Cowhorn

I have tried for three years to get the back end of my 996 to slide around on me in the twisties but haven't been able to, even with the PSM off. But man, today I had the tail of my '87 911 swinging around (under control) and loved it! What a feeling! It is such a thrill to drive this car, every time!

ked

Cowhorn, absolutely right!
I recently participated in a DE, driving my '87. I must have had the oldest / stockest / slowest 911 there. I too had a blast power-sliding & counter-steering around the tight, flat club course (w/ wide run-offs). One of the instructors has a 997S - he was screaming around very nice & clean, naturally. I rode w/ him for a few laps & was somewhat surprised by how much PSM intervened. It was just steer & go (& push hard to slow, about anywhere, thanks ABS). I told him that he was doing about 2/3rds of the driving, his computerized co-pilot managed the other third. He agreed he hadn't been able to get the tail out (whereas I felt I rarely had it "in"!), even on this tight course & the S's HP.

So, in another session he went out w/ PSM off. Came back telling me he got it to slide (! "big deal, drive my car..."), that he felt he may have gone through faster on some, worse on others - but he was sweating & smiling... all jazzed.

These new (expensive, larger, heavier, more complex, etc.) Porsches are truly amazing, a revelation in the performance they attain - even (esp!) if the driver can't... I would like one as a daily driver, but I'd have to abandon my goal of having a Porsche from each decade since the '50s & settle on just one (until the lottery comes through, anyway).

It is really satisfying to drive Porsches like ours at the limit, where all the dynamic forces are at play, where the mind & body is calculating & feeling as one. That's why many of us will always own (or wish we kept) the "old 911".

Now, back to ordering tires...

cmoss

I can see why!

rnln

When I have my early Z, it swing everywhere, any time. Making a u turn is a second. If you like it, get a Z, not that much of $$. but I got so many tickets on that car

Cowhorn

Ked,

Nice post. Well said. Also neat idea about owning one Porsche from each decade. Which vintage would you choose from the 80's and 90's? I'd go with a 1989 930 for the 80's and a 1998 993 Turbo for the 90's. I have a 2002 C2, but my choice for this decade would be a 996 GT3.

ked

Cow, Thanks, it's easy to report truth. Though I know I would like one, I'm staying in the non-Turbo category until that barge of gold shows up {close friend has a '97 930S, so I can get a fix to tide me over}. I've always liked the late '80s Turbos (esp the '89 - who doesn't?), but feel that the "deal" on a nice Turbo will be the 996TT, but not for a few more years.

So, for now, I'm skipping the 70s - a "find" LWB pre-74 E or S would change that. I've had 2 Ts, one went to my bro who is RSing it, the other needed too much work, & I found the '65SC, so on it went to a guy who was going to restore it w/ his son - a worthy cause. I am more than satisified w/ my '87 (couldn't believe how well it ran AFTER the DE, flying up I-65 in the rain & dark, I don't think I'll ever sell - "famous last words"), so, to the 90's... Hmmm... I don't have a "new" Cab (sold 2 Alfa Spiders to finance the '87, so miss an open car (the '59 D ain't on the street), & Alfas, for that matter), so maybe a plain, simple, clean, nice 993 Cab would work, that would cover "the last air-cooled 911" slot @ the same time. {yet, I am so impressed w/ the Boxster as an open Porsche I wouldn't be surprised to have one someday, which means I'd be looking for some other 90s car - maybe I SHOULD consider a 993TT (I allow myself contradiction). I concur completely w/ the 996 GT3 - a milestone, high water mark in production automobile history - & a heck of a car to drive - I could live w/ it (esp since no one wants to ride w/ an enthusiast in a GT3, do they?) in every application except everyday urban stop & go. Must go buy lottery tickets...

Cowhorn

Ditto on the lottery tickets. I was in the position to get a brand new GT3 about a year ago. I had the car located at a dealership in FL...then, well, some things changed suddenly at home. Then I was no longer in a position to get one for awhile. Now I am again, and Porsche isn't making any more. Just my luck...and no, I am not interested in a used/abused one. And I just can't warm up to the 997 styling. What to do?

pcar964

Anyone want to trade for my 993? haha I miss that feeling, even the 993 (still a great 911 in its own right) doesn't have nearly the raw appeal of the old cars, you're very lucky!

pcar964

Anyone want to trade for my 993? haha I miss that feeling, even the 993 (still a great 911 in its own right) doesn't have nearly the raw appeal of the old cars, you're very lucky!

JackOlsen

In the words of Morris Buttermaker:

"You can love it but, believe me, it don't always love you back. It's kinda like dating a German chick."

MarkSchu

You can get lots of oversteer, as I learned in me first DE, with my instructor yelling "don't lift!!" in my ear, as we fish tailed and spun and finally went for a ride in the "garden". Anyone know how to get brown stains out of racing suit? My instructor would be very grateful.

Jay Gratton

That video clip sucks! It just made me throw up in my mouth! Watching that makes me sick!

As for the 911's from each decade I would want it to go like this:

1960's- 1967 S, the short wheel bases are a blast to drive on the track. You want over-steer? I got your over-steer right here!
1970's - 1977 3.0 Euro (everyone can take an S or a RS, but I wanted to be different and my uncle has one and I LOVE IT!)
1980's - No questions here! 1989 930 Red Ext./Tan Int.
1990's - 993 C2S (Sweet looks, not the Turbo cost)
2000's - No question! 996 GT3!

DanS911

UM ..... Jack tell me that was BB1

Cowhorn

It has been pounded into my head to NOT lift off the throttle in a turn, Marc. I'll try to override my internal PSM sometime and see what happens!

Bob Westmoreland

I have found that when driving my somewhat more than stock 83 SC that tire pressure really makes a difference in the oversteer. My car has a strut bar and a small amount of neg camber. I run at around 27 lbs pressue in the front and set the rears at about 37 lbs. Depending on track conditions the rear pressure can be reduced. I have 7s and 8s on the car. I haven't gone much more than that because tire wear (the center of the rears wear out faster than the outside of the tires)becomes very pronounced. It truly a thrill to thottle steer and hold it for a few seconds. Keep on the gas and the car can be controlled if you over do it a bit. That is a sad picture, makes my stomach hurt to see the contact with the wall.