993 Quirks
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
reposting my old post from an earlier similar thread:
Quirky is a car that you can take 4 hours or more to change spark plugs, with innumerable socket extensions, with a difficulty level that reaches a point where some people just give up on the 12th plug while you can remove both front entire headlight assembly without tools in less than 45 seconds.
Im sure the designer who came up with the headlight mechanism has been fired.
I will give Porsche this though, it only took less than 30 years to move the positive terminal of the battery more than 3/8 inch away from the body. The concept of turning the battery 180 degrees was a monumentally huge engineering breakthrough, I am sure other auto manufacturers were stunned at the technology leap.
And those window switches. Man they are on top of it! The old ones with the contacts that broke off the back all the time- they fixed that design in just over 10 years! Maybe they will fix the rocking point where they break by 2010. Although it would probably ential actually talking to Bosch.
The 8 way power seat switches, now thats something they can get to later, they are just SO durable, maybe after they tackle the enormous engineering task of designing a superceding cockpit floorboard/footboard part.
And the air conditioning, another lightning fast upgrade—It only took them just under 30 years to get a solution that cools the cockpit down better that a penguin blowing through a straw. Stunningly fast revision.
As noted in the avatar, the offset mirrors allows air cooled cars to be parked closer together
Quirky is a car that you can take 4 hours or more to change spark plugs, with innumerable socket extensions, with a difficulty level that reaches a point where some people just give up on the 12th plug while you can remove both front entire headlight assembly without tools in less than 45 seconds.
Im sure the designer who came up with the headlight mechanism has been fired.
I will give Porsche this though, it only took less than 30 years to move the positive terminal of the battery more than 3/8 inch away from the body. The concept of turning the battery 180 degrees was a monumentally huge engineering breakthrough, I am sure other auto manufacturers were stunned at the technology leap.
And those window switches. Man they are on top of it! The old ones with the contacts that broke off the back all the time- they fixed that design in just over 10 years! Maybe they will fix the rocking point where they break by 2010. Although it would probably ential actually talking to Bosch.
The 8 way power seat switches, now thats something they can get to later, they are just SO durable, maybe after they tackle the enormous engineering task of designing a superceding cockpit floorboard/footboard part.
And the air conditioning, another lightning fast upgrade—It only took them just under 30 years to get a solution that cools the cockpit down better that a penguin blowing through a straw. Stunningly fast revision.
As noted in the avatar, the offset mirrors allows air cooled cars to be parked closer together
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,682
Likes: 546
From: I should be in TNT for Carnival!
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 165
Ignition on the left hand side of the wheel pays tribute to the classic days of Porsche's early racing efforts, where the car races often started with the engines off. The practical idea behind this was, as the left hand was used to start the car, the right could be used to put the car in gear, thus a quicker and more efficient take-off. Personally, I've grown to realize this is no quirk, but a feature I'd like to see in all cars. It's much better to be able to turn the car off and take my car keys out of the ignition with my left hand while at the same time my right hand is free to reach for packages/papers/stuff on my passenger seat.
Race Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 11
From: Johns Creek, GA
Now, thanks to the stupid immobilizer, we would be at least a lap down.... we would be standing at the starting grid pressing the remote 2 or 3 times and turning the key several times like a mad man trying to get the car to start!
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 209
From: Tacoma, WA
Man, you guys are funny! Like little School girls asking if you look "fat".
The turning circle is not the best, but much better then my 2 other AWD cars. While the trans throw is long, it is precise & butter. Very easy car to heal/toe. I like the driving position.
This is by far the best car I have ever owned! Also seams to be the least quirky of any "sports" car (hint RUN AWAY FROM AUDI).
Although, I will admit the immobilizer is a PITA, I still have a key that isn't programed, now that is just DUMB!
The turning circle is not the best, but much better then my 2 other AWD cars. While the trans throw is long, it is precise & butter. Very easy car to heal/toe. I like the driving position.
This is by far the best car I have ever owned! Also seams to be the least quirky of any "sports" car (hint RUN AWAY FROM AUDI).
Although, I will admit the immobilizer is a PITA, I still have a key that isn't programed, now that is just DUMB!
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Gotta love the quirks
Most of the quirks are endearing, especially if you've gotten familiar with them by a progression from old VW Beetles, to 356s, to 911s.
However, what is the deal with having to remove the rocker panel to change the oil? Now that isn't a quirk, it's an aggravation.....
Fairview.
However, what is the deal with having to remove the rocker panel to change the oil? Now that isn't a quirk, it's an aggravation.....
Fairview.
Last edited by Jeff Ward; Jan 25, 2008 at 07:31 PM. Reason: mistake
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 581
Likes: 59
From: was: CA, 956XX
My 993 likes to fight with me in general. I change the decklid damper and find out that the insulation has sagged down so I can't push the rear pin out, on both sides.
I change the spark plugs, try to remove the right muffler and find out that the clamping band is from Fabtech, which is standard. So I need a 1/2" long socket, I have one but it's a 1/4drive and the socket is 1/16th too short. I can't use a wrench because no room to turn.
I finally change the upper row plugs just to find out that the rubber insert in the plug socket likes the plug so much that the socket won't come out anymore. More modification.
I read about the dirt in the SAI, so I take it off, just to find out that it's shiny clean inside.
The backrest adjustment **** stopped working, I try to take the seat out and find out that it contributes to about 50% of the total weight of the car.
I install a new suspension, want to take the control arms out for the PU bushings and the biggest allen wrench I have is too small and I have lot's of tools.
It's also way too easy to scratch up the paint out back when working on the car from the side. But that a$$ just looks good.
I start the engine and listen to it coming to life, absolutely awesome and all the reason why I put up with the rest.
Tonight I'll do the left side plugs and I'm sure the car has already thought about some stuff to fake me out.
I change the spark plugs, try to remove the right muffler and find out that the clamping band is from Fabtech, which is standard. So I need a 1/2" long socket, I have one but it's a 1/4drive and the socket is 1/16th too short. I can't use a wrench because no room to turn.
I finally change the upper row plugs just to find out that the rubber insert in the plug socket likes the plug so much that the socket won't come out anymore. More modification.
I read about the dirt in the SAI, so I take it off, just to find out that it's shiny clean inside.
The backrest adjustment **** stopped working, I try to take the seat out and find out that it contributes to about 50% of the total weight of the car.
I install a new suspension, want to take the control arms out for the PU bushings and the biggest allen wrench I have is too small and I have lot's of tools.
It's also way too easy to scratch up the paint out back when working on the car from the side. But that a$$ just looks good.
I start the engine and listen to it coming to life, absolutely awesome and all the reason why I put up with the rest.
Tonight I'll do the left side plugs and I'm sure the car has already thought about some stuff to fake me out.
Seared
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Ellicott City, MD
