Should I Take the 996 on Upcoming Road Trip?
05-19-2013, 10:57 AM
#137
Instead of flying from Southern California to Ohio for a convention, I decided a road trip was needed to see what my 996 was like after spending 20+ years in a 911SC (375,000 miles—RIP).
Since the only state I hadn't been in was North Dakota, I decided to return home via the northern route.
It would have been cheaper to fly (air fare vs. nearly 200 gallons of gas), but isn't driving what it's all about? [sorry for the large image sizes]
Since the only state I hadn't been in was North Dakota, I decided to return home via the northern route.
It would have been cheaper to fly (air fare vs. nearly 200 gallons of gas), but isn't driving what it's all about? [sorry for the large image sizes]
05-19-2013, 11:19 AM
#138
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Appropriately, a boxster...
05-19-2013, 12:26 PM
#139
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How did your car not explode on that long of a trip? Inconceivable!
Job well done, that seems like a great trip, good for you for taking it and clipping ND along the way!
Job well done, that seems like a great trip, good for you for taking it and clipping ND along the way!
05-19-2013, 12:58 PM
#140
Rennlist Member
Well done, Cringely! Nicely documented. Thank you for sharing!
While my trip starting later this week is not quite as ambitious as yours, I will still rack up over 3,000 miles - driving from Jacksonville, Florida, to Cleveland, Ohio, spend a week with family and cruising the Emerald Necklace, a track day at Nelson Ledges Raceway, a return to Jax via Asheville, NC, to include a day at the Tail-of-the-Dragon, a drive to the tops of Mount Mitchell and Chimney Rock, some of the Blue Ridge Parkway and some of US 64.
My total preparation for this trip included checking the tire pressures yesterday, checking the oil level on the dipstick, and cleaning the windshield.
My 996 has 97,300+ miles. It will cross 100,000 miles at some point in the trip. Hopefully I will get some pictures. No need to change the oil since I did that last month prior to my DE weekend in Savannah, Georgia.
I make this trip almost every year ... in my 996 ... this one since 2004. My first three 996's also made that same trip. My 2nd and 3rd 996's each made a trip from Jax to Watkins Glen for 3-day DE's and then to Cleveland, and then Peoria, IL, before heading to the Tail on the way home. My current 996 has made MANY trips to Peoria/Cleveland/Asheville.
While my trip starting later this week is not quite as ambitious as yours, I will still rack up over 3,000 miles - driving from Jacksonville, Florida, to Cleveland, Ohio, spend a week with family and cruising the Emerald Necklace, a track day at Nelson Ledges Raceway, a return to Jax via Asheville, NC, to include a day at the Tail-of-the-Dragon, a drive to the tops of Mount Mitchell and Chimney Rock, some of the Blue Ridge Parkway and some of US 64.
My total preparation for this trip included checking the tire pressures yesterday, checking the oil level on the dipstick, and cleaning the windshield.
My 996 has 97,300+ miles. It will cross 100,000 miles at some point in the trip. Hopefully I will get some pictures. No need to change the oil since I did that last month prior to my DE weekend in Savannah, Georgia.
I make this trip almost every year ... in my 996 ... this one since 2004. My first three 996's also made that same trip. My 2nd and 3rd 996's each made a trip from Jax to Watkins Glen for 3-day DE's and then to Cleveland, and then Peoria, IL, before heading to the Tail on the way home. My current 996 has made MANY trips to Peoria/Cleveland/Asheville.
05-19-2013, 01:23 PM
#141
Nice road trips!
Im getting ready to go from Vancouver to Edmonton next month...1200 kms of twisty beauty in the Canadian Rockies. Really looking forward to the drive, especially starting north of Kamloops through Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse Pass. Ive never driven the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper but it looks spectacular.
Before then ill change the oil ...this weekend is part 2 of my detail...putting some protectant on the cab top and conditioning the seats.
Im getting ready to go from Vancouver to Edmonton next month...1200 kms of twisty beauty in the Canadian Rockies. Really looking forward to the drive, especially starting north of Kamloops through Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse Pass. Ive never driven the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper but it looks spectacular.
Before then ill change the oil ...this weekend is part 2 of my detail...putting some protectant on the cab top and conditioning the seats.
05-19-2013, 04:44 PM
#142
Just to be safe, I did take the 996 into Black Forest/San Diego for a pre-trip checkup and oil change. Checking the oil level after the trip, I'm guessing I only burned about 1/4 of a quart (2 bars down).
I also had a radar detector (Beltronics Pro200) and I was surprised how little it went off (except for around Chicago). Only got stopped once, but no ticket. Earlier though, the Van behind me (while I was slowing down in a construction zone & detector blaring) did get nailed by the NM state police.
What was nice about the trip was the ability to put the cruise control on (typically 5 above the posted limit) and admire the countryside as I cruised though the midwest and mountain states. Even off the interstates (mostly South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah), driving was relaxed.
I highly recommend a road trip, especially if you can avoid urban areas (Columbus, Chicago, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, LA, etc.)
05-19-2013, 10:15 PM
#144
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Most definitely. Am making the trek from Boulder, CO to Petoskey/Traverse City this summer - am planning to enjoy it thoroughly. An escort 9500xi radar detector helps 
05-29-2013, 08:58 PM
#147
Rennlist Member
Kudos to Porsche of Beachwood
After driving my 1999 996 coupe over 950 miles from my home in Jacksonville, FL to Cleveland, OH, plus a few days in very heavy rain and some muddy roads around here, I was looking for a place to get the car cleaned up before I attended my track day at Nelson Ledges Road Course, just outside of Cleveland.
From the hotel at which I am staying, it turned out that Porsche of Beachwood was just three blocks away. So I drove over there and asked the Service Department writers if they had any recommendations for a safe place to get my car washed that would not scratch the wheels or rip off my Taco spoiler with the brushes.
They thought for a minute, scratched their heads, smiled, and told me to drive the car into their service area for a FREE HAND CAR WASH! This despite the fact that I did not buy the car there, nor was I looking for any $ervice! WOW!
And in addition, while the car was being washed, they invited me to take a tour of their race shop and meet Kellen Miller, their chief engine mechanic! Kellen was truly gracious, and after pouring a quart of oil into a 2010 GT3 RS customer DE car, he walked me around the service garage and then into the engine room. In the engine room he just happened to have an M96 engine completely disassembled on the counters and he walked me through each of the main parts so I could actually see and touch all the things I have talked and read about on the 996 Forum for years. WOW!!!!!
THANK YOU, Porsche of Beachwood!!! What an awesome way to treat a complete stranger!!!
From the hotel at which I am staying, it turned out that Porsche of Beachwood was just three blocks away. So I drove over there and asked the Service Department writers if they had any recommendations for a safe place to get my car washed that would not scratch the wheels or rip off my Taco spoiler with the brushes.
They thought for a minute, scratched their heads, smiled, and told me to drive the car into their service area for a FREE HAND CAR WASH! This despite the fact that I did not buy the car there, nor was I looking for any $ervice! WOW!
And in addition, while the car was being washed, they invited me to take a tour of their race shop and meet Kellen Miller, their chief engine mechanic! Kellen was truly gracious, and after pouring a quart of oil into a 2010 GT3 RS customer DE car, he walked me around the service garage and then into the engine room. In the engine room he just happened to have an M96 engine completely disassembled on the counters and he walked me through each of the main parts so I could actually see and touch all the things I have talked and read about on the 996 Forum for years. WOW!!!!!
THANK YOU, Porsche of Beachwood!!! What an awesome way to treat a complete stranger!!!
05-29-2013, 10:02 PM
#149
Rennlist Member
I run Nelson Ledges on Friday. I signed up for the "Beginner" run group to take advantage of the classroom and an in-car instructor for the morning sessions, since I have never run here with the Porsche.
Sometime in the next couple days the odo will pass 99,000 miles.
Sometime in the next couple days the odo will pass 99,000 miles.