Are all 911s inherently unsafe?
03-12-2012, 10:17 PM
#31
Porsche driving dynamics glossary:
Understeer - hit the wall with the front end
Oversteer - hit the wall with the back end
Horsepower - how much damage you do when you hit the wall
Torque - how much you move the wall when you hit it
Understeer - hit the wall with the front end
Oversteer - hit the wall with the back end
Horsepower - how much damage you do when you hit the wall
Torque - how much you move the wall when you hit it
03-12-2012, 11:35 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
I've put 35,000 miles on my 996 in 4 years, and haven't even killed myself once yet!
As other people have said, it depends way more on the person - I know some people who are "unsafe at any speed" and in any car. And other people who have been driving 911 variants for decades.
Perhaps the OP would be at home in a Saab or Volvo?
As other people have said, it depends way more on the person - I know some people who are "unsafe at any speed" and in any car. And other people who have been driving 911 variants for decades.
Perhaps the OP would be at home in a Saab or Volvo?
03-12-2012, 11:47 PM
#33
Take the car to autocross to see how it handles. Even with PSM off, the car is quite controllable, and not that easy to make the back-end break loose - of course eventually you reach the laws of physics - but with PSM on - you have to be doign something very stupid to get into trouble ,,, Understeer was much more of an issue than oversteer for me ...
03-13-2012, 12:02 AM
#34
Three Wheelin'
03-13-2012, 12:03 AM
#35
Rennlist Member
By far, the most stable car I've ever driven. In fact, after one weekend of very spirited driving, I was going to work in my SUV and took a turn at a slower speed and almost rolled the SUV. Now that's unsafe. As Clint E. said, "a man has to know his limits". The 996 pushes mine.
03-13-2012, 12:48 AM
#37
Rennlist Member
Growing up in the Chicago area I saw many more Corvettes straddling guard rails pointing the wrong way in winter then 911's. Putting the engine in the front does not mean the car is more stable in an emergency maneuver. And it is not always poor road conditions that make Vettes tricky to drive. There are several fun videos on Youtube of Vette Drivers loosing control on dry streets just because they do not understand the dynamics of their car and its power. Best investment any Sports Car owner can make is a club sponsored Drivers Skills day. If you really want to understand your 911 - don't read writers reviews - join the club and do Driver Skills training. Trust me you are going to really enjoy the day and your 911.
03-13-2012, 08:21 AM
#39
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I understand the argument that if the car is driven properly & within it's limits, by an adequately experienced/skilled driver, then there should be no problem, but this does not account for all situations on the road.
Other drivers, mechanical failures, dangerous road surfaces, weather condition etc. All of these external factors come into play also.
.
That is, if I need to avoid someone stopping, go around a falling tree, make my way over an icy patch or whatever else, it will be EASIER to do it in a 996 than in a civic, or an audi, or whatever else. (And I won't even get started on the tip over dangers of the all those high COG SUVs.)
Those journalist are talking about what happens when you go into a hairpin turn on the track at 110mph and then use your instinct to lift off.
I recommend driving on the street so as to never replicate approaching a hairpin at 110mph.
03-13-2012, 10:19 AM
#40
the reality of it
The rear weight bias of 911s was overcome by vast improvements in tire width and technology, and continual refinement in suspension design. By the time the 911SC series was introduced in 1978, handling limits had been raised to a level far higher than the capabilities of most owners.
relinuca
relinuca
03-13-2012, 11:35 AM
#41
Three Wheelin'
I used to autocross and track a '69 911S. Early suspension; narrower tires. It rode better than a lot of new 911s and the oversteer was an absolute joy. Gave you tremendous ability to steer both with the throttle and the steering wheel.
03-13-2012, 03:40 PM
#43
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Eastwood
By far, the most stable car I've ever driven. In fact, after one weekend of very spirited driving, I was going to work in my SUV and took a turn at a slower speed and almost rolled the SUV. Now that's unsafe. As Clint E. said, "a man has to know his limits". The 996 pushes mine.
03-13-2012, 04:28 PM
#44
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For street driving, the Porsche is very stable as long as you stay within its performance envelope. And the envelope is huge. Within that envelope, it will go where you tell it to go and do what you tell it to do with amazing precision.
On the track or AutoX the rear bias will occasionally make itself known, but you really have to work it. Like others have said, an AutoX is the best way to find out. Under those conditions, you can try all of the situations: trail braking, early throttle-on, the dreaded trailing throttle oversteer, etc. I tried them all and haven't spun the 911 even once. By contrast, I spun my old BMW M-roadster a few times. It was a tail-happy little beast.
On the track or AutoX the rear bias will occasionally make itself known, but you really have to work it. Like others have said, an AutoX is the best way to find out. Under those conditions, you can try all of the situations: trail braking, early throttle-on, the dreaded trailing throttle oversteer, etc. I tried them all and haven't spun the 911 even once. By contrast, I spun my old BMW M-roadster a few times. It was a tail-happy little beast.
03-13-2012, 06:02 PM
#45
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