My wife! wants to drive the 993

[12like]

It was always meant to be a joint car, but she was a bit daunted at first and doesnt want to prang my pride and joy.
Now she really wants her part of the excitement and to drive it herself [:-].

The problem is that she is small about 5' 2" and can barely see over the dash with the seat apparently fully up. She doesnt have that problem in the Mondeo. Do you think that the seat hasnt gone all the way up in the 993? Or do we have to resort to a 'booster' cushion - and if so where would I look for one thats safe?

Does anyone else share driving with their other half - if so how did it work out []?

(And before anybody gets confused - my name is of the male variety Jan =John in Europe.)

 

[stuart tanner]

Oh dear, you must be kidding. Its like an outting letting them out of the kitchen!!!

I've seen how my girl friend drives, banging up & down them kurbs, no way!!! Have to get a cayenne first....

 

[cococola]

I insure my car on limited mileage insurance and I tell the other half that it only entitles me to drive as part of the conditions[]
Imagine what it would do to your nerves[]

 

[EPdriver]

My wife is maybe 5' tall on a good day. She does fine with the seat on the 993 as far forward as possible. In fact, she's done several track days with me including a couple with the PCGB. This has worked out remarkably well as she now actually encourages me to spend more money on this pastime and joined me in test driving a GT3 the other day. She is terrified at the thought of being responsible for any damage to the car and is more likely to drive it on the track than around London.

 

[Heuer]

My wife uses our 993 as a shopping trolley! It is her daily driver and has been for the last 8 years. I rarely get to go out in it and the only damage it has ever suffered was in the hands of the Official Porsche Centre ace mechanic who lost it on a roundabout whilst test driving it following a service.

 

[Kevin Cooke]

Agree with Heur, a 993 unless its an RS or GT2 is a real girly car any way so why not let her drive it!!

Regards

Kevin

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

ORIGINAL: Kevin Cooke

..... a 993 unless its an RS or GT2 is a real girly car any way........

I hope you'v got a bl**dy good flame suit!!! []

 

[Alex Postan]

Oh for goodness' sake! Let her drive it, it's only a car and a series production one at that! Driving position is very important; experiment with dense foam on the squab to get her eyeline right. Jane is 5'4" and has no difficulty in the the 911 or the Snapper; the story was different in the 930 - all the Saxo boys wanted a race[]

 

[mike cooper]

Hi Richard

I don't think Kevin will need a flame proof suit. Most of us are pretty understanding guys and girls and after all remember the 11th Commandment-
"Thou shall not mock the afflicated".
Seems about like the best way. I don't really think that any 14 year old designed car with times of a tad over 5 seconds 0-60mph and 170 mph top speed are really classed as 'girly'. Unless Kevin's Beano or Dandy says otherwise.

 

[TJ101]

Well, my wife' is not into "my midlife crises" as she puts it !! but she did say yesterday, she fancies driving the 996TT (non girly car) down to the club meet today, She is also pertit, (read short 4'11") and will be needing her cushion !!!

 

[Porker993]

How can a 993 be girly ? You need biceps like Arnold Schwarzenegger to steer the thing at low speed and legs like the Incredible Hulk to operate the pedals. After driving a "normal" car (heaven forbid) all the controls are super heavy. Not my idea of a girly car. Now, a boxster, there's a different story.

 

[marlin]

Bl**dy Hell, whats a Boxster then []

ORIGINAL: Kevin Cooke

Agree with Heur, a 993 unless its an RS or GT2 is a real girly car any way so why not let her drive it!!

Regards

Kevin

 

[3.2_fordy]

How can a 993 be girly ? You need biceps like Arnold Schwarzenegger to steer the thing at low speed and legs like the Incredible Hulk to operate the pedals. After driving a "normal" car (heaven forbid) all the controls are super heavy. Not my idea of a girly car. Now, a boxster, there's a different story.

ORIGINAL: Porker993

My wife has a 964 she thinks thats light compared to my 3.2 which she will not drive now,

I think a 993 must be a dream to drive

Jan let her drive it what can happen[8|]

 

[Porker993]

I've owned a 993, a 964 and a 3.2 carrera, and trust me, the 993 is heavy to drive, compared to modern cars I have driven recently (e.g. Hyundai Getz, Mini One etc.) "Nicely weighted" as all the magazines have it. Mind you my 2.7 didn't even have servo assisted brakes, so that was even heavier.

It's fairly similar to the 964 in terms of effort required. The 3.2 was a totally different feel (particularly the 915 gearbox). Excellent fun, and probably the car I'd like to own again one day.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[12like]

Methinks my wife is much like your in that respect, surprisingly supportive of 993 ownership. Good to know that at 5' nothing she can drive the 993 without a cushion. Thats all very reassuring - thanks,

 

[RichardLW]

get a new, taller, wife I think.

 

[dr fletch]

First thing I did when I bought my first Porsche back in 1994 was to bung her round Castle coombe in it with an instructor. Then she took the wheel (without me in the car of course) and low and behold posted a pretty reasonable time. Now when she drives the new 993, she comes into the house with a big smile on her face. Thankfully she's got the bug. Sounds like the cushion is the diplomatic route.

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

WOMEN, KNOW YOUR LIMITS!

 

[day1zero]

Take my wife.............................







Please

 

[zwhitea]

I'm 5'5ish and have no trouble with the 993 (it IS my car after all!). I do have the seat as high as it will go to see over the steering wheel, although I don't need it all the way forward. At 5'2 your wife may need a cushion, especially after driving a normal car, but she should get used to the lower driving position the more she drives it (God Forbid! [8|]).
With regards to the heaviness of the 993 - the 3.2 is MUCH heavier than the 993. I think it's got something to do with it not having power steering.[] I'm not saying the 993's an easy drive - after a mondeo or other modern car, it's always going to be heavy. But that's why I like it - you still feel like you're driving it. I drove a boxster and it's got nothing on the 993 for grin factor IMHO.

As for the rest of you (not all of you, granted!) - you should be ashamed of yourselves!! Let your wife drive your car, you never know, she might like it and then as someone above said, she may not have so much of a problem when you want to spend the holiday fund on new suspension! She might actually begin to understand what all the fuss is about....

Ruth - Zwhitea's wife...