2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S?
Debuting for 2004 is the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, a convertible version of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe. Standard equipment on this model includes a wind deflector and an aluminum hard top with a heated glass rear window that weighs 71 pounds. Four new options are available on the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: an Aerokit, a Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system (PCCB), 18-inch SportTechno wheels, and 18-inch Porsche GT3 wheels. Two new colors – Atlas Gray metallic and Carmon Red metallic – are also available for 2004.

Advantages of the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S:

• Handles, steers and stops with the best in the business
• Standard all-wheel-drive system
• Turbo-look exterior appearance without Turbo price tag
• Comfortable front seats
• Throaty exhaust note

Objections to the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S:

• Cheap interior buttons and switches
• Muddled control layout and operation
• Heavy clutch
• Weight penalty of standard all-wheel-drive system

Editor's Advice:
Sports car mavens needing a four-seasons Porsche will find the 911 Carrera 4S appealing, despite the fact that it’s several hundred pounds heavier than a standard 911 Carrera. With standard all-wheel-drive, all that separates the 911 Carrera 4S from capable wet or snowy weather handling is a good set of rain or snow tires. Tossed in as part of the package price, Porsche endows the 911 Carrera 4S with a body that looks very much like the more powerful, and more expensive, 911 Turbo. And with the debut this year of a Cabriolet version, owners in less hospitable climes can take full advantage of sunny days when they come along.