I ve finally found my ideal drivers car
Discussion
After lots and I mean lots of cars and searching for a great drivers car, I think I’ve finally found my ideal car.
Following a spate of fast Caterhams, several fast classics including a genuine mk4 Cobra, Morgans, including the very first Aero and many modded Plus 8s, TVRs, an i8, an AMG GT, I finally got into 911s.
After a 991.2 Carrera S, I went for a GTS and then a 991.1. And although they were great cars, I never fell in love with any of them as there was always something missing. This applies to every car I’ve ever owned, some have been very fast but uninvolving, or stunning to look at but too wide for our roads, or great GT cars but too stiff and harsh over potholes and not proper sports cars.
Until my current car, which I have fallen for more than any of the 40 or so other cars I’ve owned. It’s a 997.1 C2 manual, with a rebuilt engine. It’s the right size, handles beautifully, quick enough and just great along our imperfect roads. The suspension is compliant, the steering feel is sublime and it drives like a true sports car should. It’s also a bit of a bargain at the moment.
It’s a genuinely great car and right now I have no desire to replace it, which is also a first! What a brilliant and surprising machine the 997 is.
Following a spate of fast Caterhams, several fast classics including a genuine mk4 Cobra, Morgans, including the very first Aero and many modded Plus 8s, TVRs, an i8, an AMG GT, I finally got into 911s.
After a 991.2 Carrera S, I went for a GTS and then a 991.1. And although they were great cars, I never fell in love with any of them as there was always something missing. This applies to every car I’ve ever owned, some have been very fast but uninvolving, or stunning to look at but too wide for our roads, or great GT cars but too stiff and harsh over potholes and not proper sports cars.
Until my current car, which I have fallen for more than any of the 40 or so other cars I’ve owned. It’s a 997.1 C2 manual, with a rebuilt engine. It’s the right size, handles beautifully, quick enough and just great along our imperfect roads. The suspension is compliant, the steering feel is sublime and it drives like a true sports car should. It’s also a bit of a bargain at the moment.
It’s a genuinely great car and right now I have no desire to replace it, which is also a first! What a brilliant and surprising machine the 997 is.
Every year since forever, the next, latest, rarerest, 'mostest limited' edition 911 - GTS, GT3, GT3 RS, GT2, R, ST, STD, LGBTQ, whatever - has stolen the limelight.
And also just about every year, some very worthy and knowledgeable motoring journo will say - the most underrated and best value 911 is at the basic end of the range. Chassis dynamics, engine noise, steering, it's got 80-90% of what any of the best have, at a fraction of the cost.
Enjoy!
And also just about every year, some very worthy and knowledgeable motoring journo will say - the most underrated and best value 911 is at the basic end of the range. Chassis dynamics, engine noise, steering, it's got 80-90% of what any of the best have, at a fraction of the cost.
Enjoy!
Digga said:
Every year since forever, the next, latest, rarerest, 'mostest limited' edition 911 - GTS, GT3, GT3 RS, GT2, R, ST, STD, LGBTQ, whatever - has stolen the limelight.
And also just about every year, some very worthy and knowledgeable motoring journo will say - the most underrated and best value 911 is at the basic end of the range. Chassis dynamics, engine noise, steering, it's got 80-90% of what any of the best have, at a fraction of the cost.
Enjoy!
100%,the marketing hype sadly puts these in the shadows.And also just about every year, some very worthy and knowledgeable motoring journo will say - the most underrated and best value 911 is at the basic end of the range. Chassis dynamics, engine noise, steering, it's got 80-90% of what any of the best have, at a fraction of the cost.
Enjoy!
Pleased to see its a manual and not a sit and steer auto pdk thingy
I've been lucky enough to drive a whole host of exotica the last few years, some directly back to back with my 'fettled' 996 and the first corner back in the 996 makes me smile/ laugh every time, they are just so good. Some of the aforementioned, a major service probably isnt far off the worth of my 996 
Apropos of this, out of the blue, my brother in law messaged earlier in week that he was getting rid of his Panamera and had specced a new 911. He sent the build for me to look at and it was lovely. C2, 19" wheels - a perfect, sensible, usable and not stupidly expensive daily driver. Only thing I had to tell him he'd got 'wrong' was front axle lift, which is a must.
The reason why it’s probably so enjoyable to drive is that’ it’s less than a tenth of the price of a 992.2gt3 so it ends up being less precious and used as intended so even a 986S would give the same amount of pleasure
IMO that’s what a true drivers car should be, something you use all the time and not sat in a garage only to come out when the sun is shining for cars and coffee.
Cars like the 997.2 GT3/RS have climbed so high in value that they are bought by “collectors “ and no longer driven which is a real shame. I can see good low miles 997.2 C2 etc (manual) following the same trajectory as cars like the 997.2 we’re common place on the roads and in adds a few years back but sadly no longer and were built in low numbers compared to 991/992 Generations
IMO that’s what a true drivers car should be, something you use all the time and not sat in a garage only to come out when the sun is shining for cars and coffee.
Cars like the 997.2 GT3/RS have climbed so high in value that they are bought by “collectors “ and no longer driven which is a real shame. I can see good low miles 997.2 C2 etc (manual) following the same trajectory as cars like the 997.2 we’re common place on the roads and in adds a few years back but sadly no longer and were built in low numbers compared to 991/992 Generations
The 992 GT3 and probably every 911/GT3 variant after it are and will be supremely competent machines but really have become a bit too GT (and in my opinion too large) and their 911/Sports car DNA only becomes apparent at really high speeds.
Therefore a 997 feels like the perfect sports car in comparison and the last of the 'true' 911's. A COMPACT sports car that handles sublimely and has amazing steering and brake feel - and easily enjoyed at 50/60mph.
The 992 has lost a lot of the 911 DNA, but new car buyers have no choice but to buy it.
Therefore a 997 feels like the perfect sports car in comparison and the last of the 'true' 911's. A COMPACT sports car that handles sublimely and has amazing steering and brake feel - and easily enjoyed at 50/60mph.
The 992 has lost a lot of the 911 DNA, but new car buyers have no choice but to buy it.
Digga said:
Only thing I had to tell him he'd got 'wrong' was front axle lift, which is a must.
Not really arguing one way or another, but why? I never grounded out my 992 GTS on anything and that had the -10mm suspension. Anyway, as someone currently in between cars it’s interesting to hear the praise for 997s. I keep looking at them but wondering if they might be a bit fragile for a semi-daily. As much as the 992 was a perfect daily car it really did lack something as a driver’s car.
wax lyrical said:
Therefore a 997 feels like the perfect sports car in comparison and the last of the 'true' 911's. A COMPACT sports car that handles sublimely and has amazing steering and brake feel - and easily enjoyed at 50/60mph.
The 992 has lost a lot of the 911 DNA, but new car buyers have no choice but to buy it.
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