Porsche 911 S vs Porsche 911 4S

I've been checking out this car as a future dream car . I can't see any difference btwn the two except that the 911 S has a higher top speed than the 911 4S. The body, engine, exterior all looks the same.

What's are the other differences besides price?

[SR71]

911 C4S is AWD

if I don't need the awd for traction, is a rwd more fun to drive?

what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

[m500]

AWD use to be a lot slower then the RWD brother. But according to the review for the new AWD this year. The new AWD model is just as fast and more fun to drive as it hug the road a lot better then RWD.

but if you want to fishtail or do doughnuts, will the awd impede you?

[brittain]

check out rennlist.com and flat-6.net. http://www.flat-6.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15954 this question is asked repeatedly, so there are several threads about it. I have been looking myself, and if I do trade up, Im going for the C2S. lighter, cheaper, and I dont really need the AWD in NC or FL.

[elau]

4S is better if you track your car, it also has the wide body like the Turbo. Also, 4S is a bit rare. Other than that, any one of those P-car is great. You should check into the new Cayman S though. Mid-engine and out performed it's big brother, the 911. Rumor has it that the next generation 911 will be mid-engine.

[m500]

Sounds like the Cayman S is the test mule for the next Gen 911.

cayman s has a nicer body but it's not as fast as the 911 s

[Z06ified]

The RWD 911's can be a bit tricky to drive near the limit because of their rear engine placement. The engine weight is so far back in the car that the car wants to swap ends rather quickly if you get into too much of an oversteer condition. Porsche purists call it "fun" but most people find that trait scary. It's not very forgiving if you get in over your head, that's for sure.

The AWD model is much more neutral, predictable, and forgiving at the limit.

[InTgr8r]

Originally Posted by smokedhen

but if you want to fishtail or do doughnuts, will the awd impede you?

Is that what you buy a Porsche for??

JMHO, but....
There are very few peeps that can actually drive a RWD Porsche...
The AWD is much more pedictable, and for the street, is a car that
many would get more driving satisfaction from.

[elau]

Originally Posted by smokedhen

cayman s has a nicer body but it's not as fast as the 911 s

Not true!! The Cayman S actually outperfromed the 911 on all catagories on test track in Germany. Porsche AG had to detune the car in fear they will lost sales on their cash cow, the 911. Being mid-enginie and 177 lbs lighter, it definitely handles better than the 911.

[xswl0931]

On Top Gear, the Stig had a faster lap time in the Cayman S than the 997 S (or even the 996 GT3), however, the 911 times were both when the track was wet, but that's still pretty amazing performance from the Cayman S. I suspect that the next gen of 911 may be mid engined. Kinda odd that the low end (Boxster and Cayman) and the high end (Carrera GT) are mid engined while the 911 is rear engined. It's too bad that Porsche is holding back the Cayman.

[elau]

No worry, RUF already has plan for it's own version for the Cayman S.

[elau]

Originally Posted by xswl0931

Kinda odd that the low end (Boxster and Cayman) and the high end (Carrera GT) are mid engined while the 911 is rear engined. It's too bad that Porsche is holding back the Cayman.

Cayman is not considered the low end car. The Boxster is. The MSRP for the base car is $59K, which is about $15K more than the Boxster. Then, when you add options, the price can be in the 911 territory. One guy I ran into at the dealer with me at the same time told me he is paying over $80K for his Cayman S.