PeterC4

I've had a 2000 C4 6spd and now a 2004 C4S Tip that my wife and I share. Both cars rev freely and I seem to get most out of both by pushing them to the red line now and again. I found that these cars are pretty resiliant. Casual driving in the 3,000 rpm range does it for me.

Note the performance numbers for Porsches new dual clutch automatics. It looks you'll be able to accelerate faster to 60 in an auto, particularly with Sports Crono.

Yes some interesting pics and info on the Porsche web site. Also, Motor Trend has a nice preview. http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_ne...look/index.html

Nice pics. I was waiting to see how the new auto configuration would look. I like the fact that you can shift with the stick.

What I do agree with is that you have to drive cars to relate to them, particularly the North American cars. I've yet to drive the Z06 but after driving a rental V6 Mustang in Florida on vacation, I decided to go the Ford dealer - for the first time in my life. The salesman saw me drive up in my C4S and was very attentive. He shortly asked me if I would like to drive the Bullitt. I did and I came away with this impression. It shifted much better than I expected, it was smooth, and relatively effort free. The ride surprised me the most, it was firm, but not bone jarring at all. The handling and road feel were good, but not certainly not comparable to the Porsche, particularly the "dead on" feel you get in the Porsche. The power was very good, and the exhaust note was great. You could certainly get the back end of the car loose. Overall, for $38,000 its a bargain. Heck, its a Ford. But it is certainly a reasonably good car for what you pay for it and it totally surprised me as to ride quality, fit, finish and shifting ease. Good marks to Ford on that one.

There were only 23.218 996 models produced in 2003-2004 (that's all models from the C2 to the C4S) . Porsche's fiscal year runs from August 1 to July 31. From my experience, unless a C4S was specifically ordered by a customer, most C4S units were well equipped when inventoried by the dealer. I think you'll find that given the production was so low, there were always minor improvements in each model year. Personally, I think the C4S was one of the nicest looking 996 series cars and compared to my 2000 C4 there is a world of difference. The C4S feels far more planted, solid etc.

If its accessible, magnet on the end of a wire? You'll need something rigid so it doesn't stick to other things I suppose.

Does anyone use less than 93 Octane? It's not always available where I live.

I think they are stock. I believe the C4S brakes in my 04 are the same as the Turbo's brakes but that's it.

In Toronto, Sunoco is the only station that I have found that sells fuel greater than 91 Octane...Sunoco has 94 Octane. Other times I use 91 Octane from a major provider like Shell.

I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. If it returns that would be my next fix.

I agree. I'm more and more convinced that true Porsche aficionados are few these days. The car is bought for its image, curb appeal and for some, raw power, to show off on the drag strip - therefore the nitro kit. Those people have no clue of what the car is all about. Note: this is not an indictment of the original poster, who seems to be an installer, actually said he knows nothing about Porsches, and is doing this for a client. It just occurred to me... his client could go all the way, replace the boxer with a Z06 V8 add a large nitro bottle and drive the car on the drag strip and elsewhere mostly on a straight line. :) I'm not so sure about that guys. Speed and power are always part of the equation, and someone who might have purhcased a used C4S and wants some ooomph may choose this solution. If speed and power weren't part of the package, Porsche wouldn't make a Turbo, GT2, GT3 etc. There are plenty of examples of engine swaps in older Porsches to achieve the same thing...more power. Someone did not necessarily buy this car for its curb appeal alone. They abviously think that the Porsche platform is one they would be rather be in going fast. I certainly can't agrue with that. And as to bling and modifying Porsches, between after market wheels, skirts, rear wings, front spoilers, lowering, short shift kits, and.... factory offered painted interior consols, aluminum and graphite shifters and brake handles, graphite door handles, graphite steering wheels, alcantara interiors, SPORT Exhaust (that always makes me laugh), custom coloured seat belts, custom coloured guages, aluminum rings on the guages (I chuckle at that one too), Porsche appeals to someone who likes to make his car differrent. Bling to some, different to others. I love the marque. And I love the fact that you can have one that is probably different from everybody elses.

I have a 2004 C4S with low mileage (27,000 kms or 17,000 mi). My wife drives this car most of the time and rather gingerly. I bought it as a Porsche Certifed Used Car with about 24,000 kms, in excellent shape and have had no problems except for one. The car suffered from incessant brake squeal and with the top down it was down right embarassing. Despite my best efforts to use the brakes aggressively and clean them as best I could, the car squealed like a school bus. My dealer did a service of the brakes including the tedious job of cleaning the brake dust that had built up in and around each of the holes in the roters with a drill, cleaned the pads etc. It worked.

Thanks, that about says it all.

Thanks for the responses. I was interested in whether the Corvette has the road feel and handling of the 997S - that intangible factor. I'm sure in an all-out drag race the Covette Z06 would come out ahead, but it would be interesting to drive the two on a track. And as I have learned, a lot depends on whether the driver can launch a manual transmission car effectively. I suppose the GT3 might be more comparable from a pure performance point of view. Certainly the Corvette does have a "value for money" factor about it.

Has anyone had a chance to compare the 997 S to a new Z06? The statistics certainly indicate the Z06 has a lot of power. But I was interested in the impressions from a Porsche driver. Anyone?

Take it to a reputable paintless dent repair shop. particulary the guys your local Porsche dealer uses. They have ways to access various spots. I tend to favour paintless dent repair only because when the area is accessible, its better than repainting.

Yes. Now that spring is here, Toronto Porsches are finally out on the road.

I get it. Spending 50K or so on a used sports car which could equate to half your annual salary and might have some repair issues is not such an easy decision and shouldn't be just viewed as affordable. Lightfall, I think these cars are a privilege to own and provide owners with a great driving experience. I also think the repair issues and engine failure issues are exaggerated. I would look to a 2002 or later model year as the engine design was changed and reportedly has fewer issues. Also, a Porsche Certified Pre-Owned Car will come with a 2 year warranty covering most major mishaps. I have had a 2000 C4 and now own a 2004 C4S. Both cars ran great with no major issues. At this stage in my life, no doubt like many owners in this forum, a major issue for me would be annoying but not a financial back breaker so when I purchased my cars these considerations were not in my thinking at all. Whs's post is a good one and I would reiterate his comments. Good luck.

Previous to my 2004 C4S Cabriolet, I had a 2000 C4 Coupe with standard 17" Rims. The Cabriolet feels much more compliant and "softer" over bumps even with the 18" wheels. Maybe its me, but it certainly feels like the cabriolet spring rates are more flexible and lead to a smoother ride. I would check out cabriolet spring rates.

I wouldn't be too worried about the RMS. Given they're replaced it twice and particularly in November 2007, it may be your safest bet. A lot is made of the RMS, but I think in most cases, drivers would never notice it. I think the C4S is the nicest looking 996 IMHO.

Your wife is "letting you"...sounds like your mom...LOL. Is she paying for it or something? Anyway, I like Ruby Red if that's what you're referring to, its a different colour and something you don't see all the time. For the price of the X51 I'd consider the GT3, but I don't think it comes in Ruby Red. I'd check out the GT3 if you've got the scratch, but it is more performance oriented and I think you'd feel that in the ride.

All of the things you mentioned like white instrument dials, different exhaust pipes are options. The large and small is sport exhaust, but I doubt it makes any significant performance difference. Depending on the country, the Technics package, bundled some options together. On my 2004 C4S, its not explicitly shown that way, but I believe that my carbon fibre shifter, brake handle, steering wheel form part of that package. I think when the dealers received their allotment of cars, the C4S cars were generally well optioned with things like, full leather interiors, self dimming mirrors, etc. On the RMS issue, generally the car seeps oil a little from what I've heard. Many people don't notice it. I think most dealers will be accommodating if you have an issue and maybe subsidize the price. Since the clutch has to be removed, it's not cheap. $1.5k tp $2k maybe?

I would consider a Porsche Certified Pre-Owned car if you can. I have bought 2 of them, my first was a 2000C4 with a warranty. It developed an RMS problem, (which I did not notice) and the dealer fixed it under the 2 year warranty that comes with a CPO car. I recently purchased a 2004 C4S convertible which is a great car, (purchased it from a dealer as well). You'll get various responses about RMS, but my view of it is, the problem lessend as model years marched on and as the seals were redesigned or replaced. In general, I found both cars to be relatively low maintenance and a lot of fun to drive. Rear tires don't last too long though.

Good to know that did it for you. I think the cars sit too high to begin with, but given North American roadways, its not too difficult to understand.