Drove a 993 for the first time...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Drove a 993 for the first time...
But only very briefly around a parking lot just to get a small feel for the car. A couple of observations...
*Is the clutch really like that? It feels weird. It feels like going in then down or something like that. Did you guys take a while before you got used to the clutch takeup?
*The sound......
I've always admired the p car ever since I was a little boy (sound familiar?) and actually up until a couple of weeks ago I've never driven one. I was originally looking at Boxsters (still am) and a co-worker had one and I got to drive it around for a short while. I looked at my budget then I realized the 993 might be attainable. I went on here and now I'm searching for my 993 in earnest. I'm just a little apprehensive cause I've never been around these cars much less driven them whether I'll enjoy driving them a few weeks, months or years down the road. I have to admit, the reason I want the 993 is partly because of it's iconic stature but also because I love to drive. If I ever get this car I hope my enthusiasm never fades. Oh btw this was the car I checked out...
http://holtmotorsports.com/inventory...=60&vin=320788
*Is the clutch really like that? It feels weird. It feels like going in then down or something like that. Did you guys take a while before you got used to the clutch takeup?
*The sound......
I've always admired the p car ever since I was a little boy (sound familiar?) and actually up until a couple of weeks ago I've never driven one. I was originally looking at Boxsters (still am) and a co-worker had one and I got to drive it around for a short while. I looked at my budget then I realized the 993 might be attainable. I went on here and now I'm searching for my 993 in earnest. I'm just a little apprehensive cause I've never been around these cars much less driven them whether I'll enjoy driving them a few weeks, months or years down the road. I have to admit, the reason I want the 993 is partly because of it's iconic stature but also because I love to drive. If I ever get this car I hope my enthusiasm never fades. Oh btw this was the car I checked out...
http://holtmotorsports.com/inventory...=60&vin=320788
Anjin San
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,879
Likes: 7
From: South Pasadangerous, California
It looks sweet. The cluch catching is a Porsche thing. It takes praxtice to get comfortable. Now that you have driven one it is an addiction. welcome to the club.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 527
Likes: 1
From: Riverside, CA
Sounds like you've got all of the prerequisites for 993 ownership down, now find yours (someone out there has got it).
Once you own a porsche, you can't help but enjoy driving it a few weeks, months or years down the road, this is one car that, at least for me, the thrill never diminishes. I do consider whether some sort of mods might be in order (Ninemeister)...
Once you own a porsche, you can't help but enjoy driving it a few weeks, months or years down the road, this is one car that, at least for me, the thrill never diminishes. I do consider whether some sort of mods might be in order (Ninemeister)...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
The car is gorgeous - they all are 
There are very few cars out there that give you a ride that you'll always remember - the 911 is definitely one of those. Each one is a joy to drive in their own way (sorry to all concerned, but IMHO less so with the 996+) - they provide a challenge and if you meet the challenge you are richly rewarded.
I drive mine as much as I can - I even took it up Mt. Washington as fast as I could Incredible, practical super cars...
Enjoy the hunt and the catch.
-- Enrico
There are very few cars out there that give you a ride that you'll always remember - the 911 is definitely one of those. Each one is a joy to drive in their own way (sorry to all concerned, but IMHO less so with the 996+) - they provide a challenge and if you meet the challenge you are richly rewarded.
I drive mine as much as I can - I even took it up Mt. Washington as fast as I could
Incredible, practical super cars...Enjoy the hunt and the catch.
-- Enrico
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 2
From: South Florida
If you're use to a jap car's clutch then it's weird but for Euro cars it's perfection.
There's a huge difference between the two cars that you're looking at.
One of them should be a gift for your wife! Chris
There's a huge difference between the two cars that you're looking at.
One of them should be a gift for your wife! Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Incline Village, NV
The way you described the clutch travel, you might not be familiar with a bottom-pivot clutch (opposite of a typical clutch that hinges below the dash). Drive a VW bug, same thing - push in, then down.
Trending Topics
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 42
From: Hurley, NY
I had an `85 with a 915 tranny and I admit it demanded concentration to
shift smoothly. Talk about a heavy pedal and notchy stick feel... I still miss
that car!
My 1996 C4 shifts much easier but I had to get used to that
dead pedal area. If I wasn't careful my foot would catch on the dead pedal
platform and make shifting awkward. I've gotten used to it now. The `85
didn't have the dead pedal.
shift smoothly. Talk about a heavy pedal and notchy stick feel... I still miss
that car!
My 1996 C4 shifts much easier but I had to get used to thatdead pedal area. If I wasn't careful my foot would catch on the dead pedal
platform and make shifting awkward. I've gotten used to it now. The `85
didn't have the dead pedal.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Thanks for your responses. I feel better but now I want the car in my driveway, lol. I wanna start practicing how to drive it. Another observation,
* The brakes...wow! While the owner was taking me out for a spin, he went from about 50mph to 0 in about 50 feet(it seemed). I got to experience the legendary Porsche brakes up close. However, when I drove it, it seemed to need more pedal pressure than I'm used to. Is that normal as well? I have a bimmer and it "bites" with normal pressure. I drive an Accord fairly regularly as well and that thing clamps down with very little pressure.
Re: the clutch. I guess I can get used to it. I used to drive a Euro spec Ford Escort from 1980 and it had manual steering, really stiff clutch, 1.6L inline 4 and only 4 speeds but I had a blast with it. Is the clutch on the 993 hydraulic or cable linked?
* The brakes...wow! While the owner was taking me out for a spin, he went from about 50mph to 0 in about 50 feet(it seemed). I got to experience the legendary Porsche brakes up close. However, when I drove it, it seemed to need more pedal pressure than I'm used to. Is that normal as well? I have a bimmer and it "bites" with normal pressure. I drive an Accord fairly regularly as well and that thing clamps down with very little pressure.
Re: the clutch. I guess I can get used to it. I used to drive a Euro spec Ford Escort from 1980 and it had manual steering, really stiff clutch, 1.6L inline 4 and only 4 speeds but I had a blast with it. Is the clutch on the 993 hydraulic or cable linked?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 2
From: Watkins Glen, NY
Your impressions of the clutch and brake pedal are accurate. The first time I drove my car I was surprised at how much pressure it took on the brakes compared to my regular daily driver. The difference I realize now is that on my regular car if I push the brakes down hard that's all there is. Very easy for example to push too hard in my VW and feel like I'm not going to get slowed down in time. On the 993 I never run out of brakes. But definitely takes a little more leg than the over boosted brakes in your regular car. Good luck with your search.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: West Lafayette, IN
It is a fantastic car. Like you, I was apprehensive given that I had never driven a rear engine car, especially one with the performance and handling characteristics of a Porsche. Not to mention that I am well past the age where most people feel comfortable challenging their driving skills. However, I got used to it very quickly and love driving it every chance I get.
I would recommend a few DEs to really get the feel of how the car handles. The experience is priceless and you will be amazed at how well the car handles if you know what to avoid. Also, if you join your local Porsche club, you will meet the finest people who will always be willing to help you with any questions you have.
I would recommend a few DEs to really get the feel of how the car handles. The experience is priceless and you will be amazed at how well the car handles if you know what to avoid. Also, if you join your local Porsche club, you will meet the finest people who will always be willing to help you with any questions you have.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,101
Likes: 1,679
From: Florida Space Coast
The Porsche brakes you have not yet felt. Any car will wind you down to zero very fast. Porsche does a very good job in this regard. What separates the men from the boys is the repeatability of the brakes.
The legendary Porsche brakes are the lack of fade after repeated hot stops.
As far as pedal pressure, what you are experiencing is the difference in the power brakes. It is easy to make brakes garb with very little pressure. However, you can't feel what is happening if you have brakes from a Cady. Sure, they bite, but they also fade and they also provide no significant feedback to the driver.
The porsche will feel a lot different than many cars, but mostly for good reasons that you will become familiar with and understand as you learn and drive. The critical thing here is to make sure whichever car you by is the best car you can buy. To do that you must spend money on a pre-purchase inspection. This will probably be about $200, but that is small fries compared to what it costs to rectify a bad purchase that had hidden problems. These cars are very robust, but if there are problems it will cost you a lot more than you can imagine. A car that passes inspection at a dealer or a qualified shop will run many years without excessive expense. A bad car will sour your life with huge debt and make the experience miserable.
Just buy the right car and you will be very happy!
The legendary Porsche brakes are the lack of fade after repeated hot stops.
As far as pedal pressure, what you are experiencing is the difference in the power brakes. It is easy to make brakes garb with very little pressure. However, you can't feel what is happening if you have brakes from a Cady. Sure, they bite, but they also fade and they also provide no significant feedback to the driver.
The porsche will feel a lot different than many cars, but mostly for good reasons that you will become familiar with and understand as you learn and drive. The critical thing here is to make sure whichever car you by is the best car you can buy. To do that you must spend money on a pre-purchase inspection. This will probably be about $200, but that is small fries compared to what it costs to rectify a bad purchase that had hidden problems. These cars are very robust, but if there are problems it will cost you a lot more than you can imagine. A car that passes inspection at a dealer or a qualified shop will run many years without excessive expense. A bad car will sour your life with huge debt and make the experience miserable.
Just buy the right car and you will be very happy!
Originally Posted by red_wagen
Thanks for your responses. I feel better but now I want the car in my driveway, lol. I wanna start practicing how to drive it. Another observation,
* The brakes...wow! While the owner was taking me out for a spin, he went from about 50mph to 0 in about 50 feet(it seemed). I got to experience the legendary Porsche brakes up close. However, when I drove it, it seemed to need more pedal pressure than I'm used to. Is that normal as well? I have a bimmer and it "bites" with normal pressure. I drive an Accord fairly regularly as well and that thing clamps down with very little pressure.
Re: the clutch. I guess I can get used to it. I used to drive a Euro spec Ford Escort from 1980 and it had manual steering, really stiff clutch, 1.6L inline 4 and only 4 speeds but I had a blast with it. Is the clutch on the 993 hydraulic or cable linked?
* The brakes...wow! While the owner was taking me out for a spin, he went from about 50mph to 0 in about 50 feet(it seemed). I got to experience the legendary Porsche brakes up close. However, when I drove it, it seemed to need more pedal pressure than I'm used to. Is that normal as well? I have a bimmer and it "bites" with normal pressure. I drive an Accord fairly regularly as well and that thing clamps down with very little pressure.
Re: the clutch. I guess I can get used to it. I used to drive a Euro spec Ford Escort from 1980 and it had manual steering, really stiff clutch, 1.6L inline 4 and only 4 speeds but I had a blast with it. Is the clutch on the 993 hydraulic or cable linked?