Please teach me how to drive my new 911
 

Just got my first Porsche yesterday, a 2012 911S cab with manual transmission.

I'd appreciate insight into the dynamic characteristics of the car (understeer, oversteer, shift points, torque curve, etc.) and advice on how best to drive it (trail braking, when to accelerate in curves, appropriate corrections, etc.).

I want to have fun (spirited driving) :), but I don't want to drive off the road, spin, or flip over :eek:

I may eventually take it to the track, but I need to first look into issues of insurance, etc. Plus, the car is a real beauty, so I want to keep it pristine for a while.

Some suggestions...

1) read some driving books which explain dynamics (speed secret series for one)

2) join the PCA and hook up with other enthusiasts...you can even hire a driving coach based on recommendation from them...even for street driving.

3) nothing beats driving it at the track to find out what it is capable of...and nothing on the street comes close.

4) Keeping it pristine IMO means never taking it out of the garage....since as soon as you drive behind someone ...stuff can happen.

5) watch some of the driving videos here and in other forums.

good luck

I attended a day of the AMG Driving Academy at Lime Rock after I got my C63, so I've had some basic training and track time. I'm also reading the excellent "Going Faster" book from the Skip Barber school, and have also watched the related video.

Will definitely join the PCA and am planning to spend more time at the track, at least with another car if not the 911 initially (Summit Point seems to be closest to Baltimore).

I guess my specific questions now relate to how to best handle the 911 in particular, given that it's a rear-engine car. I've heard that the limits of the 911 are high, but that the car can be tricky to drive at the limit, so people like me could get themselves into trouble if they get overconfident. I also heard that the 997 was designed to be more neutral than its predecessors, so it's easier to drive at the limit, but that's something I wanted to verify with y'all.

The "Going Faster" book is a good read. Speed secrets is less technical and follows the keep it simply philosphy.

The newer 911's are easier to drive at the limit than the older versions...no doubt about it.

With your experience I think you just need some seat time.

The PSDS is another place to get some serious seat time in someone elses car.

I see that there quite a few books in the Speed Secrets series. Which one would you recommend starting with?

Regarding driving at the limit, how does the 997 compare with the 996?

Also, what's PSDS?

BTW, my day at the AMG Driving Academy was the funnest single day of my life. :D

u must work for Porsche to have driven the 991 already :D

for street driving, u obviously do not wanna test the limits of this car..;)
even for more 'spirited' driving, u prob can't get in too much trouble, like driving off the road..lol.

two things to keep in mind, IMO.. dont lift throttle when turning.. and keep the engine revving high (4k +)

PSDS = Porsche Sport Driving School. Just like the AMG one only better. ;)

Take the two day school if you can. It will answer all your questions and then some. Plus, you are wearing out their brakes and tires in the process, not yours.

thanks...slip of the keyboard there....

i'll fix it

I like the first two in the series for driving techniques. The others get more into the mental part of the game.

As Dr Bill has said, its the Porsche Sports Driving School @ Barber Motorpsorts Park in Alabama.

Expensive but well worth it.

Got it, thanks. My brother in a law just got a Panamera Turbo, so I'll try to convince him to attend the PSDS with me. A two-day course should work well, since it'll give me a chance to review the basics and then build further. Would love to try pushing a bunch of Porsches to the limit on the track. :D

Absolutely! Don't walk...run to Birmingham ASAP. Do not practice on your car without proper instruction. Too many reckless accidents and/or worn hardware due to inexperience or proper skills.

To the limit? With all due respect... approach the experience with a learning skills/building mentality, instead of aiming at an all-out 10/10 event. If you come out capable of controlling your car at 7/10 you are doing fine.

I also recommend this book: Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook, Vic Elford.

OK, maybe not the limit, but at least enough to hear the tires squeal. :D

Looking back at my day at the AMG academy, I feel like I could have pushed a bit harder (peak lateral g was about 0.8 to 0.9), so I want to take it to the next level next time.

Slow in
Fast out
Don't lift!

all very good info here...