RE: Porsche 959 v 997 Turbo
Discussion
I can imagine it's heavy at the back, the specialist that serviced my 1989 3.2 coupé (the last pure 911 imho, no power steering, 16" Fuchs, no electronic gadgetry and silly automatic spoiler) also took care of TWO silver 959s (the only two here in Holland I believe) and often said the 959s were very similar... at lower rpm's 
The weight in the back and the lack of driving sensation (nothing much happening at higher rpm's here...) were the reason I sold the Porker though, I bought it because it had always been my bedroom poster car, but it was no match for the Elise I had before... You SHOULD try a Lotus, Flemke. Don't expect anything like the levels of brutal power you're used to, but if involvement is your thing, I think you WILL appreciate it!
Cheers, Ruben
The weight in the back and the lack of driving sensation (nothing much happening at higher rpm's here...) were the reason I sold the Porker though, I bought it because it had always been my bedroom poster car, but it was no match for the Elise I had before... You SHOULD try a Lotus, Flemke. Don't expect anything like the levels of brutal power you're used to, but if involvement is your thing, I think you WILL appreciate it! Cheers, Ruben
flemke said:
Ruxpin said:
A garage full of lotus's then....
There is definately still a place for the light weight underpowered lotus (i've only sampled the elise but i believe the older elan's follow the same principal)
Obviously i'm biased owning one but i'd say it would be well worth trying one. Would be good to hear what you think about them too.
My father is lucky enough to have a 1989 black 911 Turbo LE. Now that is an awesome car with awesome performance. He and some others think it’s the last of the True 911 Turbo's.
I'm not knocking new Turbo's as they are clearly very good and I would love to have one. The 959 is an iconic car and as they say a very advanced car for its years. The LE meanwhile is from the same generation but without the gadgets, it makes do with a 3.6, turbo, Race box and floor mounted ‘race’ clutch.
All I can say is that even today the LE has real soul, it could be described a little soft in the handling department but the experience is amazing, the Turbo is ferocious, the tail tucks down under acceleration the nose stands up, you are actually pressed back in the seat, there is plenty of air cooled and turbo sound track in the car. I had a standard 993 C4 and that really did feel like a comfy cruiser to the LE.
The handbook actually says top speed ‘in excess of 200mph’. No idea if this was a marketing trick but it kind of sums up that generation of car.
I'm not knocking new Turbo's as they are clearly very good and I would love to have one. The 959 is an iconic car and as they say a very advanced car for its years. The LE meanwhile is from the same generation but without the gadgets, it makes do with a 3.6, turbo, Race box and floor mounted ‘race’ clutch.
All I can say is that even today the LE has real soul, it could be described a little soft in the handling department but the experience is amazing, the Turbo is ferocious, the tail tucks down under acceleration the nose stands up, you are actually pressed back in the seat, there is plenty of air cooled and turbo sound track in the car. I had a standard 993 C4 and that really did feel like a comfy cruiser to the LE.
The handbook actually says top speed ‘in excess of 200mph’. No idea if this was a marketing trick but it kind of sums up that generation of car.
trackdemon said:
A man of impeccable taste. How is your NSX? 
A great car. I've come to the conclusion that you ought to drive it a half-gear lower (so to speak) than you would do, say, a GT3.
Chassis poise, steering precision, gearshift, engine note, comfort - it's a superb road car.
On a circuit it's too soft and the brakes will go, but that's not what it's for.
adam b said:
it is the actual car in the article. 959 looks OK in black or silver (although the rear still looks very odd and saggy to me) but maybe an odd paint selection was offered but red and white do it no favours and there were a bunch of dodgy 70s colours. Th einteriros were eve odder.
Still thanks for deflecting the attention from me flemke by daring to criticise the beardy types holy grail
Don't know about the "bunch of dodgy 70s colours" - have you actually seen one in any of these (apart from the burgundy/violet)? Still thanks for deflecting the attention from me flemke by daring to criticise the beardy types holy grail
As for red with white wheels - that is the combination that was used in some of the prototypes and there are a few of that combination on the road.
I am very familiar with one in particular and I can assure you that in the flesh it is a stunning-looking car.
RubenRocket said:
You SHOULD try a Lotus, Flemke. Don't expect anything like the levels of brutal power you're used to, but if involvement is your thing, I think you WILL appreciate it!
I have no doubt that you are right. The last thing that I need at the mo is another car, but I'll get around to checking it out. BTW, you have a LCC R, right?
Hi Flemke.
Without having a look at the documentation I believe it was stated at 330BHP. I'm not trying to claims it will do over 200mph with ease (it may or may not), just a nice touch in the owners manual.
I haven't got any photo's to hand but I did see one sold at Coys recently:
www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=35&id=30940
Mark
Without having a look at the documentation I believe it was stated at 330BHP. I'm not trying to claims it will do over 200mph with ease (it may or may not), just a nice touch in the owners manual.
I haven't got any photo's to hand but I did see one sold at Coys recently:
www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=35&id=30940
Mark
I sold the Rocket, Flemke!
It was not as bulletproof as hoped, giving me too many headaches. And the total lack of weight / downforce at the front wheels was getting more and more annoying too. But it is still here in Holland and being taken good care of! I am back with the Norfolk boys again, I guess they just give me the most smiles per gallon
Cheers, Ruben
It was not as bulletproof as hoped, giving me too many headaches. And the total lack of weight / downforce at the front wheels was getting more and more annoying too. But it is still here in Holland and being taken good care of! I am back with the Norfolk boys again, I guess they just give me the most smiles per gallon
Cheers, Ruben
As the owner of a 993tt and an avid reader of this site, I feel it's appropriate to choose this subject for my first post.
I've had 2 996 turbos and 2 993 turbos and just last week drove the 997 turbo - they're trying to get me to order one. 14 months delivery and £110k. I don't think so.
I went from 993 turbo to 996 turbo another 996 turbo then realised that the 993 turbo was more fun. The power delivery is unbelievable, long live turbo lag it's much more fun.
The bottom line is that a 997 is far too good for those who are seeking thrills from their car. It's clinical and a little detached but massively fast. The older generation aircooled cars have much more drama and occasion both in their looks (I think) and their method of delivery.
I'm just back from a 10 day trip to the Monza GP (taking in the Ring on the way back) and the 993 was impeccable. I've never driven a 959 but I suspect it's very similar to the 993 so I reckon the choice here is neither.
If you want the 959 power delivery go for a 993tt. It's half the price and not depreciating any more (£35k for a high miler and £40k for a good mid-miler). No-one knows how to fix a 959 and they're just too rare to use in bad wether etc.
The 997 on the other hand would make a far better everyday driver but £110k (with decent spec)? Surely it's just too much money when there's DB9s, F550s, Gallardos etc out there.
So if it's thrills you want - 993 tt
If it's everyday use - 996 turbo - it's had it's depreciation rush and it's 90% as good as the 997.
11 Porsches on 9 years and 1 s2000.
markbe said:
959 Lux.....0-60=4.2....0-100=9.7....0-150=22.5...Fast Lane 1989.
Are the figures for the "Sport" much different (lighter weight)?
((and of course flemke's has a litle extra power, just in case of emergencies))
Actually - looking on the web ...
959 Sport - 0-62 in 3.7s ... 0-100 in 8.3s
Edited by Joe911 on Friday 6th October 18:24
flemke said:
cross-eyed-twit said:
I quite like the 959 and would have one over a Ferrari, any Ferrari.
That steering wheel though...
It's the same wheel that they used on their other cars at the time. It works beautifully on a road car, and feels good in your hands as well. That steering wheel though...
Some people might be surprised by how often a wheel that looks great - racy and purposeful - actually works poorly.
I'd like to second that on the steering wheel. When I bought my 944 my mates were like ' Urghh, you need a different wheel', you know, the usual crack. Until they drove it and felt the wheel in your hands. I was reluctant to change it, and never did. It suited the car perfectly and performed exactly as you'd want it to.
Flemke, just one thing
respect, any chance of a little photie of the 959, obv with plates blanked out etc??? Pleasssssssssse 
Fast lane there was a quality mag in its day they did some great twin tests of 959 verses f40 if the memory serves me right.Being a child of the thatcher era its got be the 959.Dont know were hes going with the wheels on the 997 think they look great they even turn the cayman into a complete joy to look at going on the photos in the octber 911and porsche world
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