Friday 13th May 2011

Driven: Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

PH goes 'back to basics' with a blat in a 'boggo' 911

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Barely a day seems to pass without a PistonHeads story announcing the latest variant or special edition of the Porsche 911. Usually followed by healthy debate about the merits/constraints of the rear-engined coupe, or how the 911 is long overdue a replacement.

Current 911 trends seem to focus around an ever-increasing amount of power, spoilers and graphics, while interiors go in the other direction with equipment stripped and weight removed.

All very well for those of us who live on the track, commute via the Nurburgring, or who can really tell what difference a 10g saving makes when circumnavigating the M25. But what about the rest of us? Is a 'standard' Carrera special enough these days? Is the '1.3 GL' of 911s worth it? A press car booked in for the latest PH studio photography session meant it was time to find out...

Looking at a Carrera in standard-ish form (this was a 4S, not a Carrera 2 after all), and even in yellow/black 'check me out' colours it manages an elegant simplicity when freed from graphics and other additions. The lack of skirts and front spoilers make it seem a little taller than you might expect too. Dare I say that it almost looks 'ordinary'?

The interior of a Carrera could never be described as over-adorned, and even with Sport Chrono, navigation and climate control this car's dashboard looks uncluttered. Sit your average non-car person inside, and they might even be disappointed at the lack of drama. But everything works for the driver, and after approximately 30 seconds in the cabin, that 911 familiarity immediately makes you feel at home.

So far, so good then, but what about the lack of a turbo or track-focused suspension - the drive will surely disappoint as a result? Well a look at the figures suggest not, as 385bhp, 420Nm, 1585kg and 3.8 litres equate to a more-than-enough top speed of 183mph and a 0-60mph time of 4.3secs.

Suspension-wise the 'S' moniker gives a firm ride, so firm in fact that I glanced down to see if I had pressed the sport suspension setting. I hadn't, so you'll have to get used to a bone-shaking ride. It's not too intrusive after a while, but as councils skimp on road repairs you'll certainly notice it. A glance at the options fitted to this car showed the (no cost) sports suspension has been fitted, lowering the car 20mm. You'd have a very capable car without ticking this box, and as a daily driver you might appreciate it.

On the road this is one of the best dual-character cars there is. Pottering about listening to Radio 2, with a boot full of shopping, you can see out of all the windows and mirrors, the clutch is light and the gearbox is one of the best you'll use.

Point it along your favourite B-road for an hour or two though (well, you have to...) and you can cover ground at an immense pace with the minimum of fuss. Third or fourth will despatch most lines of traffic without hesitation and the tightest of corners can be taken without any fear because it's such a flattering car to drive fast. It feels so comfortable and predictable, but mostly because the performance available is so easy to exploit without working yourself into a sweat. You have to hand it to Porsche, they know how to build a great chassis.

Lack of character is a criticism often levelled at the 911, an odd claim considering the unconventional layout and pedigree, but I think effectiveness is often confused with a lack of soul. It certainly feels like a car that has a heart and, with the optional sports exhaust (£1465) it sounds glorious too, especially as it passes through 4000 rpm.

Speaking of options and prices, the Carrera 4S costs £80,785 in standard flavour, but this car tipped in at £89,303 with a few options added. Some of the options are desirable - the aforementioned exhaust, sports seats (with leather at £2403) but others like the black 19in wheels at (£1250) could be left behind as I'd imagine it would feel even sweeter on the standard eighteens.

Last year I was lucky enough to spend time in a GT3, and my poster car remains a GT3RS, but I will campaign with as much vigour as a local MP for the cause of the basic Carrera. For most of us it offers all the performance and usability we'll need and for the poseurs amongst us, the 911 still gets admiring glances wherever it goes.

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy a faster version, all I'm saying is sometimes a black coffee hits the spot better than a frappacappacinomocca with an extra shot and skinny milk.

[adycav]

I'd choose to go even further down the fundamental route and go for a standard Carrera with real wheel drive, a manual gearbox, 18 inch wheels and absolutely no options at all, other than perhaps the sports exhaust.

Nice article anyway.

[Garlick]

adycav said:

I'd choose to go even further down the fundamental route and go for a standard Carrera with real wheel drive, a manual gearbox, 18 inch wheels and absolutely no options at all.

You're absolutely right sir, I would too and that's what I was trying to hint at. We were given a 4S so that's what I had to play with, but a 2 or 2S would be even better (and cheaper).

[adycav]

Garlick said:

adycav said:

I'd choose to go even further down the fundamental route and go for a standard Carrera with real wheel drive, a manual gearbox, 18 inch wheels and absolutely no options at all.

You're absolutely right sir, I would too and that's what I was trying to hint at. We were given a 4S so that's what I had to play with, but a 2 or 2S would be even better (and cheaper).

We are indeed singing from the same hymn sheet.

It's going to be very hard to find a used 997 Carrera in the future without a plethora of options however. Most seem specced up to the gunnels with gadgetry.

[The Wookie]

adycav said:

I'd choose to go even further down the fundamental route and go for a standard Carrera with real wheel drive, a manual gearbox, 18 inch wheels and absolutely no options at all, other than perhaps the sports exhaust.

Nice article anyway.

Eh, mine's a bit too soft if you ask me, the high speed body control is a bit lacking and the PSM doesn't really help, just makes it harsher. Could do with a bit more torque too.

If I'd had a choice I probably would have gone for an S.

[Garlick]

Something quite 'pure' about a standard Carrera though, no? Same with the Cayman and Boxster too.

[Mr Whippy]

I still like the standard C2's a great deal.

The mk1 997 C2 in red, with the 18" 5 spoke wheels... superb looking, and still very good performance no doubt.

Turbo's and GT3's etc are all nice, but I'm sure a C2 with the right choice mods could be made every bit as involving and interesting for the road for most use/users, while also staying nice and stealthy

Dave

[vertastic]

I'd take the 997 GTS over this.

Not a fan of the yellow though.

[Johnboy Mac]

Garlick said:

Something quite 'pure' about a standard Carrera though, no? Same with the Cayman and Boxster too.

Next time you see a 911 2.7 or an SC, take a good look as I reckon they are far nicer than the later Carrera 3.2. Less can be more, this goes for a lot of other motors and life in general too.

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Friday 13th May 15:39

[Garlick]

Johnboy Mac said:

Garlick said:

Something quite 'pure' about a standard Carrera though, no? Same with the Cayman and Boxster too.

Next time you see a 911 2.7 or an SC, take a good luck as I reckon they are far nicer than the later Carrera 3.2. Less can be more, this goes for a lot of other motors and life in general too.

Absolutely. I meant pure in a good way by the way, as in unadorned and fuss-free.

[nickfrog]

The Wookie said:

adycav said:

I'd choose to go even further down the fundamental route and go for a standard Carrera with real wheel drive, a manual gearbox, 18 inch wheels and absolutely no options at all, other than perhaps the sports exhaust.

Nice article anyway.

and the PSM doesn't really help, just makes it harsher.

You mean PASM I guess ?

[Johnboy Mac]

Garlick said:

Absolutely. I meant pure in a good way by the way, as in unadorned and fuss-free.

Yeah, I got you and I'm in total agreement.

[Luca Brasi]

Even though it's 7 years old, I still like the 997 generation. Somehow it still looks fresh, especially the MkII.

[CrisW]

Shows how fussy and "Ripspeed" the GTx cars are becoming.

I like the car in yellow. It's enough to distance it from every other silver 911 but with 18s and normal ride height it would be better again.

I'd even go so far as to say that if I was buying a 4S my money would probably end up with the Targa. The glass roof would be very nice on a summer day and I've always liked hot hatches.

[willisit]

I've always lusted after a 993 turbo, but read time and time again that the C2 is a better car - and I owned 2 993s in my past and can honestly say I've never had a better car.

But what made the 993 so pretty, we're her hips - and in a 997, you need the S. Shame as I'd do the same and stick with the Carrera.

[J4CKO]

Hmm, 89 grand, sod that, two year old Turbo and a trip to DDMS, sod purity, lets go for < 3 sec 0-60.

[soad]

vertastic said:

I'd take the 997 GTS over this.

Not a fan of the yellow though.

I probably would too.

Think it looks good in yellow - stands out from the black/sliver/grey ones.

[Garlick]

J4CKO said:

Hmm, 89 grand, sod that, two year old Turbo and a trip to DDMS, sod purity, lets go for < 3 sec 0-60.

A new Porsche 911 Carrera is 'only' £67,270 though.

Or used at under £28K? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2760115.htm

[ismegamanthere]

If there's one thing Porsche does perfectly with the 911, it's the interior. I LOVE the "normal" interior that they give it. These days, there's so many buttons and clutter on cars that it's just so overwhelming and pretty much unnecessary. With the 911 though, drivers get an understated but nice and comfortable interior combined with a dash that is easy to navigate and pleasing to the human eye.

[Dr G]

Garlick said:

A new Porsche 911 Carrera is 'only' £67,270 though.

Or used at under £28K? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2760115.htm

Yes please but in grey - very elegant.

For 90k the R8 knocks it dead.

[russy01]

looks very nice in plain flavour. These porsche things are growing on me.