Jim Sloves

I'm driving my C4S and as of late I feel it's so smooth and rock solid that it's less than thrilling. For example, without realizing it I'll be a 100-110 (miles per year of course officer) and it'll feel the same as 50. I'm thinking that for this kind of money the hairs on the back of my neck should be sticking up a bit more often.

In my old Boxster or Ferrari at those speeds the car felt...a little bit less settled and there was a challenge and thrill to keep it all together.

I don't know...call me crazy...anybody want to join me at the asylum?

wwest

You have really, REALLY missed out all these years.

My 78 911 Targa has ALWAYS been more stable above 90MPH than below, not to say, at all, that it was unstable below.

My 01 AWD 996 was cruising so smoothly and stable at 130+ on the Autobahn that my wife had to look at the speedometer before she told me I was going too fast for her comfort.

DonW-Cape Cod

I think most of us have driven several 911 versions over the years. It seems to me that it's not just the 996 all of a sudden is sophisticated. It's just more so than the 993 v the 964 v Carrera v SC v S, etc.

But then again, I'm no expert, but maybe the smoothness has been replaced by angst over whether or not the engine is going to blow/oil or coolant is going to leak/etc. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Todd

Simple solution, get an older 911.......

scott watkins

I have always wondered why folks say that the 996 is such a GT sports car. If I drive my wife's IS300, my 996 feels like an old buckboard.

urbanski

The smoothness works for me, since I plan to use mine as a daily driver...when i get it back

Jim Sloves

[quote]Originally posted by Don Watson:
<strong>I'm no expert, but maybe the smoothness has been replaced by angst over whether or not the engine is going to blow/oil or coolant is going to leak/etc. </strong><hr></blockquote>Definitely a worth while trade-off. And I know this car is much less expensive to maintain than the air cooled older Carreras.

Maybe I need to drive my wife's car some more. Or drive with the sunroof open and windows down more frequently.

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Turbo-Look

Jim, I know EXACTLY how you feel. What you need is a Mazda Miata. Smiles aplenty.

Ben in Plano, TX

Guys,

I don't know - a lot is made of this. Too much, I think. My brother drives a 996 C2 and, yes, it is more refined than my 993S but it's no Lexus! And as much as I like to joke about the water burners it is one hell of a nice motor. I wish my 3.6 air cooled had the torque band that even the 3.4 996 motor has!

You guys have one nice car - and I especially like the new C4S - first 996 that really made me stop and think for a moment...

Regards,

Ben

LastV8

Jim I don't think your nuts at all. David E. Davis Jr. of Automobile magazine mentioned something about the Porsche 996's moving into 928 territory and he didn't happen to think that was such a good thing.

Recently I got a chance to take a 996 around the block and it just made my 88 928S4 feel so old. It wasn't so much that it was a few hairs quicker at slower speeds (at higher mph things equaled out)but everything felt so light and easy.

Anyway, it's not to say there aren't challenges driving a new Porsche at the limit. Just that in the older cars you could really feel like you were doing something at half the limit.

ignacio

jim

open your sunroof and windows!

turn up the bose!

better yet test drive a lexus or s class mercedes-that is isolation from the road!

then try to take some tight corners at speeds you now take for granted--then you'll remeber why you bought your 996 c4s! <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> :

Dave H.

[quote]Originally posted by ignacio:
<strong>
turn up the bose!
</strong><hr></blockquote>

ick. why would you want to do that? Bose only sounds good when it's off...

Bins

You just need to put some "go louder" stripes onto the car...

Jim Sloves

[quote]Originally posted by Bins:
<strong>You just need to put some "go louder" stripes onto the car...</strong><hr></blockquote>I can't find any stipes to match the purple neon lighting I had intalled to the undercarriage.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

VS

I had a similar "problem" with my 996 Turbo. Here's how I "solved" the problem:

1. H&R coilovers and Ruf rear axle aluminum bushings. Feel the road!

2. GT3 adjustable sway bars. Control understeer!

3. A sports exhaust. Hear the engine!

4. GT3 seats. Even more feel!

These are all tradeoffs. The stock Turbo is a very nice GT/sports car. My Turbo is a very nice sports car