Carrera 2 vs Carrera 4 (996)
Discussion
I'm considering a 996 cabriolet as my next daily driver. Apart from the obvious traction advantages in slippery conditions offered by the 4wd system, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems. I've listed my own thoughts below.
4WD = more weight, more parts to maintain and/or need replacing, smaller front boot. Better traction in the rain and snow. Not sure about handling?
2WD = less weight, purer driving experience?, bigger front boot, perhaps a handful in the snow?
The car will be used all year round in all conditions.
All the best.
4WD = more weight, more parts to maintain and/or need replacing, smaller front boot. Better traction in the rain and snow. Not sure about handling?
2WD = less weight, purer driving experience?, bigger front boot, perhaps a handful in the snow?
The car will be used all year round in all conditions.
All the best.
Except in an emergency, or if you have no choice, don't drive in the snow. The tyres will be useless, 2wd or 4wd, and will offer very little grip to start and even less if you want to stop. I couldn't even get my C4S off my drive with two inches of soft snow on it and when it all froze I didn't even bother.
I can confirm that 80mph four wheel drifts in deep slush are very sobering too, especially when unplanned.
I can confirm that 80mph four wheel drifts in deep slush are very sobering too, especially when unplanned.
Id suggest searching, as this subject has been done a few times.
Ultimately it will come down to personal taste and what you want from the driving experience, so i would arrange to test drive a decent 2 and a decent 4 back to back. Then decide what you like more. For me i decided that the 4's just seemed to put down power far more cleanly than the 2's i tried, and felt more solid and planted. I also like the fact that because of the weight of the extra four wheel drive gear over the front the "nose-bob" is less pronounced in the 2.
Others will tell you that RWD only is the purists way, the nose bob is a porsche characteristic, and that the 2 feels more lean and lithe than the bloated 4.
The truth of the matter is that both views are correct. Its an individual choice, both are great cars and youll enjoy either - get out there and drive some !.
Have fun
R.
Ultimately it will come down to personal taste and what you want from the driving experience, so i would arrange to test drive a decent 2 and a decent 4 back to back. Then decide what you like more. For me i decided that the 4's just seemed to put down power far more cleanly than the 2's i tried, and felt more solid and planted. I also like the fact that because of the weight of the extra four wheel drive gear over the front the "nose-bob" is less pronounced in the 2.
Others will tell you that RWD only is the purists way, the nose bob is a porsche characteristic, and that the 2 feels more lean and lithe than the bloated 4.
The truth of the matter is that both views are correct. Its an individual choice, both are great cars and youll enjoy either - get out there and drive some !.
Have fun
R.
Edited by M@verick on Wednesday 7th October 15:45
h.
Ecosseven said:
I'm considering a 996 cabriolet as my next daily driver. Apart from the obvious traction advantages in slippery conditions offered by the 4wd system, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems. I've listed my own thoughts below.
4WD = more weight, more parts to maintain and/or need replacing, smaller front boot. Better traction in the rain and snow. Not sure about handling?
2WD = less weight, purer driving experience?, bigger front boot, perhaps a handful in the snow?
The car will be used all year round in all conditions.
All the best.
Dood... you live in Abu Dhabi....4WD = more weight, more parts to maintain and/or need replacing, smaller front boot. Better traction in the rain and snow. Not sure about handling?
2WD = less weight, purer driving experience?, bigger front boot, perhaps a handful in the snow?
The car will be used all year round in all conditions.
All the best.
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.
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.
Mousem40 said:
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.
Good post. Thanks.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.
585bhp said:
Ecosseven said:
I'm considering a 996 cabriolet as my next daily driver. Apart from the obvious traction advantages in slippery conditions offered by the 4wd system, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems. I've listed my own thoughts below.
4WD = more weight, more parts to maintain and/or need replacing, smaller front boot. Better traction in the rain and snow. Not sure about handling?
2WD = less weight, purer driving experience?, bigger front boot, perhaps a handful in the snow?
The car will be used all year round in all conditions.
All the best.
Dood... you live in Abu Dhabi....4WD = more weight, more parts to maintain and/or need replacing, smaller front boot. Better traction in the rain and snow. Not sure about handling?
2WD = less weight, purer driving experience?, bigger front boot, perhaps a handful in the snow?
The car will be used all year round in all conditions.
All the best.
surely it also depends what you are used to driving? i went for my c4s for a couple of reasons.first being the wider arches(not relevent in your case if you are considering the normal carrera 4) and secondly i have had 3 4wd cars before and im used to the way they drive and handle. the understeer is a common 4wd problem,one of which i have gotten used to,i will say though that 4wd oversteer takes a bit of getting used to as when the front wheels grip whilst in a slide they grab quickly and will send you the way they are pointing.unlike a more predictable 2wd
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