Gen 2 Test drive plus

[Monty2]

Had an excellent test drive in a Carrera Gen2 PDK on Monday. Having cancelled my sesssion at Silverstone in July due to unavoidable circumstances, Norwich OPC booked me into a test drive from the Cottessey dealership down to Tuddenham airfield and a drive as badly as you like session on the runways and taxiways. This is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to emulate messrs Clarkson and Hammond's playground antics. In fairness I had Rob from the Porsche driving team keeping a watchful eye on me but I really got to grips with the new PDK, 20 minutes of using the "slider" gearchange on the steering wheel had me totally at ease with the configuration plus when bored you can play touring car driver with the gear "tip" stick, but if you want to concentrate on which direction you are heading in "auto" mode it recognises that you are playing and adjusts the PDK shifts accordingly. What hasn't been talked about is the ability to when in "auto" mode dip the accelerator pedal to drop a gear or 2 dips to drop 2 gears to set yourself up for overtaking this is different to the usual kickdown foot to the floor as used in current Tip cars to drop down for overtaking (this is still available on the PDK in addition to the light dipping of the accelerator pedal). Although I currently drive a C2S the new DFI Carrera didn't leave me thinking I was lacking any power. Handling and brakes (bigger on the new Carrera) were faultless. I also tried very very hard to get the car to slide with some really BAD cornering on dirty concrete and it wouldn't unstick.
Verdict - new 997 Gen 2 Carrera PDK as good as C2S = Yes and Gen2 C2S must be superb (not had that pleasure yet).

Would I change my current C2S for a Gen 2 probably not. I was offered a near insulting part ex (lots of 997s on the forecourt and quiet showrooms) and in current climate if Porsche want to keep rolling cars down the production line they will have to start offering loyalty discounts/bonus to current 997 owners (Audi did this for A6 owners when the new A6 hit the streets, due in part to the outgoing models excellent build and reliability).

Also noted that Gen2's are available from stock with some good specs for anyone thinking of an instant cx (speak to Michael at Norwich OPC).

Thanks again Norwich for the Gen2 opportunity.

Paul

 

[Dylan1]

Gen2 C2S must be superb (not had that pleasure yet).


it is --i have had that pleasure and it really is remarkable-makes you question the need for a 997 TT.not quite there but very close (imo)

 

[Hendrikus]

Monty
I live in Norwich, and have bought my new car from the OPC there (Michael was the man!). It arrives any moment now.
This Tuddenham place you mention; is this something Norwich OPC could arrange for me? Do they allow people to use it for a charge? Sounds awesome!

Hendrikus

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: Monty2


Would I change my current C2S for a Gen 2 probably not. I was offered a near insulting part ex (lots of 997s on the forecourt and quiet showrooms) and in current climate if Porsche want to keep rolling cars down the production line they will have to start offering loyalty discounts/bonus to current 997 owners (Audi did this for A6 owners when the new A6 hit the streets, due in part to the outgoing models excellent build and reliability).

Paul

Paul, thought I thought discounts might be the order of the day in 2009, I now doubt that will happen, for the following reasons:

1. Residuals are bad. Discounts will make them worse.

2. PGB have cut back dealer allocations considerably and PAG can afford to with Far Eastern emerging markets.

 

[Monty2]

ORIGINAL: Hendrikus

Monty
I live in Norwich, and have bought my new car from the OPC there (Michael was the man!). It arrives any moment now.
This Tuddenham place you mention; is this something Norwich OPC could arrange for me? Do they allow people to use it for a charge? Sounds awesome!

Hendrikus

Hi Hendrikus,
Did I say Tuddenham, I meant to say Tavernham on the Diss road. As Michael is still trying to convince me to part with my C2S (and I am still smarting at the trade in value of my top spec. 2 year old car with 12,000 miles on the clock), I think this outing was a bonus and perhaps not the norm. Its worth asking though as he is a top bloke having sold me 4 Porsches already between Cambs and Norwich.
I am asking myself with residuals plummeting do I really want to put myself into another 997 which will lose £25K in 18 months. As Derek stated its unlikely that Porsche will reduce UK price or include higher spec. if they are limiting availability. That said there is unsold Gen 2 stock across the country which is unusual for a new Porsche model.
Forget all the above, could it be your plastic covered Grey Gen2 I was looking at on Friday afternoon out the back of Norwich OPC, after my trip out and my ownership of the C2S I know you'll have a permanent grin when you take delivery (someone was also picking one up on Friday afternoon from Michael).

Enjoy the moment, your a long time dead

Paul aka Monty2