2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - More Than Enough Reasons to Get Rich
The Porsche 911 Turbo is one of the world's most formidable sports cars. Still, few can even dream about laying out $168,400 for the price of entry. The $11,788.00 GST bill alone comes close to buying a Kia Rio. What's more, add a few options and the Turbo's price soars to well over $200,000. Fortunately Porsche offers an alternative that looks almost identical to the top-line machine at a significant discount.
The $117,500 C4S is basically a Turbo without the 415-hp turbo engine. Sure there are no side air ducts or fixed rear wing, but its substantially wide body, meaty tire and wheel combo and triple vented front fascia design, albeit slightly modified, mirror the Turbo. That said there are differences that aren't immediately apparent as well, such as solid alloy wheels rather than light hollow ones. The full-width horizontal taillight bar is also unique to this model, a popular 911 design element that began in 1974 and lasted through to 1998.
Although no turbo is present, the normally aspirated 3.6-L horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder engine is anything but lethargic. Output has increased from 300-hp to 320 throughout the 911 line, allowing 5.4 second sprints to 100 km/h and a 280 km/h (174 mph) top speed. Its variable-valve timing helps to produce a healthy 273 lb-ft of torque, available down low in the rev range. Such ample thrust inevitably benefits the optional $4,730 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, if chosen. Most, of course, will opt for the standard 6-speed manual. Despite its six forward gears I found myself hardly shifting beyond third during city driving, without ever needing to venture into 6th except for testing purposes. Whether you think the highest gear is needed or not, it contributes to the 911's best ever fuel economy rating of 11.1 L/100 km combined city/highway.
The Porsche 911 Turbo is one of the world's most formidable sports cars. Still, few can even dream about laying out $168,400 for the price of entry. The $11,788.00 GST bill alone comes close to buying a Kia Rio. What's more, add a few options and the Turbo's price soars to well over $200,000. Fortunately Porsche offers an alternative that looks almost identical to the top-line machine at a significant discount. The $117,500 C4S is basically a Turbo without the 415-hp turbo engine. Sure there are no side air ducts or fixed rear wing, but its substantially wide body, meaty tire and wheel combo and triple vented front fascia design, albeit slightly modified, mirror the Turbo. That said there are differences that aren't immediately apparent as well, such as solid alloy wheels rather than light hollow ones. The full-width horizontal taillight bar is also unique to this model, a popular 911 design element that began in 1974 and lasted through to 1998.
Although no turbo is present, the normally aspirated 3.6-L horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder engine is anything but lethargic. Output has increased from 300-hp to 320 throughout the 911 line, allowing 5.4 second sprints to 100 km/h and a 280 km/h (174 mph) top speed. Its variable-valve timing helps to produce a healthy 273 lb-ft of torque, available down low in the rev range. Such ample thrust inevitably benefits the optional $4,730 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, if chosen. Most, of course, will opt for the standard 6-speed manual. Despite its six forward gears I found myself hardly shifting beyond third during city driving, without ever needing to venture into 6th except for testing purposes. Whether you think the highest gear is needed or not, it contributes to the 911's best ever fuel economy rating of 11.1 L/100 km combined city/highway.