Road Trip
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 76
Originally Posted by USCHANDPOD
You know I never had any concern about puncture in any of my cars. I never gave any thought to driving my 745i or Range Rover. Perhaps because they had spare tires. I only thought of it because the puncture rate in the 997 seems disproportional to any other vehicle (based on information I have seen here).
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Well just got my second flat in 3 months. Nail each time. Thankfully the tire/wheel insurance covers it.
The chances are very low you'll get a flat but then again crap happens anytime. I would wager that nails happen more in urban environments more than highway roads. It's just that the tires blow out on the highway.
The chances are very low you'll get a flat but then again crap happens anytime. I would wager that nails happen more in urban environments more than highway roads. It's just that the tires blow out on the highway.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
For what it's worth I just made a trip from Dallas to LV, no tire problems. I did have some concerns with all the highway construction in New Mexico but everything turned out ok. The only P-car problem I had was PASM threw a fault, reverted to normal mode, and wouldn't let me go back into sport mode without restarting the car. When I got to the dealer we discovered that the suspension had bottomed out over a bump. Further investigation showed that I only had 3/8 of an inch of shock travel available since the H&R spring install, even with the bump stops "trimmed" as H&R instructed. They have since been removed and are for sale.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,274
Likes: 1
From: in a happy place
Originally Posted by Dariof
I live in Vegas and in South Orange County (Like Ben).
I make this trip ALL the time. I do it in my F-250 Diesel, but it also has tires subject to puncture. Never happened once in the last 6 years of making the trip.
I have also made several trips my SC430, the vehicle the Porsche will replace. Never a flat there either.
I plan on making the trip with my Carrera S as well, that is after I drive it home from the dealership in Cleveland.
Enjoy your trip and have fun.
As someone said, be sure and have plenty of water with you. You are going through the desert, and even at night, it is hot.
I always make the trip during the day and never on weekends. Very little traffic Monday-Thursday day. From So. NV to So. CA in about 3:30.
I make this trip ALL the time. I do it in my F-250 Diesel, but it also has tires subject to puncture. Never happened once in the last 6 years of making the trip.
I have also made several trips my SC430, the vehicle the Porsche will replace. Never a flat there either.
I plan on making the trip with my Carrera S as well, that is after I drive it home from the dealership in Cleveland.
Enjoy your trip and have fun.
As someone said, be sure and have plenty of water with you. You are going through the desert, and even at night, it is hot.
I always make the trip during the day and never on weekends. Very little traffic Monday-Thursday day. From So. NV to So. CA in about 3:30.
Which brings up a second point. Does anyone make good street/track run-flats?
The Penguin King
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,841
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From: Houston
I was sufficiently concerned about the lack of a spare and the efficacy of the tire goo, that I bought a 996 spare. I found it on eBay. Not just the tire, but the entire flat tire kit. Brand new with jack, lug wrench,... for $275. It fits in the front, with the air out of the tire, sitting at a bit of a slant. There is still room up there for a bit of stuff, and two carry-on's can fit in the back "seats". That's how I would make the trip. Regardless, with or without the spare, I would drive. That's what I bought the car for after all!
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by mglobe
I was sufficiently concerned about the lack of a spare and the efficacy of the tire goo, that I bought a 996 spare. I found it on eBay. Not just the tire, but the entire flat tire kit. Brand new with jack, lug wrench,... for $275. It fits in the front, with the air out of the tire, sitting at a bit of a slant. There is still room up there for a bit of stuff, and two carry-on's can fit in the back "seats". That's how I would make the trip. Regardless, with or without the spare, I would drive. That's what I bought the car for after all!
where would you put the flat?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Las Vegas & So. CA
Originally Posted by allegretto
The SC-430 I owned (briefly) had run-flats. I thought they were standard.
Which brings up a second point. Does anyone make good street/track run-flats?
Which brings up a second point. Does anyone make good street/track run-flats?
The Penguin King
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,841
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by THPorsche
where would you put the flat?
Mike
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 63
From: Las Vegas
Just make the drive. I live in Vegas and everytime I go somewhere it's a roadtrip across the desert. No big deal. Take you cell phone and enjoy the drive. You have a greater chance of getting a flat and rear ended on the 405 in LA. I bet no one thinks twice about driving there without a spare.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Holli82
I bet no one thinks twice about driving there without a spare.
Track Day
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by USCHANDPOD
Every summer I make a road trip to Vegas from the San Fernando Valley. I take the desert roads up highway 14 to mojave and Highways 58 and 15. I usually leave in the evening when it is cooler and no traffic. That puts me in BFE around 11pm. This is my first porsche and I am chomping at the bit to take her on my annual summer pilgrimage. Here is my concern. Lets say I blow a tire near BFE (for those who don't know this terminology BFE is Butt F*ck Egypt) does that mean I am on the side of the road (with my wife) in the dark waiting for some desert guy to tow me to a station until morning. Then what are the chances of me getting a legitimate replacement (in a reasonable time) outside of L.A. and Las Vegas. I just don't want my vacation to be spent at the mojave motel six instead of the Vegas Four Seasons. But I really want to haul 997 *** across the desert. Any input would be appreciated.One other thing since we are bringing our luggage for 5 days worth of travel I cannot throw a spare anywhere in the car.
Thanks
Thanks
Track Day
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by TLMTLM
Go out the Mojave Wilderness Area. I just did with a military Ex-F4 friend of mine. He broke a few laws when driving. The park Rangers did not appreciate. But the 996 Targa performed flawlessly.
1) Going 135 MPH is not sane. It is stupid.
2) Having military credentials is not a save-all. See above.
3) Mojave Wilderness Area is one of the coolest places on earth. Go there no matter what.
The Penguin King
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by MMD
Fits in back seat, it just barely slides past/behind front seats. 
So... I can confirm that you CAN fit a 265/40/18 into the rear seat of a 997 coupe.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,885
Likes: 286
From: TEXAS
I think the whole idea of getting a 996 spare for my 997s is getting more appealing every trip I take. I've had a flat in my 996 and took for granted what we now sweat about with our 997's--no spare. Yeah, they saved some weight and some room, but I'd rather have the spare. This has been covered before--sorry to beat a dead horse.