IXLR8

How do you feel about cell phone use in a car, even the hands-free type?

What about those texting or reading a book (yup, I've seen the latter while at a red light).

On the A8 towards Karlsruhe, I was in the middle lane passing a vehicle. I had an idiot cut right across within a meter of the front wheel of my motorcycle from the left lane to the right lane in preparation for an upcoming exit. He did the same thing to an LKW in the right lane while doing so. I was doing 140; he about 180.

I sped up (that is legal there) had a good look at the idiot and gave him the bird (illegal there and carries a fine). He knew what he did, because he fell back and tried to drive the shoulder to keep out of sight behind another car.

The next car driver who puts me in the hospital better hope I am dead.

nile13

Alex, I feel pretty bad about using cellphones. I must also admit that I use mine sometimes. i do not go bragging about it or ask which book is better to read while driving. Maybe because I understand the danger I'm putting myself and others in while doing something stupid.

I've driven a fair amount on autobahn at what I would consider stupid speeds if attempted anywhere else. Discipline there is amazing, although clearly worse than it was in the mid-90s when I was first in Germany behind the wheel. I have also driven in most of Europe and some of Asia. Nowhere are the drivers as disciplined as in Germany - of course there are no 30mph+ speed difference between the vehicles next to each other on the road. But i guess until one sees the actual carnage of car stuffed into the wall or a good accident with enough blood and guts... there's no "click".

ljugete

Why SC when you can trade up to a 993 TT, TTS, or better yet 993 GT2! Ha!

ljugete

BTW, I do not condone racing on the interstate or expressways mind you (Crazy Adolescents).

If I'm ever being chased by some armed road raging maniac, then I say catch me if you can and get the heck out of there!

IXLR8

I've been motorcycling there annually since 1995 and these past few years, I've noticed poorer driving habits that I didn't earlier...mind you, they are very rare.

Talk about discipline. My cousin's tail light burns out and he immediately pulls off the road to replace the bulb (bulb kits, first aid kits with space blanket and emergency triangle are mandatory on vehicles, maybe even a gas can). Cripes, Billy Bob over here will go till a LEO pulls him over.

I think that can be said of anything German.

They were discussing the issues in Greece on the TV/radio a couple of weeks ago and the reporter stated that they're just not disciplined like the Germans and their economy. I'm glad I'm not German, because I would face Greece and give them the middle finger. I'd be sick of bailing them out.

goofballdeluxe

Almost everyone, and I really mean almost everyone, is distracted by cell phones while they drive these days. Usually it's talking on the phone, or even more dangerous, texting. Add to that mix that many now drive truck-based SUVs, and it's crazy out there when I'm driving my 993.

Personally, unless you live somewhere with relatively light traffic, I think one has to have a screw loose to drive a motorcycle in an urban setting these days. It's not a matter of 'if' you're gonna get put in a dangerous situation caused by a "texter", but 'when'.

DJF1

Thanks for the gesture. Better get educated first before making these kind of statements. But then again opinions are like *** holes.

IXLR8

Don't I know it, from experience. I got taken out by a cell phone yapping idiot.

This will be my second year in a row that I haven't put a single kilometer on any of my motorcycles on this continent. Its just that I get my yearly fill in a mere six weeks of riding in the Alps that anything around here is a major letdown road-wise.

IXLR8

Maybe they ought to get off their lazy butts before accepting more handouts! I too would like to retire in my early 50s, Germans have to go to 67. Ask them how they feel about that.

EckFe1

Nile13, you should be taking anger management classes as I'm amazed how you explode if anybody shows the slightest amount of criticism against you. I've been noticing this a lot and I'm sure other people have too.
I wouldn't want to meet you in person and I'm glad I don't live in your area. My recommendation, take a good look into your soul and maybe take some classes to better yourself.
Now back to the Mazda vs. 993 because that's what's all about in here.
Ed

Edward

Can everybody say Amen!
No, really, truly, Amen, Right On, Agree 100% !

Edward

nile13

Amen, brother!

nile13

As I said, I severely dislike idiots. You seem to be an honorable member. Please do not cover yourself with "we", "us" and "Rennlist".

serval

Hello,

I love getting on Rennlist, I really do. I seem to not only learn about cars, but also about geo-politics and social standards. Some people like to drive their cars fast other think them idiots for doing so. I have always wondered what fast means on public roads. Is 30 fast in a school zone, or is 100 fast on the highway. Maybe Niles13 can enlighten us.

I learned Germans are disciplined, although less so then 20 years ago, but it is all for naught because spend-free Greeks are taking away their savings (right Alex?). Maybe they're exacting payment for the free culture transfer over the first 1500 years or so

My membership to Rennlist has paid off in more ways than I can imagine since I can now dispense with both The Economist and my radar detector.

Now back to the subject at hand, I submit that it is less a question of whether a CX9 or Cx7 or whatever other SUV, or Japanese family car can/may embarrass a bona-fide Porschaah, but more a question of what you get out of it.

I'm sure you all remember Prof Porsche's answer when shown around a Porsche meet with row upon row of shiny, perfectly maintained, spotless cars: ( and I paraphrase )- It makes me sad, I built these cars to be driven. Slow or fast, enjoy your car!

I love my 993 because it connects to me in ways other, faster, 911s do not. The 993 is the ultimate symbiosis of dream and sparse manufacture. It is the genetical evolution of the English garage-built idea placed in German hands. Every time I drive, I can feel the shudder of the metal skin as it shivers through every gear change, hear the mechanical rasp right behind me.

This is not a car, it is an extension of me, rendered human by the very hands that put it together, this very last air/oil cooled machine of mine. It is elegant and timeless. Comparing it to a CX9 is much like saying that you timed a Casio against your Vacheron Constantin and found the latter wanting.

IXLR8

Just got off the phone with my GF in Italy...that is northern Italy who does not have a lot of use for southern Italy. Different cultures and ideas...more on that later. Want a job? I heard they need garbage collectors in Napoli.

Apparently, they want to raise the retirement age to 67 as well, from 65. What Germany did some years ago. This isn't sitting well with Bossi of Lega Nord. to him for putting his foot down. Throw that idea at the Greeks and see how the riots will escalate.

I get quite the lesson from my GF's brother on Europe when there. There are too many vastly different cultural differences (some even within a country), work ethics, etc within Europe for it to work as it is. Simply blindly throwing money at the situation is not the solution as he put it. There has to be equal footing and contributions by all member countries.

And lets not forget how the "books got doctored" in Greece so that they would meet the requirements for admission to the Euro...thanks to Goldman Sachs.