Great Drives before winter sets in
11-10-2002, 04:24 AM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Great Drives before winter sets in
Well, winter is well on the way now on the Wet West Coast, and with dropping temps, it’ll be icy soon, and time to put the P-car away for the winter.
One last blast up to Whistler though, and what a revelation these Porsche 951S are – power, braking, handling and poise. Last Wednesday, I had to make a quick run up to Whistler to pick up a few things, and decided to take the Porsche instead of the ML 4x4 as the temps were still hovering around 45F, so ice would not be a problem.
A light rain did make for promising challenges on that dark winding 2 lane highway however. To make a long story short, the Porsche still handled those conditions with so much reserve. With 225/255 x 17 Yokohama AVS Sports - not the best rain tire, even by admission in their own brochures – on the car, a little caution was in order. But true to form, these 944/951 series of cars, even 14 years young, still amaze me with the confidence and composure. With the stiff chassis, M030 set up, power to spare and really great brakes, this car is awe inspiring.
The confidence and composure these cars display really does make the drive so much easier. The mechanical “buzz” in the wheel and pedals reminds me of my 98 BMW 5 series with sport pack, yet the Porsche does it even better. The power to get “out of trouble” with a quick squeeze of the go-fast pedal, and then those powerful TurboS brakes to bring it all back under control is really confidence building.
Now all I need is the IceShark main lights I have on order to replace the Bosch H4 set up now in the car. These along with the 100W Euro driving lights I installed already will put the cap on the only thing that stands in the way of really safe night driving – the closing rate of this 951S is such that it demands great lighting.
What a great car – thanks to the PO’s who took such good care of this car. It meets or beats the features in a combination of a lot of cars I’ve owned, BMW’s, Mercedes sports cars and sedans, and does it with all with alacrity.
Oh, BTW even with slower traffic in places, it only took a little over an hour each way that night, driving at 8/10's! Best of all, it was a relaxing drive because the car inspires confidence with lots of reserve, making it safe, easy and FAST!
One last blast up to Whistler though, and what a revelation these Porsche 951S are – power, braking, handling and poise. Last Wednesday, I had to make a quick run up to Whistler to pick up a few things, and decided to take the Porsche instead of the ML 4x4 as the temps were still hovering around 45F, so ice would not be a problem.
A light rain did make for promising challenges on that dark winding 2 lane highway however. To make a long story short, the Porsche still handled those conditions with so much reserve. With 225/255 x 17 Yokohama AVS Sports - not the best rain tire, even by admission in their own brochures – on the car, a little caution was in order. But true to form, these 944/951 series of cars, even 14 years young, still amaze me with the confidence and composure. With the stiff chassis, M030 set up, power to spare and really great brakes, this car is awe inspiring.
The confidence and composure these cars display really does make the drive so much easier. The mechanical “buzz” in the wheel and pedals reminds me of my 98 BMW 5 series with sport pack, yet the Porsche does it even better. The power to get “out of trouble” with a quick squeeze of the go-fast pedal, and then those powerful TurboS brakes to bring it all back under control is really confidence building.
Now all I need is the IceShark main lights I have on order to replace the Bosch H4 set up now in the car. These along with the 100W Euro driving lights I installed already will put the cap on the only thing that stands in the way of really safe night driving – the closing rate of this 951S is such that it demands great lighting.
What a great car – thanks to the PO’s who took such good care of this car. It meets or beats the features in a combination of a lot of cars I’ve owned, BMW’s, Mercedes sports cars and sedans, and does it with all with alacrity.
Oh, BTW even with slower traffic in places, it only took a little over an hour each way that night, driving at 8/10's! Best of all, it was a relaxing drive because the car inspires confidence with lots of reserve, making it safe, easy and FAST!
11-10-2002, 05:06 AM
#2
Nordschleife Master
I just picked up an 86 951 last month from Surrey, and I've done a trip to whister in the wet, one minimal tread, with undersized rotors, and ****ty wipers. Even as such, the ride is faster, safer, and WAY MORE FUN than in a brand new Chevy Cavalier.
The PO took good care of my car too, as will I, but I'm STILL gonna be driving it up to Whis, especially when it snows. (Of course I'm going to buy new snow tires before hand...) (not that it snows in Vancouver...)
What I really wanted to do, was put giant deep treaded tractor-like snow tires on my 16" Fuchs, and maybe get a set of TurboTwists with summer tread tires on em. Lets see how much cash i have left after xmas.
The PO took good care of my car too, as will I, but I'm STILL gonna be driving it up to Whis, especially when it snows. (Of course I'm going to buy new snow tires before hand...) (not that it snows in Vancouver...)
What I really wanted to do, was put giant deep treaded tractor-like snow tires on my 16" Fuchs, and maybe get a set of TurboTwists with summer tread tires on em. Lets see how much cash i have left after xmas.
11-10-2002, 07:13 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Randy, I wish I could go, but my clutch has some issues so I'm done for the year. I've got a tremendous amount of work to do for my car. When you saw is last month, It was about 60% done.
11-10-2002, 08:05 AM
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
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I envy you guys. I took that ride when visiting a friend in Richmond BC and skiing Blackcomb years ago. This thread brings many memories. Winter has come to Maine and my baby goes into winter storage today. Took my last ride through the mountains yesterday. <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />
11-10-2002, 09:30 AM
#5
Nordschleife Master
what is it with you guys and winter storage?
is it that you're afraid to drive the rear wheel push monster in the snow?
or are you afraid of road salt? (which we don't have in Vancouver...) Even so, you could just wash the car more often in the winter..
again, not that it snows in Vancouver.
I'm not trying to flame, i'm just curious...
The only possible excuse is to reduce the risk of someone else sliding into our pretty p-cars. But even that could happen in the summer... Dunno.
Enlighten me
is it that you're afraid to drive the rear wheel push monster in the snow?
or are you afraid of road salt? (which we don't have in Vancouver...) Even so, you could just wash the car more often in the winter..
again, not that it snows in Vancouver.
I'm not trying to flame, i'm just curious...
The only possible excuse is to reduce the risk of someone else sliding into our pretty p-cars. But even that could happen in the summer... Dunno.
Enlighten me
11-10-2002, 12:30 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
You got it Rich - those maniacs careening around wet, dark, & slippery city streets (not to mention Hwy 99 to Whistler) and not looking out for small low cars is what turns me off to driving in the winter in the car. Bad experiences getting hit taught me to get into a big car / truck for winter!
I've lived in Vancouver long enough to realize that too many people don't slow down or leave enough margin in the wet - it's been a long dry summer here, and too many drivers still think they can still drive the same way they did in the dry weather.
Besides, I have a 4x4 for the Whistler drive and skiers parking lots!
Mark, we'll see you in the spring - get that monster 944SC of yours running right and I'm sure we'll be seeing tail lights, even these 951S! Help Brad get his new toy on the road again too!
I've lived in Vancouver long enough to realize that too many people don't slow down or leave enough margin in the wet - it's been a long dry summer here, and too many drivers still think they can still drive the same way they did in the dry weather.
Besides, I have a 4x4 for the Whistler drive and skiers parking lots!
Mark, we'll see you in the spring - get that monster 944SC of yours running right and I'm sure we'll be seeing tail lights, even these 951S! Help Brad get his new toy on the road again too!
11-10-2002, 01:33 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Well all things being equal, my car will not see regular road service again, gots me an 4x4 jeep and I know how to use it!,
951 will be go on a diet and will get some stiffer springs and maybe some HP, see how the cash flows.
Main reason though is service, it's piling on the miles and it's really too much car for all these short city trips, no point doing the stop an go in a Porsche.
So track queen is the plan, but the best laid plans.............
If not it will only see part time use for events and track days/autocross etc.
Have a nice winter.
Lance
951 will be go on a diet and will get some stiffer springs and maybe some HP, see how the cash flows.
Main reason though is service, it's piling on the miles and it's really too much car for all these short city trips, no point doing the stop an go in a Porsche.
So track queen is the plan, but the best laid plans.............
If not it will only see part time use for events and track days/autocross etc.
Have a nice winter.
Lance