Can I do this?
Discussion
Posted a week or so ago and got some great advice on the best models safety-wise and living with a 911 day to day.
In an ideal world it would be great to find a company or service that my wife and I can test drive various models (993 and 996 C2/4, manual/tip etc) at the same time. Now I know there are dealers that would do this but it would be great to really test the handling and get some impartial advice/instruction so that we can make a fully informed choice on the best car for us.
So....has anyone heard of a company that offers anything like this? Any help gratefully received.
Nodz
In an ideal world it would be great to find a company or service that my wife and I can test drive various models (993 and 996 C2/4, manual/tip etc) at the same time. Now I know there are dealers that would do this but it would be great to really test the handling and get some impartial advice/instruction so that we can make a fully informed choice on the best car for us.
So....has anyone heard of a company that offers anything like this? Any help gratefully received.
Nodz
There aren't many companies that will allow you to turn up and test drive the cars of your choice on track.
However, there are many trackday companies these days, like cpa etc. who will let you drive a specific model on their books, say a 996 GT3 Mk2 on track. However, variety is the name of their game and you will be comparing it with Noble etc. And if you can't afford a GT3, it's limited use.
Individual dealers may allow test drives of one or two cars, maybe comparison models. These will not be 'onm the limit' handling test drives and you will have to let the dealer know you are very, very serious. In my experience they don't mind about the risk as much as the time it takes for someone to chaperone you on the test run, talking you through the controls etc. It is a good half hour when they could be chasing up leads etc.
Finally, go along to PCGB track days and get friendly with people who have the cars you like. They may not let you drive but you will get a good 'feel' for the car from the passenger seat - and they are likely to drive it better than you anyway. They can answer questions as well.
HTH
Dom
However, there are many trackday companies these days, like cpa etc. who will let you drive a specific model on their books, say a 996 GT3 Mk2 on track. However, variety is the name of their game and you will be comparing it with Noble etc. And if you can't afford a GT3, it's limited use.
Individual dealers may allow test drives of one or two cars, maybe comparison models. These will not be 'onm the limit' handling test drives and you will have to let the dealer know you are very, very serious. In my experience they don't mind about the risk as much as the time it takes for someone to chaperone you on the test run, talking you through the controls etc. It is a good half hour when they could be chasing up leads etc.
Finally, go along to PCGB track days and get friendly with people who have the cars you like. They may not let you drive but you will get a good 'feel' for the car from the passenger seat - and they are likely to drive it better than you anyway. They can answer questions as well.
HTH
Dom
OPC do offer a 'testdrive plus' where you spend a few hours with a race driver on the road and at a test facility. I suspect you'd need to be serious and spending a reasonable amount to qualify though. Still no harm in asking.
Unless you are an exceptional driver, testing the limits of an unfamiliar car on the road is pretty silly anyway
I've never found test drives that useful. Its only when you've owned a car for a few thousand miles that you really get a feel.
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