Gidday guys.
Nice forum you have here. I thought I'd tap into your experience.
911 has been on my mind for a while now. I've owned my string of RS4s and the odd M3, all of which feel a bit numb next to the Porsche. I'll make the jump next week.
Trouble is, I can choose from 2 quite different cars:
- 2004 Turbo, 28k miles
- 2006 C4S, 28k miles
Both cars offered at roughly the same price. Both well equipped. Both mint.
Dealer let me have the C4S for a couple of days this week and I loved it. Superb chassis, chatty front (obviously, after 3 RS4s), surprising torque, brilliant build quality. Swift and nimble though very planted. 997 interior is very nice too. But quite close in acceleration to the RS4.
I've just taken in the 996 Turbo for the weekend. Didn't have a chance to drive around much, it's pouring down here in Auckland/NZ. Nice chassis, great turn-in, very stable although a bit more interference than in the 997. But - and you know where this is going - what a brute of torque! This car has a stage I mod, 490hp/750Nm. Absolutely mad.
All of this is but a very long prelude to the question: what would you recommend to a first-time 911 owner?
I've heard several theories, each touching on a different aspect of the ownership experience - I've come up with this '5-P list'
1) PRESENT GENERATION: 997 is better car. Although less raw power than the 996tt, the 997 C4S has the more rewarding chassis, handling, interior, line. Go for the Carrera.
2) PROGRESSION: First-time owners should learn the 911 basics with a N/A engine. The C4S is ideal for this thanks to the safety net of AWD. Go for a Carrera.
3) PATIENCE: If you own a Turbo as your first 911, you won't enjoy trading up the model range over the years. Go for a Carrera.
4) PURITY: The classic line, sound and handling of the 911 is embodied by the Carrera. The Turbo's rear spoiler, well, spoils the classic line, muffles the classic flat six soundtrack, forces you to manage power rather than the ideal line. Go for a Carrera.
5) POWER: Nothing matches the excitement of acceleration, especially in the medium term. Go for aTurbo.
4 of 5 are in favour of the Carrera. But there's no denying the appeal of power.
I'd value your opinion.
Thanks
David
Nice forum you have here. I thought I'd tap into your experience.
911 has been on my mind for a while now. I've owned my string of RS4s and the odd M3, all of which feel a bit numb next to the Porsche. I'll make the jump next week.
Trouble is, I can choose from 2 quite different cars:
- 2004 Turbo, 28k miles
- 2006 C4S, 28k miles
Both cars offered at roughly the same price. Both well equipped. Both mint.
Dealer let me have the C4S for a couple of days this week and I loved it. Superb chassis, chatty front (obviously, after 3 RS4s), surprising torque, brilliant build quality. Swift and nimble though very planted. 997 interior is very nice too. But quite close in acceleration to the RS4.
I've just taken in the 996 Turbo for the weekend. Didn't have a chance to drive around much, it's pouring down here in Auckland/NZ. Nice chassis, great turn-in, very stable although a bit more interference than in the 997. But - and you know where this is going - what a brute of torque! This car has a stage I mod, 490hp/750Nm. Absolutely mad.
All of this is but a very long prelude to the question: what would you recommend to a first-time 911 owner?
I've heard several theories, each touching on a different aspect of the ownership experience - I've come up with this '5-P list'
1) PRESENT GENERATION: 997 is better car. Although less raw power than the 996tt, the 997 C4S has the more rewarding chassis, handling, interior, line. Go for the Carrera.
2) PROGRESSION: First-time owners should learn the 911 basics with a N/A engine. The C4S is ideal for this thanks to the safety net of AWD. Go for a Carrera.
3) PATIENCE: If you own a Turbo as your first 911, you won't enjoy trading up the model range over the years. Go for a Carrera.
4) PURITY: The classic line, sound and handling of the 911 is embodied by the Carrera. The Turbo's rear spoiler, well, spoils the classic line, muffles the classic flat six soundtrack, forces you to manage power rather than the ideal line. Go for a Carrera.
5) POWER: Nothing matches the excitement of acceleration, especially in the medium term. Go for aTurbo.
4 of 5 are in favour of the Carrera. But there's no denying the appeal of power.
I'd value your opinion.
Thanks
David