lockmk

Guys,

I'm new to the forum and could do with some advice. I recently took delivery of a beautiful new 997S and have accumulated about 1000 miles in it in OR and CA. It is my first P car since owning a 92 Carrera 4 and, aside from the obvious improvement in creature comforts and power, I have a nagging concern.
It is feeling like it 'moves around' a bit in curves, particularly under power, in a way I would not expect for a P car. My recollection of my 964 was that the steering was tight, heavy and very linear. This new one does not even feel as tight as the VW GTI I have been running around in for the last couple of years.
Have they softened the handling and loosened the steering up in an attempt to widen the appeal, does mine have something wrong with it, or am I simply imagining it? Tire pressures look fine and I'm sure the standard rubber is a well specified match to the car. Ideas? First hand experiences with a 2009 997S from any of you that support or refute this? Thanks.

LastMezger

I had a '91 C2 and I remember getting into a 997 and thinking the steering was broken because it was so light. Driving a 2009 997 (not an S) and I think it moves around a lot less than the 2005-2008. New front suspension kinematics. The AWD models feel more planted.

Did you test drive the car or one like it before buying it?

ADias

The 09 CS handles brilliantly. I do not understand your reference to a classic 911, which although a great car, is far less neutral.

mdrums

I have no where pushed my 09 S to even half it's limits but it feels planted as well as my 07 S did. The steering does seems more modern and refined, possibly less twitchy on the 09 than the last few Porsches I've had.

kauai_diver

Do you have sport mode? I notice a huge difference when I go to sport mode in the stiffness of the suspension.

Laertes

Funny you should bring this up. I just picked up my '09 C2S with a 6 speed and have already put 5200 miles on it (I drove it back from North Carolina to home in the Pacific Northwest. And I took the scenic route). On the way I took it on the Tail of the Dragon. I also, ummm, exercised it on the mountain roads over the Santa Cruz mountains in the bay area. And I think I noticed exactly what you describe. On tight corners there seems to be a quick feint of the rear end to the outside of the corner. It only lasts a fraction of a second, and is not accompanied by tire squeal or flashing of the PSM light. I don't think the car is actually sliding, but it feels a bit like it is. I wonder if this is similar to the shimmy the folks at Excellence noted on the early '05 997's, which I think was attributed to flaws in the design of the motor mounts.

As this is my first P-car, it's possible that this is a normal weight transfer related to the rear engine nature of this car, and I'm just not used to it (my last car was an '06 Audi S4, so obviously very different). However, I was a little surprised to feel it, as it is a bit disconcerting. I've only noticed it on high-g relatively low speed (2nd and 3rd gear) corners. I haven't noticed it on higher speed sweepers. I also haven't noticed whether it is related to transition from braking to power, (or, for that matter, power to braking-- though I think this is unlikely, as I'm careful to do most of my braking on the straight with no or minimal trail braking until I really get to know the car) which if so would support the theory that it's related to weight transfer. I guess I need to take it out and find some empty roads to investigate further. If only it would stop raining.....

Has anybody else with a 997.2 experienced anything similar, and if so, was this also present in the 997.1?

Laertes

FWIW, I do have the sport PASM with the lowered suspension and limited slip diff. I also am pretty sure it's happened both in sport and normal mode (I found I had forgotten to put it back in sport mode after pulling over to take a few pics while on the Dragon...).

OneManTX

I think I have noticed what you describe on my '08 997TT.

ADias

Not to sound paternalistic, but new 911 drivers should take a Porsche DE class. An all-in-the-rear design like the 911, even in its latest 997.2 version, is a different platform and that's what makes it fun for many of us.

Laertes

Totally agree. PCA membership is in place. Gotta wait for the spring, though....

Like I said, this may be a normal characteristic of these cars and my relative lack of experience just means I don't recognize it. I suspect it will take driving other folks cars or having them drive mine to be certain.

_Nathan

Two possible causes:
1) Some people have reported that brand new tires can exhibit "tire squirm" and that handling improves as tires wear down a bit. Your new 997S makes a lot more power than your old 964 which could make this effect more noticeable.
2) Or you may have an alignment problem.

Dave in Oregon

I think that the differing handling characteristics of your 964 C4 v.s. your C2 with rear drive is what you are experiencing. The all-wheel drive will have a more planted feeling and feel less of the rear pendulum effect.

Bob Rouleau

Could it be Traction Control or PSM intervention you feel? I drove a new C2S on a track and did not notice the behavior you describe.

Best,

1Carnut

One of the first things I did when I bought my 997S was to have the traction control system disabled for good. I think that letting to tail wag is one of the best parts of driving a Porsche. I've been driving them for 30 years, and I still smile from them.

cole328

One other obvious area to check....are all of your tire pressures accurate?