Discussion
Well, it was a sad day today, the new owner picked up my 996.
I remember the day I got her, mainly because I, through choice caught not one, but 3 seperate trains to go pick her up, and spent the whole drive home tense. Firstly because the fuel light came on while in traffic on the M25, with the nearest petrol stations I knew being in Reading, and secondly because, it was the achievement of a lifelong dream, to own a Porsche 911.
I chose the 996 as it really was a 911 you could use everyday, and while the Carrera 2 might be the entry level model, 300bhp seemed more than enough for some seriously spirited driving, the car built so well, performing so well, and putting a smile on my face everytime i floored the throttle.
Of course, it wasn't all plain sailing, the day I twisted the key to be greated with a series of clicks, rather than that glorious sound of a flat six roaring into life made my heart sink, but 24 hours, and £75 later, she had a new battery and was as good as new.
I loved driving her, the sensation really was second to none, the feel, the acceleration, the wonderful sensation when you attack a corner at full pelt, feeling the front end grip, and squeeze on the power as it squats down on those huge back tyres, the howl of the engine at full tilt, and of course, the attention, of which it was 99% positive, smiles, thumbs up.
While it was sad to see my 911 go, I'm glad I had it, i'm glad I was lucky enough to experience it, and while I'm sure it wont be my last, if it is, it was worth every penny, as I loved every second...
I remember the day I got her, mainly because I, through choice caught not one, but 3 seperate trains to go pick her up, and spent the whole drive home tense. Firstly because the fuel light came on while in traffic on the M25, with the nearest petrol stations I knew being in Reading, and secondly because, it was the achievement of a lifelong dream, to own a Porsche 911.
I chose the 996 as it really was a 911 you could use everyday, and while the Carrera 2 might be the entry level model, 300bhp seemed more than enough for some seriously spirited driving, the car built so well, performing so well, and putting a smile on my face everytime i floored the throttle.
Of course, it wasn't all plain sailing, the day I twisted the key to be greated with a series of clicks, rather than that glorious sound of a flat six roaring into life made my heart sink, but 24 hours, and £75 later, she had a new battery and was as good as new.
I loved driving her, the sensation really was second to none, the feel, the acceleration, the wonderful sensation when you attack a corner at full pelt, feeling the front end grip, and squeeze on the power as it squats down on those huge back tyres, the howl of the engine at full tilt, and of course, the attention, of which it was 99% positive, smiles, thumbs up.
While it was sad to see my 911 go, I'm glad I had it, i'm glad I was lucky enough to experience it, and while I'm sure it wont be my last, if it is, it was worth every penny, as I loved every second...
magic torch said:
Sad day, but you've done it, not many can say they've owned their lifelong dream. You can.
very true.
I am just enjoying the good times, rather than being down about it being gone.
My only regret is all the things I wanted to do with it (Track days, Euro trips, the Ring) but hey, no reason I cant do that in the new car!
CatherineJ said:
So what are you having next?
I have an Audi S3 sat in the garage right now.
It was supposed to be a sensible downgrade, yet i still have 225bhp! oops, how did that happen
I have to say, I'm pretty impressed too, it doesnt feel that much slower than the Porsche (it is though), when you floor it up to about 4k revs it feels just as fast as the 911 did, but beyond that it starts to lose it, where the flat-6 carried on getting faster.
On the positive side, its still a lot of fun, but I dont get into illegal speeds quite as easy anymore, and while its more detached, it's very sure footed and grips well, so I still had fun, and will be a good long distance cruiser.
Edited by Fidgits on Saturday 5th May 18:46
Fidgits said:
CatherineJ said:
So what are you having next?
I have an Audi S3 sat in the garage right now.
It was supposed to be a sensible downgrade, yet i still have 225bhp! oops, how did that happen
I have to say, I'm pretty impressed too, it doesnt feel that much slower than the Porsche (it is though), when you floor it up to about 4k revs it feels just as fast as the 911 did, but beyond that it starts to lose it, where the flat-6 carried on getting faster.
On the positive side, its still a lot of fun, but I dont get into illegal speeds quite as easy anymore, and while its more detached, it's very sure footed and grips well, so I still had fun, and will be a good long distance cruiser.
Edited by Fidgits on Saturday 5th May 18:46
Is that the new one or the last model?
CatherineJ said:
Fidgits said:
CatherineJ said:
So what are you having next?
I have an Audi S3 sat in the garage right now.
It was supposed to be a sensible downgrade, yet i still have 225bhp! oops, how did that happen
I have to say, I'm pretty impressed too, it doesnt feel that much slower than the Porsche (it is though), when you floor it up to about 4k revs it feels just as fast as the 911 did, but beyond that it starts to lose it, where the flat-6 carried on getting faster.
On the positive side, its still a lot of fun, but I dont get into illegal speeds quite as easy anymore, and while its more detached, it's very sure footed and grips well, so I still had fun, and will be a good long distance cruiser.
Edited by Fidgits on Saturday 5th May 18:46
Is that the new one or the last model?
the old one...
s3am said:
The s3's a very good car, and I've always had a soft spot for mine. In fact I can't imagine ever selling it. However it will never excite like a 996 though, sorry. 
But i never expected it to excite like a 911.
I was impressed at how fast it felt after one to be honest - this is a sensible 'everyday' car..
clubsport said:
Once you get used to the superior build quality of the Audi, you will soon forget the 996 
(latest 8P version of S3 is 261bhp, assume you have previous 8L version 210/225bhp)
(latest 8P version of S3 is 261bhp, assume you have previous 8L version 210/225bhp)
Ahem [not wishing to make this any worse than it is already] my mates s3 went bang on the 'ring..... go easy on her (esp the corners) and make sure you have european assist otherwise it gets expensive ;-)
Apologies!!
Edited by CAB on Saturday 5th May 20:49
great story, but now my desire to get a 996 has grown more. i too will have one, one day but for now i am saving to compensate for when the kids have grown up a bit then its 996 ( or 997 poss ) time, unless i get six numbers tonight, then i will be in a sleeping bag outside the door of the OPC, waiting for the door to open with my GT3 spec in hand
I too felt that empty feeling as the new owner drove off my drive in mine last Monday night.........the cheeky git who bought it brought a bottle of wine for my wife and a box of hankies for me! 
I will have another in a year or two though, hopefully a 997 GT3 if the share scheme does well!
I will have another in a year or two though, hopefully a 997 GT3 if the share scheme does well!
Fidg - I feel for you I really do.
I sad goodbye to mine today too, and as I drove off I felt very guilty that I was going after it had given me 20000 faultless miles in the last year, with some stunning memories of driving over large parts of the UK and France.
Doing the route napolean in it last october will live with me for ever.
The S3 sounds ace, and its the perfect remedy for you meloncholy mood.
and as the fire still burns, one day you know you will be back
I sad goodbye to mine today too, and as I drove off I felt very guilty that I was going after it had given me 20000 faultless miles in the last year, with some stunning memories of driving over large parts of the UK and France.
Doing the route napolean in it last october will live with me for ever.
The S3 sounds ace, and its the perfect remedy for you meloncholy mood.
and as the fire still burns, one day you know you will be back
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