Losing the back end
Discussion
Probably a weird post given the community here, but keen to get feedback from you guys.
I’ve put a deposit down on a Boxster GTS, wanted a Porsche for as long as I can remember but was never in a position to get one until now.
Since telling a few people about it, the response has generally been good however quite a few comments have been along the lines of;
Ooh you’ll lose it on a roundabout
Ooh you won’t be able to drive that when it’s wet
Ooh the back-end flips out on them you know
Ooh my mate had one and it fish tailed and landed him in a ditch
I always loved the styling of TVR’s but never dared get one as I’m not the stig and feared a ‘widow maker’ would be just that. So I’ve played it safe when it comes to cars. The sportiest until now being Audi’s and 4 wheel drive.
I wouldn’t class myself as an advanced driver - I’m just an average joe (probs the worst type of pistonheader, the one who’s buying it because of styling not performance! Lol)
Are RWD Porsche’s likely to cause me problems, fish tail and land me in a ditch? What do I need to look out for?
I’ve put a deposit down on a Boxster GTS, wanted a Porsche for as long as I can remember but was never in a position to get one until now.
Since telling a few people about it, the response has generally been good however quite a few comments have been along the lines of;
Ooh you’ll lose it on a roundabout
Ooh you won’t be able to drive that when it’s wet
Ooh the back-end flips out on them you know
Ooh my mate had one and it fish tailed and landed him in a ditch
I always loved the styling of TVR’s but never dared get one as I’m not the stig and feared a ‘widow maker’ would be just that. So I’ve played it safe when it comes to cars. The sportiest until now being Audi’s and 4 wheel drive.
I wouldn’t class myself as an advanced driver - I’m just an average joe (probs the worst type of pistonheader, the one who’s buying it because of styling not performance! Lol)
Are RWD Porsche’s likely to cause me problems, fish tail and land me in a ditch? What do I need to look out for?
If you drive within the national speed limits you’ll be fine.
If you drive within your own capabilities you’ll be fine.
Seriously why would you listen to people who’ve never driven one, from what you say, and take any notice?
If you get one, got to the PEC, to understand a little about their capabilities, go get some instruction on track and/or road, but get one and ignore the doom mongers.
If you drive within your own capabilities you’ll be fine.
Seriously why would you listen to people who’ve never driven one, from what you say, and take any notice?
If you get one, got to the PEC, to understand a little about their capabilities, go get some instruction on track and/or road, but get one and ignore the doom mongers.
Slap them in the face and ask them if they are feeling ok.
Talking absolute sh*t.
Obviously if you smash the throttle in a low gear when turning you will get the back end out. But if you drive it smoothly you'll be amazed at how much grip and balance they have.
Smooth is fast when it comes to properly driving a car.
Talking absolute sh*t.
Obviously if you smash the throttle in a low gear when turning you will get the back end out. But if you drive it smoothly you'll be amazed at how much grip and balance they have.
Smooth is fast when it comes to properly driving a car.
bit of truth behind it I guess, esp the 981 as it does have lift off over steer and they do under steer, so people do panic with under steer mid bend, lift off and the back comes round on them.
I have seen a Boxster spin in front of me on the road as it happens,
But the modern PSM is so good now unless you drive with PSM off you will be fine, unless you are going too fast of course.
My GF spun a Clio so if you have no clue you can spin anything.
I have seen a Boxster spin in front of me on the road as it happens,
But the modern PSM is so good now unless you drive with PSM off you will be fine, unless you are going too fast of course.
My GF spun a Clio so if you have no clue you can spin anything.
I found my 981 Cayman to be really planted in the dry.
On 20'' wheels on a warm day, you need to drive very very hard to get the back end to come out.
On wet roads and fresh P Zero's I had no issues, but when they got down below 3mm tread depth I lost the back end a couple of times under normal driving.
I initially lost a bit of confidence in the car, but got it back with some new boots.
There are a few posts on here about P Zero's and although I don't think they are all bad, I did come to the conclusion that they sort of 'went off' below 3mm depth and also took a degree or two greater temperature to switch on in the cold.
On 20'' wheels on a warm day, you need to drive very very hard to get the back end to come out.
On wet roads and fresh P Zero's I had no issues, but when they got down below 3mm tread depth I lost the back end a couple of times under normal driving.
I initially lost a bit of confidence in the car, but got it back with some new boots.
There are a few posts on here about P Zero's and although I don't think they are all bad, I did come to the conclusion that they sort of 'went off' below 3mm depth and also took a degree or two greater temperature to switch on in the cold.
It is amazing how many people base all of their opinions on old episodes of Top Gear and the like. If I get asked the question, 'bet that is tail happy" in my 911 GTS I always reply, "have you ever driven one".
That normally ends it.
The advice above though is great, use the Porsche experience that you get with your car and go to Silverstone, the instructors are amazing and you will get a lot out of it.
Enjoy your car and put some pics up when you get it.
That normally ends it.
The advice above though is great, use the Porsche experience that you get with your car and go to Silverstone, the instructors are amazing and you will get a lot out of it.
Enjoy your car and put some pics up when you get it.
Tim718 said:
Probably a weird post given the community here, but keen to get feedback from you guys.
I’ve put a deposit down on a Boxster GTS, wanted a Porsche for as long as I can remember but was never in a position to get one until now.
Since telling a few people about it, the response has generally been good however quite a few comments have been along the lines of;
Ooh you’ll lose it on a roundabout
Ooh you won’t be able to drive that when it’s wet
Ooh the back-end flips out on them you know
Ooh my mate had one and it fish tailed and landed him in a ditch
I always loved the styling of TVR’s but never dared get one as I’m not the stig and feared a ‘widow maker’ would be just that. So I’ve played it safe when it comes to cars. The sportiest until now being Audi’s and 4 wheel drive.
I wouldn’t class myself as an advanced driver - I’m just an average joe (probs the worst type of pistonheader, the one who’s buying it because of styling not performance! Lol)
Are RWD Porsche’s likely to cause me problems, fish tail and land me in a ditch? What do I need to look out for?
Last year I went to Wales for a 3 day road trip... 981 Cayman S, 20" wheels, PASM... best mate in a Cayman R.I’ve put a deposit down on a Boxster GTS, wanted a Porsche for as long as I can remember but was never in a position to get one until now.
Since telling a few people about it, the response has generally been good however quite a few comments have been along the lines of;
Ooh you’ll lose it on a roundabout
Ooh you won’t be able to drive that when it’s wet
Ooh the back-end flips out on them you know
Ooh my mate had one and it fish tailed and landed him in a ditch
I always loved the styling of TVR’s but never dared get one as I’m not the stig and feared a ‘widow maker’ would be just that. So I’ve played it safe when it comes to cars. The sportiest until now being Audi’s and 4 wheel drive.
I wouldn’t class myself as an advanced driver - I’m just an average joe (probs the worst type of pistonheader, the one who’s buying it because of styling not performance! Lol)
Are RWD Porsche’s likely to cause me problems, fish tail and land me in a ditch? What do I need to look out for?
It rained all day on the Swansea - Snowdonia leg. The car didn't miss a beat. The rear was planted, stayed stuck. And we were making decent progress. Thinking back I'm still amazed at how much confidence I had in the wet conditions.
You won't lose it on a roundabout, they're not undriveable in the wet, the back end doesn't flip out... unless you want it too.
And lets face it... Anyone can and put any car in a ditch if they are being an idiot.
At general day to day speeds there is no need to tip toe around but obviously drive to the prevailing conditions.
Those people you've been talking to have no clue...Get it. Enjoy it.
Only car I've ever spun on the road, was an S-Type Jag, after a 20 hour shift and on an an icy road at 2am. Caused (apart from my crappy driving) by an awful slush box and it was indeed lift-off oversteer, going through a roundabout, at modest speed - did a full 360, thankfully without involving anyone else!
Had my GT3 act up at much higher speeds in the wet and even with my inadequate driving prowess, I managed to pull it all together.
I think you are listening to people that only ever heard about GT2s from the 1980s?
Had my GT3 act up at much higher speeds in the wet and even with my inadequate driving prowess, I managed to pull it all together.
I think you are listening to people that only ever heard about GT2s from the 1980s?
Low speed, 2nd gear, no one around; try and get the back end to step out and see what happens.
Traction control as part of PSM steps in the moment traction breaks, and ... nothing happens. Unless, of course, you're throwing yourself into a 30mph bend at 70mph. But then you'd be an idiot.
With most RWD cars (I come from a long line of BMWs) I play to see where traction is lost. Low speed bends, wet roundabouts etc - it's all part of educating yourself on the capabilities of your car, where safe limits are, what kind of grip your tyres have in what conditions, where are the car's vulnerabilities.
My 718 CS holds grip better than anything I've owned, and then some.
The PEC day is also v good for this. It was a warm dry day when I did it, and I struggled on the doughnut loop to break traction. These are mighty grippy cars.
Traction control as part of PSM steps in the moment traction breaks, and ... nothing happens. Unless, of course, you're throwing yourself into a 30mph bend at 70mph. But then you'd be an idiot.
With most RWD cars (I come from a long line of BMWs) I play to see where traction is lost. Low speed bends, wet roundabouts etc - it's all part of educating yourself on the capabilities of your car, where safe limits are, what kind of grip your tyres have in what conditions, where are the car's vulnerabilities.
My 718 CS holds grip better than anything I've owned, and then some.
The PEC day is also v good for this. It was a warm dry day when I did it, and I struggled on the doughnut loop to break traction. These are mighty grippy cars.
As with any reasonably powerful rear wheel drive car, you can get the back end to step out, but as with any well maintained car, with decent tyres, a long as you manage the throttle input and are sensible in wet / icy conditions you'll be fine.
I had the back step out when i'd first bought mine on a tight slip road onto the motorway - the tyres were the old, original P-Zeros N0 (since changed) the car came with and probably weren't in the best condition. Was turning hard and put down too much juice and the back came round, but was easily controllable.
Likewise in the wet with the same old tyres, a bit too much juice got the back kicking, but the traction control brought it back in no problems.
Since moving to new P-Zero N1's no probs at all.
I had the back step out when i'd first bought mine on a tight slip road onto the motorway - the tyres were the old, original P-Zeros N0 (since changed) the car came with and probably weren't in the best condition. Was turning hard and put down too much juice and the back came round, but was easily controllable.
Likewise in the wet with the same old tyres, a bit too much juice got the back kicking, but the traction control brought it back in no problems.
Since moving to new P-Zero N1's no probs at all.
Edited by hixster on Tuesday 27th February 13:45
I heard similar stories in my earlier years it put me off buying a rear wheel drive car for ages. Then the first time I ever drove one, my bosses Sierra 2.0, I span it on a wet road as I was driving it too fast for my skill level.
However Porsche was always my favourite car manufacturer and so eventually I had to buy one. I've now had two Porsches, a Boxter and a GT3, and driven many others over many miles on both road and track. They are amazingly rewarding cars to drive.
Driving a rear wheel drive car is different to driving a front wheel drive car,especially in tougher road conditions or when you are pushing on. In my opinion however, if you are serious about driving you will on day need to progress to rear wheel drive, so do it now. Just take it easy.
However Porsche was always my favourite car manufacturer and so eventually I had to buy one. I've now had two Porsches, a Boxter and a GT3, and driven many others over many miles on both road and track. They are amazingly rewarding cars to drive.
Driving a rear wheel drive car is different to driving a front wheel drive car,especially in tougher road conditions or when you are pushing on. In my opinion however, if you are serious about driving you will on day need to progress to rear wheel drive, so do it now. Just take it easy.
Like a lot of posters have already said, these people are talking absolute twaddle!
However, if you are concerned about what happens at the limit of your and your cars abilities, it would be a good idea to book yourself on an advanced driving course.
I am not sure if you are aware but Porsche provide a few training courses themselves at the Silverstone circuit. Some of the courses are great fun like the low grip surfaces and ice hill but there are also more serious courses available. Cars are available to borrow but taking your own will help you understand more about the car and your own abilities.
Investing time, effort and money in yourself and your driving skills is never wasted
However, if you are concerned about what happens at the limit of your and your cars abilities, it would be a good idea to book yourself on an advanced driving course.
I am not sure if you are aware but Porsche provide a few training courses themselves at the Silverstone circuit. Some of the courses are great fun like the low grip surfaces and ice hill but there are also more serious courses available. Cars are available to borrow but taking your own will help you understand more about the car and your own abilities.
Investing time, effort and money in yourself and your driving skills is never wasted
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff