ahhh! (change of plan). which 997?

[bruiser777]

...it seems we have a baby on the way - which is good of course, but puts paid to my GT3 purchase in June.

I now need a car with rear seats, so am looking at the Carerra, C2S and the C4S

I have heard the C4S s difficult to sell on - is this true, or just rumour spreading by C2 owners ;-)

Also - if the C2 is a better bet, is the C2S definitely worth the extra money? I am a previous TVR/Lotus owner, so enjoy the twisties

Cheers

Bruce

[johnag007]

The car has just ben launched! I would only say go for the S version, easier to resell, price differential partially covered by additional extras, oh and after all, no one complains about more power, even if the Carrera is good enough (so is a Cayman if you push the logic!).

[supersport]

GT3 with Baby seat fixed in!

[bruiser777]

i wonder if you could put a baby seat in the back of a GT3....

[wrn]

You clearly need a 997 TT... or even a 996 TT. Rear seats FOC.

[charge]

Your in the same position as i was until recently. A new boxster in april 05 soon became an unused car once the missus produced a daughter 9/11/05. The obvoius replacement was, considering the birth date a 911. But my once swollen loins again coursed with fresh blood on seeing the new GT3. I asked everyone from GT3 forums to dealers and ultimately Porsche themselfs and was told the same thing, dont think about putting your child in the back of a car designed, and insured as a pure two seater.
My car is now (as of last week) a C2S, and with the sports exhaust as fitted, and i can assure you, it isnt a bad way of getting about. And the four month old kipps in the back the same as in the bm mummy car. What more can you ask?
As for the 4S, do you need it, more weight, slower to 60, and ultimtely trickier at the limit (so Ive read).
Save yourself the five grand, you know it makes sence.

[jjr1]

My vote is a C2S. I can't see the point of a 4wd version at all.

[delbox]

Drive the C4S; you'll see what the point is straight away!

Del

[jjr1]

I have and I still don't get it. It felt heavier at the wheel, less responsive to mid corner adjustments on the throttle and it understeered more. It just felt so much less fun than a 2wd version.

[Delbox]

Clearly we have different needs and expectations; to me, the C4S is the more complete car - but I wouldn't disparage anyone who chose the 2WD version.

Del

[Adam B]

996 4S made sense as it was so much better looking than the 2.

Really can't see the point of the 997 4S - tiny visual difference (44mm on the arse) and the 2S I tried was so competent in the wet. From what I have read (I admit I haven't tried a 4S) 4wd just adds weight, understeer andtransmission power loss.

edited to say and a lot of extra cost which could be spent on a power upgrade on a 2S

>> Edited by Adam B on Friday 17th March 11:30

>> Edited by Adam B on Friday 17th March 11:54

[Delbox]

44 mm wider, not 4mm - and a completely different profile to the rear flanks between the C2 and C4.

If the weight issue is so disadvantageous, it's surprising then that the Porsche acceleration figures from 0-62, and 50-70 plus the top speed are the same! Also, the residuals on the 4WD cars have, historically, been higher than the 2WD cars; iindeed, of all the 996 models, the C4S has depreciated less - not least in recent times when the Turbo has been in freefall.

Sure you could use the price premium to add power to a C2 but then you could just buy a GT3! Fitting the factory power kit is much more than the price difference - and offers little bhp for the £.

As I said before, the 2 cars are outstanding - and you pays your money and takes your choice.

Del

>> Edited by Delbox on Friday 17th March 11:43

[drcarrera]

If you're transporting a baby around, don't forget that the C2 has more boot space than a C4 - may be a consideration.

[Adam B]

not knocking the 4S as I am sure it is a great car, just not netter and more expensive than a 2S IMVHO

Delbox said:

of all the 996 models, the C4S has depreciated less - not least in recent times when the Turbo has been in freefall.

I strongly suspect (but of course can't prove) that a lot of this was to do with the large visual / kit difference between the 4 and the 2 which just don't exist on the 997

time will tell I guess, what is is the premium for the 4?

[bruiser777]

interesting that there is more boot space in the C2. That could well be a factor - although anything is bigger than my Lotus.

I think the C4S is a £5k premium over the C2S?

But i am not sure which is easier at the dredded resale - C2 or C4

[Delbox]

As I say, historically the C4S has held its value better.

[dealmaker]

No wrong answer here.................but having OWNED both a 997C2S AND a 997 C4S - I'd say the C4S does have quite a few tricks up it's sleeve, especially in the inclement weather that we seem to experience all too frequently.

If it's to be an EVERY day car, no matter what weather, or conditions, or roads, then my vote would be with the C4S (unless you can stretch to a 997TT of course!)

[yank]

If the 997 rear seat area in a GT3 is the same as the 996 GT3 than all the seat mounts and the seat belt fixings will be in the car. It is just than a case of fitting the proper seats and belts from a standard car, can't see what difference it makes,,,, same car as normal one and if you put in all Porsche seats and belts than it would be just as safe as if Porsche did it from the factory, after all you are useing factory parts and factory mounting points. BUY THE GT3!!!

Yank

[sidicks]

Delbox said:

As I say, historically the C4S has held its value better.

Have to agree with Delbox that the 4S is the better (but then as the owner of a 2-week old 997 C4S, I would say that!!).

There is some logic to saying that the 996 C4S held its value better due to the fact that it was different in looks from the other models in the range. However, I think that was only part of the reason, and the fact that this model sold in smaller numbers than other models was probably as significant a factor.

You only have to look at the OPC used car website to see the number of C2S's up for sale at the moment - loadds!! As a newer model (and due to a large number of people wanting to save £5k over the 4-wheel drive version!!) the number of 4S's will be much lower, thus helping to protect residuals. Hopefully, finges crossed.....

My view is that the £5k premium is likely to be at least £3k at trade-in time, thereby 'costing me' £2k over the period of ownership. For that £2k, I get a better looking car (in my opinion) and 4-wheel-drive that is arguably better for the UK conditions.

A different driving style is required for 4WD compared with 2WD, and the former does not necessarily understeer more if driven 'properly'. On a point-to-point basis, although the C2S is very well tied down, I reckon that the additional security of 4WD means that the average driver will be as quick in the C4S as the C2S despite the extra weight.

As Delbox said, everyone has their own opinion and preference, so the only way to know is to try both - I did, and chose a 4S and my car amazes me more and more each time I drive it.

Enjoy!!!

sidicks

>> Edited by sidicks on Friday 17th March 13:08

[nbetts]

yank said:

If the 997 rear seat area in a GT3 is the same as the 996 GT3 than all the seat mounts and the seat belt fixings will be in the car. It is just than a case of fitting the proper seats and belts from a standard car, can't see what difference it makes,,,, same car as normal one and if you put in all Porsche seats and belts than it would be just as safe as if Porsche did it from the factory, after all you are useing factory parts and factory mounting points. BUY THE GT3!!! Yank

I think you will find that the GT3 is not Type-approved by the department of transport in UK as a four seat car. There lies the problem.