time for a 911?

[Fen]

OK, I did say my 964 C4 was boring. I sold it because I lost all interest in it and haven't looked back once so maybe I did get bored of it.

I think Neil you're confusing feedback and tactility for driving like a loon. You get loads of feedback from a torsion 911 even on a tootle to the shops and you don't need to be anywhere near 95% to get pleasure out of it. They aren't particularly fast cars and while they aren't the dangerous widow-makers some would like to suggest they will spit you off the road backwards if you are too clumsy, but they are simply superb drivers cars at even a brisk pace.

I don't like the 996 (nor the 997). Perhaps if we didn't pretend it's a 911 I'd cut it some more slack, but in my eyes it's no more than a modern car with the same basic layout and a couple of styling cues. I'm sure it's a fairly good car in its own right in fact - the C2 manual at least is OK to drive (way better than a Boxster S), though the 4wd and auto versions you can keep, thanks - but to be prepared to consider both a 996 and a torsion 911 as a purchase is to want a badge and nothing else as the cars are so different. If you fancy a 996 then you should be comparing it against things like the M3, not the earlier 911 models.

 

[NeilW]

Fen, I don't disagree with any of that, except perhaps the bit about driving like a loon! [] When compared with a 944-series cars though, the 964 is a lot more visceral IMHO, but granted a lot less than a SC/3.2. I think we're on the same page, depends what you're looking for in a daily driver. For me, I have a relatively short commute each day, and wanted to make the journey a bit more fun. I then try and give the car a proper run out on a weekend, just to get everything up to temperature. N.B. Still not driving like a loon though! Different people get their thrills in different ways, e.g. some people feel the need to hurl themselves out of a light aircraft or jump from a bridge. Take care.

 

[Fen]

I've jumped from a bridge - the 964 was better than that! I guess I agree - the 964 is probably more involving than a 944 by some margin, but it's closer to the 944 than the 3.2 I think.

BTW my comment above was directed at Neil H, rather than Neil W - sorry for the confusion.

 

[Diver944]

If you lot are going to start jumping off bridges can you at least leave your car keys on the handrail, I wouldn't mind picking up another Porsche for free (not you Fen, you can keep your muddy jeep/truck thing )

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock



anyway, off to play on my x-box and sign up for the Routemaster bus forum...

LOL [][]

 

[Hilux]

But Davyboy was still able to hustle his near standard (i think) 944T round the ring quicker than a WRX scooby according to his website

I really do take all this post track pub talk with a big dollop of scepticism! Was it trying trying as hard? Might have been its first time? Might have been down on power? How much power did it have? Did the driver value his car or the return trip in one piece to the UK or other country too highly to risk the car? Was he/she simply on holiday and doing the ring for fun? Might simply have been a cr*p driver? Was the road greasy/patchy (drying out) for as we are all aware Scooby`s are cr*p on such surfaces (ask any honest Scooby driver)

I`ve lapped the Neinmeister supercharged 968 but it appeared to have steering/suspension issues, later found to be true.

I've jumped from a bridge - the 964 was better than that!

Are you serious?

So have I, no bungay cord though, simply some 45 feet with only three catch ropes when you surfaced or they were fishing you out ten miles downstream. If you didnt jump then you didnt get to go white water rafting grade 4 going on 5 - so if a 964 is as good as those two experiences then I feel I should definitely try one [8D]

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: Hilux

I really do take all this post track pub talk with a big dollop of scepticism! Was it trying trying as hard?

I'm with you on this one Paul, however in this instance they were both his own cars and he replaced the WRX with the 944T. He's now replaced the 944T with a 450cc trials bike and has gone back to dirt bike racing and won his first race in 15 years a few weeks ago [].

We all get our kicks in different ways, but I'm still not jumping off no bridge []

 

[Hilux]

they were both his own cars and he replaced the WRX with the 944T

Ahaaaaaa...................nuff said, I stand corrected (this time[])

Actually bridge jumping is (relatively) easy, just look straight ahead, dont look down or you tend to rotate and belly flop (dangerous at that height [])

 

[Fen]

I did this one: http://www.bungy.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/29 so not technically a bridge at all.

The 964 was more fun than the bungy, which for me was more challenge than enjoyment. The 964 was NOT more fun than white water rafting however. When the snow starts to melt in November I'll be looking at how I can get back to Queenstown to raft the Shotover when it's high. I also want to try sledging, which I believe I can do not so far from here.

 

[J.C944TurboMan]

Alright Fen , what about if we drive in a 964 to that new bridge they built in France ,
The Millau bridge over the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains is more than 300m (984ft) high - taller even than the country's Eiffel Tower , then you can base jump from the top and I'll drive down and pick you up that should do the trick pal !!! Best regards J

 

[333pg333]

ORIGINAL: Fen

I did this one: http://www.bungy.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/29 so not technically a bridge at all.

The 964 was more fun than the bungy, which for me was more challenge than enjoyment. The 964 was NOT more fun than white water rafting however. When the snow starts to melt in November I'll be looking at how I can get back to Queenstown to raft the Shotover when it's high. I also want to try sledging, which I believe I can do not so far from here.

We did the Shotover Jetboat thingys which were a bit of fun, although I'd do it in Summer. Very cold in Winter.

 

[Fen]

Did it in Autumn Patrick; the "Awesome Foursome" which is the bungy, Shotover Jet, Shotover raft and a helicopter ride. Unfortunately the Shotover was too low to raft so we had to use the Kawarau instead. With a wetsuit the cold isn't too bad, especially if it's sunnyas that warms things up nicely when you're in the boat.

Sory JC, but my one and only jump from anything is now over. I'd rather drive from here to the Millau bridge than jump off it. We did go there last summer for a looky though and it's worth a visit.

 

[morris944s2john]

"5) The 944 still makes a lot of sense as a sort of jack of all trades due to the practicality and reasonable price parts meaning that it is a good bet for those spanner handy (although at 20 yrs old IMHO I wouldn't recommend one to somebody planning on using garages for all their work).
"

Yes, it was the practicallity for a quality performance car that originally made me decide on a 944 and the fact that I can work on it and the car gives good MPG compared to most performance cars that continues to make it attractive.

I really like clASSIC CARS and to me the 3.2 911 looks like the last "proper" 911.

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: Fen

I think Neil you're confusing feedback and tactility for driving like a loon. You get loads of feedback from a torsion 911 even on a tootle to the shops and you don't need to be anywhere near 95% to get pleasure out of it. They aren't particularly fast cars and while they aren't the dangerous widow-makers some would like to suggest they will spit you off the road backwards if you are too clumsy, but they are simply superb drivers cars at even a brisk pace.

Fair point, and just backs up the criticism I have heard of the new cars in that they only really come alive above 90% by which time you are heading for prison or grave. BTA if one is going to compare the 996 to the M3 then IMHO one should consider torsion bar 911's next to mx-5's and elise's for example.

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

ORIGINAL: Hilux

I really do take all this post track pub talk with a big dollop of scepticism! Was it trying trying as hard?

I'm with you on this one Paul, however in this instance they were both his own cars and he replaced the WRX with the 944T. He's now replaced the 944T with a 450cc trials bike and has gone back to dirt bike racing and won his first race in 15 years a few weeks ago [].

We all get our kicks in different ways, but I'm still not jumping off no bridge []

Check out his website...

http://www.northloop.co.uk/

I also usually take peoples trackday hero claims with a pinch of salt also but Davyboy really does appear to have cahoonas the size of an Elephants.

 

[Fen]

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

Fair point, and just backs up the criticism I have heard of the new cars in that they only really come alive above 90% by which time you are heading for prison or grave. BTA if one is going to compare the 996 to the M3 then IMHO one should consider torsion bar 911's next to mx-5's and elise's for example.

On one level I don't disagree, but what I would say is that the 996 and M3 are prestige German coupes which makes them comparable and the MX5 and Elise are not.

I'd also say having owned 2 examples of both a torsion srpung 911 and a 1st generation MX5 (and having albeit briefly driven a series 2 Elise) that they are not comparable. The MX5 is fun in most situations and at less than nine tenths, but it is nowhere near the experience of the 3.2 Carrera.

The Elise may be more of a contender, but the one I drove had nothing like the power necessary to push the chassis, which is a situation I have experienced in other cars such as the R5 GTT, Cayman & Boxster and even the Cooper S I own (when it was standard) and which severely reduces the driving experience, for me anyway.

 

[Suffolk944]

I also usually take peoples trackday hero claims with a pinch of salt also but Davyboy really does appear to have cahoonas the size of an Elephants.

As Daves car is now my car, looks like I have quite a bit to live up to. Not sure the A14 offers quite the same challenge as the Ring [&o]

Great to see the car stretching her legs properly - and big respect to the man behind the wheel !

 

[944Turbo]

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

Well in an attempt to sum up what we have all said and add a bit myself;

1) If performance is number one priority don't be blinkered, look outside pork, M3's are getting cheaper by the day and although we will never admit it cars like the skyline R32 and supra TT offer cheaper tuning potential then the 951 IMHO.



An R32 (2wd) with a big zorst tried to pass me on a roundabout while I was driving at about 3 10ths, I decided to accelerate pulled 4 or 5 car lengths on him and without snaking as he was, lifted off and let him passed as the next roundabout was approaching, he then braked and it went completly crossed up, I had no problem stopping or turning.
Never been passed by an M3 on track - except a full race one - not met a V8 yet.
Never ever seen a supra going quickly except in drag racing videos.

Never fancied a 911 except a 3.2CS, 964turbo or 996/7 GT3 or GT2. Dont get the 993 at all - below the glass line looks great but then has completely the wrong windscreen and side windows.

 

[drough]

Wandered on here from the 996 forum as my wife is quite taken with a 944 at a local garage, and was naturally drawn to this post for obvious reasons............
Someone summed things up nicely earlier - it's horses for courses. I have wanted a 911 since I had a poster of one of the original turbos on my wall as a lad, and was lucky enough to be able to buy a 10 year old 996 C2 last year. Why a 996? I started off looking at 'early' 911's, then 993's and 964's. I did a fair bit of research, and the general consensus seemed to be that the 996 was a big step forward in terms of modernity, reliability and useability. Having driven a few variants, I preferred the way the 996 felt as a package. I also reallly like the shape, but again we're back to horses for courses.
It also happens to be fantastic to drive - I don't feel the need to elaborate further! Someone said earlier that they weren't that fast - 300bhp, 0-60 in 5.2 secs, 175mph top speed, I can't quote the in-gear figures but they feel pretty good from the drivers seat! Even the new 997's aren't that much faster; again, horses for courses but it's fast enough for me. My only criticism is that it's a bit quiet, but that's easily sorted with a decent sports exhaust.
I don't understand why some people feel the need to justify one preference over another - presumably you all bought your cars for different and personal reasons, and hopefully you all enjoy owning and driving them, so isn't that enough?
For me, owning and driving my Porsche is a privilege (although one I've worked damned hard for!!), and I have a 996 because that's what I wanted not because I thought it was better than other cars.
Don't analyse it, enjoy it!!

 

[pauly]

ORIGINAL: drough

Wandered on here from the 996 forum as my wife is quite taken with a 944 at a local garage, and was naturally drawn to this post for obvious reasons............
Someone summed things up nicely earlier - it's horses for courses. I have wanted a 911 since I had a poster of one of the original turbos on my wall as a lad, and was lucky enough to be able to buy a 10 year old 996 C2 last year. Why a 996? I started off looking at 'early' 911's, then 993's and 964's. I did a fair bit of research, and the general consensus seemed to be that the 996 was a big step forward in terms of modernity, reliability and useability. Having driven a few variants, I preferred the way the 996 felt as a package. I also reallly like the shape, but again we're back to horses for courses.
It also happens to be fantastic to drive - I don't feel the need to elaborate further! Someone said earlier that they weren't that fast - 300bhp, 0-60 in 5.2 secs, 175mph top speed, I can't quote the in-gear figures but they feel pretty good from the drivers seat! Even the new 997's aren't that much faster; again, horses for courses but it's fast enough for me. My only criticism is that it's a bit quiet, but that's easily sorted with a decent sports exhaust.
I don't understand why some people feel the need to justify one preference over another - presumably you all bought your cars for different and personal reasons, and hopefully you all enjoy owning and driving them, so isn't that enough?
For me, owning and driving my Porsche is a privilege (although one I've worked damned hard for!!), and I have a 996 because that's what I wanted not because I thought it was better than other cars.
Don't analyse it, enjoy it!!

That's a lot of horses, [].