Porsche 996 C4S - Opinions
Discussion
I'm in the process of selling my 911SC and already looking for a replacement.
I'm buying the car to use but residual values will be a factor for me as I already have too many depreciating assets.
A 996 Turbo is high on my list but recently one or two people have been extolling the virtues of the 996 C4S both as a decent car and as a future "classic".
I notice that the few that are for sale do seem to be up at fairly high prices, are they holding their value already ?
The one downside I can see is the engine issues on the NA cars as opposed to the Turbo.
Any advice appreciated.
I'm buying the car to use but residual values will be a factor for me as I already have too many depreciating assets.
A 996 Turbo is high on my list but recently one or two people have been extolling the virtues of the 996 C4S both as a decent car and as a future "classic".
I notice that the few that are for sale do seem to be up at fairly high prices, are they holding their value already ?
The one downside I can see is the engine issues on the NA cars as opposed to the Turbo.
Any advice appreciated.
The good ones will always be at a premium, more so as they get older. Low mileage examples seem to have stabilised in terms of value and I don't see these dropping too far below the turbo.
If you are to get a 4S, I'd recommend finding one with PSE. It's makes it so much more exciting! Unplug the vacuum pump so its valves are open all the time. Despite the 4wd, it feels quite agile and is a quick road car.
Otherwise, a turbo should be a similar drive but with more punch. I'd find a good aftermarket exhaust to liven it up.
If you are to get a 4S, I'd recommend finding one with PSE. It's makes it so much more exciting! Unplug the vacuum pump so its valves are open all the time. Despite the 4wd, it feels quite agile and is a quick road car.
Otherwise, a turbo should be a similar drive but with more punch. I'd find a good aftermarket exhaust to liven it up.
Quite a difference between an SC & a C4S to drive I would think.
C4S is without a doubt the prettiest of the 996's, as said above, PSE is pretty much essential. It is however, c150kg's heavier than the C2 with no extra power, some people aren't keen on the AWD either. Turbo has the more reliable Mezger engine but comes with higher running costs I would think.
They cost more than the C2's now so will they depreciate slower, or even appreciate faster? C2 is the better value I think & for me, the better drive.
C4S is without a doubt the prettiest of the 996's, as said above, PSE is pretty much essential. It is however, c150kg's heavier than the C2 with no extra power, some people aren't keen on the AWD either. Turbo has the more reliable Mezger engine but comes with higher running costs I would think.
They cost more than the C2's now so will they depreciate slower, or even appreciate faster? C2 is the better value I think & for me, the better drive.
Had a C4S for my first Porsche - great car, same chassis and brakes as the Turbo plus the wide body, steering not as pure as a 2wd car and a tad heavier.
Had mine 2 yrs with no problems other than a couple of coil packs.
Look out for tyres and brakes when buying both are expensive but that applies to any 911. Go for it and the best of luck.
Had mine 2 yrs with no problems other than a couple of coil packs.
Look out for tyres and brakes when buying both are expensive but that applies to any 911. Go for it and the best of luck.
Budweiser said:
911 SC is a dog to drive especially in the wet.
The C4S is drop dead gorgeous, a much better drive and quicker.
Dump the SC and enjoy the brilliance of the C4S you won't regret it. All IMO...
That's too sweeping of a statement. I appreciate that many people will only have driven an old, tired SC though, in which case yes, a dog will drive like one.The C4S is drop dead gorgeous, a much better drive and quicker.
Dump the SC and enjoy the brilliance of the C4S you won't regret it. All IMO...
If the OP prefers the look of a C4S over a C2 then who are we to argue? Taste is a personal thing. So is driving experience so I'd suggest trying *good* examples of both, and maybe a Turbo too, then you'll have all the info you need to decide for yourself. Depreciation will be negligible on all of them (compared to other running costs), they are all pretty much in the realm of condition dictating price rather than age and even mileage.
The 996 gets the short end of the stick when it comes to the air cooled v water cooled debate. Fast forward 10 years and it's more likely to be a mechanical v electrical debate (in terms of steering, gearboxes etc) and IMO anything mechanical will be sought after because it will be rare. Condition will be king and a top condition C4S will be sought after. But I don't expect it's value to go ballistic, just sit nicely around the £20k mark for a very good one. In the meantime it represents very cost effective Porsche motoring and hardly looks dated - depending on the angle there's bits of current Cayenne at the front, 991 from the profile and Panamera around the rear.
kbooker said:
Heavy, slow, woeful interior, far too many built to ever become a classic, one would make a decent cheap daily runner you can dump in a multistory and not worry about. All this talk of vanilla 996's being future classics is madness, all imo of course 
Slow?.........................plonker.
)KungFuPanda said:
Turbo bumpers, brakes and lowered suspension coupled with a wide body. What's not to like?
The lack of a turbo. 
In my opinion, the C4S, whilst a very good car in its own right, offers nothing over a turbo (apart from a better noise on full chat perhaps).
Stubbsy said:
If your budget permits I would try and get hold of a 996 turbo, I went from a c2 to a turbo and the difference is power really is noticeable, I wouldn't worry about value future classic etc find a nice example and enjoy it :-)
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