996 Turbo / GT2 Turbo discussion on previous model 2000-2005 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo and 911 GT2.

Past my p-car prime?

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Old 02-28-2004, 03:17 AM
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Past my p-car prime?

I drove a turbo a couple days ago. I was thinking of getting on as my daily driver. It was like the first time I rode a roller coaster. The ride was scary fast. I hate to sound like a woos but it really was scary. Everything was coming at me too fast. I also felt a little clausterphobic, the cabin seemed a little small (I am 6 ft. 200 lbs). I am 45 and maybe just too old for the car of my dreams. Do you ever get comfortable with the quickness and snugness of this car?
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 05:11 AM
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I'm older and bigger - you get used to it. You learn to thirst for it. The power always seems a lot, but you get used to it and want more. And so on, and so on....
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 05:38 AM
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and so on...until you file for bankruptcy thanks to all the modaholic influence
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 11:49 AM
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Smile Youth, relativity, and the time-space continuum

Ghost, I super annuate you by several years, although I'm more compact physically; 5'10" before a parachute jump or acrobatic sex and 175 lbs.

On the car, you'll get quite used to the size and in time the compactness of the drivers compartment will fit and feel like slipping into your own private P-51 cockpit. Everything (except the radio changer buttons which are impossibly small and obscure) will fall readily to hand.

On the power, it is addicting and you will enjoy the availability in short order. Your maturity will also help you to savor it and it will lend you the ability to enjoy its' reserves.

Be aware though that it is different. Road feel and feedback is much more immediate and aural. If you're stepping out of say a BMW 740 or even a Mercedes 500 this car is a completely different organism. I think to enjoy the Turbo you must really be a fan. I don't think you need to be as hard-core to enjoy a C4S or Carerra.

My suggestion, try to find one to spend a full day in. Drive it everywhere, go get groceries or some lumber; whatever. Spend enough time with it to get the street feel of the car. Then decide.

I came from a 993 C2 (after 3 1/2 kids through higher education gave me a raise). Now that car felt TINY! So, the step-up to the 996 chassis was going almost super-size.

Good luck pard........
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 01:49 PM
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The "modding" of a Porsche is not a sickness. Unlike illicit drugs in which the user loses the ability of free choice, the modder carefully thinks out each step. The expenses may be similar. But the modder knows he has a problem. The addict does not realize there is a problem until he hits rock bottom, and if he survives, only then is true recovery likely. The modder does not need to recover. The need for speed can be an addictive component to the modder's affliction. But neither the speed nor the cost is ever enough to stop the behavior. In other words, the modder never hits "rock bottom." Can anyone lone me some money?
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 01:53 PM
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my girlfriend calls this forum a 'soft addiction'...
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 01:57 PM
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I'm also older and bigger than you and when I first got my car I felt pretty much the same way. What happens is that you learn to love the fact that things happen very fast and it is no longer scary, just very exciting. The size of the cockpit is perfect, enough room, comfortable, all controls close at hand. When I first got my car I could not imagine wanting anything faster but here I am 1 1/2 years later with a modified car. It is addicting but also one of lifes great pleasures. Oddly enough I'm again saying to myself I can't imagine wanting more power, hmmmm.
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 02:41 PM
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Fear. I will tell you about fear. Put me in the passenger seat of a Stage 4 car built and driven by Tony Ricci of PES Tuning in Pennsylvania and you will see fear firsthand! I was crying like a baby! I am simply not a good passenger. Nothing against Tony.

Ghost, I have similar proportions. I am 6'-0" tall and weigh 210lbs (that's not fat either!!!). I find the fit of the car snug but good. I came from a 944Turbo and then a 993 C2. THe 996 interior is on a completely higher plane.

Regarding power, when I first purchased the turbo, I thought I found the Holy Grail. The power and handling were amazing. Well that was then and this is now. I am currently at 600 horsepower compared to the stock 415 and it is getting old. It is completely addictive and this forum does not help at all! I often think, if I did not find this forum, I would be $50K richer!!! My advice to you is this:
  1. Buy the turbo
  2. Buy surfing restriction software
  3. Load said software on your computer
  4. Add 6speedonline to restricted sites
  5. Proceed to enjoy your car

If you don't follow that advice, you may find yourself, helplessly addicted to the modding process seeking more power and better handling. Good luck!!!
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 03:00 PM
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Originally posted by KPV
Ghost, I have similar proportions. I am 6'-0" tall and weigh 210lbs (that's not fat either!!!). I find the fit of the car snug but good. I came from a 944Turbo and then a 993 C2. THe 996 interior is on a completely higher plane.
If it helps at all, I am probably one of the taller ones to drive a 911. At 6'7" 220, I am still fit fine in the car with plenty of headroom. This could be a result of the lower seat bracket I have on my GT3 seat. None the less, I have the correct driving position in the car.

Fear. I will tell you about fear. Put me in the passenger seat of a Stage 4 car built and driven by Tony Ricci of PES Tuning in Pennsylvania and you will see fear firsthand! I was crying like a baby! I am simply not a good passenger.
Ken, I thought I was the only one to feel this way!!!
When somebody else is driving at high speed, I am always looking for the brake in the passenger foot well. Have'nt found one yet. This is probably the result of a crash or two in my younger, wilder days. For some reason, I lost the invinceablility factor...
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 03:57 PM
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Have had many P-cars and other performance cars, but the tt cab is the ultimate and my daily driver. I felt claustrophobic in the coupe, but am totally at home in the cab, having the top down more often than not (even in light rain or temps in the 30s). Obviously you must learn the tt’s idiosyncrasies, like any high performance car, but once you do, the thrill is truly addictive. And as msindi stated earlier, the “modaholic influence†and corresponding threat of bankruptcy adds greatly to the experience. I’ve got +20 years on you, but once I learned to understand and respect the power and performance of the tt, driving it (even hard) became second nature and one of life's great pleasures. Also, along with a lot of gym work it helps keep one young. Get it and have fun! As some sage once said, “life ain’t a dress rehearsalâ€.
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 04:24 PM
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Stick to viagra grampa.

Maybe a regular C2 would be more your speed?
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 04:31 PM
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Maybe you're right. I'll get the C2 when I do need Viagra, junior.
 
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Old 02-28-2004, 11:43 PM
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I think it depends on what car you came from.

My last car which got totalled by Savage BMW on a joyride was the BMW M3 with SMG. The M3 had 333HP, weights about the same as the Turbo, and while the Turbo is faster, the difference wasn't as dramatic as if I had been driving say, a Toyota Camry.

The sports seats are a tight fit even for me, and I am 6'2," 190. The thigh support is not as good as the M3 seats, if you were to drive with the proper DE approved driving position.

That being said, the Turbo rocks! It's great to be driving a car that you know can pass almost any car on the road with impunity, even if other drivers don't want to let you in.
 
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Old 02-29-2004, 08:31 AM
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Ghost, Dont feel that way, go for the TT and it will be your fountain of youth.
 
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Old 02-29-2004, 12:23 PM
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I hate to quote GM but here goes, "It's not more than you need (the TT), it's just more than you're used to." Go with the TT, you don't have to red line it or even close. Use gentle throttle inputs and you're all set. Good Luck!
 
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