Qs on possible 997 C4S purchase
Discussion
In my never ending search for a 997 I had originally decided to go for either a C2 or C2S. Partly because of the 'purity' of a rear wheel drive and also because they are more readily available/cheaper.
However, a C4S in Cobalt Blue (by far my favourite colour) with two tone interior in stone/black has come up. The spec is missing a number of options I like (sports exhaust, BOSE, heated seats, multifunction wheel and rear park sensors).
The car would be sold by an OPC prepped and with full warranty. My thoughts at the moment are to keep the car for a few years and renew the warranty again when it expires in 2014 (thus to 2016). The car was first registered Aug 2006.
So, my questions are:
- On the 993 and 996s the C4S was always a 'class apart' in terms of desirability, but with the 997 there is less visible difference, so I wonder whether this was lost to a certain extent?
- From reading reviews from the time it seems that the 4S is more stable but still as fun to drive as the C2/S, can anyone confirm this?
- On the C2S the 19" wheels make quite a lot of noise inside the cabin, is this considerably worse on the wider section wheels of the C4S?
- Is the smaller boot noticeable (the car also comes with the 6 stack CD player)?
- Apart from the exhaust, I don't think that any of the missing options can be easily added? The main one is BOSE, what is the standard setup like, would I regret not having the BOSE?
- Ultimately, does it make more sense to buy a car which I love the exterior looks of while missing out on some of the options?
Thanks in advance!
However, a C4S in Cobalt Blue (by far my favourite colour) with two tone interior in stone/black has come up. The spec is missing a number of options I like (sports exhaust, BOSE, heated seats, multifunction wheel and rear park sensors).
The car would be sold by an OPC prepped and with full warranty. My thoughts at the moment are to keep the car for a few years and renew the warranty again when it expires in 2014 (thus to 2016). The car was first registered Aug 2006.
So, my questions are:
- On the 993 and 996s the C4S was always a 'class apart' in terms of desirability, but with the 997 there is less visible difference, so I wonder whether this was lost to a certain extent?
- From reading reviews from the time it seems that the 4S is more stable but still as fun to drive as the C2/S, can anyone confirm this?
- On the C2S the 19" wheels make quite a lot of noise inside the cabin, is this considerably worse on the wider section wheels of the C4S?
- Is the smaller boot noticeable (the car also comes with the 6 stack CD player)?
- Apart from the exhaust, I don't think that any of the missing options can be easily added? The main one is BOSE, what is the standard setup like, would I regret not having the BOSE?
- Ultimately, does it make more sense to buy a car which I love the exterior looks of while missing out on some of the options?
Thanks in advance!
RiccardoG said:
In my never ending search for a 997 I had originally decided to go for either a C2 or C2S. Partly because of the 'purity' of a rear wheel drive and also because they are more readily available/cheaper.
However, a C4S in Cobalt Blue (by far my favourite colour) with two tone interior in stone/black has come up. The spec is missing a number of options I like (sports exhaust, BOSE, heated seats, multifunction wheel and rear park sensors).
The car would be sold by an OPC prepped and with full warranty. My thoughts at the moment are to keep the car for a few years and renew the warranty again when it expires in 2014 (thus to 2016). The car was first registered Aug 2006.
So, my questions are:
- On the 993 and 996s the C4S was always a 'class apart' in terms of desirability, but with the 997 there is less visible difference, so I wonder whether this was lost to a certain extent?
The 44m extra is noticeable in a side-by-side comparison, but maybe not in isolation. However, a C4S in Cobalt Blue (by far my favourite colour) with two tone interior in stone/black has come up. The spec is missing a number of options I like (sports exhaust, BOSE, heated seats, multifunction wheel and rear park sensors).
The car would be sold by an OPC prepped and with full warranty. My thoughts at the moment are to keep the car for a few years and renew the warranty again when it expires in 2014 (thus to 2016). The car was first registered Aug 2006.
So, my questions are:
- On the 993 and 996s the C4S was always a 'class apart' in terms of desirability, but with the 997 there is less visible difference, so I wonder whether this was lost to a certain extent?
RiccardoG said:
- From reading reviews from the time it seems that the 4S is more stable but still as fun to drive as the C2/S, can anyone confirm this?
I think in 90%+ of scenarios on plublic roads then a C4S will provide as much fund as you require, and be much more useful in really adverse conditions.RiccardoG said:
- On the C2S the 19" wheels make quite a lot of noise inside the cabin, is this considerably worse on the wider section wheels of the C4S?
305 section v 295 section wouldn't make much difference I wouldn't have thought - some C2S drivers use 305 section tyres so may be able to provide a better comparison.
Unless this car is a huge bargain, I would be surprised if you couldn't find something closer to your ideal car by continuing with your search. Having said that the options you are looking for aren't essential in my view...
Sidicks
305 section v 295 section wouldn't make much difference I wouldn't have thought - some C2S drivers use 305 section tyres so may be able to provide a better comparison.
RiccardoG said:
- Is the smaller boot noticeable (the car also comes with the 6 stack CD player)?
Well the boot isn't huge but is usable - you can get a small suitcase in the front (carry-on luggage size) plus a suit carrier and maybe a soft bag on top. There is obviously plenty of room in the back when the rear seats are folded.RiccardoG said:
- Apart from the exhaust, I don't think that any of the missing options can be easily added? The main one is BOSE, what is the standard setup like, would I regret not having the BOSE?
From my perspective the standard sound systm is adequate - i guess it depends what you are comparing it to. Having said that, as you have identified, there is significant tyre noise and with a retro-fitted PSE then personally I wouldn't exclude a car because it did not have BOSE.RiccardoG said:
- Ultimately, does it make more sense to buy a car which I love the exterior looks of while missing out on some of the options?
Are there really so few C4S in Cobalt?Unless this car is a huge bargain, I would be surprised if you couldn't find something closer to your ideal car by continuing with your search. Having said that the options you are looking for aren't essential in my view...
Sidicks
Thanks Sidicks.
Well, I would say that yes, Cobalt Blue 997s are quite rare, have only seen a few on the OPC network so far, the vast majority being either boring silver or black, neither of which are colours I'd consider. The deal sounds good, but then again the car is on 47k miles so not the 'youngest'.
I've given this some thought and also concluded that the options shouldn't be a deal breaker, coming from a convertible the heated seats would have been nice but on a coupe are non essential and in terms of stereo all my cars have always had standard setups, most though are not great which is why I liked the idea of something decent for once!
The more I research about the C4S the more I like it as I want a car that I can enjoy more often (current S2000 is only good in dry weather).
RiccardoG said:
Thanks Sidicks.
Well, I would say that yes, Cobalt Blue 997s are quite rare, have only seen a few on the OPC network so far, the vast majority being either boring silver or black, neither of which are colours I'd consider. The deal sounds good, but then again the car is on 47k miles so not the 'youngest'.
I've given this some thought and also concluded that the options shouldn't be a deal breaker, coming from a convertible the heated seats would have been nice but on a coupe are non essential and in terms of stereo all my cars have always had standard setups, most though are not great which is why I liked the idea of something decent for once!
The more I research about the C4S the more I like it as I want a car that I can enjoy more often (current S2000 is only good in dry weather).
Well, I've had my C4S new since 2006, and it will be replaced with either a 991 C4S or (hopefully) 991 Turbo, as I think that the 4-wheel drive is valuable in 90% of the driving I do, and if I wanted to attend a track day, I'd considering hiring a suitable car (Caterham etc)!Well, I would say that yes, Cobalt Blue 997s are quite rare, have only seen a few on the OPC network so far, the vast majority being either boring silver or black, neither of which are colours I'd consider. The deal sounds good, but then again the car is on 47k miles so not the 'youngest'.
I've given this some thought and also concluded that the options shouldn't be a deal breaker, coming from a convertible the heated seats would have been nice but on a coupe are non essential and in terms of stereo all my cars have always had standard setups, most though are not great which is why I liked the idea of something decent for once!
The more I research about the C4S the more I like it as I want a car that I can enjoy more often (current S2000 is only good in dry weather).
Sidicks
- On the 993 and 996s the C4S was always a 'class apart' in terms of desirability, but with the 997 there is less visible difference, so I wonder whether this was lost to a certain extent?
Not really the rear reflector is the main thing missing.
- From reading reviews from the time it seems that the 4S is more stable but still as fun to drive as the C2/S, can anyone confirm this?
Under normal conditions 95% of power is going through rear wheels.
- On the C2S the 19" wheels make quite a lot of noise inside the cabin, is this considerably worse on the wider section wheels of the C4S?
Same noise
- Is the smaller boot noticeable (the car also comes with the 6 stack CD player)?
Not really
- Apart from the exhaust, I don't think that any of the missing options can be easily added? The main one is BOSE, what is the standard setup like, would I regret not having the BOSE?
BOSE is good bit wouldn't lose a car over it, Sports Chrono can be retrofitted.
- Ultimately, does it make more sense to buy a car which I love the exterior looks of while missing out on some of the options?
Buy the car you enjoy driving.
Not really the rear reflector is the main thing missing.
- From reading reviews from the time it seems that the 4S is more stable but still as fun to drive as the C2/S, can anyone confirm this?
Under normal conditions 95% of power is going through rear wheels.
- On the C2S the 19" wheels make quite a lot of noise inside the cabin, is this considerably worse on the wider section wheels of the C4S?
Same noise
- Is the smaller boot noticeable (the car also comes with the 6 stack CD player)?
Not really
- Apart from the exhaust, I don't think that any of the missing options can be easily added? The main one is BOSE, what is the standard setup like, would I regret not having the BOSE?
BOSE is good bit wouldn't lose a car over it, Sports Chrono can be retrofitted.
- Ultimately, does it make more sense to buy a car which I love the exterior looks of while missing out on some of the options?
Buy the car you enjoy driving.
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