Kigiin

My 13 year daughter knows it. Virtually everytime she gets into the pcar, she asks "Why does this car smell so good?". Not so ironically, she has often asked this question over the years of 944s, 911s, and 993s.

I know this topic has been discussed before (I think Mr. Sullivan last posted it) however I thought it worth noting even the current generation (not sure what generation she belongs to), knows "That Smell".

Rob

kkim

If you're talking about the leather, then yeah, I agree... but if not...

Pedro356C

Not only the leather Kelly...my 356 had vinyl upholstery and that special Porsche smell was there! Maybe they have some addictive product added to the carpet glue!!!

kkim

Hmmm... maybe, too, the common way the HVAC systems draw the air to warm the cabin mixed with the other stuff?

grmnxtc

Sshh.... Don't tell OldGuy.... he might pine for his TT

Howdy993

Is it a smell -or- an aroma?

Best wishes

cabrio993

Interesting post...

I bought my very first car when I was 16 years old. It was a 20 year old 1957 VW. It had perforated vinyl seats, unknown mileage, leaked and used more oil than gas, had a 6 volt battery...but I still miss it. It also had "The Smell". When I bought my 993, as soon as I opened the door...the first thing I noticed was the smell and reminded me of my 57 VW. Made me feel right at home, like I was reunited with a long lost friend.

I had a friend that owned a BMW 2002 back then and it also had "The Smell". Newer German cars, including Porsches, don't smell the same. To this day, I have tried to find out what makes "the Smell", maybe the carpeting they used?, the glue? the type of plastic? Who knows...but one thing is for sure...I always keep my Cab in the garage with the top up and the windows closed...I don't want to lose that smell again!

Coleman

I think a fair amount of it has to do with the heat exchangers in an area where oil can drip on them.. It then gets pumped into the cabin.. -this smokey burnt smell, mixed with some of the leather and deteriorating carpet cement.. you have yourself an "aroma"

Coleman.

cooz

i know that smell/odor too....i thought it was the leather as well, however, now that i think about it, i believe the very early cars without leather were the same.

my 993 has it, but i don't believe 996's do....

this is a case for Inspector Clouseau

95cab

I was trying to figure out the recipe - I think Coleman's very close - perhaps one or two more ingredients and we'll have it...

jkuniverse

I think Coleman hit it right on the head. Our cars have that distinct "aroma" especially when the heater is on.

mrsullivan

i LOVE the smell... its one of my favorite parts of the car

AOW162435

Wow - that mirrors my experience, almost perfectly:

My first car was a '66 Beetle that my father brought home on my 13th birthday. Same seats, same unknown mileage, same leaks, and same 6 volt battery (which fell through the rusted-out floor one day...). I learned quite a bit about car maintenance from that rusted relic. In those days, my thinking was limited to: if it stops leaking oil, it must be out of oil. I would put any oil I could find in that 1300 cc engine. Straight 30 weight from my father's lawnmower, 10W30, it didn't matter to me. Those were the simple days

Andreas

Dan V

I do love that metallic/hot-oil smell when the heater is used -- I'm looking forward to some real cold weather soon. First car I ever bought was '69 Beetle -- paid $250 -- heater didn't work.

rsl

I have a 86 951 (944 turbo) and a 95 cab. I don't think it's the heat exchangers since the 944 has a more conventional water based heater. I just got the 993 6 months ago and was pleased to see that it has the same smell as the 944. I agree, the smell is one of the special features of our very special cars.

Bob