PEC range day

[J-P]

Went to PEC today courtesy of OPC mid-Sussex. Had a fantastic time.

I was massively impressed with the Cayenne, which was capable of some amazing stuff off road and yet comfortable and enjoyable on it.

Most fun of the day though was a 'race' between my friend Gary and I in a 991 C2 with PDK and a manual 991 C2S - awesome fun! Laugh out loud, joyous fun. Cars squirming around, tyres getting distinctly squidgy -

The 991 is seriously capable and so damn fast. STD car with PDK was pretty much a match for the S, but H&T in the manual was definitely more engaging, if harder to manage! I can see the appeal of both even on track days. To be honest the base car is all the car you ever need, it's fast enough, sounds lovely and feels great when you're really on it.

Think I'm going to have a play on the configurator

Biggest disappointment for me was the Panamera. I would have liked to try the Boxster s on track rather than just the ice hill but all told it was a fantastic day! Highly recommended!

[Callughan]

Whats Up JP. Why was the Panamera a dissapointment I was very impressed by it when I drove it?

[J-P]

Callughan said:

Whats Up JP. Why was the Panamera a dissapointment I was very impressed by it when I drove it?

Hi - doing well thanks - how are you?

I just didn't like the Panamera - it was enormous, felt it and could just as easily have been an A6. Souless transportation device to me - although I only drove the Diesel and the Hybrid,so may have a different view of an S, GTS or Turbo? Don't know?

[Blue62]

Could you explain how you got to 'race' with a mate? I can only imagine you were on the main roads as I can't see that they'd let you loose on the handling circuit?

[J-P]

Blue62 said:

Could you explain how you got to 'race' with a mate? I can only imagine you were on the main roads as I can't see that they'd let you loose on the handling circuit?

They did let us loose on the handling circuit! It was a riot - I couldn't have driven any faster!

ETA - I wouldn't have 'raced' on the road - far too much risk and certainly wouldn't be braying about it on here. That Fast and Furious nonsense belongs solely on the telly IMHO.

Edited by J-P on Tuesday 31st July 10:55

[Blue62]

J-P said:

They did let us loose on the handling circuit! It was a riot - I couldn't have driven any faster!

ETA - I wouldn't have 'raced' on the road - far too much risk and certainly wouldn't be braying about it on here. That Fast and Furious nonsense belongs solely on the telly IMHO.

Edited by J-P on Tuesday 31st July 10:55

Only suggested the roads as I can't believe they let you on the circuit, honestly never known them do that before, who did you have to bribe?

[J-P]

Blue62 said:

J-P said:

They did let us loose on the handling circuit! It was a riot - I couldn't have driven any faster!

ETA - I wouldn't have 'raced' on the road - far too much risk and certainly wouldn't be braying about it on here. That Fast and Furious nonsense belongs solely on the telly IMHO.

Edited by J-P on Tuesday 31st July 10:55

Only suggested the roads as I can't believe they let you on the circuit, honestly never known them do that before, who did you have to bribe?

We just did it - nobody said anything or stopped us. I was in front - let my mate past as he's faster than me and pushed it for all I was worth to keep up (which kind of proved to me that PDK is worth 50BHP)! My instructor (Ben) was actively encouraging me to go faster! To be honest whenever I've been to the PEC, they've encouraged me to go as fast as I dare and beyond. I've never been asked to back off or slow down - other than for safety. If there's an empty track or I'm chasing somebody and they've always encouraged more; not less.

[Blue62]

You lucky so 'n so, agree that they encourage you to kill yourself, but amazed you were allowed to hoon in this manner, good on you. So are you warmimg to the 991 now?

[Callughan]

J-P said:

Callughan said:

Whats Up JP. Why was the Panamera a dissapointment I was very impressed by it when I drove it?

Hi - doing well thanks - how are you?

I just didn't like the Panamera - it was enormous, felt it and could just as easily have been an A6. Souless transportation device to me - although I only drove the Diesel and the Hybrid,so may have a different view of an S, GTS or Turbo? Don't know?

Still car less but good thanks

I've only driven the Pan 4S, obviously it's a huge car and will always have weight and size dynamically against it but it did whatever I asked it and felt quick and sounded good, I much rather have one than a BM/Merc

[J-P]

Blue62 said:

You lucky so 'n so, agree that they encourage you to kill yourself, but amazed you were allowed to hoon in this manner, good on you. So are you warmimg to the 991 now?

I've always liked the 991 and never suggested that it was anything other than an excellent car. I haven't been as positive about it as some but I'm far from negatively disposed towards it and never have been. I had one or two issues with it when I first tried one but not deal breakers - the real issue for me was the cost of the thing. There's no doubt in my mind that the 991 is much faster than a 997 (especially now that I've ragged one senseless) and by any objective measure it's the far superior car but subjectively, I'm not so sure. What I'm finding very strange though is that the least expensive one is more than enough car for me but even after having such an eye-opening and enjoyable experience, I'm still keen to wait for the Turbo and GT3 models. The problem is that I know if i bought a C2, I'd really want a C2S with all the trimmings, and every time I've priced my spec, the car costs north of £100k and so too expensive for me for a Carrera. Whereas I might be prepared to pay more for a GT3 or Turbo - who knows? However, if the GT3 is PDK only, I may just look for a tidy 996 or 997 GT3 RS and be done with it! There's no doubt that the 991 is a great car though!

[J-P]

Callughan said:

J-P said:

Callughan said:

Whats Up JP. Why was the Panamera a dissapointment I was very impressed by it when I drove it?

Hi - doing well thanks - how are you?

I just didn't like the Panamera - it was enormous, felt it and could just as easily have been an A6. Souless transportation device to me - although I only drove the Diesel and the Hybrid,so may have a different view of an S, GTS or Turbo? Don't know?

Still car less but good thanks

I've only driven the Pan 4S, obviously it's a huge car and will always have weight and size dynamically against it but it did whatever I asked it and felt quick and sounded good, I much rather have one than a BM/Merc

I did hear the Panamera GTS recently and that sounds absolutely amazing - mega bucks though! Never driven the Pan 4S, so can't comment - there's every chance I'd like it a lot more. But neither the diesel or the hybrid did it for me!

[steveq135]

Interesting how peoples opinions differ.
I was on the same experience (green group) and despite its obvious hideousness , found the Panamera to be surprisingly good , my shock of the day in fact.
The Cayenne , despite being more capable than I expected offroad , I found pretty underwhelming on it and I don`t really see what the fuss is about.
Highlight of the day 991 on the handling circuit , first 911 drive and thoroughly entertaining , also had an excellent instructor. I was expecting to feel the balance difference between `mid` and `wrong` engined layout more. The grip levels of the 911 out of a corner are pretty impressive.

[steveq135]

Oh , and all the nonsense written about the electric steering is just that. It didn`t register as feeling wrong to me. You might be able to tell the difference back to back , but in isolation , subjectively , there isn`t any. I wouldn`t let anyone put you off one without test driving one and deciding for yourself.

[J-P]

steveq135 said:

Interesting how peoples opinions differ.
I was on the same experience (green group) and despite its obvious hideousness , found the Panamera to be surprisingly good , my shock of the day in fact.
The Cayenne , despite being more capable than I expected offroad , I found pretty underwhelming on it and I don`t really see what the fuss is about.
Highlight of the day 991 on the handling circuit , first 911 drive and thoroughly entertaining , also had an excellent instructor. I was expecting to feel the balance difference between `mid` and `wrong` engined layout more. The grip levels of the 911 out of a corner are pretty impressive.

Very interesting. One of the instructors told me that most people were very impressed with the Pan when they drove it, so I'm probably in the minority who think might as well have a fast diesel Audi.

Cayenne impressed me because of it's wide spread of ability - not many cars can get up a one in one hill, provide numerous traction options through the diff and still show a hot hatch a clean pair of heels!

steveq135 said:

Oh , and all the nonsense written about the electric steering is just that. It didn`t register as feeling wrong to me. You might be able to tell the difference back to back , but in isolation , subjectively , there isn`t any. I wouldn`t let anyone put you off one without test driving one and deciding for yourself.

991 definitely has less steering feel than a 997. Having said that it doesn't stop you from either having fun or placing the car perfectly accurately, so not too much of a problem. Yes I'd prefer it to be more talkative; it isn't. Not the end of the world.

[spyderman8]

J-P said:

They did let us loose on the handling circuit! It was a riot - I couldn't have driven any faster!

Well, that is a turn-up for the books. Must admit I've only ever babied 997s around the handling circuit as the Armco is danger-close for most of it!

J-P said:

ETA - I wouldn't have 'raced' on the road - far too much risk and certainly wouldn't be braying about it on here. That Fast and Furious nonsense belongs solely on the telly IMHO.

Good man - totally agree.

[J-P]

spyderman8 said:

J-P said:

They did let us loose on the handling circuit! It was a riot - I couldn't have driven any faster!

Well, that is a turn-up for the books. Must admit I've only ever babied 997s around the handling circuit as the Armco is danger-close for most of it!

That's a good point - there's a lot of armco there but I think the combination of not being able to go that fast (I barely get out of second gear) and the generally high driving standards (the instructors ensure this) makes it a pretty safe environment for a good spanking!

I'm up there again next week for my Cayman R day with Dickie Attwood - really looking forward to it!

[GuillaumeB]

Hey JP how did you find the manual transmission on the 991?

Glad to hear you had such a good time there. I'm up on the 28th August for my 991 driving experience, wife is coming too so that she can do her Cayenne one.

Anyone else on here planning on being there on the same day?

[J-P]

GuillaumeB said:

Hey JP how did you find the manual transmission on the 991?

Glad to hear you had such a good time there. I'm up on the 28th August for my 991 driving experience, wife is coming too so that she can do her Cayenne one.

Anyone else on here planning on being there on the same day?

Manual was really good in terms of feel and precision - I liked it. Not sure I'd like the idea of 7 forward gears on the road but at PEC it was fine as you don't get out of 3rd anyway!

You're going to have a riot in the 991 - it was a lot of fun!

[steveq135]

J-P said:

991 definitely has less steering feel than a 997. Having said that it doesn't stop you from either having fun or placing the car perfectly accurately, so not too much of a problem. Yes I'd prefer it to be more talkative; it isn't. Not the end of the world.

Won`t disagree with that , but if you read a lot of reviews they would have you believe the steering rack has been removed and replaced with a liquorish stick. As I said the steering doesn`t feel wrong , I didnt say it was as good as on my Spyder.
Can`t speak for 997 steering , never driven one , I`ll take your word on that one ....

[GuillaumeB]

steveq135 said:

Won`t disagree with that , but if you read a lot of reviews they would have you believe the steering rack has been removed and replaced with a liquorish stick. As I said the steering doesn`t feel wrong , I didnt say it was as good as on my Spyder.
Can`t speak for 997 steering , never driven one , I`ll take your word on that one ....

Yes all those magazine reviews... terrible steering, terrible manual transmission, no difference between PDCC and non-PDCC cars... etc etc!

Just goes to show how important it is to go and try these cars out for yourself!