What does “analog” mean to you?
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
What does “analog” mean to you?
I see this term regularly in reference to the 996 (or 986) being “the last analog Porsche.” Not having driven a 997 or 993, but two 996s and now a 986, I don’t really have a comparison of earlier to later.
My impression is that “analog” means fewer “driver aids.” But then, what IS a driver aid? ABS is a driver aid and yet doesn’t qualify a car to be non-analog.
Thoughts?
My impression is that “analog” means fewer “driver aids.” But then, what IS a driver aid? ABS is a driver aid and yet doesn’t qualify a car to be non-analog.
Thoughts?
#2
Rennlist Member
Well, having owned two air cooled P-cars, a '67 912 and an '85 911, I can tell you that the 996 is not all that different from the later air cooled cars, in my opinion. I have made an effort to enhance the raw feel with semi-solid engine mounts, transmission mount insert, short shift w/FF shift right and H&R's with Bilstiens, but even stock they are a true blast from the past.
#3
RL Community Team
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Manual transmission, hydraulic steering, non-electric suspension, analog gauges, spartan interior, no volume control or cruise control buttons on the steering wheel,
no launch control.
No constant warning when you DON'T have your seatbelt on.
No $#!^, I know I don't have my seatbelt on, so you don't have to constantly tell me!
I hated that my BMW did that, and hate that my wife's mini-van does that!
Truly analog requires carburetors, no power steering, no ABS, etc.
no launch control.
No constant warning when you DON'T have your seatbelt on.
No $#!^, I know I don't have my seatbelt on, so you don't have to constantly tell me!
I hated that my BMW did that, and hate that my wife's mini-van does that!
Truly analog requires carburetors, no power steering, no ABS, etc.
Last edited by TexSquirrel; 02-14-2019 at 02:21 PM.
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#8
Burning Brakes
To me it means you are mechanically connected to the car via the steering wheel and pedals. Can you drive it down a hill with no power? Many modern cars are drive by wire with nannies such as stability control that can't be turned off. You are correct that even a 99 with a throttle cable and a manual transmission is not completely analog since it has antilock brakes, but so does almost every car built in the last 30 years. Electronic fuel injection is also not analog if you are getting literal.
#10
It's kind of funny to hear people use the "analog vs. digital" as an analogy (no pun intended with that word) to represent different things in life. For ex, "she's so digital with her fancy iphone book apps... I'm analog - gimme a real paper book. If we lose power, I'm still good!" "She's so digital asking Siri for directions on a vacation... I'm analog, nothing like spreading out that big map on the kitchen table to view the entire state!"
On and on it goes.
But IMHO, analog vs. digital is a very subjective thing when it comes to the driving experience of a modern sports car. Since truly the whole "analog vs. digital" thing seem to come out of the music/TV/Cinema arts industry primarily to refer to the aural/optical waveforms being converted to binary form. How many people can remember 8-track tape in their cars? haha! Any of you have an old Victrola or Edison record player? I admit, I have an old mechanical crank Edison. Almost 100 years old and doesn't need to be plugged in to experience music.
When it comes to our Porsches, I guess the best explanation could be the lack of anything that's controls (i.e. nannies) our cars more than we really want? As we all know, the 996 has many modules that monitor and control all aspects of the driving experience - ex. - PSM, TC, Anti-lock braking, SRS, as well as a wealth of ECU engine control technology to insure the car's engine is running at it's optimum. And, if it doesn't, then it tells you on the "digital" display, right?
Personally, in order to experience a true connected feel (more than we feel in a 996), you need to remove all ECU and driver nannies. Maybe that means you have to go way back to the pre-ODB air-cooled days? Maybe the days before power steering? Before fuel injection? Even before AC?
Maybe it's the horse and buggy experience we're searching after.
Peace out!
On and on it goes.
But IMHO, analog vs. digital is a very subjective thing when it comes to the driving experience of a modern sports car. Since truly the whole "analog vs. digital" thing seem to come out of the music/TV/Cinema arts industry primarily to refer to the aural/optical waveforms being converted to binary form. How many people can remember 8-track tape in their cars? haha! Any of you have an old Victrola or Edison record player? I admit, I have an old mechanical crank Edison. Almost 100 years old and doesn't need to be plugged in to experience music.
When it comes to our Porsches, I guess the best explanation could be the lack of anything that's controls (i.e. nannies) our cars more than we really want? As we all know, the 996 has many modules that monitor and control all aspects of the driving experience - ex. - PSM, TC, Anti-lock braking, SRS, as well as a wealth of ECU engine control technology to insure the car's engine is running at it's optimum. And, if it doesn't, then it tells you on the "digital" display, right?
Personally, in order to experience a true connected feel (more than we feel in a 996), you need to remove all ECU and driver nannies. Maybe that means you have to go way back to the pre-ODB air-cooled days? Maybe the days before power steering? Before fuel injection? Even before AC?
Maybe it's the horse and buggy experience we're searching after.
Peace out!
Last edited by NuttyProfessor; 02-12-2019 at 02:18 PM.
#11
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#13
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
good thoughts above. I love the connected feeling of the 996 and 986. Haven't been fortunate enough to drive a 997. I had an 83 911 SC for a year and it was just too raw to be a good daily driver for me so I sold it right before the air cooled boom but I guess that would qualify as analog for sure
#14
Addict
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imho, simply put, analog means it feels like you'r driving faster than you really are....digital means that you are driving really fast but it doesn't feel like it.