Power and Performance 3.2
03-02-2008, 09:55 PM
#46
Good title for your thread and very discussion worthy. My two cents: I owned a '73 T and a 914 2.0 in the 70's, then with other priorties settled for a string of lesser sports cars (I think I have owned just about every non-exotic sports car made). Finally in 2004 I acquired the object of many years of lust, a '98 993 C4S. It was low mile, perfect, my fantasy car. After a few months I realized, yet again, that fantasy can be better than reality. Nothing wrong with the car, it did everything it was supposed to do and nothing ever went wrong but it wasn't what I expected in how it drove in my normal driving environment -- like other posters have said, it felt great at 120 but I never drive there. In normal driving, it wasn't lively and nimble, the shift throw was long and I was in 2nd gear much of the time. I sold it and got a 1989 930 ('89 930s had 5-speed trannys). It's transmission had a much nicer, more mechanical feeling shifter, at 282 stock hp it was about the same hp as the 993 but accelerated differently, very nice. It was even enjoyable to drive around town -- except the lack of power steering with the 930s wide tires made it feel like a truck in neighborhood driving. And, the AC wasn't adequate. I updated the AC and it worked well but in older 911s is a recirculate-only system...no fresh air. In the end, I had too much money in it to feel comfortable parking it anywhere. It became no fun so I sold it.
For the last year I have been driving a new Mazda MX-5 (latest generation Miata but no longer called that) -- new, warranteed, inexpensive, light and nimble, reliable, with great AC. It is great fun at normal driving speeds. It's torquey, with quick steering and a blast whipping around neighborhood corners. I can park it anywhere and walk away without worrying about it. I use it as my daily driver. Of all the sports cars I have owned this is the only one where I have owned it over a year and didn't wish I had something else. It's hitting all the right buttons for me.
Kind of a long way to say more power isn't necessarily more fun. I would like to have a pristine 3.2. Recognize that at 19 years old, even the newest 3.2 is a old car. Pristine, unmolested is expensive to find and maintain. However if you're in a place where the car is one of your main priorities a 3.2 would be a very nice weekend ride if you're willing to invest what it takes to do it right.
For the last year I have been driving a new Mazda MX-5 (latest generation Miata but no longer called that) -- new, warranteed, inexpensive, light and nimble, reliable, with great AC. It is great fun at normal driving speeds. It's torquey, with quick steering and a blast whipping around neighborhood corners. I can park it anywhere and walk away without worrying about it. I use it as my daily driver. Of all the sports cars I have owned this is the only one where I have owned it over a year and didn't wish I had something else. It's hitting all the right buttons for me.
Kind of a long way to say more power isn't necessarily more fun. I would like to have a pristine 3.2. Recognize that at 19 years old, even the newest 3.2 is a old car. Pristine, unmolested is expensive to find and maintain. However if you're in a place where the car is one of your main priorities a 3.2 would be a very nice weekend ride if you're willing to invest what it takes to do it right.
03-03-2008, 01:07 AM
#48
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My 74 with 3.0 is a narrow body that has been restored to almost perfection.
This is my first one. A targa. It was offered to me, I did not seek it.
The top off the sun feels good on my head and shoulders. THe New AC is there for the summer, but today in early march the weather is perfect. She breaths cold for me when I call her to do so. Someone paid a lot of money for this to happen. Not me. But I am grateful in the summer!
She starts a big rough until her blood thins out and she is ready to be driven. Wipe down the body and clean the glass. Its been a few weeks since her last outing.
The smell of leather, 34 years of existance and the residue odor of Oil all come together for a distinct and wonderful aroma. My friend commented it should be duplicated and sold in a bottle. I agree.
Her 3.0 engine came from a donor and we don't know the origin. It was a 78' we believe. New expensive camshafts is what the previous owner tells me has been transplanted in her.
She does not have fat rear tires, no whale tale and no front spoiler. Everything has been replaced on the car, new interior, new suspension, new dash, new leather all around, new carpets. A driving performance catalog poster boy.
she looks as good as the year she was born. The chrome bling fuchs are the only deviation. She struts on those shiney shoes for the world to see. Like a show dog holding her head high, I don't agree with this but this is who she is.
She is light, no emissons and breaths loud. No track for this honey, and the Classic shocks tell me to go nice and steady. Smooth, fast, and sure footed.
I don't know the 0-60 on her, and tempt me to race is futile. I won't. All I know is she knocks me back in the seat and holds the corners well enough. I feel the road thru the wheel and smile. When I am smiling and look down I notice I am well above legal limits and the road it coming at me fast. It happens. What is my HorsePower? Is it my weight to power ratio? Is there not a turbo in there? At 3800 the valves open up and she is scaring my passangers. Yeah, theres enough power.
she only sees good weather and then its back in the garage. I'll take to work, take my daughter to the lacrosse field. She'll have some dirt on her shoes, but thats ok. I'll vacume some time, its a car and take us places. A little inperfections might do her some good.
Im sure there are faster ones out there but thats nice. Part of me wants a Black coupe with big tires, some fire breathing turbos but then we all want to go faster.
But When Im driving my little yellow "autoGelb" im not thinking about how to make it faster, but just enjoying the experience. The smell and feel is great. I like this car a lot. And when Im done with it I'll sell it and pass on for someone else to enjoy.
There are many fast cars for many reasons. none is right or wrong.
This is my first one. A targa. It was offered to me, I did not seek it.
The top off the sun feels good on my head and shoulders. THe New AC is there for the summer, but today in early march the weather is perfect. She breaths cold for me when I call her to do so. Someone paid a lot of money for this to happen. Not me. But I am grateful in the summer!
She starts a big rough until her blood thins out and she is ready to be driven. Wipe down the body and clean the glass. Its been a few weeks since her last outing.
The smell of leather, 34 years of existance and the residue odor of Oil all come together for a distinct and wonderful aroma. My friend commented it should be duplicated and sold in a bottle. I agree.
Her 3.0 engine came from a donor and we don't know the origin. It was a 78' we believe. New expensive camshafts is what the previous owner tells me has been transplanted in her.
She does not have fat rear tires, no whale tale and no front spoiler. Everything has been replaced on the car, new interior, new suspension, new dash, new leather all around, new carpets. A driving performance catalog poster boy.
she looks as good as the year she was born. The chrome bling fuchs are the only deviation. She struts on those shiney shoes for the world to see. Like a show dog holding her head high, I don't agree with this but this is who she is.
She is light, no emissons and breaths loud. No track for this honey, and the Classic shocks tell me to go nice and steady. Smooth, fast, and sure footed.
I don't know the 0-60 on her, and tempt me to race is futile. I won't. All I know is she knocks me back in the seat and holds the corners well enough. I feel the road thru the wheel and smile. When I am smiling and look down I notice I am well above legal limits and the road it coming at me fast. It happens. What is my HorsePower? Is it my weight to power ratio? Is there not a turbo in there? At 3800 the valves open up and she is scaring my passangers. Yeah, theres enough power.
she only sees good weather and then its back in the garage. I'll take to work, take my daughter to the lacrosse field. She'll have some dirt on her shoes, but thats ok. I'll vacume some time, its a car and take us places. A little inperfections might do her some good.
Im sure there are faster ones out there but thats nice. Part of me wants a Black coupe with big tires, some fire breathing turbos but then we all want to go faster.
But When Im driving my little yellow "autoGelb" im not thinking about how to make it faster, but just enjoying the experience. The smell and feel is great. I like this car a lot. And when Im done with it I'll sell it and pass on for someone else to enjoy.
There are many fast cars for many reasons. none is right or wrong.
03-03-2008, 01:24 PM
#49
Burning Brakes
I myself have an 88 944 which i love but my father has a 86 911 3.2 (owned since 86 with under 35,000 miles on it). I have driven it plety of times and find it to have plenty of power and it to be very fun to drive. I think it is plenly fast, as on the highway in 5th gear it is not comfortable under 80 mph and wants to sit at over 100 mph. Plenty to get yourself in toruble. You have to understand that the 3.2s are light cars so the power to weight is actually pritty good and they drive like race cars (very responsive and you feel the road) The car talks to you and if you slip up it can bite you. If you can find one in good condition they are tons of fun. Its a driver's car and you have to be in the mood to drive it but when you are I find there is not much out there like it.
03-03-2008, 02:17 PM
#50
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As a side note, I find that on the internet in general when talking about cars its easy to get into "Spec envy".
Last year I got a great deal on the BMW 530i right before the 535i became available. The incentives were unbelievable and I got to order mine they way I wanted.
If one read thru reviews with those whom have the 8cyl or later the turbo it would seem you'd an idiot or just plain regretful if you did not have the big power. Seems that type A personalities like to justify the additional expense and enjoy the dominant horsepower even if they have Automatics and sit in traffic. same applies to having the sport version!!!!!
Personally I did not want run flat tires, nor the artificial electronic damping system. THe 5 series enjoys many upgrades from the 3 but the "Sport" degrades those advantages.
My point is the car is plentiful in its power and my Manual Trans allows me to really drive the car. While sport is "more" I am more than ok with the set up and prefer the challange of driving it.
I am considering a more agressive set up on my next one but it would be a 3 series. Why? I think its more condusive to a "Sport" version and I don't want artificial damping. That crap is for Infinitiy's.
My long winded point is get what you like in the buget that it allows and not worry about specs.
Good point about power to weight ratio.
I was reminded of this by a friends Miata. Not much on paper, but lots of fun to drive. not very fast, but it was "FUN!!!!!"
Last year I got a great deal on the BMW 530i right before the 535i became available. The incentives were unbelievable and I got to order mine they way I wanted.
If one read thru reviews with those whom have the 8cyl or later the turbo it would seem you'd an idiot or just plain regretful if you did not have the big power. Seems that type A personalities like to justify the additional expense and enjoy the dominant horsepower even if they have Automatics and sit in traffic. same applies to having the sport version!!!!!
Personally I did not want run flat tires, nor the artificial electronic damping system. THe 5 series enjoys many upgrades from the 3 but the "Sport" degrades those advantages.
My point is the car is plentiful in its power and my Manual Trans allows me to really drive the car. While sport is "more" I am more than ok with the set up and prefer the challange of driving it.
I am considering a more agressive set up on my next one but it would be a 3 series. Why? I think its more condusive to a "Sport" version and I don't want artificial damping. That crap is for Infinitiy's.
My long winded point is get what you like in the buget that it allows and not worry about specs.
Good point about power to weight ratio.
I was reminded of this by a friends Miata. Not much on paper, but lots of fun to drive. not very fast, but it was "FUN!!!!!"
03-03-2008, 09:19 PM
#51
Addicted Specialist
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Hmmm, I have a 993 which I love as a daily driver (and used to track). But now I have an SC which serves as the Trackmeister but occasional commuter car (say, once every 1-2 weeks to keep her exercised). So do I prefer the 993 over the SC?? Yes, and No.
For pure fun, the SC has it in spades and gives up Nothing to the 993! My SC weighs in at about 2525lbs, and with the taut suspension, 7/9x16s, aggressive alignment, and good rubber, she is fast and verrrry capable. "Fun" is an understatement ...wonderful car to drive, even if it is only on the street in between events!
What the SC gives up to the 993 is comfort: AC, real HVAC, quieter when you're tired and don't feel like hearing *only* the engine and road; ya know, creature comfort. No one who owns a 993 will ever mistake it for a Lexus ...she's still "sports car" through and through, from firm suspension to sharp handling. But it is "just" a bit softer all around than the razor-sharp SC.
Could I "live" with only an SC or 3.2? Sure ...and I'd still feel like I won the lottery
But is it great having a bit of both worlds?? You bet ...and recommend it to anyone who can do it!
Edward
For pure fun, the SC has it in spades and gives up Nothing to the 993! My SC weighs in at about 2525lbs, and with the taut suspension, 7/9x16s, aggressive alignment, and good rubber, she is fast and verrrry capable. "Fun" is an understatement ...wonderful car to drive, even if it is only on the street in between events!
What the SC gives up to the 993 is comfort: AC, real HVAC, quieter when you're tired and don't feel like hearing *only* the engine and road; ya know, creature comfort. No one who owns a 993 will ever mistake it for a Lexus ...she's still "sports car" through and through, from firm suspension to sharp handling. But it is "just" a bit softer all around than the razor-sharp SC.
Could I "live" with only an SC or 3.2? Sure ...and I'd still feel like I won the lottery
But is it great having a bit of both worlds?? You bet ...and recommend it to anyone who can do it!Edward
