Evolution

I love a lot of things in life, ranging vastly from philosophical to material. I try to ground my perceptions in the larger anthropological picture that stems back to the age-old question we asked when we were 4, what is the meaning of life? My immense connection with cars, while outwardly seeming materialistic to bystanders, is a synthesis of several non-material things I love, things that compliment the meaning of life. There are humanitarian components of life that cars cannot and should not be prioritized over, but this is not about that, this is about cars. I've experienced many truly spectacular cars. And I love my 996 Turbo.

Sports cars are one of the few things that incorporate the limits of human expression. Rules and regulations restrict fully executing sports cars in their ideal image these days, but still, the result is art, engineering, passion, history, economics, and sensory experience. It's so distinctly human.

I bought my 996 Turbo coupe in April of this year. I'm no stranger to 996 Turbos, having experienced a cabriolet for over 60,000 miles. I'm also aware of an admittedly warped and somewhat desensitized lens through which I look at cars. I've been fortunate to have intimate experience with many truly magnificent cars, and the Turbo currently sits next to a few vaunted Ferrari V12 berlinettas. Through my journey, I think I've self-actualized as a car enthusiast, and my satisfaction is the only thing that matters in fulfilling my insatiable obsession with cars - and in the grand scheme of cars, from the Model T to the 812 Superfast, nothing checks the box like my Turbo.

Every weekday morning, it's waiting to be started up, and I'm excited to get in and drive to work.
Every weekday afternoon it's waiting to be started up, and I'm excited to leave my office and drive to the gym.
Every weekend it's waiting to be cleaned up and run around the back roads.
Every time I walk up to it, it's historic 911 essence glows.
Every time I lean into the throttle and the Mezger goes to work, I'm impressed.
Every time I realize it's a real car, and not a computer, I'm proud.
Every time I inspect a wrinkle in the seat or an imperfection, it's simply storied patina that the car wears proudly (despite my maniacal detailing disposition).
Every time I wonder if it's becoming mundane, I remember that daily driving a car that does all the above is truly something special and I'm energized.

The intersection of visceral feel, usable power, numbing reliability, modern mechanical engineering and technology, sculpted curves, and epic performance - finished with perfect ergonomics devoid of non-essentials and wrapped in a venerable historic pedigree is a space few cars can exist. And that space, I consider timeless.

The 996 Turbo - a water cooled, contentiously head-lighted, somewhat sizable 911, is, in my eyes, a perfect 911 that embraces everything from which the company developed it's namesake. The newer cars aren't analog enough. The older cars aren't usable enough. The 996 Turbo is the culmination of experience, which is sterilized as cars asymptotically approach the limits of performance and technology. There are always more important things, but life is short and being able to fully experience what an amazing 911 offers - every day - is an incredible thing. And for those reasons, I celebrate the 996 Turbo, and I love love love my car!

-Joe

Dock

Good post.

SeabrookPorsche

+1 well said.

Berra

Good post indeed!

pop.tremuloides

Great post!

BioBanker

Agree! I think you nailed it!

The newer cars are not analog enough and the older cars are not sufficiently usable.

Exception is maybe only the 997 which isn't too far off the mark. 996/997 seems to be the right balance, for me anyways.

But the new cars sure are capable!

Evolution

The 997 is definitely the other pea-in-the-pod with with the 996 in terms of what I'm considering the "sweet spot." That said, my preference in 997 is a good C4S over a Turbo from a driving engagement perspective.

Road King

Great post..makes me want one all over again!

mmcmilla

I have your same car, same color, bought new in Aug 2004, now with 108k miles. Still runs great and awesomely fun to drive. I was thinking of a new 991 Turbo, but not so sure now. Wonderful post.

peritus

Joe, that was such a quality write-up, and from deep within the soul. I can relate in so many ways, and I'm inspired to the degree that I might even put off my Saturday chores for a while to blast around my 996TTs.

z06801

I agree, should be printed in Excellence Magazine.

O.B.1

Awesome Post Sir !!

soundbehindyou

Ode? An Ode?? Sir, you are in love!

Road King

what's not to love?!? These are just great driving, great performing cars that are still underrated!

Yesterday, I met up with 3 other 996 Turbos at a very small local cars & coffee here in NorCal.

Afterwards, the Cabriolet and I gassed up on Sunoco 100 octane at my favorite station and then drove the Skyline through the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Fast roads, slow roads, bumpy roads, and narrow windy roads were no problem for our cars, esp. since we were both on stock suspensions that were able to soak up bumps.

So yes, I think most of us are in love with the car and the driving experience!

clsund1

Well said. Encapsulates exactly how I feel about my car as well. Rather than an Ode, I'd call this a Love ballad. haha