Best Handling Porsche?
Discussion
Having driven a few Porsches now, I have to say that I think the 944 really is the best 'handler'. Not driven a Cayman yet though!
Thought I love the feel of a 911, the 944 does give me more confidence, especially in the slippery weather... The Boxster does go around corners like it is on rails, but the "feel" through the wheel feels a little less alive than the 944, doesn't communicate as well I think.
So, for the real experts out there with some real knowledge, what do you all think? I'd love to hear a proper opinion!
I haven't driven enough cars, hard enough to tell!
Thought I love the feel of a 911, the 944 does give me more confidence, especially in the slippery weather... The Boxster does go around corners like it is on rails, but the "feel" through the wheel feels a little less alive than the 944, doesn't communicate as well I think.
So, for the real experts out there with some real knowledge, what do you all think? I'd love to hear a proper opinion!
I haven't driven enough cars, hard enough to tell!
Ok so certainly not the very best but the 928 is a very sure footed balanced drive, for a tank. The 968 handles very nicely but you always feel its a little underpowered (havent tried a CS).Personally found my lowered 964 handled just great so would imagine a 964RS would be as good as anything.
hoges11 said:
Ok so certainly not the very best but the 928 is a very sure footed balanced drive, for a tank. The 968 handles very nicely but you always feel its a little underpowered (havent tried a CS).Personally found my lowered 964 handled just great so would imagine a 964RS would be as good as anything.
I think a well sorted 928 brought to 968CS spec can match any 944/968 combo on all but the twistiest track...
The problem with modifying a 928 is that I have had to re-discover the wheel and the hot water simultaneously so to speak. Having ditched almost 100kg off the GT, upped the BHP to 300 at the wheels from 270 (363 at the crank), invested in a proper LEDA race suspension, stiffer ARBs, Cobra seats, Schroth harnesses, SS brake lines and a short shifter me thinks that I am due to have some more fun at the Ring this year.
Had an eary 944 t with M474 then bought a 968CS.
Expected them to be similar but the 968 CS was in a different league. To be honest I'm not sure why. I think the 944 could have done with stiffer anti roll bars ans springs perhaps - it used to roll about a bit
I have never driven a car as forgiving as the 968CS. The 944 was much less benign once the tail got out in the wet
Expected them to be similar but the 968 CS was in a different league. To be honest I'm not sure why. I think the 944 could have done with stiffer anti roll bars ans springs perhaps - it used to roll about a bit
I have never driven a car as forgiving as the 968CS. The 944 was much less benign once the tail got out in the wet
flemke said:
The best handling Porsche I have ever driven was a 996 GT3RS, but it was a race car and it was on slicks
This was a GT3RS race car (FIA,British GT's) not the road car version. Predictability and accesability is all part of the fun if you are pushing a Porsche to its limit. However that said whatever Porsche you own they are all very succeptable to geometry changes, spring kit changes, tyres and tyre pressures all of which can dramatically improve their handling.
Here's some examples :
I used to have a 944 silver rose that was chipped and ran 1 bar boost. The tyres looked in good condition can't remember what they were but in the wet at 100mph when it came on boost it would light the rear tyres up. Altered the geometry and changed the tyres end of problem.
My old 3.2 Carrera. If it was wet anything over 80mph became frightening. Once the geometry was changed with more camber and full castor driving in the wet was no longer a problem.
My 965 3.6 turbo in the damp would light the tyres up in second even on lite boost and Bridgestone SO2 tyres. Fitted an H & R spring kit, reset all the camber and castor, changed the tyres to P Zero C race tyres and now even on full boost in the wet in 2nd gear she grips and goes.
If you ask me what was the worst handling car straight out of the box and untouched then the worst was a 993 Carrera 2S, over sprung and under damped. The best was a 996 with sports suspension and 17" wheels. (I haven't driven a 997 yet) Wheel sizes are also an issue. 3.2 Carrera's drive fine on 15's and 16's. Fit 17" Cup's and they drive like crap. 964's and 993's drive fine on 17's, fit 18's and they drive like crap.
Most of those differences you describe seem to be about improving grip. Massively important but the neutral handling of one of the front engined cars when set up right is very very flattering indeed.
DOn't let me wrong I am a 911 man, currently have a 993 4S (on which I suspect the same problems you descibe above as it bonces at speed) but even in the best 911 when you have exceeded the grip it needs a good driver to get things straight again. In the 968 CS I had, my mother could have done it- they are so forgiving when you get things wrong - nothing like the grip of a 911 but more neutal handling
DOn't let me wrong I am a 911 man, currently have a 993 4S (on which I suspect the same problems you descibe above as it bonces at speed) but even in the best 911 when you have exceeded the grip it needs a good driver to get things straight again. In the 968 CS I had, my mother could have done it- they are so forgiving when you get things wrong - nothing like the grip of a 911 but more neutal handling
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
Having driven a few Porsches now, I have to say that I think the 944 really is the best 'handler'. Not driven a Cayman yet though!
Thought I love the feel of a 911, the 944 does give me more confidence, especially in the slippery weather... The Boxster does go around corners like it is on rails, but the "feel" through the wheel feels a little less alive than the 944, doesn't communicate as well I think.
So, for the real experts out there with some real knowledge, what do you all think? I'd love to hear a proper opinion!
I haven't driven enough cars, hard enough to tell!
We could probably have a debate about what constitutes good handling but in my opinion, for the less experienced driver the 968cs because it is benign and relatively low powered, for the more experienced driver any RS will be beautifully adjustable. It all depends on what you are looking for..
graeme73s said:In that case there would have been a goodly amount of downforce, which further affects the comparison. If we're expanding the universe to include race cars, the RS Spyder seems to go around bends pretty well!
The best handling Porsche I have ever driven was a 996 GT3RS, but it was a race car and it was on slicks
This was a GT3RS race car (FIA,British GT's) not the road car version.
As someone has said, there are different ways of defining "good handling". For most PHers' practical purposes, however, the front-engined (non-Cayenne, that is) Porsches are the most controllable.
flemke said:
As someone has said, there are different ways of defining "good handling". For most PHers' practical purposes, however, the front-engined (non-Cayenne, that is) Porsches are the most controllable.
Hi Flemke, I met you last Friday evening I believe at the Pistonklause (I was part of the EVO group).
I'd agree that if we're defining 'handling' as being the most accesible and forgiving on the limit then probably the 968CS would rate as one of the best handling Porsches (for a wide range of drivers). My only reservation is that the 968 could feel a little pitch sensitive when the steering was first turned, but otherwise was very predictable. Of current Porsches I would probably recommend the Cayman, which I found more accesible and approachable than any other Porsche I've driven (and I've driven most built during the past 15 years). I'd love to compare a 968CS with a Cayman back to back and see which is the more driver focused tool. The Boxster which I was driving last weekend still feels a little too sterile and unrespsonsive to win this honour.
I'd agree with whoever it was mentioned set up.
Makes all the difference.
Late 944T and 968 are same chassis. 968CS has bigger brakes allowed by 17" wheels.
OE suspensions vary a lot in spec. ad in wear and tear and a dodgey set up and no two 944's will feel the same.
I have 944T with complete 968CS M030, (except the castor mounts 'cos I still use 16" wheels (more comfy).
I handles fine but is hard on bumpy roads and wanders a bit if you don't concentrate as it was set up for track use by Parr. They also did the bit where they put a scale under each wheel and balance it out. Can't think what they call that for the life of me. Help please.
Makes all the difference.
Late 944T and 968 are same chassis. 968CS has bigger brakes allowed by 17" wheels.
OE suspensions vary a lot in spec. ad in wear and tear and a dodgey set up and no two 944's will feel the same.
I have 944T with complete 968CS M030, (except the castor mounts 'cos I still use 16" wheels (more comfy).
I handles fine but is hard on bumpy roads and wanders a bit if you don't concentrate as it was set up for track use by Parr. They also did the bit where they put a scale under each wheel and balance it out. Can't think what they call that for the life of me. Help please.
RobbieMeister said:
I'd agree with whoever it was mentioned set up.
Makes all the difference.
Late 944T and 968 are same chassis. 968CS has bigger brakes allowed by 17" wheels.
OE suspensions vary a lot in spec. ad in wear and tear and a dodgey set up and no two 944's will feel the same.
I have 944T with complete 968CS M030, (except the castor mounts 'cos I still use 16" wheels (more comfy).
I handles fine but is hard on bumpy roads and wanders a bit if you don't concentrate as it was set up for track use by Parr. They also did the bit where they put a scale under each wheel and balance it out. Can't think what they call that for the life of me. Help please.
corner balancing?
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