Highland Blast - a revelation

Porrohman · May 12, 2010

A few weeks ago I replied to a post saying that I was frustrated with quality issues on my 997 and that a trip to Scotland may be its swansong. I drove 1600 miles in 3 days on some of the best roads with fabulous scenery and the car really came alive. I realised that I simply was not experiencing what the car can do as I sit in traffic (and behind a long trail of tractors and lorries in Norfolk). The car did not miss a beat once and the acceleration and roadholding is breathtaking.

The trip to Scotland has shown me that we are very fortunate to drive these very special cars and that the quality niggles are worth enduring. I may get a little runaround for work and save the 997 for special occasions.

davidwilson11 · May 12, 2010

I agree, most of my commuting is wasted in long traffic queues and not where it shoudl be in the highlands. the scenery up there is also breathtaking so make sure you take more trips up our way.

garyw · May 12, 2010

I'm pleased that the car has finally shone through for you..
Scotland was certainly one way to find out, some superb driving roads up there [8D]

garyw

Porrohman · May 12, 2010

I go to Scotland a lot but generally in our Mercedes people carrier which is functional but not exciting but meant I knew where best to go. The roads from Inverness to Kinlochewe - Torridon and then around to Applecross and over the Pass of The Cattle and later going down through Glen Coe were made for the 911.

betternotbigger · May 12, 2010

Absolutely... The Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) is the most awesome mountain road in the UK bar none. Reminds me a bit of Buttertubs (Top Gear) in my native Yorkshire (it's the Armco) but on a completely different scale. Or try the road along the north side of Loch Ness after tea time when it's completely empty... wonderful corners... or the Rattigan Pass which is more like a rally stage than a road!! So many great routes.

Ian W · May 13, 2010

ORIGINAL: Porrohman

A few weeks ago I replied to a post saying that I was frustrated with quality issues on my 997 and that a trip to Scotland may be its swansong. I drove 1600 miles in 3 days on some of the best roads with fabulous scenery and the car really came alive. I realised that I simply was not experiencing what the car can do as I sit in traffic (and behind a long trail of tractors and lorries in Norfolk). The car did not miss a beat once and the acceleration and roadholding is breathtaking.

The trip to Scotland has shown me that we are very fortunate to drive these very special cars and that the quality niggles are worth enduring. I may get a little runaround for work and save the 997 for special occasions.

+1 Million on this!

You must be looking out of the window at your car with a new sense of respect and awe at every opportunity I'd guess (and I bet it's cleaner and more polished than its ever been)?

The same happened to me last year when I went on Petrolhead Nirvana's Millau Bridge/Mont Ventoux tour. 2500 miles including some of France's best driving roads and the 7S just came alive. It was as if it had come home to its natural habitat. The car's combination of performance, braking and handling in situations like this is just awesome. That the 7S never ran out of ability just highlights how my (in)ability as a driver was the only limiting factor as to how quick I could take these wonderful roads.

Using a 911 in traffic or for local commutes never lets you find out what these remarkable cars are capable of. Once you do, you can't help but have huge respect and if you're like me, can't wait to go play seriously once again.

As a side note: last year, I had considerd a GT3 as my next car, but I realised there's simply no point as I can't get anywhere near the limits of a 7S let alone something more capable (but more compromised as a daily driver). So to all those people on here that advocate driver training above mods/faster cars - you are totally, completely right and I'll be going to school as soon as my new car's properly run-in.