911 Newbie seeks guidance!
Discussion
After years of saving/yearning!...I picked up my first 911 last Saturday.
It's a 1998 C2 manual.
I enjoyed a nice drive down the A4 to Wiltshire Saturday afternoon, but since then I've done a couple of local runs and I don't appear to be gelling much with it as much as I did my Integrale a few years back. To be honest I'm a bit disilusioned
Where-as undoubtably it's a good quality, solid car with lots of elements forming a nice synergy!...smooth power delivery, steering feedback, nice gearchange, brake-feel etc. My issues are:
The ride is a bit too firm. It's great when you can push on on fast, sweeping A roads, but elsewhere is a bit of a pain!
The steering is light and a bit 'floaty' and the front end doesn't feel that planted/secure - tramlining?
Power is adequate for our roads, but I would have liked a bit more 'poke' for overtaking, but it will 'do'
Anyway, please help/guide me as to how to fall in love with a car I know I should!
Cheers
It's a 1998 C2 manual.
I enjoyed a nice drive down the A4 to Wiltshire Saturday afternoon, but since then I've done a couple of local runs and I don't appear to be gelling much with it as much as I did my Integrale a few years back. To be honest I'm a bit disilusioned
Where-as undoubtably it's a good quality, solid car with lots of elements forming a nice synergy!...smooth power delivery, steering feedback, nice gearchange, brake-feel etc. My issues are:
The ride is a bit too firm. It's great when you can push on on fast, sweeping A roads, but elsewhere is a bit of a pain!
The steering is light and a bit 'floaty' and the front end doesn't feel that planted/secure - tramlining?
Power is adequate for our roads, but I would have liked a bit more 'poke' for overtaking, but it will 'do'
Anyway, please help/guide me as to how to fall in love with a car I know I should!
Cheers
There's a BIG difference between a tired 16 year old 996 and a tight properly sorted one. If you haven't already done so, get it inspected by someone who knows them well. I have a well sorted one, with upgraded suspension and it's bloody great. I don't use it every day but did today, even though it wasn't a spirited drive I still really enjoyed giving it a run in the sunshine 
Standard wheels are 17", most were upgraded when new to 18", any bigger it wasn't designed for. The bigger the wheel, the worse the ride quality. If it's on 18's stick with them for now, but consider swapping to 17's (I have a genuine set that I may sell - I used them last year for my winter tyres, didn't swap for this winter).
Standard wheels are 17", most were upgraded when new to 18", any bigger it wasn't designed for. The bigger the wheel, the worse the ride quality. If it's on 18's stick with them for now, but consider swapping to 17's (I have a genuine set that I may sell - I used them last year for my winter tyres, didn't swap for this winter).
thegoose said:
There's a BIG difference between a tired 16 year old 996 and a tight properly sorted one. If you haven't already done so, get it inspected by someone who knows them well. I have a well sorted one, with upgraded suspension and it's bloody great. I don't use it every day but did today, even though it wasn't a spirited drive I still really enjoyed giving it a run in the sunshine
Standard wheels are 17", most were upgraded when new to 18", any bigger it wasn't designed for. The bigger the wheel, the worse the ride quality. If it's on 18's stick with them for now, but consider swapping to 17's (I have a genuine set that I may sell - I used them last year for my winter tyres, didn't swap for this winter).
I believe it's pretty tight, far from tired. Only 70k on it and bought from a well respected specialist.Standard wheels are 17", most were upgraded when new to 18", any bigger it wasn't designed for. The bigger the wheel, the worse the ride quality. If it's on 18's stick with them for now, but consider swapping to 17's (I have a genuine set that I may sell - I used them last year for my winter tyres, didn't swap for this winter).
It is on 18" wheels though. I'm thinking maybe 17's might help.
wadsy said:
I believe it's pretty tight, far from tired. Only 70k on it and bought from a well respected specialist.
My front coffin arms got replaced just after 70k as they were squeaking; made a massive difference to the feel of the front. Just saying that these things can wear out in 70,000 miles 
wadsy said:
I believe it's pretty tight, far from tired. Only 70k on it and bought from a well respected specialist.
It is on 18" wheels though. I'm thinking maybe 17's might help.
Whilst 17" wheels might help with the ride, most seem to agree that cosmetically 18" look a lot better, sportier and fill the wheel arches better!It is on 18" wheels though. I'm thinking maybe 17's might help.
Sounds like it's handling pretty much like a 996 there!
I have had mine for nearly 7 years now and still get some of these feelings of the car handling 'somewhat differently' to other cars!...
However, take it on a spirited drive and it all clicks into place... These cars were clearly not made for just tootling around town in!
I have had mine for nearly 7 years now and still get some of these feelings of the car handling 'somewhat differently' to other cars!...
However, take it on a spirited drive and it all clicks into place... These cars were clearly not made for just tootling around town in!
As someone said, get it looked over at a specialist. Your be amazed at what difference a few replaced bushes can make.
The 911 is not the easiest car to drive fast, but for me thats the challenge. The Integrale on the other hand is a car you can drive fast from day one with little knowledge of vehicle dynamics.
I remember reading a Vic Elford book soon after buying my first 911, then going out driving and starting to get it.
The 911 is not the easiest car to drive fast, but for me thats the challenge. The Integrale on the other hand is a car you can drive fast from day one with little knowledge of vehicle dynamics.
I remember reading a Vic Elford book soon after buying my first 911, then going out driving and starting to get it.
t.My 996 felt too light at the front when I first bought it. Had the suspension checked, resulting in new coffin arms but still felt dangerously light.
Eventually traced it to the front tyres. They were top brand (Continental) with plenty of tread left but they were simply too old and so had gone hard. Two new tyres and the front felt a lot more planted.
Eventually traced it to the front tyres. They were top brand (Continental) with plenty of tread left but they were simply too old and so had gone hard. Two new tyres and the front felt a lot more planted.
stubbsy996 said:
Whilst 17" wheels might help with the ride, most seem to agree that cosmetically 18" look a lot better, sportier and fill the wheel arches better!
Hmmm. Quick Quiz. Answer A or B.Which is the most important aspect of 911 ownership.
Is it:
A. How it drives/handles?
or
B. How good it looks in the shopping centre car park?
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