Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (996 Tiptronic): Opulent City Cruiser. Shooting Brake's Mini Road Review

[@JordanNichollsYouTube]

KZbin has recently started suggesting videos from channels with a few less subs, and it’s videos like this that make me thank the algorithm! It’s nice to have a nuanced conversation about a topic like this. New sub here!

[@shootingbrake]

Thanks very much for the kind words - plenty more content to come!

[@mrThree5two]

Agreed - great video !

[@stup3rdup3rman]

996's are starting to look pretty good now a days

[@aadetale]

996.2’s are the best looking 911’s ever

[@C4S911]

@@aadetale💯facts! It looks the best!

[@passionnotparked9099]

996 C4S are the best looking 911s Period.

[@C4S911]

@@passionnotparked9099 💯 facts!

[@Euphorica]

They always looked great. You were just fooled by the 'purist' hivemind

[@ghaleboncars]

Can't get over how nice that interior is

[@rossbethell4187]

Yeah. Savannah (yellow/cream) is too much. The grey is a bit like a flight on Lufthansa in 1985 and black is quite common. Contrast cinnamon is gorgeous. I think that’s key though, it needs to be contrasted with black. All cinnamon would be too much. Once you start getting any other colour than black for the steering wheel it’s too full on.

[@shootingbrake]

@@rossbethell4187 The full colour Porsche interiors are certainly striking. We love them but the black dash makes for a much more practical car as it doesnt reflect off the windscreen!

[@nboy7]

Ive owned my fair share of Porsches now various from 1986 upto 2020. Heres my opinion on 911 tiptronic boxes (torque converter based). They are really great for cases where you have awkward/difficult roads or driveways. The TC boxes are able to crawl smoothly and will not roll back even in the harshest of situations, they have incredible low speed control. For example my old house use to have a narrow steep uphill driveway that was also short and you had to turn slightly to the left when going up. This was a real chore in a PDK car, because the PDK absolutely rolls if you slow too much or stop on a hill, quite badly and unpredictably, even on the later 2020 AWD Macan Turbo that i have. The tiptronics are also really easy to parallel park into tight spots that may be cambered or on an incline/decline. Ive had some bad experiences with PDK 911s in these same scenarious. The 996.2 and 997.1 Tiptronics have ZERO problems with pretty much any scenario you throw at them, they are also exceptionally good at take off cold or wet slippery roads, throttle control is impeccable. Reliability issues aside with old cars like the 964/996/997, if you are road tripping into the country side with a sports car, the tiptronic is absolutely a great option. Ive driven them on dirt roads, navigated broken up asphalt roads for long distances and it never tired me out. In the same situations the PDK feels loose and jerky, and the manuals will fatigue your legs after a couple hours. People always talk about track racing and "canyon carving" and the want manuals, sure great, ive raced manual Porsches from 924s to 911s at track days, yeah i get you its fun, PDK is also great there too, its fast. But daily driving and exploring new places, road tripping, crowded town centres, if i had to choose a 911, it would be the 996.2 Carrera 4S Tiptronic or the 997.1 Turbo Tiptronic. Their small body size, excellent all around visibility paired with the tiptronic makes them the easiest 911s to drive by quite a margin (in my opinion).

[@jonwarshawsky5288]

Well said. It is a “use case” scenario. My current 911 is a 964 Tiptronic coupe, and around town it is the perfect classic Porsche. While the 996 has never been my favorite, it is a 911 and does transcend its era because of this. In C4S form it remains an iconic, handsome car.

[@geoffreypizzey7950]

Always loved the looks of a 911 996 and I still love the looks of this Porsche it’s aging beautifully like a fine wine and for sure it will eventually be seen as one of Porsches best non turbo cars

[@carmadnab]

996s are really ageing like fine wine

[@SupermotoCentral]

Just received some paddleshifters for my 4S, it's going to be a gamechanger for the tips. My tip only lives in manual mode and auto is for traffic

[@SkywalkerPMs]

Which kit did you go with?

[@jayjonas]

pair them with a 6cm steering wheel spacer and the transformation is complete ;)

[@SupermotoCentral]

@@jayjonas it comes with a 6cm spacer

[@jayjonas]

@@SupermotoCentral interesting! So i assume its not the mod with the manual steering wheel and the amg paddles?

[@ballyp81]

@@SkywalkerPMs the original from mercedes - look up for it

[@johnash826]

I have had 3 996's all Tip. A properly set up box will change gear, up and down, probably quicker than a manual. This, a manual is a more involving drive! I don't get it. For me, the involving bit is steering an Braking, not lifting my left leg to push a pedal with one hand off the steering wheel. Anyway, each to his own I guess.

[@ballyp81]

With reprogramming the ECU (soldering needed or not I am not sure tough) for the transmission, you can have that "very" fast.

[@Birmingham_racing]

I love those lights they make a big difference to the 996

[@shootingbrake]

Love both generations of 996 headlights but the .2 lights with the Turbo bumpers are very iconic!

[@rowanbelindawilson8888]

Beautiful colour combo. The 722.6 transmission is legendary for its strength and reliability . Lovely car

[@shootingbrake]

Agree on all counts!

[@K1dPhresh1]

Wow! The 996.2 C4S is a beautiful 911, especially with turbo twists. But the interior on that specific one is the chef’s kiss!! Try as you may, you’re not selling me on a tip, sadly.

[@shootingbrake]

No probs - the Tip isn't for everyone! It certainly has its place in the market though, and at this price point its a fantastic (and ULEZ compliant) competitor to something like an E31 8 series or Mercedes SL.

[@ballyp81]

Very pleasant and sympathetic review - thank you

[@MrCaterhamr500]

I love my manual C4S, would never entertain a Tiptronic though, they have only 5 speeds and the ratios are Looong, takes any ‘sports car’ element away from it. I agree about the ride, they are surprisingly comfortable. The 996 C4S is one of the best looking cars, ever. The rear end is very purposeful, and the front end I think looks good with the Turbo front bumper.

[@shootingbrake]

Yes they nailed the C4S design on this gen! Tips aren't for everyone but they definitely have their place in the market.

[@Griphook1]

@@shootingbrake They do, it's just a cheaper place. £5-£6k less

[@Paulomagalhaes495]

@@Griphook1- Too better if it’s a cheaper place. If mine wasn’t a tiptronic, I wouldn’t have bought it! It’s as simple as that…

[@studid55]

Good sir! I am IN LOVE with your videos! I badly want a review of YOUR porsche 996(.1?) that I have seen in the other 996 video and now this 996 video... Yours is so clean... I am now subbed and looking forward to seeing that video ;)

[@shootingbrake]

Thank you so much!

[@996Revival]

Great video with a lot of good points. The tiptronic box is very robust and reliable. That’s one sexy car😊

[@shootingbrake]

Thank you very much!

[@user-ys4xh6qv9h]

My dream car! Great video

[@roelfkromhout]

Yes you can. Don't shoot me: I had a go in a manual 996 Targa once and I did not really enjoy my time with that gearbox... Preferred my (now sold) tiptronic 986 Boxster S. Still - if I am ever in a position to buy the 9964S I so desire, I would re-check to see if I still prefer the auto over the manual. Because I know it seems like that can't be right lol.

[@shootingbrake]

It all comes down to use case! Both gearboxes are great options occupying different spaces in the market.

[@richardprice7763]

Even though the power output is way down on the turbo it makes up for it with the noise these make, the turbos mute the engine noise and these sound the business.

[@shootingbrake]

Yes the Carrera's soundtrack is absolutely fantastic!

[@paulchurchouse4585]

Such a beautiful car

[@EFRANEED]

Idk if mentioned, but is not the 996 Carrera 4S AWD?

[@shootingbrake]

Yes, the '4' signifies all-wheel-drive on Porsche models

[@NebulaMusic369]

I have a 997 and chose one because aesthetically they are much better on the eye than the 996 from the unorthodox headlights. But I have to say with the 4S body kit the 996 does look pretty good still .

[@MrCaterhamr500]

Not sure I agree, the rear end of a 996 C4S looks so much nicer, very iconic.

[@rossbethell4187]

In the flesh a 996 whether narrow or wide body is a lovely thing. For some reason pictures never seem to reflect well of C2s etc.

[@KTLaz]

996 C4s looks better than any gen 1 997

[@Paulomagalhaes495]

…Not a "body kit"! C4S is the "turbo-look" version of its own to the 996, right from the factory!…

[@mikec1096]

amazing car

[@johnbris5]

I have exactly the same great car. A pity that I couldn't hear what you were saying

[@masterrk7]

I've not driven a tiptronic gearbox, but heard that its quite sluggish compared to the manual transmission. Did you find this to be the case?

[@kriskalpa]

nice video, thank you. I think it is possibly the best looking 911 of all time. Newer cars are too fussy and aggressive. The 996 C4S is simple and that's what gives the timeless look. People that don't know anything about cars just like it and that's cool.

[@shootingbrake]

Thank you, agree on all counts!

[@kriskalpa]

@@shootingbrake cool!

[@jamsxr]

Stunning car. Now want one. Manual though.

[@johnd296]

I used a 996 Carrera4 as a daily driver for years. The Tiptronic made it bearable in traffic and takes nothing from the thrills on the open road.

[@Griphook1]

Yes you can. But the manual is a lot better 😊

[@angry.8]

Almost bought at 996 but could get over how cheap the interior looked and felt.

[@Mckorzi]

I own a 4S manual and drove both cars. A 996 4s tiptronic comes Never ever even close to a manual . Way too sluggish and boring to drive. IMHO 🤷‍♂️

[@gotinycampervan9683]

I stopped watching it at the first 2 seconds of the video.

[@NayteeD]

“bECuZ i onLy lyK mAanueL” ⭐️