Dr. Z

My 992 Carrera T has a freeze date of 3/26….I have been on the fence as whether to add FAL….the dealer is suggesting that I add it…and their argument is “it will add value to the car when you trade or resell”..
I found the approach and departure angles of cars that I own or have owned from www.auto-data.net…
2018 Porsche GT3 Touring ……..Approach angle 6.3 degrees/ Departure angle 9.5 degrees/Ramp-over(brakeover) angle 10.3 degrees
2021 Corvette C8…………………Approach angle 8 degrees/ Departure angle 13.8
Porsche 992 Carrera T.(on order)……..Approach angle 11.5 degrees/ Departure angle 13.5 degrees/ Ramp-over(brakeover) angle 11.8 degrees

I have been able to drive the C8 without any issues as far as the angled driveways or speed bumps…but I could not drive the GT3 in these same areas without scraping but it does have FAL and that certainly does alleviate the scraping problem. Unless I am missing something I would think that since the Carrera T has 11.5 approach I would not think that I would really ever use the FAL….so I will not be adding FAL unless I find some reason to the contrary.

I would welcome advice…
Thanks

22992

S with spasm..owner for about 16 months. One scrape to the rubber piece under the lip because I flew out of a parking lot with a high pitch going way too fast. Otherwise, not a single issue. no FAL. This seems to be an individual use case decision though, people who need FAL usually know they need it.

drcollie

Front Axle Lift is $ 2,770
Replacement factory lips on the front are $ 265.00

So you can do ten replacements of the lip and still be less than the FAL. My '21 992 with SPASM, I'm still on the original lip spoiler, a few nicks, but not too bad.

You will not get $ 2,770 in resale, either.

remington

To me the appeal of the T is simplicity and purity. FAL is a complication. If your driveway requires it obviously get it. Otherwise I'd say no. I didn't spec it on my C2, albeit slightly higher ride height.

shrimp money

The worst is when you have it, forget to activate it, and now you're just like the rest of us. Except $2,770 less in your pocket.

dixonk

If you skip it you get an extra diamond to use for a shortcut as well.

Understeer

I live in the SF Bay Area and I use FAL every day, for exiting my garage but also frequently for entering/exiting parking lots, gas stations, etc where there is a steep angle. I guess it depends where you live, around here it is very useful.

shrimp money

Of course you can use FAL for every transition, is it necessary, probably not.

I'd get it if I had some sort of hypercar with a $15k CF front lip, but it's a Porsche with a black, plastic lip we're worried about scraping here.

Triathlonkid

Haha FAL is a hot debate topic and personal opinion I think.

I agree w/ what understeer said and use my FAL at least 5x/day. I don't think all the times I activate it are necessary but I just do it to map out the city and it's really easy for me to remember to do it so it's almost second nature by now. Going over speedbumps, descending down a big hill that then has an uphill, I just do it for all. It's easier for me to do that and drive through at a fast speed than to think about the "approach" angle. I do it when pulling into restaurants, etc. I also do it and keep it up when I valet because I don't trust the valets to care about approach angles. This to me is worth $2700

Keep in mind the front lip replacement is cheap, so don't buy it for the economics but only if you think it make daily driving easier for you. You'll need to ask yourself what is important to you. There is GPS memory so the car is generally good about remembering to activate. A lot of rennlisters here are super good with cars, self-perceived good drivers, can do their oil change, mechanics, and also have a more purist opinion about having a bare minimum car. They probably won't get FAL and will likely laugh at you for getting it, among other luxury items.

But to OP you should do what you think will help your daily life. If you are looking to build a simplistic T I wouldn't add it. Most T's follow this bare minumum approach. I also disagree w/ your dealer and don't think having FAL increases resale value of your car. You'll find plenty of buyers who want your T w/o FAL, and plenty who do...who cares bc someone will see it as a plus and buy it. Those who see it as a neg will move on.

For frame of reference, I click the FAL more than I 1) change the temperature, 2) reposition the steering wheel, 3) feel the benefit of lane change assist, 4) change my seat, 5) click vented or heated seats, 6) click heated steering wheel.

To me FAL is worth more than many other aesthetic features that one can cut out from the build.

Add it if you:
-live in a city with bad terrain or many up and downs.
-don't care about 2700
-don't want to hear the screetch sound in case you miscalculate
-don't want to slow down that much and feel having FAL gives you a bigger margin of safety when driving
-if your garage entry is literally on a big up or down ramp
-are good with detail and won't forget to click the button bc if you're forgetful it's like not having it at all

Don't add it if:
- you want to save $2700
- you think with your natural driving accounting for approach angle is not a burden
- are handy and can replace the front lip yourself whenever you want
- think spending 2700 to save 270 is a bad deal
- live in a non-hilly city with flat roads

rk-d

If you have FAL, you will use it and use it more than you think.

No real downside but cost. A car with FAL is easier to move which is not a concern if you are selling/trading in to a dealer.

If you have to spend more than 5 minutes thinking about this, then you should just get it.

ipse dixit

FAL is one of those options that are better to have and not need, than need and not have.

And if you are asking this question -- i.e., should I get FAL -- it means 99 out of 100 times it means you should get it. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking.

That said, if you're getting a T as a purely daily beater (not driver, but beater) and you want a 911 that is distilled to its most basic elements -- dare I say, the "T ethos" -- then get as few options as possible, or none at all if possible. If that's the case, skip the FAL and if you scrape then just live witht his personalized patina feature of your 911. You've now made it your own.

But whatever you do, **** resale.

Triathlonkid

haha I like this. Personalized patina.

HappinessProcured

Unless it's the aerokit lip, for $665. And as an added bonus, this one comes in grey primer so needs paint. But I'm not above a $5 rattle can. Call it $670.

Wilder

My 7 GT3 is low and it lives in a city just as bad for transitions but with more speed bumps and pot holes. I don't feel I need FAL and feel that if I had it, I probably would forget to use it. I'm not optioning it. Don't want the extra weight and don't want another thing that can fail.

radelow

Nothing is as low as my GT350. It just takes a different mentality when driving and watching ramps etc. I don't have the patience to deal with activating FAL and then deactivating. Not optioning on my GTS.