Porsche Owners Thread - If you own one or just like or hate them! :)

[Gibbo]

I really loved your yellow C2S! When you say C2 or C4, would you steer clear of the S variants due to increased bore scoring troubles? In all honestly I think I'd be pretty happy with the 320bhp offered by the normal one.

I take your opinion very seriously with the driving characteristics as you've had a lot of experience with these. I have only driven a turbo 997 with a tiptronic box which, whilst really stupidly fast, took all the joy out of it. The big difference between both of us is that I'm after a hairdresser's car which it could be argued takes a load of the driving dynamics away from any car compared to the hard roofed variant.

Regards bore scoring and IMS, forget IMS it is so rare and a 2006 built 997 has an uprated IMS which are less likely to fail.

Bore scoring effects them all, it is believed the 3.8 suffers more than the 3.6 but if there is truth to it I do not know, technical and from an engineering point of view I understand why the 3.8 is supposed to suffer more.

Driving wise its actually hard to be a boggo 997.1 C2 on 18" wheels with stock none PASM suspension, they are to put it so natural. Lower grip limit, more progressive and you have to work it harder, a real fun car.

I'd be on the lookout for a 997 that was a 2006 build, which is generally most 55 plate onwards with as few as miles as possible with full service history and then slap an OPC warranty on it for peace of mine.

Also do not dismiss a Cayman, can you get one of those within budget with the newer DFI engine for reliability?

I really loved your yellow C2S! When you say C2 or C4, would you steer clear of the S variants due to increased bore scoring troubles? In all honestly I think I'd be pretty happy with the 320bhp offered by the normal one.

I take your opinion very seriously with the driving characteristics as you've had a lot of experience with these. I have only driven a turbo 997 with a tiptronic box which, whilst really stupidly fast, took all the joy out of it. The big difference between both of us is that I'm after a hairdresser's car which it could be argued takes a load of the driving dynamics away from any car compared to the hard roofed variant.

Thanks I'd just not buy a 996, I think they look meh on the outside, but admittedly the 996 Turbo and C4S are somewhat an exception, but I'd still take a boggo 997 over them, they just look a lot more modern but I have always hated the 996 front-end with a passion.

A healthy C2 or C4 997 with 320BHP go well, very well if you know how to drive, they are one of those cars when piloted well are really quick but I found most people who own 911's in particular simply cannot drive them, they find them to intimidating or just understeer everywhere.

I drove 997 turbo twice with tiptronic, hugely quick, absolutely the most boring 500BHP I ever drove, dull dull and more dull. The tiptronic Porsche used before PDK was just simply woeful in a performance car. To cruise and 0-60 runs it was OK but to attack a country road or just enjoy the car the gear box was bloody disgraceful, it gets even worse in the 996 models. Manual is an absolute MUST on the older P cars. Now PDK major leap on but any Porsche with PDK is well over 30k !

Are you saying you want a hair dressers car? Bit confused! If so just buy the best Boxster you can find, maybe the budget could be pushed to a 981 Boxster, totally amazing things to drive!

 

[Gibbo]

Given our previous encounter... I bet I could beat you in a 500bhip 996 while in my 310bhp 987.2 any day when it comes to lap times

If its got straight bits you aint got much hope, though I do not like 996, a turbo one with 500BHP are damn quick, very quick infact, sub 8s to 100mph.

It would need to be one very tight track where only mainly 1st and 2nd gear was used or a sprint type track for the Boxster to be quicker. Any national circuit like Oulton Park or Donnington the Turbo would simply be gone and thats in the dry, move to wet conditions and not remotely close.

I have first hand experience of being at Oulton in the wet in my 911, a Cayman R and a 997.2 Turbo S along with a load of 996 and 997 GT3's. In short in the dry the Turbo S was quickest but the GT3's kept it honest. In the wet the Turbo was still flat out and so easy to drive at such pace, the GT3's were like half the speed.

I do not like the 996 and yes the 997 is a big step on but 996 Turbo are still damn bloody quick and still have huge grip.

 

[Gibbo]

Yeah... I'd still rather a 997 / E92 over any 996.

They're still fun cars... especially a turbo as one of the main issues I had with the 996 C2S was it felt underpowered.

But I prefer the feel of the newer cars. Others might have other preferences...

With you on that, the newer ones just drive, well a lot nicer.

I am testing driving a Z06, 991 GT3 and 458 Italia next weekend, cannot wait.

 

[Gibbo]

Finally the dream came true and I got to drive the new 991 GT3 RS, WHAT A CAR!

 

[Gibbo]

They have moved the game on massively with the current one, more than I gave them credit for it must be said. The current Turbo S is also incredibly quick on track, probably quicker than any GT3 RS before it, including the 4.0 over a single lap.

You know I cannot stop thinking about it, so amazing even though it was wearing Pzero's haha!

Really has got me looking back at Porsches, think if things go well I might get myself a nice 991 C4S or even a GT3 if prices come under 100k as I could put 60k on the car and be willing to finance the rest, it would mean saying goodbye to both M3 and Mustang though which would be a serious consideration to make.

Need to drive the regular road going GT3 and C4S on the road to see how they compare, stretch to the GT3 would always be worth it due to lack of depreciation.

 

[Gibbo]

As great as they are, the biggest and most impressive part of the GT3 for me was everytime I hit the loud pedal and the revs climbed beyond 7000rpm was the noise, it was sensational. I'd buy the GT3 for that reason alone and these new Turbo versions have none of that.

 

[Gibbo]

997 Gen 2 GT3 is probably the sweet spot, but the 991 GT3's are a move on.

Definitely want a 991 for sure, here is the video, the most I spun it upto was around 8500rpm, the noise so incredible and is why NA is always king:

 

[Gibbo]

Great sounding engine

I should have wound it all the way upto 9000rpm, though the instructor was calling for up changes at 7500rpm, which I ignored for close to a second to rev it a bit more.

Upto 6000rpm: Deep gurgle and air rushing, sounds powerful
6000-7000rpm: A faint howl, you start to giggle.
7000-8000rpm: It howls really loud, you start to get moist.
8000-8500rpm: It screams, I think I screamed too!
8500-9000rpm: I would have probably passed out from the excitement so good job I never went there.


But oh my, everyone here knows how I love a V8 but I tell you now on the inside, in the cabin, that flat 6 sounded way better and the way the harmonics and tone change as you climb up the revs is so freaking cool its untrue.

Need to rob a bank and then to buy one, at 200k they are insanely expensive, but if I had 200k spare, well I'd buy one!

 

[Gibbo]

I noticed the deliberate delay on upshifting and I commend it! Looks like you had fun!

Yeah was doing the same under braking as well, though I really had a blank moment and really had to run wide, haha.

But the car was so epic, a track I've never driven and a car I've never driven but 5 laps in I was pushing it harder and even when it did slide it was so progressive, like an M3, infact I really was being to quick at catching it, needed to be a little more relaxed. But excitement!

 

[Gibbo]

8800RPM is the limit I believe.

Good job I did not try for 9000rpm then lol, haha.

 

[Gibbo]

Hehe, 8800 RPM is still a pretty mental rev limit for a 4L engine though!

I love the howl these Porsche flat 6s make. They all do it, to a greater or lesser degree. Sublime noise.

Yeah my old one did it but only beyond 7000rpm and the limiter was 7400rpm so it was limited and it did not sound as good as the GT3 did at 7500rpm let alone 8000+

I reckon the flat 6 is the best sounding inside the cabin engine noise you can get, yeah from the outside a V8 sounds better but its more about what you the driver hears anyway.

 

[Gibbo]

He seemed like he was keeping people well within their limits which is frustrating if you want to push on.

When the cars are 200-400k USD each and they have no idea of your ability they have to keep it within reason.

I was quite happy, the guy let me push a little and I got to experience my dream car and it really delivered, no let downs at all.

Not like when a Gallardo was my dream car and then when I drove it I found it to be a total let down in every way.

 

[Gibbo]

I can understand that, but I take one out for a road test I get to borrow it and smash the **** off it all day

I don't think any OPC will let an RS out though, otherwise we'd all be turning up for test drives in them.

 

[Gibbo]

So fast in a straight line and a fantastic engine note, but I found the pedals were far too close together! Very hard to see out of also.

Yes that, sound was good, did not even feel particular that quick, but the biggest let down was how dull it felt.

It was just a total disappointment, they really are in my view just for posers because there is no other reason to buy it other than looks, noise and status. It drives well so many cars drive better which cost far less, I'd rather drive an MX5, way more fun!

 

[Gibbo]

Turbos and Syvecs ECU will sort that out

No nothing can sort out the basic handling and dullness of the Gallardo. You cannot change the basics of it, better to just buy a better feeling car in the first place.

If power was always the answer then Toyota Supra would be the best car on the planet, the reality is another crap car to drive.

Very few cars get the balance of race car and road car right. But it something Porsche really excel at, even the slow Boxsters (though not slow any more) still are great fun to drive and very involving but also totally relaxing when you need them to be.

 

[Gibbo]

I think you're right. You need to go drive the 570S mate, level on again.

I can imagine, just not so much for the styling mate and though I should not judge without seeing but I can't see it all being as well stuck together as a Porsche is. I love the 911 shape, I know a lot find it boring but to me the 911 is a great looking car (except 996) and the latest ones really are nice.

Am sure I will get a go in a 570S when you get one.

 

[Gibbo]

Yep! 997.1 C2S convertible in midnight blue. Can't wait!

Your gonna enjoy that! Remember to keep the oil changes regular (use Porsche approved oil) to help prevent future bore scoring, it will happen but you can lessen it with more frequent oil changes. Thats if you intend on keeping it several years anyway.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi all,

Any thoughts on this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...7-3-8-c2s-pdk-coupe--1-year-guarantee/6641581

Seems to have a lot of the options, but what is missing (other than active exhaust)

No idea, seems really nice car to me mate, PSE exhaust is nice, but if you want more noise you can buy far nicer anyway. Other than that seems a really nice car, the real must is gen2 and PDK which that is.

One thing to check is does the PDK have the sports plus mode, it makes quite a difference if you like driving sporty, regular sport mode on PDK I did find a bit annoying, Sports Plus essentials locks it into full manual mode, a bit like SMG 2 in manual, just a lot smoother though.

 

[Gibbo]

Ah, no paddle shifting?

Ah yes check it has the proper sports wheel with paddle shifters and not buttons, is a must and it can be retro-fitted, wheel is around £500 from an OPC.

From what I remember:

PDK Sport: You change gear on paddles, but it will still change up if you hit limiter or change down if you hit kick down under accelerator pedal.
PDK Sports Plus: It locks the gear, so it will bounce of limiter and kick down switch is disabled in this mode.

Easily identifiable on centre trim, there will be sport and sports plus button.

 

[Gibbo]

What might the release of the 991.2 do to the price Of The current GT3s?

I mean this will come with a manual option too.

Hope they go down, haha.