Brian Halling
New member
In an earlier posting I asked for advice on driving a 1990 Carrera 2 as I had arranged to use one for the week beginning 17th February. As requested, here are my thoughts on the experience.
As a modern Boxster owner my expectations of a thirteen year old car were not high. However, I was very pleasantly surprised "" it's a cracker! [
] It may be old, but above all it really performs. Mine had an automatic gearbox with only four gears, which I had expected to blunt the power and reduce the driver's control. But with so much torque this is far from the truth. I began cautiously using auto, after all it was not my car, shifted to pre-selector to delay changing up, and then discovered that much the same effect could be had more easily with kick-down. Mid range acceleration was electric and overtaking became an experience to be savoured. Sadly I have to admit that a thirteen year old Carrera 2 is faster than a two year old Boxster.
I hesitate to comment on the handling, as much of the week was near freezing and I had no wish to test Clarkson's assertion that it was prone to swap ends. However, it took its corners in a comfortable fashion and I never felt that it might bite me, although it did give me a mild slapped wrist when I came out of a corner a bit too enthusiastically. The driving position was great and the bucket seats gave good support in the right places.
The style of the 911 is timeless and the bodywork on mine was immaculate, although details like the upright angle of the A pillar and the interior décor revealed its age. With over 84,000 miles on the clock there were no rattles, apart from the hard suspension coping with a rough road, and everything I tried still worked perfectly.
There were a few minor things I didn't like. Even with the maximum seat adjustment my head was still uncomfortably near the roof. Deactivating the immobiliser required the finesse of a brain surgeon, but it improved as the car got to know me (or vice-versa). The speedometer and associated goodies like the selected gear indicator were covered by my right hand, requiring a distracting lean to view them. And then there was the horn "" a feeble squeak more appropriate to Popeye, which I was eventually too embarrassed to use.
My verdict "" a wonderful driver's car which gave us a great week. But as I drove my Boxster home I knew it was still the right car for me!
(If you are interested in the Classic Car Club then email me)
As a modern Boxster owner my expectations of a thirteen year old car were not high. However, I was very pleasantly surprised "" it's a cracker! [
] It may be old, but above all it really performs. Mine had an automatic gearbox with only four gears, which I had expected to blunt the power and reduce the driver's control. But with so much torque this is far from the truth. I began cautiously using auto, after all it was not my car, shifted to pre-selector to delay changing up, and then discovered that much the same effect could be had more easily with kick-down. Mid range acceleration was electric and overtaking became an experience to be savoured. Sadly I have to admit that a thirteen year old Carrera 2 is faster than a two year old Boxster.I hesitate to comment on the handling, as much of the week was near freezing and I had no wish to test Clarkson's assertion that it was prone to swap ends. However, it took its corners in a comfortable fashion and I never felt that it might bite me, although it did give me a mild slapped wrist when I came out of a corner a bit too enthusiastically. The driving position was great and the bucket seats gave good support in the right places.
The style of the 911 is timeless and the bodywork on mine was immaculate, although details like the upright angle of the A pillar and the interior décor revealed its age. With over 84,000 miles on the clock there were no rattles, apart from the hard suspension coping with a rough road, and everything I tried still worked perfectly.
There were a few minor things I didn't like. Even with the maximum seat adjustment my head was still uncomfortably near the roof. Deactivating the immobiliser required the finesse of a brain surgeon, but it improved as the car got to know me (or vice-versa). The speedometer and associated goodies like the selected gear indicator were covered by my right hand, requiring a distracting lean to view them. And then there was the horn "" a feeble squeak more appropriate to Popeye, which I was eventually too embarrassed to use.
My verdict "" a wonderful driver's car which gave us a great week. But as I drove my Boxster home I knew it was still the right car for me!
(If you are interested in the Classic Car Club then email me)
