In market for first 911: Biggest difference between Carrera S, 4, and 4S
 

Hello, I am thinking of buying my first porsche and I have always wanted a 911 so I am getting up to speed on the Carrera as it seems like it will be in my price range. So I am looking for some help in learning what things I should know and consider between the S, 4, and 4S. Any help?

Well, the first thing is a recommendation: don't buy until you know a lot more.

first, note that since Sept. 11 2001, 911s are often badged and called Carrera, rather than 911.

There is no 4 model. The standard 911 is a two wheel rear drive model. HP varies depending on the year.

The S has a more powerful engine, generally about 10% more power although my observation is the additional horses are quite large: they always act like they have about 12-15% more power.

The 4S has the more powerful motor and full time 4 wheel drive.

The S is the fastest of the bunch in terms of acceleration and on high speed curves and tracks. The 4S weighs about 100-150 lbs more with the 4 wd machinery and will be slightly slower. it also has much less trunk space because the space is taken up by the front differential.

The 4S is NOT a good winter car: the 4wd helps in tight corners, not snow, making it power through them with neutral steering and handling. Popular myth to the contrary, 911s, other than the GT2 model with its real wishbone suspension, all have front struts and have never impressed me as handling that well: put big tires on anything light and low and give it taught springs and damping and it is going to handle curves pretty well. I had a 2wd Carrera S and it never impressed me as great: I went from it to an Aston Vantage and THAT car really did handle well (it had a true wishbone suspension). The 4S nearly matches it and in really tight corners can just pull itself through better than about anything short of the exotic stuff.

The motor in the S is not just a slightly bored out version of that in the standard two wheel drive model, but a different engine, and generally regarded as more robust and dependable.

Lee:

Although not the OP I am very interested in your response in that I too am considering my first Porsche 911 and am most interested in your comment that the 911 C4S is NOT a good snow/winter car...I would very much appreciate you elaborating on this point as i) there is snow where I live ~5 months of the year ii) I have only ever owned 4 wheel drive cars [i.e. Audi S4, BMW 535ix, etc.] and ii) am considering the 911 C4S as my next car...

And, as far as the OP is concerned, perhaps he is confused because there is, as you know, a Targa 4 [i.e. no S designation/engine] and a Targa 4s...

Again, much thanks,


Joel

Lee
Thanks for your quick response as it is very helpful as I am leaning towards the S version. I was wondering about the 4 series because it is listed on the Porsche site http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/ thoughts?

Also it seemed like 2005 was a big change for the 911 can you provide any insight into what you gain or lose between the 2004 models vs the 2005 vs the 2006 model? I was leaning towards a 2005 S series but still researching.

2005 was a year of slight upgrade, from the "996" to the "997" the look (shape of the front headlights, arch of the rear wheel wells, was made a bit more traditional, and there was a minor upgrade in power of both the standard and S versions. I drove both in early 2005 and selected a 2004 rather than the 2005, but that is just me. There is really not much difference - you will not notice the slight different in power 997 vs 996 in daily driving, it depends mostly on if you like the styling one over the other.