RE: Porsche 911 R at Silverstone: Time for Coffee

[RobM77]

nickfrog said:

RobM77 said:

Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.

Rob. Really ?

LaSource said:

RobM77 said:

If you've got short legs that's why you don't have a problem.

You're right about the reach test - you should be able to put the top of the steering wheel in the small of your wrist on an outstretched arm without lifting your shoulders off the seat back. For me that's impossible in a Porsche without doubling my legs up! As I say, the video is a classic example - the poor guy looks desperately uncomfortable.

Must admit first time I've ever heard this across an active user community.
However different people have physiques so not doubting if that has been your experience.

The steering wheels come with reach adjustment if you have shorter arms/longer legs/etc

I find the the earlier cars like 996 buckets absolutely spot on. The 997s also extremely good though I have a preference for the earlier bucket shape.

As for the 911R in question yes superb to see it being used widely on road and track. I think people need to disassociate from the tabloid headlines on price of last car sold at an auction from the technical enjoyment of such a car on video.

Edited by LaSource on Sunday 20th November 23:56

I must admit, I'm surprised at this reaction, I thought this was a well known thing. I should add that I was commenting on Porsche generically - I've not tried the latest generation of Porsches, only the 997 and earlier. Sorry if that wasn't clear. As I said earlier though, for the 991 series of cars the video doesn't give much confidence that things have changed much, and I can't imagine the wheel adjusting by as much as is clearly necessary to get that owner comfortable. I should add that I don't want to overstate this, it doesn't look as bad a Renault Clio for example, but I think it falls short of what you'd expect for an expensive and well engineered car intended for driving enjoyment.

Just to clarify regarding the seats, I think Porsche seats are fantastic, I'd rate them right up there with the best car seats I've tried and I have absolutely no issue with them having tried a number of different variations. The general ergonomics of cabin layout are also spot on, and the control weightings superb (especially the brake pedal feel and progression, the best servo setup I've ever tried). What I was commenting on was purely the relative distance of the steering wheel and pedals.

I agree on your final comment - Porsche prices have indeed gone silly, but that shouldn't alter our view of their cars. It's great to see someone using and enjoying a 911R exactly as intended

[SevenR]

Oilchange said:

Did you type £500k as in £500,000?

OK, just searched a bit and yes, they are quite lovely and yes, they are going for silly money.

I wondered what I would rather have for the money and came up with
Ferrari 488 (2nd hand 2800 miles)
Mclaren 650S (2nd hand 4000 miles)
New Evora
New Jag XE

I mean, they are nice but are they Ferrari488/Mc650S/Evora/Jag nice? Some people must absolutely love them...

Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 19th November 18:06

Remember the folk who bought them when announced never paid £500K or whatever they're going for.
Some people wouldn't be seen dead in a Fezza. We buy cars we like. So this guys liked the 911R. It has been getting absolutely rave reviews from everyone in the motoring press.
It's not over hyped at all if it's that good.
And, it's a special 911. So it will demand special money cause people want it so badly.

£500K is nothing so so many folk nowadays.

[v8ksn]

This forum is full of clueless kids nowadays.

[Digga]

v8ksn said:

This forum is full of clueless kids nowadays.

I can remember when PH was mostly full of clueless TVR owners.

[v8ksn]

Digga said:

v8ksn said:

This forum is full of clueless kids nowadays.

I can remember when PH was mostly full of clueless TVR owners.