996 Carrera 4 Vs Carrera 2
Discussion
Depends how you like your eggs really.
Coming from the Scoob, you will feel more at home in the '4 I should think - especially if you like to make progress in sometimes less than ideal conditions.
However, for me, the '2 is the 'purer' drive and as such offers a better idea of what is going on underneath you. It may not offer the same stability - especially at high speeds - but I prefer the greater sense of actually driving the car over the security and grip of 4 driven wheels.
Having said that, I would still chose the 4S as my only car if I had to make that choice, because - extra driven wheels aside - it offers a little more than either as an overall package.
Coming from the Scoob, you will feel more at home in the '4 I should think - especially if you like to make progress in sometimes less than ideal conditions.
However, for me, the '2 is the 'purer' drive and as such offers a better idea of what is going on underneath you. It may not offer the same stability - especially at high speeds - but I prefer the greater sense of actually driving the car over the security and grip of 4 driven wheels.
Having said that, I would still chose the 4S as my only car if I had to make that choice, because - extra driven wheels aside - it offers a little more than either as an overall package.
A summary of my post here: - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=429947&hw=+%2Bcruise+%2Bcontrol+%2B996
Carrera 4 has 4 wheel drive (most of the time only 5% is transferred to the front wheels but can be up to 40%)In order to make room for the 4 wheel-drive hardware, The C4 had to be re-engineered from the windscreen forward. Front suspension was tilted to the rear to make room for the driveshafts, although under the front boot was reduced from 130 litres to 100 litres.
The C4 weighs 55kg more than the Carrera, but its superior traction off the line means that the C4 is just as quick in a straight line. Weight balance is almost identical to the Carrera, 40/60 front/rear for the C4 compared to 38/62 for the Carrera.
The C4 came as standard with Porsche Stability management (PSM). This traction control system groups together a series of safety devices (including traction control, anti-slip control and Automatic Brake Differential– ABD) that had in the past worked independently of each other. Traction control now communicates with ABS and a brake differential control to create a system that can brake each wheel individually.
Visually the differences between the Carrera and C4 are limited to ‘Carrera 4’ badging, titanium
coloured callipers on the C4 (the Carrera has black items) and black wheel centres on new-design 17-
inch alloys.
In 2000 Porsche also upgraded the Carrera with the C4’s drive-by-wire electronic throttle mechanism
(E-Gas) and improved engine management (Motronic 7.2). This makes retrofitting of cruise control a lot easier.
If you don't want/need the benefits of 4 wheel drive (often associated with slightly heavier steering -less feel,more understeer worse fuel economy, and greater tyre wear) in MY2000 PSM became an option on the Carrera, so look out for that if you think you'd like it.
In terms of resale I don't think there is any difference. Purists prefer the regular Carrera for it's rear wheel drive feel, perhaps 'newbies' prefer the added safety and greater all weather useability of the Carrera 4.
Carrera 4 has 4 wheel drive (most of the time only 5% is transferred to the front wheels but can be up to 40%)In order to make room for the 4 wheel-drive hardware, The C4 had to be re-engineered from the windscreen forward. Front suspension was tilted to the rear to make room for the driveshafts, although under the front boot was reduced from 130 litres to 100 litres.
The C4 weighs 55kg more than the Carrera, but its superior traction off the line means that the C4 is just as quick in a straight line. Weight balance is almost identical to the Carrera, 40/60 front/rear for the C4 compared to 38/62 for the Carrera.
The C4 came as standard with Porsche Stability management (PSM). This traction control system groups together a series of safety devices (including traction control, anti-slip control and Automatic Brake Differential– ABD) that had in the past worked independently of each other. Traction control now communicates with ABS and a brake differential control to create a system that can brake each wheel individually.
Visually the differences between the Carrera and C4 are limited to ‘Carrera 4’ badging, titanium
coloured callipers on the C4 (the Carrera has black items) and black wheel centres on new-design 17-
inch alloys.
In 2000 Porsche also upgraded the Carrera with the C4’s drive-by-wire electronic throttle mechanism
(E-Gas) and improved engine management (Motronic 7.2). This makes retrofitting of cruise control a lot easier.
If you don't want/need the benefits of 4 wheel drive (often associated with slightly heavier steering -less feel,more understeer worse fuel economy, and greater tyre wear) in MY2000 PSM became an option on the Carrera, so look out for that if you think you'd like it.
In terms of resale I don't think there is any difference. Purists prefer the regular Carrera for it's rear wheel drive feel, perhaps 'newbies' prefer the added safety and greater all weather useability of the Carrera 4.
Edited by Mousem40 on Wednesday 17th June 02:47
asbo said:
Depends how you like your eggs really.
Coming from the Scoob, you will feel more at home in the '4 I should think - especially if you like to make progress in sometimes less than ideal conditions.
However, for me, the '2 is the 'purer' drive and as such offers a better idea of what is going on underneath you. It may not offer the same stability - especially at high speeds - but I prefer the greater sense of actually driving the car over the security and grip of 4 driven wheels.
Having said that, I would still chose the 4S as my only car if I had to make that choice, because - extra driven wheels aside - it offers a little more than either as an overall package.
Intersting (and surprising from what I know of your car history). Out of interest, what is it that attracts you to the 4S?Coming from the Scoob, you will feel more at home in the '4 I should think - especially if you like to make progress in sometimes less than ideal conditions.
However, for me, the '2 is the 'purer' drive and as such offers a better idea of what is going on underneath you. It may not offer the same stability - especially at high speeds - but I prefer the greater sense of actually driving the car over the security and grip of 4 driven wheels.
Having said that, I would still chose the 4S as my only car if I had to make that choice, because - extra driven wheels aside - it offers a little more than either as an overall package.
nevyn said:
4s has the wide body as seen in the Turbo variant
just looks a bit nicer
Nev
Thanks. Yes, I'm aware of that and I agree it looks nicer than the narrow body C2/C4 etc, but I was wondering why Asbo liked it, as many view the C4S as a car bought primarily due to its looks, and 'purists' would either buy a C2/GT3/Turbo etc. (Not my opinion BTW)just looks a bit nicer
Nev
Many thanks - if I can get a Carrera 4 I will do, although the extra loss of that boot space might hurt?
To be honest I'm struggling to get something in my budget - was ideally looking to spend circa £18k but want a manual with less than 70k. Plus, I have a trade in so needs to be a garage or someone who offers trade in facilities.
To be honest I'm struggling to get something in my budget - was ideally looking to spend circa £18k but want a manual with less than 70k. Plus, I have a trade in so needs to be a garage or someone who offers trade in facilities.
I can't bring myself to think of it as "purist" versus non.
It's a matter of taste for how the car feels. I have spent quite a lot of time in the company of jap 4wd cars as everyday cars. When came to 911 ownership and drove various types of 996, I enjoyed the feel of the 2wd cars more. Personal preference.
Try them, decide which you prefer before you buy!
Bert
It's a matter of taste for how the car feels. I have spent quite a lot of time in the company of jap 4wd cars as everyday cars. When came to 911 ownership and drove various types of 996, I enjoyed the feel of the 2wd cars more. Personal preference.
Try them, decide which you prefer before you buy!
Bert
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