appreciate it...
Also, what do you run your 996 on? Standard unleaded? super? or Optimax/Ultimate?
It's simply that in my search, i've come across 2 cars that come close to what i was looking for.
There is a C4 that is more expensive, but much closer to what i want - and a C2, which, while not perfect, is a close runner.
And i know 'buy on condition' - and i will go look at both when i have a chance...
My question is as follows:
I aimed for a C2 because of the extra luggage space - so I'd be interested in knowing from C4 owners how they get on with theirs...
However, the C4 does appeal as it will be my only car, including some winter driving - but i have no idea how a C2 handles in the wet, ice and snow...
So, if any owners can give honest opinions on their cars in the above siutations, i would most appreciate it...
Also, what do you run your 996 on? Standard unleaded? super? or Optimax/Ultimate?
C2, never found wanting for traction. Very rarely see the traction control light come on, and I do try hard.
Always liked 4WD drive sports cars, but had to go for a C2 as I need the bigger boot. Personally found it was a good choice (I did also try a C4).
Generally put Optimax in it, it's the most convenient for me anyway.
Always liked 4WD drive sports cars, but had to go for a C2 as I need the bigger boot. Personally found it was a good choice (I did also try a C4).
Generally put Optimax in it, it's the most convenient for me anyway.
I run mine on superplus unleaded.
I would also support Jamie's comments - never had any traction problems with my C2 despite using as a daily driver (100 miles per day)
Like a lot of people I have always lusted after a Turbo, but having got to know how beautifully balanced the C2 is, I am really starting to believe I won't want the handling/traction diluted by 4 wheel drive. Unfortunately, I don't have the balls to drive a GT2
That said, if the C4 is closest to the spec/price/mileage you are looking for then go for it. When looking back with hindsight I don't think you will evr regret the purchase.
I would also support Jamie's comments - never had any traction problems with my C2 despite using as a daily driver (100 miles per day)
Like a lot of people I have always lusted after a Turbo, but having got to know how beautifully balanced the C2 is, I am really starting to believe I won't want the handling/traction diluted by 4 wheel drive. Unfortunately, I don't have the balls to drive a GT2
That said, if the C4 is closest to the spec/price/mileage you are looking for then go for it. When looking back with hindsight I don't think you will evr regret the purchase.
C2 has more than enough grip, bigger boot and more economical.
Never saw the need for a c4 as a C2 has so much grip, even in the rain.
I dont see the 996 rear engined dynamics working particularly with 4wd as its never going to be a lancer or evo style lurid tail slides kind of car.
Keep looking there are plenty out there...
Bennno
Geneve said:
Who buys a 911 to drive in the snow?
Fun perhaps, but they are both rubbish in the snow without 'winter' tyres.
Fun perhaps, but they are both rubbish in the snow without 'winter' tyres.
Two wheels good, four wheels bad
And the two wheel drive 993 is awesome fun in the snow *with* winter tyres, actually I run winter tyres all winter here in the UK as they work really well.
I wouldn't consider either C4 or C2 in snowy conditions without winter tyres - the fat rear boots will sit up and slide on snow, and with the engine behind the wheels it's simply utterly dangerous going downhill without the rear tyres gripping. Four wheel drive or no, summer tyres in the snow in a 911 are crazy.
To be honest, the benefits of the C4 can be easily surpassed in a C2 simply by using the correct tyre for the conditions. I don't honestly think the C4 really adds enough benefit in the majority of UK conditions, unless you insist on running trackday tyres all year round and like understeer
Geneve said:
Who buys a 911 to drive in the snow?
Fun perhaps, but they are both rubbish in the snow without 'winter' tyres.
Fun perhaps, but they are both rubbish in the snow without 'winter' tyres.
spot who didnt read the original post...
only car.
needs to be used year round.
Newsflash: It sometimes snows in England!
And thanks for the serious replies, the tyre comment is quite apt really.
Get real. It doesn't snow in England, well certainly not in the south.
What happens is a couple of inches of white stuff appears, everyone panics, those who can't drive struggle to control their cars, public transport comes to a halt and by lunchtime it's gone.
Go to Scandinavia, Eastern Europe or the Alps for real snow, where most people still have 2wd cars but swap to the corret tyres in winter.
What happens is a couple of inches of white stuff appears, everyone panics, those who can't drive struggle to control their cars, public transport comes to a halt and by lunchtime it's gone.
Go to Scandinavia, Eastern Europe or the Alps for real snow, where most people still have 2wd cars but swap to the corret tyres in winter.
fidgits said:
BliarOut said:
The C4 simply reinvents physics in the snow 
Has anyone driven the C2 in the snow? any comments?
I got caught in the Lakes district during the infamous blizzard back in March in my (now sold) 03 C2 with PSM.
The car was impressively easy to drive in the snow, holding a nice tight line, and allowing me to overtake stranded cars on the M6. I wouldnt have had a problem driving it in the snow, but for the fact other t
ts in lesser cars, were bumping into each other, so would rather avoid the risk of that happening to me. I previously had a Boxster without PSM and had to abandon a journey up north in Scotland, as the car wouldnt drive in a straight line.
Koln-RS said:
Get real. It doesn't snow in England, well certainly not in the south.
What happens is a couple of inches of white stuff appears, everyone panics, those who can't drive struggle to control their cars, public transport comes to a halt and by lunchtime it's gone.
Go to Scandinavia, Eastern Europe or the Alps for real snow, where most people still have 2wd cars but swap to the corret tyres in winter.
What happens is a couple of inches of white stuff appears, everyone panics, those who can't drive struggle to control their cars, public transport comes to a halt and by lunchtime it's gone.
Go to Scandinavia, Eastern Europe or the Alps for real snow, where most people still have 2wd cars but swap to the corret tyres in winter.
well yes, comparatively it doesnt - but then in the winter you have to have studded tyres by law in Finland/sweden...
as for not snowing in the UK... i still remember driving through a blizzard on xmas day a couple of years ago - doing 30mph on a white carpet that was supposed to be the M6 and passing an awful lot of cars..
While british drivers do certainly panic, its not helped by the ineptitude of the goverment and their gritting campaign.
BliarOut said:
TBH though I'd rather be driving a £200 FWD Fiesta with skinny tyres in the snow.
Or a Subaru Impreza with 145 width tyres and chains. Like the nutball in the mountains in Switzerland who came past me at 100+ when I was doddering along at 20 mph trying to keep the car in a straight line (packed snow on top of ice, nice)
Went for a drive very early this morning, and it was raining torrentially at various points.
Would I have gone faster in a C4? Yes.
Would I have had any more fun? I'm doubtful. Part of the pleasure in driving for me is measuring the steering, throttle and brake inputs. I don't believe pleasure and ultimate pace are necessarily the same thing. It was still extremely quick though, and fantastic through standing water.
Ultimately if you bought a C4 you probably wouldn't wish you'd bought a C2, and vice versa.
Would I have gone faster in a C4? Yes.
Would I have had any more fun? I'm doubtful. Part of the pleasure in driving for me is measuring the steering, throttle and brake inputs. I don't believe pleasure and ultimate pace are necessarily the same thing. It was still extremely quick though, and fantastic through standing water.
Ultimately if you bought a C4 you probably wouldn't wish you'd bought a C2, and vice versa.
Rather than listen to views of people of differing abilities and needs for what a car has to offer, I would suggest that you arrange test drives of the cars you are interested in and make up your own mind.
So many threads have people giving forth advice on the best car and they are either spouting what they have read somewhere and want to sound knowledgable, or are limited to their own personal preferences. Only you know whether a particular car is suited to you.
So many threads have people giving forth advice on the best car and they are either spouting what they have read somewhere and want to sound knowledgable, or are limited to their own personal preferences. Only you know whether a particular car is suited to you.
andymin said:
I have a 964 C2 which i intend to use right through the winter, gritted roads or not. If you don't mind me asking what winter tyres do you use?
I use Pirelli Snowsport - they are N rated (I can't give the precise spec as they are sitting underneath two Dunlop SSRs and I can't be arsed to pull them out).
They are fantastic in British winters, deep tread is brilliant in the rain and never aquaplanes. They are soft and very progressive, you can drift around like a ricer no trouble.
They are, however, not ideal on packed snow / ice (e.g. driving to a ski resort) because the rears are still 255 width and they don't always bite through the snow. I think Porsche recommend a narrower tyre but this would mean different rims.
The good thing about the Pirellis is that they are comfortable at very high speeds (rated up to 150 mph) and can deal with the full winter / spring season without overheating - I use them from November to April. I definitely recommend them.
It also gives you the opportunity to use a cheaper, rougher set of alloys in the winter and keep the good wheels for the summer. Winter use will corrode the alloys eventually when there's salt on the road.
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