For a change, let's talk cars: 997TT test drive

[FC]

It wasn't long and it was a week and a half ago, but I did get to drive what will hopefully be my car (trying to arrange a PPI right now).

The car is on winter tires and it was a damp day. For just shy of 85K miles, the car looks great. You'd think it has 30K miles. Obviously it has spent most of its life in the highway.

On the inside, it is very familiar to the 987S in an awesome way. Low, supportive seats, nice leather throughout, firm pedals, same wheel, shifter, etc. The alcantara headliner is very nice.

On start-up, it reminds me of how great a nice-sounding engine is. It sounds even better than the 987S. Clutch is very easy to use properly the first time with a nice, firm feel. It has an SSK, so shifter action is short and precise. The first thing I notice is that it doesn't blow me away in terms of speed. I think maybe the turbos are not working right. I leave the driveway from work and get the sense that the car is quick, but not anywhere near as fast as I expected and only marginally faster than the 987. After a mile, and after I've merged onto the highway, I realize I've been using a fraction of the gas pedal travel. I move over to the left lane, and on 4th gear at 60mph I go most of the the way down on the gas pedal - HOLY SHIT! Rinse and repeat and again on back roads. This thing is stupid-fast. I never went past ~5.5krpm. The owner tells me it gets really fast at 6krpm. That must be absolutely savage. I did not try it that day.

I noticed no lag once moving, and a constant building of thrust, capable of accelerating so fast that as much as I tried, I couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Traction was insane even on winter tires. The brakes felt superb and with better feel than the 987S which always felt a bit weak on initial bite versus my 3er's.

It really is no joke, you can really drive this car all day and have it feel like a 3er or 5er. It's that easy to drive around town, and if you feel like it, there is virtually no limit to its performance on the street. Undoubtedly, it is mostly wasted. It's a sin not to take this car to the track once or twice a year.

However, unlike the E90 M3, this car feels awesome all the time, at any speed - even at idle. I felt this way with my old 987S as well. But unlike those cars, and particularly the M3, this thing hauls ass at any rev. Not quite so brutal at 2krpm, but after 3krpm, it's just nuts. You also don't have to wait for 7krpm to feel how special it is. It also feels far more secure, with seemingly endless grip and awesome brakes.

In short, I loved it. No way in hell I'd buy one new. It's overkill. I feel that the Boxster is a better toy most of the time for half the money. Both cars make you feel you are in something special. But I want the 4 seats and even if it's just a few seconds each drive, this car gives you incredible performance in a civilized, refined, controlled and confidence-inspiring way that I can see why filthy-rich people would buy one.

At the price I may be getting it, it's too difficult to say no. It's an outrageous car that can be surprisingly low-key. I am treating this potential ownership the same way as any adrenaline-rush activity/hobby. As I tell my wife, better this than a speed bike. Plus, it can, if needed, seat the whole family, has AWD, a steel roof, winter tires, and a "trunk." It's not purely a toy.

[lip277]

[zach]

Nice. If you are looking for an independent Porsche ship, I recommend German Performance in Brighton. He just does BMW, Porsche, and Mini. I've been using him for years and years.

[FC]

Originally Posted by zach

Nice. If you are looking for an independent Porsche ship, I recommend German Performance in Brighton. He just does BMW, Porsche, and Mini. I've been using him for years and years.

Cool, thanks!

[zach]

Originally Posted by FC

Cool, thanks!

No prob. Tell Marc I sent you if you end up there. I swear I must be one of his best customers. Ugh.

[FC]

Originally Posted by zach

No prob. Tell Marc I sent you if you end up there. I swear I must be one of his best customers. Ugh.

Well, I think I might get the PPI done at the dealership where it was serviced and sold since it is less than a mile from work and they know the history, but I will probably not use them for actual work, so it's good to know another name.

Years ago (8?) lemming recommended a P-car indy shop in Framingham when I had a flat on my ZHP. He was on the way home (Natick back then), and had many P-car race cars in the shop. He may just do race prep though. Cool guy. Patched my (then pretty rare, low-profile) rear tire on the spot.

[Plaz]

Nice.

[JST]

Sounds badass.

Now, just set aside about $5000 per year for track days...

[FC]

Originally Posted by JST

Sounds badass.

Now, just set aside about $5000 per year for track days...

Yes, though I might have to wait a year or so first. This car plus the detached garage are stretching my wife's car patience very thin. Hopefully I can sign up for one late Summer/early Fall next year. Sooner than that and I may be sleeping in my new garage.

[Jeff_DML]

sounds very nice, hopefully PPI works out and you can pull the trigger