OT: drove an '07 911 Turbo this morning. Surprising impression.
08-16-2007, 01:18 PM
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OT: drove an '07 911 Turbo this morning. Surprising impression.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/07911t.jpg">
I usually try to avoid this sort of thing (driving a 430 once reduced me to tears of desire), but I was generously invited, so off we went. After twelve miles of on-ramps, open four lane road, and some very nice, empty country twisties with 1/4 mile straights between, I parked it, got out, and said to myself, "Eh."
Call me a crackhead (go ahead, it's free), but I had the distinct impression that my little 280 hp / 1900 lb. Flyin' Miata was faster from 0-100. I don't have timing figures for the Miata, and maybe it's just the ***-six-inches-from-the-road shifter kart stance of the car that lends that impression, but I was underwhelmed by the acceleration in the Porsche. Strong, but by no means scary. For $142K, I think you ought to have to wear a diaper every time you fire it up. And my first thought in the first hard corner was, "This car would have to go straight to Ruf or Techart or Sportec for a new suspension". Significant perceptible body roll in a 911T? Who'd a thunk it?
The little red car is certainly a lot more fun to drive (I sold it to a friend and still get to drive it from time to time). The Miata is beautifully set up in every way, and you can control it in a corner with your right foot like no other car I ever owned. The 911T is no slouch, but it's pretty creepy when the stability managemement system takes over in the middle of a fast corner -- you think you're about to settle into a nice controllable drift, and all of a sudden the computer starts inducing these freaky little corrections. The car stays on course, but it feels like the Wizard of Oz is driving it from behind the curtain instead of you. You could turn that off, yeah, but sliding off into the oaks in a six-figure car will probably make you lie in bed staring at the ceiling for months.
All in all, a comforting reaffirmation of the 95% rule. A $5K used Miata with $15K in engine, suspension, and brake parts is at least as fun as the bad boy from Deutschland-- certainly 95% as fun, and maybe 125% as fun. And you don't get the laser eyes from the constables, nor have to listen to all the jokes (personal favorite: What's the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine? With a porcupine, all the ****** are on the outside.)
Don't try telling the rest of the world, but maybe money ain't everything.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/miataengine.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/miataaftquarter.jpg">
I usually try to avoid this sort of thing (driving a 430 once reduced me to tears of desire), but I was generously invited, so off we went. After twelve miles of on-ramps, open four lane road, and some very nice, empty country twisties with 1/4 mile straights between, I parked it, got out, and said to myself, "Eh."
Call me a crackhead (go ahead, it's free), but I had the distinct impression that my little 280 hp / 1900 lb. Flyin' Miata was faster from 0-100. I don't have timing figures for the Miata, and maybe it's just the ***-six-inches-from-the-road shifter kart stance of the car that lends that impression, but I was underwhelmed by the acceleration in the Porsche. Strong, but by no means scary. For $142K, I think you ought to have to wear a diaper every time you fire it up. And my first thought in the first hard corner was, "This car would have to go straight to Ruf or Techart or Sportec for a new suspension". Significant perceptible body roll in a 911T? Who'd a thunk it?
The little red car is certainly a lot more fun to drive (I sold it to a friend and still get to drive it from time to time). The Miata is beautifully set up in every way, and you can control it in a corner with your right foot like no other car I ever owned. The 911T is no slouch, but it's pretty creepy when the stability managemement system takes over in the middle of a fast corner -- you think you're about to settle into a nice controllable drift, and all of a sudden the computer starts inducing these freaky little corrections. The car stays on course, but it feels like the Wizard of Oz is driving it from behind the curtain instead of you. You could turn that off, yeah, but sliding off into the oaks in a six-figure car will probably make you lie in bed staring at the ceiling for months.
All in all, a comforting reaffirmation of the 95% rule. A $5K used Miata with $15K in engine, suspension, and brake parts is at least as fun as the bad boy from Deutschland-- certainly 95% as fun, and maybe 125% as fun. And you don't get the laser eyes from the constables, nor have to listen to all the jokes (personal favorite: What's the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine? With a porcupine, all the ****** are on the outside.)
Don't try telling the rest of the world, but maybe money ain't everything.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/miataengine.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/miataaftquarter.jpg">
08-16-2007, 03:34 PM
#3
You know....I've been giving this whole 911 notion a lot of thought...probably more than one should
dwell on a material object....its not like asking someone to marry you or anything! Anyhoo...I'm thinking a motorcycle is a fair compromise for myself. I've always wanted one. I ride all of my friends bikes when I get a chance. I think a nice 07 CBR600 should let me off easily...financially. I can do some little things to the Bimmer (suspension, exhaust,M-sport bumpers, maybe a turbo kit in a few years. The inline 6 takes turbos nicely!)
Plus I'm gonna treat myself to some vacations and go to Munich this Sept - Oct I think and drink my face off! And visit a friend of mine who *tears* works for BMW Advanced Concept Design Center.....the lil bastid only works on concept cars! And he's seen the cool future models too! What a lucky...anyways. Well, there will always be a 911 in the future...maybe not just this year...maybe in 2 years!
Plus I'm gonna treat myself to some vacations and go to Munich this Sept - Oct I think and drink my face off! And visit a friend of mine who *tears* works for BMW Advanced Concept Design Center.....the lil bastid only works on concept cars! And he's seen the cool future models too! What a lucky...anyways. Well, there will always be a 911 in the future...maybe not just this year...maybe in 2 years!
08-16-2007, 04:14 PM
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drifter, that porsche post wasn't aimed at you, so you know. I just happened to drive it!
But I like your vacations idea. As a geezer in the making, I have some nice memories. Loads more of them have to do with laughing with my friends, daughter, and sweetheart during a midnight dinner on the street in Spain than they do with a car.
Good luck, either way. May you get the cars, the girls -- <i>all</i> the good experiences and memories.
Good luck, either way. May you get the cars, the girls -- <i>all</i> the good experiences and memories.
08-16-2007, 05:10 PM
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The problem with 911's is their basic design.
In order to remain pure in their adherence to their historical design DNA, they stick with a fundamentally ridiculous architecture. Then all of their engineering work is essentially a giant work-around to correct the bad behaviour brought about by that flawed design.
If you had the opportunity to do a clean-sheet design of a brand new car, would anyone start with the engine BEHIND the rear wheels?
A friend of mine who's an automotive journalist recently had a new 911 Targa for a test. I sat in it, looked it over, looked under the hood, etc. and was totally underwhelmed. The interior looked so-so bordering on cheap. There was an obvious flaw in the leather work on the driver's seat. The engine compartment looked like something you'd expect to see in a Ford Focus. On the plus side, the engine / exhaust note was an absolute thing of beauty.
I'll give Porsche credit for one thing, though. They're the best of any company in any business I know of at creating a "cachet" that people will pay for. A 911 is at least $50,000 overpriced - and people fall all over themselves to pay it! That's why a company with their miniscule volume has recently been rumoured to be negotiating a purchase of the entire VW-Audi group.
If you had the opportunity to do a clean-sheet design of a brand new car, would anyone start with the engine BEHIND the rear wheels?
A friend of mine who's an automotive journalist recently had a new 911 Targa for a test. I sat in it, looked it over, looked under the hood, etc. and was totally underwhelmed. The interior looked so-so bordering on cheap. There was an obvious flaw in the leather work on the driver's seat. The engine compartment looked like something you'd expect to see in a Ford Focus. On the plus side, the engine / exhaust note was an absolute thing of beauty.
I'll give Porsche credit for one thing, though. They're the best of any company in any business I know of at creating a "cachet" that people will pay for. A 911 is at least $50,000 overpriced - and people fall all over themselves to pay it! That's why a company with their miniscule volume has recently been rumoured to be negotiating a purchase of the entire VW-Audi group.
08-16-2007, 06:13 PM
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For all their design faults, there's no other brand in this performance
category that can provide the combination of pure ride & steering dynamics, the functionality of a daily driver, and a weekend racer all in one package. <b> That's </b> what you pay for, surely at a high premium.
08-16-2007, 06:38 PM
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the 911 is less likely to kill you
Though the CBR600 is probably even more likely to kill one of your friends. At least, in terms of "risk / mile", just about one of the most dangerous things you can do is borrow a buddy's bike and redline three gears.
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08-16-2007, 08:07 PM
#10
That's why I don't let friends ride my bike- I want them to be around a while.......
Most people who hop on an unfamiliar motorcycle (especially a high performance one) are taking a really big risk. Not having experience on a particular bike and riding it hard right out of the gate is a sure recipe for disaster. There are certainly exceptions to this rule, but I'm not friends with many Moto GP riders. Um, none actually.