dwhitlow

I was just thinking about this over the weekend. Has anyone here ever gotten near or to the published top speed of 174mph in their 996 C2? Just curious what the car is like at that speed, especially the bone-stock ones.

No real reason to ask. I'm not looking to go out and try it any time soon. I haven't even tracked or autocrossed my car yet, and I'm not sure I have the tire setup I'd want to try a top speed run with, even in a long straight line.

Just some Monday morning boredom and wanted to see what people have experienced at speeds higher than the low-triple-digits I'm guessing most of us have done at some point.

5CHN3LL

Not me. I topped out at 150-151 (GPS) - I wasn't willing to try to catch sixth @ that speed.

The 996 had more in the tank, but close to redline in fifth was as fast as I needed to go and as hard as I wanted to flog a 16-year-old engine with mostly stock hoses. That run was fun but cost me a water pump.

5CHN3LL

Took a photo with my phone - had to switch from GPS app to camera @ > 150 with one hand...that was tricky.

5CHN3LL

(waits for people to freak out...)

Kalashnikov

135mph feels comfortable, higher speeds bring up the nervousness. Highest I've hit was 170mph on the digital speedo in 2002 C2 tip. Car felt nervous and I didn't feel comfortable trying to see if I can go faster, I attribute that to the light weight and aerodynamics.

Edit: my boss has a modified S63 AMG. He hits 180mph on it with frequency all around Phoenix metro. His car feels stable like a locomotive at that speed, it is surreal.

996pp

I have hit 155mph on the I15 going to Vegas. I would have probably kept going if my radar had not chirped. The fastest I have gone was 181mph on my GSXR750, now that was scary.

Rubik

Driving and texting is not thrilling enough for you. You have to take pictures while going over 150.

RickMiller

Freaked!

I took a shot at 65 when it crossed 30k miles and the wife almost shot me

R

5CHN3LL

I was also drinking a venti mocha frappuccino. Thankfully, I have big hands, so I was able to hold the Starbuck's cup with my wheel hand.

alpine003

Wuss, you mean you didn't steer with your knees while holding a sandwich with the Venti?

5CHN3LL

Did I mention I have a prosthetic arm?

5CHN3LL

I'm pretty uncomfortable at anything over 130. No matter how good your brakes are, you get some vibration at that speed if you need to bleed speed off in a hurry. 130ish is about the speed at which it becomes hard for me to identify individual objects on the side of the road, and that visual change is what makes me reluctant to go ludicrously fast on a regular basis...

targa996

Only got mine to 140 ... Even at laguna seca the front straight is no long enough to get much past 115 ...heck I've driven the Opel rental car in Germany at higher speeds than this ...

5CHN3LL

I drove a Ford diesel transit van on the Autobahn at speeds faster than this as well - but that doesn't necessarily mean it was a great idea or especially safe...

I _always_ follow safe driving best-practices.

On a COMPLETELY different topic - our Murano will not let you set the cruise control for any speed faster than 89MPH. That's freaking annoying when you're trying to get through some of the bleakest areas of AZ and NV.

Gonzo911

5CHN3LL, from you pic, that's actually closer to 160mph.

Allegedly, I got my 996 up to 145 heading to Palm Springs. Wife was with me and was just surfing on her iPad and she looks up, looks over at the speedometer, then looks as me and all she says is, "Really?". Then goes back on here iPad.

I got my 997 to 156mph on a very slightly used, new freeway just north of here (Kalish knows the 303 west of I-17 I'm sure).

Like you guys, its a rush, but going any faster than that is not a risk worth taking IMHO.

However...there is a 14 mile stretch out of Scottsdale that takes you out to Bartlett Lake. Useless in the Summer with all the pickups hauling boats, but in the winter there is not a soul out there. Not a place to go to much over 100mph, but lots of hairpins and a few straightaways, and lets face it, that is where these cars are the most fun.

Stay safe all you Speed Racers.