Hi Guys/Gals, N00b here with a few questions:
09-25-2009, 03:48 AM
#1
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Hi Guys/Gals, N00b here with a few questions:
Hello all,
I've been ghosting for a while and appreciate your culture and the class you all display while discussing.
I just bought a 58K mile 2003 911 Carrera Coupe 6spd. It's my first Porsche, and owning one has always been a dream of mine. The car checked out really well, a desert car, was maintained, female driven, and wasn't abused. I replaced the clutch, did the 60K service, RMS, ingnition switch, and the car just feels plain wonderful. It's original options include the Sport Suspension, 18" wheel, sport seats, full leather, upgraded stereo with amp (non-Bose.)
I'm really interested in tapping into the wealth of knowlege you have about these cars, and have a few questions:
1. For overall longevity, what's the best way to drive the car on a daily basis, like I stole it, or gently? Is there a RPM I should at least hit before shifting, or is it OK to shift at 2-2500 to reduce fuel consumption?
2. What resources are available online that can teach performance driving in these cars? Any video instruction?
3. It is considered poor form to manually raise the spoiler everywhere I go?
4. What are some of the nuances you know now and wish you had known then when you were in my position?
Any and all input greatly appreciated and rewarded with generous deposits in your Porsche Karma bank account.
Cheers from Chandler, AZ!
I've been ghosting for a while and appreciate your culture and the class you all display while discussing.
I just bought a 58K mile 2003 911 Carrera Coupe 6spd. It's my first Porsche, and owning one has always been a dream of mine. The car checked out really well, a desert car, was maintained, female driven, and wasn't abused. I replaced the clutch, did the 60K service, RMS, ingnition switch, and the car just feels plain wonderful. It's original options include the Sport Suspension, 18" wheel, sport seats, full leather, upgraded stereo with amp (non-Bose.)
I'm really interested in tapping into the wealth of knowlege you have about these cars, and have a few questions:
1. For overall longevity, what's the best way to drive the car on a daily basis, like I stole it, or gently? Is there a RPM I should at least hit before shifting, or is it OK to shift at 2-2500 to reduce fuel consumption?
2. What resources are available online that can teach performance driving in these cars? Any video instruction?
3. It is considered poor form to manually raise the spoiler everywhere I go?
4. What are some of the nuances you know now and wish you had known then when you were in my position?
Any and all input greatly appreciated and rewarded with generous deposits in your Porsche Karma bank account.
Cheers from Chandler, AZ!
09-25-2009, 05:56 AM
#2
1. A redline a day keeps engine failure away (or something like that)... Honestly, I think driving it hard & proper maintenance is the key to a long life & avoiding problems. All those low mileage, babied cars that have been short shifted all their life are the ones that end up having problems.
2. Your better off signing up for a performance driving school or joining POC or PCA & doing AutoX & stuff like that... I've never really understood the point of online classes for technical stuff like this, it just doesn't work.
3. I guess it's personal preference... I find it a little dumb (no offense), it's like stuffing your crotch with paper or something like that. The exception is if you're on a track or any other situation where you need the added stability (which you probably won't encounter in everyday street driving).
4. Did you mean "nusuance"? If so, well I wish I would've known prices were gonna drop so much right after my purchase (I'd be in a 997S or 996TT if I had waited a couple months), but fortunately for you, you bought it at the right time... As far as nusuances, just little things here & there like engine running temp gets a little high, rear tires wear out reallyyy quickly, leaks oil even with updated IMS & RMS, sunroof automatic close doesn't always work, & other little problems I can't remember (& they're all common in 996s), etc... But even if I knew all that before buying it, it wouldn't have changed my decision. This car is so worth it. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think you could buy a better car even spending twice the money.
Congrats... Go out & enjoy it! Oh, & post pics of your new (to you) car before Tim yells at you & you get banned, haha.
2. Your better off signing up for a performance driving school or joining POC or PCA & doing AutoX & stuff like that... I've never really understood the point of online classes for technical stuff like this, it just doesn't work.
3. I guess it's personal preference... I find it a little dumb (no offense), it's like stuffing your crotch with paper or something like that. The exception is if you're on a track or any other situation where you need the added stability (which you probably won't encounter in everyday street driving).
4. Did you mean "nusuance"? If so, well I wish I would've known prices were gonna drop so much right after my purchase (I'd be in a 997S or 996TT if I had waited a couple months), but fortunately for you, you bought it at the right time... As far as nusuances, just little things here & there like engine running temp gets a little high, rear tires wear out reallyyy quickly, leaks oil even with updated IMS & RMS, sunroof automatic close doesn't always work, & other little problems I can't remember (& they're all common in 996s), etc... But even if I knew all that before buying it, it wouldn't have changed my decision. This car is so worth it. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think you could buy a better car even spending twice the money.
Congrats... Go out & enjoy it! Oh, & post pics of your new (to you) car before Tim yells at you & you get banned, haha.
09-25-2009, 09:58 AM
#3
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Welcome to Rennlist and congrats on getting a nice looking car! At least I THINK it is nice looking, since you didn't post pics! (hint hint)
1. Drive it like you stole it.
2. What Raphael said above ^.
3. Do you walk around all day with your zipper open? If so, then a) you can leave the spoiler up all of the time and b) you really have other problems you need to deal with.
4. The "nuances" are plenty, (rear weight bias, light front end at higher speeds) but it is probably more fun discovering them on your own. It will allow you to be even more amazed by the car.
Getting back to the "important" topic, consider the next sentence as your "Newbie Initiation!"
Come on Newbie, post the !@#$%^& pics!
Damn, I just love saying that!
Once again, Welcome to Rennlist!
1. Drive it like you stole it.
2. What Raphael said above ^.
3. Do you walk around all day with your zipper open? If so, then a) you can leave the spoiler up all of the time and b) you really have other problems you need to deal with.
4. The "nuances" are plenty, (rear weight bias, light front end at higher speeds) but it is probably more fun discovering them on your own. It will allow you to be even more amazed by the car.
Getting back to the "important" topic, consider the next sentence as your "Newbie Initiation!"
Come on Newbie, post the !@#$%^& pics!
Damn, I just love saying that!
Once again, Welcome to Rennlist!
Last edited by gota911; 09-25-2009 at 10:37 AM. Reason: typo
09-25-2009, 10:00 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Welcome!
I am a fairly new P-car owner as well. I too purchased a 03 6spd coupe.
Leave the spoiler alone, you'll just end up breaking it. If you want a spoiler all the time buy a techart spoiler or a factory aero kit (big money $$$).
Shifting below 4000rpm is pointless. I too believe that these cars need to be driven hard, responsibly.... but hard.
Mine came with the updated version of the CPO and the RMS was just replaced on mine as well. I bought a clutch kit from Sunset Porsche and had my dealer install it (labor free since they already dropped the trans for the RMS).
I have changed the oil, air filter, cabin filter, and sparkplugs since my ownership in July 09. It helps you to get to know the car.
Enjoy!
Jim
I am a fairly new P-car owner as well. I too purchased a 03 6spd coupe.
Leave the spoiler alone, you'll just end up breaking it. If you want a spoiler all the time buy a techart spoiler or a factory aero kit (big money $$$).
Shifting below 4000rpm is pointless. I too believe that these cars need to be driven hard, responsibly.... but hard.
Mine came with the updated version of the CPO and the RMS was just replaced on mine as well. I bought a clutch kit from Sunset Porsche and had my dealer install it (labor free since they already dropped the trans for the RMS).
I have changed the oil, air filter, cabin filter, and sparkplugs since my ownership in July 09. It helps you to get to know the car.
Enjoy!
Jim
09-25-2009, 10:04 AM
#5
Race Car
Welcome to Rennlist and congrats on getting a nice looking cab! At least I THINK it is nice looking, since you didn't post pics! (hint hint)
1. Drive it like you stole it.
2. What Raphael said above ^.
3. Do you walk around all day with your zipper open? If so, then a) you can leave the spoiler up all of the time and b) you really have other problems you need to deal with.4. The "nuances" are plenty, (rear weight bias, light front end at higher speeds) but it is probably more fun discovering them on your own. It will allow you to be even more amazed by the car.
Getting back to the "important" topic, consider the next sentence as your "Newbie Initiation!"
Come on Newbie, post the !@#$%^& pics!
Damn, I just love saying that!
Once again, Welcome to Rennlist!
1. Drive it like you stole it.
2. What Raphael said above ^.
3. Do you walk around all day with your zipper open? If so, then a) you can leave the spoiler up all of the time and b) you really have other problems you need to deal with.
4. The "nuances" are plenty, (rear weight bias, light front end at higher speeds) but it is probably more fun discovering them on your own. It will allow you to be even more amazed by the car. Getting back to the "important" topic, consider the next sentence as your "Newbie Initiation!"
Come on Newbie, post the !@#$%^& pics!
Damn, I just love saying that!
Once again, Welcome to Rennlist!
09-25-2009, 10:14 AM
#6
Parts Specialist
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Rennlist Member
Tim - it's a COUPE ! - open your eyes!!
OK - 1st off welcome.
second, when you start it, drive it... no warm ups. When its under 180 degrees, keep the rpm below 4200 - once warmed up, drive normal... shifting in the 4k range is about right for runs to work. Stay away from prolonged 3200 rpm driving (variocam kicks in there.. either go higher or lower) - my car has 112k miles, I hit 5-6k almost every drive, but not ever shift. 7k about "once in a while"
cruising is good, runs it softly and let it cool down before just sticking it in the garage for the night. Then whisper everyday to her. "What a wonderful ride baby" Tell her you love her in your own words and dont steal mine -
I love how Jim said "Leave the spoiler alone, you'll just end up breaking it." - thats some funny stuff there !!!
Get hooked up with your local PCA chapter and they should offer driver skill events, DE and autocross events to get you some instruction time for very minimal charge. I volenteer at the skills days every month and have had a lot of time at the open session to work on my driving. Sometimes I have an instuctor ride along to give me additional pointers. These are great events and well worth the time to attend. For me to see new people develope some skills in a single day is awesome and brings a big ole smile to my face.
now post some pics of face premature ban !!
where are you from?
Cheers!
OK - 1st off welcome.
second, when you start it, drive it... no warm ups. When its under 180 degrees, keep the rpm below 4200 - once warmed up, drive normal... shifting in the 4k range is about right for runs to work. Stay away from prolonged 3200 rpm driving (variocam kicks in there.. either go higher or lower) - my car has 112k miles, I hit 5-6k almost every drive, but not ever shift. 7k about "once in a while"
cruising is good, runs it softly and let it cool down before just sticking it in the garage for the night. Then whisper everyday to her. "What a wonderful ride baby" Tell her you love her in your own words and dont steal mine -
I love how Jim said "Leave the spoiler alone, you'll just end up breaking it." - thats some funny stuff there !!!
Get hooked up with your local PCA chapter and they should offer driver skill events, DE and autocross events to get you some instruction time for very minimal charge. I volenteer at the skills days every month and have had a lot of time at the open session to work on my driving. Sometimes I have an instuctor ride along to give me additional pointers. These are great events and well worth the time to attend. For me to see new people develope some skills in a single day is awesome and brings a big ole smile to my face.
now post some pics of face premature ban !!
where are you from?
Cheers!
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09-25-2009, 11:07 AM
#11
enough info guys.... pics or ban! BTW, if you like the spoiler up all the time... get a fixed wing
thats pretty funny Ed....
thats pretty funny Ed....
09-25-2009, 11:11 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
1. A redline a day keeps engine failure away (or something like that)... Honestly, I think driving it hard & proper maintenance is the key to a long life & avoiding problems. All those low mileage, babied cars that have been short shifted all their life are the ones that end up having problems.
Oops, sorry Tim!
09-25-2009, 11:15 AM
#13
Rennlist Member
After firing up the engine, I watch for the oil pressure to build to the top before putting it in gear. approx 3-5 seconds.
Regarding top engine RPM: Its a personal choice. I keep mine under 3,000 when the engine is cold. In between cold and 180 degrees, I go up to 4,000 rpm. After its warm, I start cleaning out the carbon build up.
Do you have a good radar detector? If not, get a good one like a V1. Not that I ever exceed the speed limit.....
Regarding top engine RPM: Its a personal choice. I keep mine under 3,000 when the engine is cold. In between cold and 180 degrees, I go up to 4,000 rpm. After its warm, I start cleaning out the carbon build up.
Do you have a good radar detector? If not, get a good one like a V1. Not that I ever exceed the speed limit.....
09-25-2009, 01:05 PM
#15
Instructor
i wonder how the dealership salesman and tech would suggests we drive theses cars? (since they waranty them)
ps; from what ive learned on rennlist, one doesnt get advice with out pics. i heard of a rennlist thread going on for months where the guy didnt even have a porsche.
ps; from what ive learned on rennlist, one doesnt get advice with out pics. i heard of a rennlist thread going on for months where the guy didnt even have a porsche.