996 C4 - how bad?
Discussion
I'm pondering re-entering the crazy world of 911s again, nearly a year after selling the GT3. I do not want to spend a lot of money and am considering all the options. So....
Would like a 964 C2 but these are silly money. Had a C4 and found it too understeery and way too (tyre) noisy so they're out.
Won't pay silly money for a 993 C2 and had a C4S which, as I have often said, was the most boring car I ever owned.
That leaves 996s. There's a few C2s around but loads of C4s. Obviously, I'm only considering a car with the engine sorted and nothing else but the real question is are 996 C4s as terminally dull and dreadful as the 993C4S. I don't much like the look of the C4S anyway and would only consider the narrow bodied car, as much for practical purposes as aesthetics. I would certainly consider a decent C2 but they seem few and far between with the engine sorted.
I'm not looking for another GT3-alike but may do the odd track day. Apart from that, the car will be a weekend and holidays car, the rest of the week being occupied by the CLK55AMG which is the perfect town car and runaround.
Would like a 964 C2 but these are silly money. Had a C4 and found it too understeery and way too (tyre) noisy so they're out.
Won't pay silly money for a 993 C2 and had a C4S which, as I have often said, was the most boring car I ever owned.
That leaves 996s. There's a few C2s around but loads of C4s. Obviously, I'm only considering a car with the engine sorted and nothing else but the real question is are 996 C4s as terminally dull and dreadful as the 993C4S. I don't much like the look of the C4S anyway and would only consider the narrow bodied car, as much for practical purposes as aesthetics. I would certainly consider a decent C2 but they seem few and far between with the engine sorted.
I'm not looking for another GT3-alike but may do the odd track day. Apart from that, the car will be a weekend and holidays car, the rest of the week being occupied by the CLK55AMG which is the perfect town car and runaround.
I had a 996 C4S a few years back and really enjoyed it.
Just bought a 997 C4 cabriolet and much prefer it - even though it's not an S.
It depends what you're looking for in your car so have a decent drive in one and then decide.
I wanted a 4 because I thought it would be better in the winter but may well be wrong.
Just bought a 997 C4 cabriolet and much prefer it - even though it's not an S.
It depends what you're looking for in your car so have a decent drive in one and then decide.
I wanted a 4 because I thought it would be better in the winter but may well be wrong.
911p said:
Just have a drive yourself and decide. My uncle used to have a 996 C4 and it was a very exciting car.
This is the one I'd go for if I was in the market for one. All the right options - 345bhp X51, M030, sports exhaust, etc.
Looks nice but the engine has yet to implode and be fixed................This is the one I'd go for if I was in the market for one. All the right options - 345bhp X51, M030, sports exhaust, etc.
964 C4 was early Porsche awd technology, and you are right about the additional weight, complexity and understeer - however, there are specialists who will modify and set up a 964 C4 to handle really nicely.
Each subsequent iteration of the 911 C4 has been improved, and I would say that a 996 C4 was pretty good and could be an attractive buy, subject to everything else stacking up.
Each subsequent iteration of the 911 C4 has been improved, and I would say that a 996 C4 was pretty good and could be an attractive buy, subject to everything else stacking up.
just bought a 2003 C4 cabriolet (so I can use in the winter with winter tyres). 60,000 miles and feels noticeably more planted and punchier than a 2000 C2 with 300bhp. Maybe the psm helps
I was on a hartech scheme before, but am tempted with this one to leave as have heard that the 2003 onwards 996's have fewer issues.
Hoping its £14K well spent!
I was on a hartech scheme before, but am tempted with this one to leave as have heard that the 2003 onwards 996's have fewer issues.
Hoping its £14K well spent!
Well, I've got a 996.1 C4 and it's very exciting to me anyway. I love the subtlety that it conveys.
It's also useful in the area where I live - especially in the snow
The key is to ensure that it's sorted purely for YOUR peace of mind.
Or you keep the "what if" fund topped up for the potential eventuality.
Makes me smirk that there's SO much doom & gloom surrounding the 996. Depending on who you talk to, where your talking to them, you'll get different answers.
Personally, if/when my car picks up issues, I get them fixed. I'm aware of the seriously unpleasant aspects, but until they're an issue, they can remain fictitious, as yet to happen
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the entire ownership experience.
Dan
It's also useful in the area where I live - especially in the snow
The key is to ensure that it's sorted purely for YOUR peace of mind.
Or you keep the "what if" fund topped up for the potential eventuality.
Makes me smirk that there's SO much doom & gloom surrounding the 996. Depending on who you talk to, where your talking to them, you'll get different answers.
Personally, if/when my car picks up issues, I get them fixed. I'm aware of the seriously unpleasant aspects, but until they're an issue, they can remain fictitious, as yet to happen
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the entire ownership experience.
Dan
Edited by DanoS4 on Wednesday 21st August 16:31
I can say with some certainty that its not nice when your IMS goes - especially when you're atop a remote Welsh mountain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70933201@N07/84653053...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70933201@N07/84653053...
lordlee said:
I can say with some certainty that its not nice when your IMS goes - especially when you're atop a remote Welsh mountain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70933201@N07/84653053...
Where was the right turn you didn't quite make ? Looks a cracking road http://www.flickr.com/photos/70933201@N07/84653053...
Se7enheaven said:
Where was the right turn you didn't quite make ? Looks a cracking road
About 9 miles from Betws y coed in north Wales. Notice the house in front of us? It was the only occupied house in a 6mile radius so we were very lucky indeed that we broke down there as there was no signal on the mountain.lordlee said:
I can say with some certainty that its not nice when your IMS goes - especially when you're atop a remote Welsh mountain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70933201@N07/84653053...
That would bring a tear to a glass eye. Especially the "is that my engine?" comment, no one wants to hear that.http://www.flickr.com/photos/70933201@N07/84653053...
On a more constructive note, I moved from a 997 GT3 to a 996 Turbo and I don't find the 4wd intrusive. Yes, the steering and feel is nowhere near as direct as the GT3, but then it's also nowhere near as inert as my BMW 3 series. I continue to be surprised just how much fun the 4wd is, especially when you can feel it shuffling the torque around in the wet.
Pete
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