I will shortly be in the market for a Carrera Cabriolet. I am looking at a previously owned 2007 or 2008. This will be my first Porsche. The question I have is, I guess, a matter of opinion, but I am interested in all perspectives. I am tossed up on whether to purchase a base Carrera or the S model. Is there an appreciable difference in performance? Are there other things to consider besides the additional horsepower?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Sort surprised no one else has replied, but then maybe like me they've been away for the holidays.

The additional HP in the S is very noticeable - frankly, each of the 35 or so extra horses seem to me to be much larger than any of the 320 or so they add to. The engine is also a bit torqueier and despite the fact that the base Carrera is a powerful car, a lack of sufficient low end torque (some would say the amount I want is really "excessive" not just sufficient, but . . . ) was what I most disliked about my Carrera, and the S isn't that much better there: I drove a new S model before deciding on my current Aston and the S, although very powerful, felt like a small displacement, high reving engined car.
Some people will say the S engine is a better built engine than the base Carrera engine, but I had no problems with a base Carrera in four years, and have heard few complaints from other owners: but no doubt, the S is at least as robust and well designed the base Carrera engine.
On the negative side, the S costs more, and is just a tad heavier and thirtier (although neither difference is enough to matter), but if you get the 4S, a lot heavier and much more complicated (more stuff to go wrong), although the 4 wheel power makes for better handling all the time, not just in bad weather. And you can also argue about whether you really need the additional power - a standard Carrera is as fast a car as one really would ever need and in daily driving I doubt you would ever tell the difference, but you'd know, so if just having the faster model matters, buy it.

 

Thanks for the info - I had the same question. Hard to get a good feeling if the extra HP or 4 wheel drive is that much of a difference. please post when you make that purchase.