wjk_glynn

See: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=26566

Karl.

Y65MPH

I agree with his choice of color.

marcb993

The car in the ad must have been imported from the States given its 480xxx VIN number. €110k = $143k, which has to include 10% import duty + 19% VAT in addition to shipping, insurance and their profit margin. I wonder how much they paid for it.

John McM

"Massive understeer gave way to shocking oversteer, it had tragic turbo lag and the airbag weighed so much you could feel the inertia in the steering column. But when it was on full-boost, and you'd been brave enough to hoon through the front-axle push, it was one hell of a challenge"

This has to be the first mention of these negatives in any article I've read.

wjk_glynn

The vantage point (I'll postulate) is the explanation...

It's almost 2-decades since the 3.6T was released and in the context of the day, it was reviewed positively. This was the time of the Corvette C4 ZR-1 (with the Lotus designed L98 motor), Lamborghini Diablo VT (1st gen), 4-cyl Lotus Esprit Turbos, Toyota Supras, etc.

The state of the art has moved on very considerably. With each revision, Porsche (and the other manufacturers) keep moving the ball forward and by my count, the 911 has had 5 revisions since then (964->993->996->997.1->997.2->991).

I suspect Chris' comments about engine response and handling were made in the context of modern machinery and from that vantage point, he's probably right (I've never personally driven a 964T, so I can't speak to specifics. I did recently drive a stock 50K mile 996TT and IMO was a bit over shadowed by a stock 997S - i.e there was progress).

But its also important to note Chris (who is a certified Porsche nut) also speaks well of the 3.6T. He has driven (and in many cases owned) so many different Porche models, is a capable driver, and a good communicator - that I take onboard his comments.

The 3.6T was a brilliant car when it first came out. Those attributes remain and its one of the most characterful cars today and is on my list if my lottery numbers come up.

Karl.

PS: If you take other cars from that period and look at them in today's light...

* The Diablo VT was never a paragon of subtle handling back then, but now would be considered a cattle truck with a big engine.
* The F355 is pipped by a modern M3, never mind the evisceration handed out by an Italia
* And on a more mundane note, as an owner of a 944 that was called "the best handling car" in the day, I can assure you its so, so, so far behind modern machinery its not funny... But I still like and appreciate it.

wjk_glynn

I only just realized (from your signature) that you also own a '01 996TT, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts comparing both in terms of engine response and handling?

And also, how they stack up on track days?

Thanks.

Karl.

John McM

Yes, I do own both although it's years since I've had the '93 out for a track day and I've yet to take the 996TT for a serious drive. The latter has become my Wife's DD while I'm finishing up my offshore posting. The following needs to take that into account.

Firstly I don't consider the Turbo lag on the older car 'tragic'. Travel at a modest 2,700 rpm, plant boot and there's little if any lag. It's a more savage sense of acceleration than the 996 TT, maybe because it's a manual compared to the Tiptronic.

As for under steer/ oversteer, you'd have to be pushing it at extreme speeds to come up with those comments. Watch the video with Tif to see how it handles on the limit.

For sure the 996TT is easier to drive, and yes, less agricultural, but the Turbo 3.6 is not a pig to drive. It's sublime on the road with a tractable smooth power plant that feels like a rocket. Maybe the track is different, in fact I'm sure it is, but Chris Harris makes it sound like an old 930. Never read that before.

wjk_glynn

I wonder if there's someone here who owns/owned a 930 and could offer their comparative feedback?

Karl.

e6tme

I don't own a 930- but having driven a family members fairly extensively, I can say that I prefer the feel and particularly the responsiveness of the steering in the 930. Obviously around town maneuverability takes a fair bit more effort without power steering, but I think it's worth the tradeoff in tactile feedback at speed. Similarly, the brake pedal in a 930 takes more effort, but I prefer that to the slightly mushier feel in the 964.

Everything else in the 964 turbo- power, tractability, gear shift (I haven't driven an 89 930 with a G-50) ride/handling tradeoff - are all vastly superior IMO.

Turbo Jonny

I owned an 89 930 before the 3.6 and there isn't anything I miss about it now.
Who knows what condition the car Chris Harris drove was in. Probably had worn
Out shocks for eg

wjk_glynn

It's a great vid...


BTW, comments in the PistonHeads forum about the article imply the mint green 964T 3.6 met a sorry end: http://www.douglasvalley.co.uk/item....&spg=34&pgid=1

And a couple of more Turbo reviews from Tiff...





Karl.

wjk_glynn

The more I read, especially feedback from yourselves, John and so on... I'm wondering if Chris drove one at all...

Karl.