Is a 2002-2004 911 C4S a reliable vehicle for daily driving and lapping school use?

Question

I am thinking about replacing my Subaru Impreza WRX with a 2002-2004 911 C4S. This vehicle would be my daily driver (40 miles per day of mixed driving) and my weekend toy (I typically do 2 lapping school days and 3-4 auto cross events per year).

My WRX has held up very well to this type of usage, with no part failures or unexpected maintenance (I basically change tires once a year, change oil frequently, fill it up with gas and drive hard)

Will a 2002-2004 911 C4S be able to handle this type of usage without becoming a money pit? Will I be able to drive 250 miles to a race track, drive at 10/10ths of my ability for several hours and have absolute confidence the car will not break down and get me home at the end of the day?

I would really like to hear from current 911 owners who use their car in the same way I am planning to use it.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

As a generalization, Porsches are extremely reliable cars. Since the 1950s, many people have managed to regularly use the same cars for the daily driving duties, and weekends at race tracks or autocrosses or the like.

Of course, the most current cars do not seem quite as over engineered as the earlier cars, and we don't have quite the volume of data to look at since they have not been around as long. But with that one caveat, it would seem that the 996 and 997 are very much in line with the earlier 911s. The people I know in PCA that use these cars as both have no problems with exactly this kind of use.

The main tradeoff you are likely to have moving from the Subaru is utility use, where the interior space with the Carrera will be less usable (though enough room to throw the track tires/wheels inside).

Answer 2

this is honestly exactly what porsches are designed for. My GT2 has held up insanely well, even with hoosiers on it. Currenty a whopping zero failures in ~20+ trackdays in the last year. Lost the front lip a couple times, but thats almost expected with the low ground clearance and the occasional off course adventure.

I highly suggest joining the PCA and doing some of those events. Theyre a blast, and they can get you instructors that really know your car amazingly well (long time 911 racers). 911s are much trickier/more unintuitive cars to drive fast (996 C4s's are some of the most forgiving though), especially coming from a WRX, which is pretty much the most forgiving car ever (my son races his 05 STi with me).

You totally made the right choice with the 911, I would just choose a C2 before a c4s. Theyre much more involving and trickier to drive. More of a drivers car, where the C4s is much more forgiving. unless you NEED the AWD for weather, the C2 is def the way to go.

i also highly suggest getting an extended 3rd party warranty (just kindly dont mention the trackdays :)). 911s are wickedly reliable, but if in the off chance you have a synchro or something go out, the warranty will pay for itself in that repair alone. They always pay for themselves on cars like these (under 2k isnt much to pay for a warranty that will last the length of the time you own the car).

I wish i hadnt sold my 99 C2 before we started tracking, it woulda been the perfect car for my son out there. 02-04s were even more reliable.

Answer 3

2004 911

Answer 4

Yes they are reliable. I have a 996 AWD and have won my class several times in the local PCA AutoX races and have no problems on the road either.

Typically these sorts of events don't put a lot of strain on the car itself, only the tires and brakes. In an AutoX you rarely get out of 2-3 gear or top 40-50mph and on a race track you are in 30 minute stints with hard cornering and braking. If you were drag racing you would have other concerns.

Go forward and enjoy!

Answer 5

Most Porsche owners that I have seen use their cars as daily drivers.
Porsche's are reliable and they have back seats, eventhough they are too small to fit children in unless they put their feet on the seat. It has AWD so it is good in snow and rain.
If you drive to a race track-You should worry about the 250miles drive back home because you could have damaged something while racing. It shouldn't have any problems, but I would check it on the way back just incase.

Answer 6

I had a 1974 911s which at time was fastest non-turbo car in World. No a.c, Comfort, radio, just 3spd meant for speed. Previous Owner (My boss) had it to 180 over bridge and slammed on brakes half way down after seeing B@W's and without skid slowed to 65 when he got pulled. Quite a all around performance car. People after upgrades always forget brakes. Anyway, point is yes they are made to perform and will , with porper care last for your uses.

Answer 7

2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4s

Answer 8

Go Japanese -

I bought my first German car this Year an 01' 996 awd tt. 10k miles showroom condition.



And the camshaft o-ring disintegrated after two weeks of driving a sold it back to the dealer and lost 7G's on the deal.

My dads SL500 handles 1million times better but lacking the neck snapping straight line speed.

My Acura rl handled better. This is not a joke