first 3 weeks with a 997
Discussion
Well, from being a Porsche virgin, I've now completed a full 3 weeks of living with one, which may or may not be useful for anyone else considering buying their first Porsche.
Basically get one. Even if you can't quite afford one. Sounds corny but the car is an ABSOLUTE pleasure to be in, to drive, to look at. Just getting in, starting it up, and reversing out of the drive is a pleasure in itself, like the introduction to a special event.
Anyway. Once the initial thrill of actually collecting the car, plus leather iphone case, coffee mugs, framed photo of me standing by the car shaking the managers hand etc had subsided, we get to the real world.
Despite having a modified Golf GTI there is a world of difference between that and a 911. I'm a wider frame sort of chap, so the seats can feel a little uncomforatble, but this seems to subside after a while for some reason. The steering is much more sensitive than a Golf and the dynamic power steering feels odd until you realise what it's doing - stiffer at high speed, easy at low speed - it can feel a bit disconcerting, as though the car is losing grip somehow (it isn't by any means), but you do get used to this quite quickly.
It absolutely loves drinking fuel, a 'fuelaholic' as you could say.
The handling is like being on the 'wild mouse' rollercoaster, there is so much grip.
Although using 'sport mode' might seem appealing, on most roads i've been on it's more like 'shake your fillings out' mode.
One thing that you do get in a 911 that I've not had in any other car before is attention.
This can be mild and satisfying like the person next to you at the lights winding his window down to hear the engine, or the bloke looking at the car when he should be helping his wife load the shopping into the boot, to boy racers driving right up your 4r5e (but never overtaking stragely). The temptation is so strong to just boot it when this happens, but unlike an older man's sense of self preservation these young kids will risk life and limb to keep up with you. Just ignor them and let them go.
Only had one problem in that 'Python' couldn't communicate with the tracking device, which unfortunately didn't respond to a reset. Warranty repair at a dealers in Leeds who had the car for 3 days and didn't bother putting any of the trim back properly. There's still a screw in the bonnet compartment that goes somewhere. Other than that though the service was excellent.
Also had a small niggle in that the cluth pedal catches on the floor mat, but according to Wilmslow this is 'normal'. Just re-seat the mat on the Velcro.
That's about it!
Taking it out this evening, and I'm smiling already thinking about it! :-)
Basically get one. Even if you can't quite afford one. Sounds corny but the car is an ABSOLUTE pleasure to be in, to drive, to look at. Just getting in, starting it up, and reversing out of the drive is a pleasure in itself, like the introduction to a special event.
Anyway. Once the initial thrill of actually collecting the car, plus leather iphone case, coffee mugs, framed photo of me standing by the car shaking the managers hand etc had subsided, we get to the real world.
Despite having a modified Golf GTI there is a world of difference between that and a 911. I'm a wider frame sort of chap, so the seats can feel a little uncomforatble, but this seems to subside after a while for some reason. The steering is much more sensitive than a Golf and the dynamic power steering feels odd until you realise what it's doing - stiffer at high speed, easy at low speed - it can feel a bit disconcerting, as though the car is losing grip somehow (it isn't by any means), but you do get used to this quite quickly.
It absolutely loves drinking fuel, a 'fuelaholic' as you could say.
The handling is like being on the 'wild mouse' rollercoaster, there is so much grip.
Although using 'sport mode' might seem appealing, on most roads i've been on it's more like 'shake your fillings out' mode.
One thing that you do get in a 911 that I've not had in any other car before is attention.
This can be mild and satisfying like the person next to you at the lights winding his window down to hear the engine, or the bloke looking at the car when he should be helping his wife load the shopping into the boot, to boy racers driving right up your 4r5e (but never overtaking stragely). The temptation is so strong to just boot it when this happens, but unlike an older man's sense of self preservation these young kids will risk life and limb to keep up with you. Just ignor them and let them go.
Only had one problem in that 'Python' couldn't communicate with the tracking device, which unfortunately didn't respond to a reset. Warranty repair at a dealers in Leeds who had the car for 3 days and didn't bother putting any of the trim back properly. There's still a screw in the bonnet compartment that goes somewhere. Other than that though the service was excellent.
Also had a small niggle in that the cluth pedal catches on the floor mat, but according to Wilmslow this is 'normal'. Just re-seat the mat on the Velcro.
That's about it!
Taking it out this evening, and I'm smiling already thinking about it! :-)
bryan35 said:
Well, from being a Porsche virgin, I've now completed a full 3 weeks of living with one, which may or may not be useful for anyone else considering buying their first Porsche.
Basically get one. Even if you can't quite afford one. Sounds corny but the car is an ABSOLUTE pleasure to be in, to drive, to look at. Just getting in, starting it up, and reversing out of the drive is a pleasure in itself, like the introduction to a special event.
Anyway. Once the initial thrill of actually collecting the car, plus leather iphone case, coffee mugs, framed photo of me standing by the car shaking the managers hand etc had subsided, we get to the real world.
Despite having a modified Golf GTI there is a world of difference between that and a 911. I'm a wider frame sort of chap, so the seats can feel a little uncomforatble, but this seems to subside after a while for some reason. The steering is much more sensitive than a Golf and the dynamic power steering feels odd until you realise what it's doing - stiffer at high speed, easy at low speed - it can feel a bit disconcerting, as though the car is losing grip somehow (it isn't by any means), but you do get used to this quite quickly.
It absolutely loves drinking fuel, a 'fuelaholic' as you could say.
The handling is like being on the 'wild mouse' rollercoaster, there is so much grip.
Although using 'sport mode' might seem appealing, on most roads i've been on it's more like 'shake your fillings out' mode.
One thing that you do get in a 911 that I've not had in any other car before is attention.
This can be mild and satisfying like the person next to you at the lights winding his window down to hear the engine, or the bloke looking at the car when he should be helping his wife load the shopping into the boot, to boy racers driving right up your 4r5e (but never overtaking stragely). The temptation is so strong to just boot it when this happens, but unlike an older man's sense of self preservation these young kids will risk life and limb to keep up with you. Just ignor them and let them go.
Only had one problem in that 'Python' couldn't communicate with the tracking device, which unfortunately didn't respond to a reset. Warranty repair at a dealers in Leeds who had the car for 3 days and didn't bother putting any of the trim back properly. There's still a screw in the bonnet compartment that goes somewhere. Other than that though the service was excellent.
Also had a small niggle in that the cluth pedal catches on the floor mat, but according to Wilmslow this is 'normal'. Just re-seat the mat on the Velcro.
That's about it!
Taking it out this evening, and I'm smiling already thinking about it! :-)
Good stuff.Basically get one. Even if you can't quite afford one. Sounds corny but the car is an ABSOLUTE pleasure to be in, to drive, to look at. Just getting in, starting it up, and reversing out of the drive is a pleasure in itself, like the introduction to a special event.
Anyway. Once the initial thrill of actually collecting the car, plus leather iphone case, coffee mugs, framed photo of me standing by the car shaking the managers hand etc had subsided, we get to the real world.
Despite having a modified Golf GTI there is a world of difference between that and a 911. I'm a wider frame sort of chap, so the seats can feel a little uncomforatble, but this seems to subside after a while for some reason. The steering is much more sensitive than a Golf and the dynamic power steering feels odd until you realise what it's doing - stiffer at high speed, easy at low speed - it can feel a bit disconcerting, as though the car is losing grip somehow (it isn't by any means), but you do get used to this quite quickly.
It absolutely loves drinking fuel, a 'fuelaholic' as you could say.
The handling is like being on the 'wild mouse' rollercoaster, there is so much grip.
Although using 'sport mode' might seem appealing, on most roads i've been on it's more like 'shake your fillings out' mode.
One thing that you do get in a 911 that I've not had in any other car before is attention.
This can be mild and satisfying like the person next to you at the lights winding his window down to hear the engine, or the bloke looking at the car when he should be helping his wife load the shopping into the boot, to boy racers driving right up your 4r5e (but never overtaking stragely). The temptation is so strong to just boot it when this happens, but unlike an older man's sense of self preservation these young kids will risk life and limb to keep up with you. Just ignor them and let them go.
Only had one problem in that 'Python' couldn't communicate with the tracking device, which unfortunately didn't respond to a reset. Warranty repair at a dealers in Leeds who had the car for 3 days and didn't bother putting any of the trim back properly. There's still a screw in the bonnet compartment that goes somewhere. Other than that though the service was excellent.
Also had a small niggle in that the cluth pedal catches on the floor mat, but according to Wilmslow this is 'normal'. Just re-seat the mat on the Velcro.
That's about it!
Taking it out this evening, and I'm smiling already thinking about it! :-)
911 ownership is pretty special.
Enjoy!
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