My last ever Porsche
Discussion
I bought my first Porsche a 944 Turbo (the only one that wasn’t a 911) back in 1993. That started a long love affair with the brand or to be more accurate with 911s. Over the years I had ten covering all the generations up to and including the 1997 (all RWD manual coupes). My joint favourites being a nearly new 996.1 GT3 and a modified 2.4 E from 1972.
My last 911 was a 997.2 C2 as per the picture. I had become a bit disillusioned with cars, finding that for weekend blasts motorbikes were more fun. I bought the 997 with the aim of doing more driving and less riding but in just over a year’s ownership the reality was that when there was a choice I took the bike. Ownership of the 997 was best summed up by the last drive where I took it for a reasonably long route I often do on the bike. When I had some clear stretches it was great fun - but they were just too few and too far between. Too often I was stuck behind other cars with no safe opportunities to overtake. Frustrating. I think if I lived in Wales (like some car loving friends) it might be different but in the South East there are too many cars in the road.
Having sold the 997 I am not sure if I will ever buy another Porsche. I am not that interested in their current line up. Yes they are all objectively brilliant but they leave me a bit cold. The early 911s that I love are now too expensive. And then would I use one in preference to my bikes? Probably not. Disappointed that it has ended this way. Still, I did have a lot of fun over the years.
Schmed said:
South east is not all bad. You just need to get up early to hit the empty roads before the plebs. Sun am / bank hols seem to be a good time.
I have to fit my drives/rides in around the rest of my life so can’t always dictate when I go for one. If I could only go when the roads were clear then I wouldn’t get many opportunities.Big GT said:
I like Porsches but there not exciting cars anymore. Have you looked at something more driver focused and more of an event.
Maserati
Lotus
TVR
Vantage
On those sort of lines
However great the car if you are stuck behind others doing 50 mph on a nice country road it isn’t much fun.Maserati
Lotus
TVR
Vantage
On those sort of lines
I'm in the same boat, although I have only owned 2 Porsche's but have been riding bikes for 20 years. The car is merely a tool to get me from A to B these days, I love it but I do look at it and think I could be doing this journey in any box.
Whereas the bike comes out with a single purpose, sunny day, fast roads, big smiles.
Whereas the bike comes out with a single purpose, sunny day, fast roads, big smiles.
Esceptico said:
. When I had some clear stretches it was great fun - but they were just too few and too far between. Too often I was stuck behind other cars with no safe opportunities to overtake. Frustrating. I think if I lived in Wales (like some car loving friends) it might be different but in the South East there are too many cars in the road.
Even that's starting to change, I live in Swansea so am not far from the roads down the Gower, Brecons, Black mountains and within driving distance of some great roads in Mid and West Wales that can all be driven without the need for a night away however over the last 3-4 years traffic has increased to the point where the situation you describe happens.If you want a nice quiet road you have to be getting up early or a week day when every ones in work.
I recently got an Abarth 124 Spider which should be all about lightweight fun on back roads but the majority of the time I've been out I've been stuck behind cars.
Esceptico said:
Big GT said:
I like Porsches but there not exciting cars anymore. Have you looked at something more driver focused and more of an event.
Maserati
Lotus
TVR
Vantage
On those sort of lines
However great the car if you are stuck behind others doing 50 mph on a nice country road it isn’t much fun.Maserati
Lotus
TVR
Vantage
On those sort of lines
It is many decades since I lived in the UK but I have genuine sympathy for car enthusiasts with the massive surveillance ,great density and huge regulation.
I still have some Porsches and have opportunities to use them , but agree that there is no fun in driving in dense traffic. My 2005 Smart is often the choice.
I still have some Porsches and have opportunities to use them , but agree that there is no fun in driving in dense traffic. My 2005 Smart is often the choice.
Esceptico said:
Lotobear said:
Perhaps a Caterham would provide the best of both?
I did briefly own a Caterham and do really like them but they seem to have disadvantages of both cars and bikes without some of the advantages. Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff