I recently purchased a 2002 996 911 C4s instead of a new GTI for my semi-daily driver. I’m a life long car nut and wanted a 911 since I was about four years old. I’ve owned many cars with a dozen or so VWs and Audis in the mix, including a few S4s, a MK1 GTI with a 16V swap, and most recently a 2013 MK6 GTI. A 911 was the natural progression.

The 996 has long been snubbed by purists as it was the first watercooled 911 and lacked the iconic round headlights. However, there has been a lot of positive talk of the 996 lately by automotive journalists and enthusiasts are starting to snatch up the good ones.

To date, my MK6 GTI was by far the funnest car I’ve owned. I was pushing close to 265 wHP as it was tuned by Integrated Engineering and had numerous performance modifications. It was rowdy and would spin a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports well into 3rd gear.

Being car ADD and closely watching the 911 market for the past few years, I decided now was the time to get my first 911 as values are slowly creeping back up.

I have an Audi B8.5 Allroad for the practical car and a F150 for truck duties, I contemplated a new MK7 GTI but a 911 was calling.

My B8.5 Allroad with 20" Rotiform SPF Wheels

After spending way too much time searching all ends of the internet daily for about a month, a local 2002 996 C4s popped up. I promptly had my buddy, Cole Powelson, the owner of Lyfe Motorsport give it thorough PPI (pre-purchase inspection). He told me it was extremely solid and to buy it. I’ll need some new front brakes/rotors soon and a CV boot immediately.

Most importantly, this car had a new IMS bearing, clutch, and rear main seal installed within the past 5K miles by a reputable shop. I know the IMS bearing issue is blown out of proportion by the internet, but for piece of mind I needed to find one with the IMS done.

Interior Impressions

The graphite gray actually looks much better in person

This car feels much newer than a 2002, more like a 2012. The only thing that is dated is the CD player and lack of fixed cupholders. I plan on updating the CD player ASAP with a modern, double din bluetooth media player. I can live with the retractable cup holder to hold my coffee mug on the morning commute.

The interior is graphite gray, not my first choice, but it’s growing on me. The center console has a few nicks in the rubber but there are many solutions to make that look better. I’m thinking aluminum or a body colored replacement.

Styling

The classic 911 silhouette is what really has drawn me to the car. The styling is timeless and won’t be confused with any other car on the road. It’s just plain sexy.

Another thing I love about the C4s is the rear end and widebody, fat fenders. It is arguably one of the best looking 996s among enthusiasts.

In the past two weeks I’ve had it, I’ve never encountered so many compliments and questions from strangers. Most non enthusiasts have no idea what generation/year it is.

Power and Performance

I’ve owned some fast cars and drive absurdly fast ones on a regular basis, such as 450+ WHP Audis & VWs. I honestly think my old GTI would give this a good run down low, however up top, the 911 would walk it.

With 315 hp and 275 ft-lb of torque, magazine test results were 5.1 seconds 0-60 mph, 13 sec quarter mile, and 174 MPH top speed. I would rate it more than enough power, it’s legitimately fast, but not scary fast.

The power delivery is where this car shines. From a standing stop to near redline the car pulls hard and linear. Where as my GTI power delivery was explosive then died, this really builds speed progressively.

The canyon carving, which I do quite often, is pure joy. There is instant predictable power thorough the the rpm range, especially on tight roads where you are in predominantly in 2nd-3rd gear. It will do 100 mph in 3rd gear.

I feel it’s the right amount of power for the roads I drive on and my skill level. I would probably get myself in trouble a with a turbo 911.

Handling and Driving

This is where I’m blown away. The C4s is equipped with 996 turbo suspension and big Brembo brakes, this thing is amazing. With massive 295/30 tires, all wheel drive, and PSM (Porsche Stability Management) this can take corners at license suspending speeds with pure confidence.

The suspension is by far the best of any car that I’ve owned. The dampening and rebound is near perfect. Bumps in corners that would upset the rear end of my GTI equipped with Bilstein shocks & Neuspeed race springs, the C4S doesn’t flinch.

The C4s hunkers down in the corners and blasts out of them like a boss. It really clicked after the first few twisty corners what a 911 is all about. The feeling and handling is unlike any car I’ve ever experienced. Where the GTI would be clawing for traction exiting corners, the AWD just goes with no commotion.

The steering is also razor sharp, with no heavy engine in the front it’s almost telepathic. For being 15 years old, the steering feels brand new with zero play.

Add in the glorious exhaust sounds, engaging shifts, this is a pure driver’s car. All the cars I’ve owned pale in comparison to the feel this provides. Where my GTI felt like a toy, this is a machine.

I commute a few days a week, an 80 mile round trip, all hwy/canyon, with one red light. The car is very comfortable, but it took a few days to get used to the firmer suspension that I now love.

For passengers, esp my wife, the ride is very smooth. My wife said my GTI felt like roller coaster and she got tossed around in it while riding shotgun on canyon runs. The C4s passes the wife test with flying colors.

Odds and Ends

Being 15 years old, it’s going to have few issues here and there. Today my airbag light came on which I need to diagnose, and there is an intermittent hum that comes from the front right speaker that needs investigating. I’m not too worried about long-term reliability, as there are many people daily driving these that have well over 120K miles with routine maintenance to keep them going.

I’m used to getting 27 MPG in my GTI no matter how I drove it, the 911 gets about 18 MPG, so I’m stopping at the gas pump more frequently. If I really cared about mileage I would have gotten a Prius, lol.

In the two weeks and 500+ miles I’ve had it, I’ve noticed two things. EVERYBODY wants to race and people like to tailgate you more. I’m not sure what that’s all about, but I ignore it.

I’m 6'4" and fit perfectly, the cockpit hugs you without being claustrophobic. The seats are the “comfort seats” not the sport models, being a big guy they are more comfortable for me.

I plan on doing a Gundo hack to open up the exhaust and really let her sing. The sound of the flat six is music to my ears.

At this point I’m going to keep it stock and not change anything else, perhaps some wheels or tint in the future.

Out of the box this smokes all my previously owned modified cars, which is still mind blowing to me since it’s 15 years old and stock. The overall package ticks all the right boxes.

Sure I could have bought a new MK7 GTI, installed a downpipe, and add a tune that would surely eat the C4s. The point of this car isn’t straight line speed or highway pulls, it’s the experience, sounds, and styling for me.

Overall the 996 C4s has exceeded all my expectations. Go out and get one before the prices start rising. You won’t be disappointed.