stunning color combo. What led you to that decision?

 

the lease on my 2015 Boxster is due soon (return late Dec) but I started looking for Casper's replacement early and found the perfect next car.

I have loved the 981 and learned a lot from these forums.... thanks!

Bought the car from a PCA member in Oklahoma - so will take a few weeks to arrive at my door in Vegas.....

meet the yet-to-be-named 2005 Porsche 911 C4S / Guards Red - Natural Brown with the OEM Aerokit

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Looks sweet. Rare interior color.
You've bought the last and best (IMO) version of the 996 there, short of possibly a GT3 or Turbo - but those are different cars altogether.
Maybe you already know this, but I think you'll find it handles differently than your Boxster. Not really better or worse, just different. In my experience the 996 feels older, more mechanical, less isolated from the road, and you have to "drive" it more than the modern Boxster.
Enjoy!

 

Thanks

I knew I wanted an S car - so that meant (with my budget) a 987.1 Cayman or a 996

After taking to guy that runs local Porsche performance shop - he said the 996 4S was his favorite chassis- all the suspension and brakes ect from the Turbo....the C4S is everything on a turbo, minus the turbo

So started looking for low milage well cared for examples - found and fell in love with this one

 

Let us know what you think and how you would describe the similarities and differences compared to your 981 once you receive and drive the C4S a bit.

 

I don't know man. I drove my cousin's 996 recently. The manual transmission felt like a plunger in a box of rocks. Nothing was tight. The center stack looked like a mail truck. He sold it in under 1 year.

 

I agree with you, the 996 is such a huge downgrade from the 981. Looks like it's tiptronic too, that is one of the worst auto's you can buy.

 

Beautiful car! I love the color combination!

 

Isn't the C4S all-wheel-drive?

 

yes. I'm car sitting a '07 997 C4S 6MT for a buddy while he's in Hawaii, it's like driving a bizarre 987. The interior is so similar, but it's so heavy!

OP, congrats on the new ride, love that color combo!

 

Oh my! That is a nice color combination.

 

Isn't the 2005 CS4 built on the 997 chassis???

I owned a 2008 CS, a 2007 C4S and now a 2014 BS. The 981 is easily the best of the three.

 

Nice car! You like it, that's what counts!

 

Love the color, congrats!

I actually prefer the interior of the 996 to the 997. I know it looks old, but looks old in a good way if that makes sense. Like you don't expect it to look better, whereas you do expect the 997 interior to look better. The C4 has the wide body too which gives it a nice look.

Any serious plans to mod it or keeping it as is?

 

no mods planned per say, I am going to do the IMS

 

What floats your boat. I personally do not like the all wheel drive due to the difference in how it feels handling-wise through twisties. That is personal choice for me heavily influenced by too many years racing Karts. You like it and that is what counts.

 

I never owned a 996, so I can't offer anything other than hearsay, but from what I've read over the years the 996 was plagued with quality problems. Hopefully Porsche had them all sorted out by 2005.

 

Fortunately, the C4S does NOT have the IMS bearing issue that plagued the other 996s...overall I think the 996 is the best bang for buck to get into any 911. In fact prices, particularly for C4s have even gone up a bit (particularly for MT)...

Moreover, if the OP is happy with his purchase then frankly I'm happy for him!

 

Fortunately, the C4S does NOT have the IMS bearing issue that plagued the other 996s...

Do you have a source for this information? I was under the impression only the Turbos did not have the issue as they use a completely different engine design. The C4s uses the same motor that the regular S uses, so dont see how it can be immune to this issue. I'd be interested in knowing if this is true or not as I've considered buying one recently but did not based on the potential IMS issues.

 

Congratulations...but have you actually driven a 996? I was underwhelmed with the low mileage 996 C4S I drove back to back against the Boxster I chose. Having owned (and still owning) a 911 prior to getting the Boxster, it's not a 911 vs. Boxster thing. I've driven air cooled 911s, 993s, 997s, and the 996 over the years. The 996 is the only one that left a "meh" feeling...it drives like a boat, and feels like a Buick in Porsche clothing. Personally, I think it's going to be a huge downgrade from your 981.

 

Personally, I think it's going to be a huge downgrade from your 981.

The 996 is a good choice for those who want to own a 911, but don't want to spend a lot of money to satisfy that need. I've seen numerous 996s being advertised under $20K. Of course maintenance costs could offset that low purchase price.

 

I've seen numerous 996s being advertised under $20K. Of course maintenance costs could offset that low purchase price.

Sadly, the low asking prices are a clear reflection of the market telling you that the 996 models are not desirable cars. There's a reason for this, and it doesn't have to do with maintenance costs, which aren't drastically higher compared to other generations. I firmly believe it's because the driving experience of the 996 makes it the Buick of 911s. The low quality of the design, construction and interior don't help either. It's simply not in the same league as other generations of the 911.

OP, I'm sorry to be so harsh in sharing my perspective on this. It sounds like you've already made your purchase and are just waiting to take delivery. If you haven't yet consummated the deal, I would strongly encourage you to actually drive a 996 C4S before spending the money on buying one. If you're already committed and end up loving the car when you take delivery, I'll be happy for you. In the end, all that matters is that you're happy with the purchase.

 

sorry for delay's on the replies.... been out of town.

lotta haters in here....

I chose this car because it was well cared for and it was in my budget. I could have afforded a 987.1 for the same money - but still would have an IMS issue and the depreciation would be much worse.

one guy even asked me if I have even driven a 996? Really? I am gonna spend that much on a car and have never driven that model? I have driven 996.1, 996.2, and 997. I think the 996.2 4s chassis is one of the best Porsche has ever made - I like it better than the 997.

anyhow - I'm happy and excited to get it on the track.

 

I see now, how you might have thought that, as I hadn't driven this particular car - but I have driven 996 c4s. cheers

 

picture 3 looks like a manual - to my eyes anyway. i actually like 996s and don't agree with the 'huge downgrade' opinion. the drive is different - 4wd changes much. makes for a great all-year vehicle imo esp with winter wheels. never used tiptronic, so no comment there. ims is easy to take care of these days. (former 987 C owner.)