TVR to 1st 911...couldn't be happier!
Discussion
Just picked up my 1st 911...a 2001 996 C4 fully loaded
I had a TVR beforehand, and a Lotus Elise Mk2 before that and a Lotus Elise Mk1 before that.
Both of the Lotus were great, fast enough, brilliant handling, 'very' cheap to run...overall brilliant cars...no mechanical problems at all, just a few silly things went wrong (door key locks got stuck, etc)
Then there was the TVR...until you've owned one of these they are very easy to criticise, but trust me, even if you have no intention of every owning one, either go for a test drive and get the TVR dealer to drive it hard, or do a track day. I lost a small fortune on a new 2004 model (about the value of my 1st Lotus!) and yes...I did have some problems (as like the Lotus, not mechanical though). Surprisingly more problems with the TVR than the Lotus?
Now the Porsche...what a car! Although 'slightly' slower than the TVR, the drive is SO different...it's hard to explain what I mean if you haven't driven both...but the Porsche feels bedded in to the road, you can pull away fast in the wet (this is very new to me), it has luxury extra's that I thought only existed in Merc's, 7 Series BMW's, etc...but it's the drive that has got me.
Every time you took the TVR out, you never knew whether you'd make it back alive (alright...exaggerating here, but you get my point). I have been lucky enough to by driven by a TVR race driver, and if you can drive like him I'm sure the TVR is every bit as good as a 911, but I'm not a professional racing driver...and in all honesty, there was no way I was getting the maximum out of the TVR.
I remember being behind 5 or so cars on an A road, I pulled out to start overtaking, and as I accelerated the wheels just spun (very wet road) and the cars that were behind me ending up driving past me...with me spinning on the spot at 60mph on the wrong side of the road, with cars now coming towards me!
As I say, I'm sure not all drivers have this problem, but the car is like a hovercraft, it kinda floats on the road, whereas the 911 feels like it's glued to the floor.
I can't explain how happy I am with the 911. I never thought a sports car could be so easy to drive, whilst still feeling like a sports car. I haven't driven it hard yet (still getting used to it) but I can already tell that I'm gonna be having some fun with it
In all honesty, I can only ever see myself buying different versions of the 911...hopefully a 996 turbo next?
I could go on for ages...although the TVR bought a kinda joy that I don't think the 911 will be able to do, I wouldn't swap back. I think of it as the Lotus and TVR were things I needed to get out of my system...and now I am driving the car that as a child every kid my age dreamed of owning...you probably remember Condor Man with the black turbos...and No Mans Land (rubbish film but all about Porsches
Sorry for the long post, which has probably talked about TVR more than Porsche, but I wanted to explain the difference for those people that have not driven both...
Cheers.
I had a TVR beforehand, and a Lotus Elise Mk2 before that and a Lotus Elise Mk1 before that.
Both of the Lotus were great, fast enough, brilliant handling, 'very' cheap to run...overall brilliant cars...no mechanical problems at all, just a few silly things went wrong (door key locks got stuck, etc)
Then there was the TVR...until you've owned one of these they are very easy to criticise, but trust me, even if you have no intention of every owning one, either go for a test drive and get the TVR dealer to drive it hard, or do a track day. I lost a small fortune on a new 2004 model (about the value of my 1st Lotus!) and yes...I did have some problems (as like the Lotus, not mechanical though). Surprisingly more problems with the TVR than the Lotus?
Now the Porsche...what a car! Although 'slightly' slower than the TVR, the drive is SO different...it's hard to explain what I mean if you haven't driven both...but the Porsche feels bedded in to the road, you can pull away fast in the wet (this is very new to me), it has luxury extra's that I thought only existed in Merc's, 7 Series BMW's, etc...but it's the drive that has got me.
Every time you took the TVR out, you never knew whether you'd make it back alive (alright...exaggerating here, but you get my point). I have been lucky enough to by driven by a TVR race driver, and if you can drive like him I'm sure the TVR is every bit as good as a 911, but I'm not a professional racing driver...and in all honesty, there was no way I was getting the maximum out of the TVR.
I remember being behind 5 or so cars on an A road, I pulled out to start overtaking, and as I accelerated the wheels just spun (very wet road) and the cars that were behind me ending up driving past me...with me spinning on the spot at 60mph on the wrong side of the road, with cars now coming towards me!
As I say, I'm sure not all drivers have this problem, but the car is like a hovercraft, it kinda floats on the road, whereas the 911 feels like it's glued to the floor.
I can't explain how happy I am with the 911. I never thought a sports car could be so easy to drive, whilst still feeling like a sports car. I haven't driven it hard yet (still getting used to it) but I can already tell that I'm gonna be having some fun with it
In all honesty, I can only ever see myself buying different versions of the 911...hopefully a 996 turbo next?
I could go on for ages...although the TVR bought a kinda joy that I don't think the 911 will be able to do, I wouldn't swap back. I think of it as the Lotus and TVR were things I needed to get out of my system...and now I am driving the car that as a child every kid my age dreamed of owning...you probably remember Condor Man with the black turbos...and No Mans Land (rubbish film but all about Porsches
Sorry for the long post, which has probably talked about TVR more than Porsche, but I wanted to explain the difference for those people that have not driven both...
Cheers.
Really enjoyed the post 
Good honest stuff.
I've always loved TVR's and lusted after one sice the first one I heard.
But the first one I drove (a Tuscan S) confimed your observations. After all that obsession I had to admit it just wasn't the car for me. (or I wasn't man-enough for the car
)
Enjoy the C4 (even on these nasty winter roads)
Good honest stuff. I've always loved TVR's and lusted after one sice the first one I heard.
But the first one I drove (a Tuscan S) confimed your observations. After all that obsession I had to admit it just wasn't the car for me. (or I wasn't man-enough for the car
) Enjoy the C4 (even on these nasty winter roads)
Other half just bought a 987 Boxster S, and at present I still have the T350.
First impression of the Porsche was how well it was put together, although was a little let down by the rest of it.
TVR's give such a sense of occasion on every trip which is hard to put into words, and I'm truelly gutted that mines going tomorrow. Of course they have thier problems, mines been in the garage for 3 months of the 19 months i've owned it. Still, now its going I forgive it all that.
I drove a GT2, GT3 & Turbo earlier in year & the GT2 was the only Porsche which kind of matched the feel of it. You know, the one which is ready to introduce you to the nearest field if you piss it off.
I also looked at a 993 Turbo S at the weekend, in a last bid attempt to sway the girlfriend away from the Boxster. Alas, to no avail.
First impression of the Porsche was how well it was put together, although was a little let down by the rest of it.
TVR's give such a sense of occasion on every trip which is hard to put into words, and I'm truelly gutted that mines going tomorrow. Of course they have thier problems, mines been in the garage for 3 months of the 19 months i've owned it. Still, now its going I forgive it all that.
I drove a GT2, GT3 & Turbo earlier in year & the GT2 was the only Porsche which kind of matched the feel of it. You know, the one which is ready to introduce you to the nearest field if you piss it off.
I also looked at a 993 Turbo S at the weekend, in a last bid attempt to sway the girlfriend away from the Boxster. Alas, to no avail.
great post andrew. i've never driven a tvr but i think i can imagine what you mean. the c4 may not provide the most 'focused' of all 911 experiences (the gt3, for instance, is amaizing) but i've found it just gets better the longer you have it. the feeling of being planted, even in the wet, it fantasticly confidense inspiring. come winter you can still chuck the things around - something i've found i can't do quite so much in the caterham. get a photo on your profile so we can see your new toy...
si.
si.
You have summed up exactly how I have felt having swapped from a Mk1 Elise to a Tuscan to a 996 C4S earlier this year. It does feel a little slower, the accelerator is a 'little' spongy with less instant response compared to the Tuscan but...I wouldn't go back - maybe a GT3 or a Turbo next.
Interesting stuff
I was talking with StuB last night about the merits of having a swinging pendulum at the back end and how it was completely different to either the tail happy but front engined Griff, or the sublimely balanced Ferrari.
Scared me sh**less to be honest!
Still can't think of a better car for the temporary budget though
I was talking with StuB last night about the merits of having a swinging pendulum at the back end and how it was completely different to either the tail happy but front engined Griff, or the sublimely balanced Ferrari.
Scared me sh**less to be honest!
Still can't think of a better car for the temporary budget though
burriana said:
Interesting stuff
I was talking with StuB last night about the merits of having a swinging pendulum at the back end and how it was completely different to either the tail happy but front engined Griff, or the sublimely balanced Ferrari.
Scared me sh**less to be honest!
Still can't think of a better car for the temporary budget though
Sorry Al.
I just think you should drive an example in your budget area (not a 996 C4 as quoted here!) to see if you like the experience. That nice red one might be a good example to start with (but don't try heel & toe'ing it).
Had a great night BTW, 'cept the wait for the taxi. Thanks for the vid too, posted to Google video & waiting the confirmation.
StuB said:
That nice red one might be a good example to start with (but don't try heel & toe'ing it).
It's very tempting, but I'm just reading about a top end turning into a full rebuild on another thread. Hence why i am keen to find a low mileage if I can.
Either way I'll be having you in it at V.Max showing me how to go round the bends sideways, backwards and any other style in between
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