benw123 said:It's a cool car but I'd never buy one. I got to drive a 996 at a supercar experience and it was great fun, but they're well-known to be tricky on the limit because of that classic rear-engine layout.
Plus, one of our senior managers at work runs a 2003 C4S cabrio and has had a couple of problems with it - a blown amp (£600 to replace) and the rear spoiler doesn't rise up at speed anymore. For £54k, you'd hope for more ...
RWD isn't the problem - it's the rear-engined layout (i.e. behind the rear axle) that can catch out the unwary. True, it doesn't apply so much to the 996 and 997, but previous models were renowned for it. However, this doesn't make them any less exciting to drive!Ess_Three said:Well I'm sorry to have to say, but I think that's crap.
The 996 isn't any more tricky on the limit than any RWD car..the rear suspension has come a long way in 40 years you know!
In any RWD high performance car, if you drive like a cown, you crash. The 911 is no different.
Besides...you can get a Carrera 4 if you really want to drive at silly speeds in the wet.
My C4S is easily the fastest car I've ever been in point to point...in all weathers.
You can drive it hard in pouring rain and not give the rear end a second thought. The stability management is the best I've ever used too...there is no ned to ever turn it off.
Randomjim said:Part of the reason why i love the 911 so much is because the germans are so stubborn. They put the engine in the wrong place but then they engineer it to work out for the better.
Also if you've ever seen the size of the tyres on the back of a 911 which also has the weight of the engine on them. You've gotta be going some to lose control, or driving like an idiot.
benw123 said:RWD isn't the problem - it's the rear-engined layout (i.e. behind the rear axle) that can catch out the unwary. True, it doesn't apply so much to the 996 and 997, but previous models were renowned for it. However, this doesn't make them any less exciting to drive!
Ess_Three said:In all honesty, the pre-964 cars were wild.
The 964 and 993 less so...with the 996/997 being virtually impossible to do silly things in, as long as you are a competent driver who knows the basics.
Lift off midway through a corner and physics take over...but that's common to many cars - FWD included.
At the end of the day, Porsche didn'r build early 911s for those lacking in driving ability...the same goes for the current electronic-safety-net lacking cars (GT3 etc). If you can't handle one...buy something else.
The rest of the range are safe as houses nowadays.
old skool?Randomjim said:If i had one it would be old skool 993
fasteddie said:old skool?
993?
how old are you?
I had an old skool 911, proper 911, pre 1973, now that's old skool - but I know what you meany, last of the aircooled, better looking that the 996 - although I think they have got it right with the 997!