Jastx

Wow, great photo Edgy!

ICUP

The pass is really just a road tax (I think I paid about 40 or 50 CHF when I was there a couple of years ago). You are forced to pay for the entire yearly tax even if you are there for just a couple of days. Also I found that Switzerland is by no means one of the more car friendly countries, so as picturesque as it might be to drive there always make sure that you check the speed limits – felt like there were speed cameras everywhere and speeding tickets seem to have a funny way to find their way home even back to the US.

Macster

Second that advice re checking speed. Co-worker and I were there a week in Zurich on business, north of it a bit in Opfikon IIRC, with some time spent out at the Paul Scherrer Institute, and a day trip to Bern.

Speed camera warning signs everywhere: city streets, highways. Co-worker got "snapped" on city street. We both caught the flash. About a month after we got back he got a bill from the rental car company for the cost of providing the citation issuing agency his name/address and then shortly after this the citation arrived.

He was not speeding excessively. The fine print at the english language site he visited for instructions on how to handle the citation indicated a citation could be issued for as little as 3kph over the posted limit.

Despite the citation I loved Switzerland. The country and the people were just fantastic. If I had the financial means to live where I wanted I think I'd spend part of a year living there. Very nice country. Felt right at home even though I don't speak any of the languages common in that area, save english.

Sincerely,

Macster.

tetzlafh

Not sure if you have ever seen this thread but very comprehensive info:

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-...n-germany.html

prg

Thank you. I hadn't seen that one.

TheKane

I've spent many years living/Driving/riding in Europe, so I support all that has been mentioned previously. I'm taking Euro Delivery of a Spyder in late June. I've planned my trip, so I thought I'd share some items of note:

Check the Ring tourist drive days before making the trip up to the Nordschleife. It would suck if it were closed for a private event or a race. Also watch out if it's a UK holiday, you'll get a ton of motorcyclists (I am one, but their accidents close the Ring often, which is very frustrating).

Passes to Drive:
San Bernadino Pass - Switzerland
Bormeo to Stelvio (the stelvio pass) - Italy
Klausen Pass - Switzerland
Susten Pass - Switzerland
Furka Pass - Switzerland
Julier Pass - Switzerland

Check out Porsche's site for great drives. You don't need to join their trips, but they have the routs mapped out that you can use as inspiration:
Castle tour:
http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsand...eekendcastles/

Lake Constance (south of Stuttgart):
http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsand...ekendbodensee/

Bavaria (south east of Stuttgart):
http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsand...eekendbavaria/

Porsche Tour of Bavaria/the Black Forest/Heidelberg
http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsand...a-blackforest/

Porsche Tour Alpine Passes of Central Switzerland:
http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsand...nepassesswiss/

Porsche Alpine Tour of St. Moritz/Bavaria
http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsand...oritz-bavaria/

Some other resources:
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/
http://www.alpineroads.com/

Definitely hit Lake Como (IT) and if you can hit the Neuschwanstein Castle and the Tirol in Austria, you should have an excellent trip.

prg

Thank you

Frank 993 C4S

Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience. You are getting excellent advice from the posters above



https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=13146

Edgy01

Not quite true. The pass is only if you are going to use the Swiss autobahns. If you stay off their autobahns you are fine without a pass.

Just remember, Europe, while smaller than the USA, is more congested. 9 days is really very little time over there. (Neighbors of mine who are ex-Germans convinced me to stay over there longer because of the long flights to and from there; might as well make it worthwhile). I stayed for nearly 4 weeks. Logged about 3200 miles. You might even want to haul a couple of extra quarts of oil with you. (A liter of Mobil 1 0W-40 in Germany will set you back about $30).

France hits you up (as does Italy) to drive on their autobahns. The best deal going for autobahn travels is Germany. They don't hit you up for a toll like France and Italy. (I think Italy is the worst--I merely kept my M/C card out because they came so often). Also, be prepared to shell out about $100 every time you stop for gas. Just chalk it up to a part of your 'vacation' expenses.

While there, Porsche AG will loan you the Euro Navigational database to use while over there. The USA stuff will be loaded once the car is returned to the USA. It's very handy. I actually used Google Earth prior to my trip to highlight places I wanted to go (that might not have a specific address) and took that Lat/Long from Google Earth to plug into the Porsche Nav system.

Run a hard copy of the manual for yourself and read it on the plane going over.

How's your foreign language skills? In Germany English is still compulsory in the schools so you're fairly safe, but in France and Italy, good luck with the locals. Make sure you can speak French or Italian if you spend time in those regions.

Use caution on the French autobahns. Their speed limits are strict and enforced. Only in Germany will you find the unlimited areas, but if you exercise that option know that the fuel will be sucked down at an incredible rate (ask me how I know!)

texas911

Hey Edgy is there a way to ask the factory not to drill holes for the front plate? Or is it mandatory?

Edgy01

I don't think you get the option. Euro rules are VERY tight. (I replaced my front bumper in the USA a couple months later and got rid of the holes).

The ONLY thing you might be able to do is to have a decal manufactured--if you can get the registration/tag number ahead of time--but that is VERY doubtful.

Best of luck--despite that, it's a great time!

prg

Just got back. Terrific experience. I was supposed to rain on the day I'd planned to go to the ring so I bagged that. Had a great time driving the Autobahn. Got a chance to truly appreciate the turbo in the environment is was designed for. If anybody is on the fence regarding this, I can assure you that you won't regret it. Several posters have described it as a once in a lifetime experience. I plan to repeat it every time I buy a new turbo.

I found this guide very helpful to learning the rules of the german road. Not everything is intuitive for the American driver.
http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/regeln.shtml

As an aside, it's truly amazing how large a trailer the German's will pull behind a 4 cylinder diesel skoda.

jason952

pics!