911 Turbo
3.6 Turbo 965
bought by Autocar at the end of the last century. Sometimes it worked properly, but mostly it didn’t. This behaviour perpetuated up until the point that a previous director of the parent company tore the sump off it, whereupon it was repaired and sold. We all loved it, despite the indiscretions.
3.6-litre 964 was a brutal introduction
But it wasn’t actually very good to drive. In fact it was one of the worst 911s I’ve ever driven, but at the same time its faults made it such a challenge you couldn’t help but enjoy wrestling with the great understeering banana.
I seem to remember driving in convoy with Steve Sutcliffe to Stansted airport – he was in the 965 – heading to Germany for Autocar’s first test in the new 996 Turbo. The 996 blew our minds, and a 360 Modena, and on our return the 965 parped itself on the M11 at about 1am. One of the turbos was glowing so hot it looked like the car had under-floor neons.
The 996 Turbo remains the stand-out version of the force-fed 911 for me. It had a huge impact on what we now expect from usable performance cars, and as a package in many ways it’s a more enjoyable car to drive than the 997 version. The steering is especially superb, the four-wheel drive system always seems to make the car feel rear-wheel drive until some front-drive is absolutely necessary. The GT3 badge has now passed into legend, but it’s worth remembering that back in 2000 the 996 Turbo was a much more impressive car than the first GT3. With the later X50 pack fitted it was, and still is an absolute weapon.
930 huge fun when you're in the mood
earlier 930 cars
are a blast, but just too turbocharged for me. I drove one a few weeks back and on a damp road it was sometimes alarming – but again that is part of the appeal of a Turbo. You don’t just climb aboard and pin the right pedal, you have to plan your throttle applications seconds in advance, and once you find a rhythm with the car and road there is much satisfaction to be had. But sometimes you just step out happy that you didn’t wind up in a ditch.
In many ways the 993 Turbo is the car of the moment – values have been creeping up for a while and it does tick all the boxes for a potential investment. By 996 standards, the 993 was delivered in tiny quantities, it is to some eyes prettier, more compact and of course the engine compartment contains no water. The reason I have never quite understood the price premium of the 993 series cars is that I much prefer the way the 996 drives: the gearshift is better, the handling and performance are far more accessible and the driving position is much more adjustable. Boring, but true.
Civilised and accomplished but is it the best?
I ran a 996 Turbo back in 2006, it was everything I’d hoped it would be. It replaced a 996 GT2 and despite having none of the cool factor and not being as ludicrous in a straight line, it was a much better road car: faster in most circumstances too. I can remember asking myself several times what should replace it, but there was nothing else that could cover all those bases. In some ways there still isn’t.