One Day I'll Get to Drive It....

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
03/25/2014 at 18:22 • Filed to: Porsche 911

If there's anything in the world I'd love to do this year, I'd love to finally be able to finally be given permission to drive my Dad's 911.

For years(mind you, I'm 18) I've dreamed of driving this car, gotten many Hot Wheels of 911s, Carreras and what have you; my best car in Forza 4 is a 993 GT2. I have dreamed about this car for the longest time and have longed to drive one since before I got my license.

However, each time I asked, I was denied the possibility by my dad, and for good reason; I couldn't drive a manual then. Now, with my Focus ST, I've successfully driven, learned and tamed the manual tranny to the point that I'm capable of handling the 911. Will this be the year that he finally hands me the key to the car?!

Now this is where the "Porsche-Tamer" is asking Porsche advice from the you all; tell me, whoever has driven a 911(G-model, 964, 993 ect.) What is it like to drive one? Any quirks, habits that the car has that I should know about if I do get the opportunity? Acceleration, handling, brakes, the 915 transmission? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

DISCUSSION (43)

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 18:27

I've driven one of those body Style Porsche 's 911.

I loved it.

Keep in mind, pedals hinged at the bottom behave differently from pedals hinged at the top. It's a leverage thing, and a moving just your foot as opposed to your whole leg

CAR_IS_MI > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 18:28

Kinja'd!!!

It's kind of small, not sure one could reasonably fit.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
03/25/2014 at 18:32

Hmm, never thought of it like that before. I'm use to moving my entire leg, wonder if this'll be easier...

CAR_IS_MI > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 18:32

I've only been lucky enough to drive new, water cooled Porsches; mostly Turbos, which can best be described as "HOLYFUCKGRABONTOSOMETHINGTHISTHINGISSOFASTBUTICANTQUITELIFTMYFOOT!"

I don't think you'll have that same issue, but, should your dad hand you the keys, my advice would be, enjoy it, don't try to Ken Block it, just drive it and enjoy the sounds it makes.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2014 at 18:32

There's a way, just gotta find it!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2014 at 18:36

All I'd like to do is just drive it to here that sound on the road, get a feel for driving something so visceral and challenging. This is the only car available to do that. Have yet to take a drive in anything newer than a '76 though; who wants to give me a free ride!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 18:42

I got to drive my uncles Carrera RS once after literally begging him for nearly two years (I'm 19). My dad, on the other hand, had a 930 Turbo which he sadly just sold, and he never let me drive it. If you get the chance, take it! You will never forget it, but be careful... Its kind of like heroine. Once is never enough... I don't actually know what heroine is like but I assume its like driving an old Porsche for the first time.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 18:47

Its difficult to get accustom too.

I had to where I worked as I drove Porsche, Ferrari, Aston, and stuff similar to that.

I was a Mechanic in a reasonably high end shop.

Vizzini > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 18:47

It's awesome that you are looking forward to the day when you can drive dad's Porsche. It seems that the hope of driving a particular car is less frequently an aspiration of young people these days.

When you finally get the keys: don't go nuts. Your dad's car looks like it is a bit older, so it doesn't have insane amounts of power, but it has more than enough to get you into trouble quicker than you can react to it. Speaking as a long-term driver of a 993 and 997, here's what you do:

Savor the sound, and how responsive the engine is to your right foot.

Enjoy the precision of the brakes and steering.

Find a *straight* freeway onramp for a safe redline blast.

Drive a nice country road at 7/10s and delight in how light and agile the car is.

Honestly, for me the real attraction is in the sounds, smells and feedback the 911 gives you rather than outright speed.

Your Focus is a modern car with the ability to go, turn and stop in ways that would amaze car designers from a couple of decades back. The difference you will find, though, is the amount of weight and insulation (sound, vibration, tactile feedback) the Focus has compared to the Porsche. It is in the stripping away of all those layers of separation between you and the road that you will discover the brilliant essence of the older sports car.

Okay, enough zen. Just be careful and enjoy the sensations of the first drive. If you go crazy, it will be a really long time until you get a second time.

Is it obvious I'm the father of a kid with a license, or completely obvious?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/25/2014 at 18:48

You have/had two of my dream cars in your family......I must go find a corner to hide in!

Hearing the sound of an aircooled flat six is the equivalent of heroine. I don't know what heroine is like either, but it doesn't hurt to speculate :P

Kinja'd!!!

Your dad had a 930 Turbo and sold it.....

Kinja'd!!!

He sold the ultimate expression of my turbocharged dream car....?

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 19:17

Yeah, I don't know... He's made some slightly/very questionable car related decisions, most of which had to do with selling them (sold a VW 21 window bus, a Karman Ghia with a 914 engine, a 964 Turbo, and an awesome Shelby Cobra kit car among a few others... WHY???). His was Slate Blue, like this but with black Fuchs with polished lips

Kinja'd!!!

It was a blast to ride around in... But I seriously wish I got to drive it!

The Carrera RS is thankfully still in the family, but he's thinking about selling either that or his Ferrari 365 GTC in order to get a 959 if one ever comes up for sale on this side of the country... I can't say I would be against that, and I don't think he would ever actually sell the RS. Their both huge Porsche-files, as you can probably tell. Ahaha. I think it might be genetic.

Side note: have you ever seen the blow-off valve on a 930 Turbo? Its the size of a small tailpipe! Its insane!

alexotics > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 19:34

I've driven a 1980 SC Coupe with the Weissach package. It's very involving, makes one heck of a lot of noises, and you'll catch yourself permanently smiling like a goon. I'm hoping for you that this is the year! Just be careful with that transmission, it needs a very soft touch.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vizzini
03/25/2014 at 21:56

You're right about it being older; it's a 1974. The one I want to buy for myself one day is a 964 C2(as it seems I'm the only person in the world that actually likes it). I don't care much about how fast it goes more about the smell, feel, and the mechanical everything it has tot offer compared to power-assisted this and electronic that. It'll require pure zen-mode to drive it; the perfect connection of car and driver.

And yes it is very obvious; that is some genuine fatherly advice that you have given me, and I greatly appreciate it. Tell me, If I were looking for a 964 or 993 to daily drive in the future, what would I have to consider and why?

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/25/2014 at 21:59

He had a 964 Turbo too?? Oh my you're killing me! Getting a 959 might be the only excuse to sell an RS, but I wouldn't even sell the RS, it simply is the most sought after classic 911 EVER!

I too am a believer of Porsche-gentics; it's in your blood! Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to get up close to a 930... :(

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 22:26

He did, but it wasn't in great shape. Thats another one I would've loved to drive, but I didn't even have my license at the time. He had it for a while though, and then he got a 997 Carrera S that he daily drove for a couple years and I got to drive it twice, which was a blast. Most of his nice cars have been Porsches, and apparently his dad was the same way. My uncle (mom's brother) and his dad were big into BMW's and Porsches, so all of the cars I obsess over make a lot of sense as far as my family goes. Ahaha.

As far as the RS, I would be pretty surprised if he did sell it. With all of his other cars he kind of has the "they aren't for sale but if you want them, give me an offer" mentality, but he's turned down so many people who asked to buy that car. Hopefully it will stay in the family for, well, forever.

I saw pictures of your ST in another one of your posts. Congrats, man! It looks really sick and I've heard those are a blast to drive. What kind of mods are you planning? I'm not someone who likes to drive stock vehicles for too long... Its a problem.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/25/2014 at 22:35

I agree with that mentality. What became of the 997? My Uncle is the exact same way about Porsche except he does it better than my dad I hate to admit because he takes much better care of his 911 and 944. I envy the two of them more than anyone else because they can live the dream I've had my entire life basically whenever they want to.

My Uncle's planning on selling his 944, which I honestly hope doesn't happen any time soon, because while he's planning to buy a 944 Turbo(Best Uncle EVER!) he was gonna sell me the 944 before my dad got me the ST. I really wanna keep these cars in the family, they're just too much of a treasure for me to see them go!

The ST is a blast to drive! I'll be honest, it requires a lot of focus to drive; A LOT! I almost killed myself on the freeway last night. If you wanna know how or why, I can explain here or make a post about life life-threatening experience that was entirely my fault. :P

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/25/2014 at 22:36

I've never actually modded a car before, While I have to wait a couple years for warranty reasons, I expect to drop in a catback at some point and maybe a tune if I decide I don't have enough power; but it is the most powerful car I've ever driven so that might not be for a long time!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 22:55

The 997 was eventually sold, like everything else. I don't really know why but I think repairs were getting kind of pricey. At the time, since he was driving it every day, it had pretty high milage and once the warrantee ran out I think he decided to let it go and replaced it with an early 1960's Ford Stepside Pickup. Apparently he wanted to take a break from fast cars that seemed to get him a lot of speeding tickets.

I love the 944! They're so weird and... weird. A guy I worked with last summer tried to sell me his son's 994 S for dirt cheap and I wanted to buy it so badly, but the insurance would have been crazy and I also had next to no money.

On my BMW, my first mod was wheels. My dad pitched in a thousand bucks so I could 'save that money for repairs' because it's undoubtedly an old car that I got for cheap, which can sometimes be sketchy. My being a teenager, I naturally spent that money and whatever other cash I saved on BBSs and tires. It wasn't the best idea I've ever had, but it looked good! And lucky nothing too major broke, and I tried to do most of the work myself to cut down on cost. I want to do dual Webber side drafts, but they're really expensive and I don't think I'll have that kind of extra money any time soon. That car has tried to kill me a few times, so I definitely know what you mean! But I'm always down to hear a good story. Ahaha

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/25/2014 at 23:13

Basically here's what happened, was that my friend and his WRX were curious to see how the ST would pull against him from a roll(the answer was obvious but he wanted to know how obvious).

We get on the freeway and from 50mph I drop it in 3rd and overboost way past him; with 20psi of boost you get power really whenever you want it! Before I know it, I'm in 6th gear and pulling 130mph! It was strange, because it felt as though I was still going 60mph, I was literally floating on the road. Those 15 seconds were probably some of the greatest I've ever experienced in a car because I'd never been that fast in any car, and I was driving it!

Unfortunately we weren't prepared(read as didn't know) that there was a slight corner/bend and incline, the WRX was taking it at 105 and I at 130mph. I, having no experience at such high speeds and the ST also being my first manual, I had only seconds before it hit. instinctively, I tried to lightly tap on the bakes, but being still new and very touchy, I almost locked them up as I began to swerve between two lanes, apparently coming pretty close to a semi-truck. I don't really remember what happened next, but I was back in my lane going about 45 and back in 4th gear as if nothing happened; somehow I put the clutch in and decently downshifted into 4th while swerving and both Charlotte(the ST0 and I were fine, though my heart was racing like I had a heart attack or something. To say the least, I don't think I'll be going that fast again outside of a track(or at least where there's open road and no bends!)

Was it stupid? YES! but was it a learning experience? ABSOLUTELY!!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 23:37

Ahaha. Well, its definitely good to hear that everything turned out okay, and I figure that as long as you learn something from the experience and nothing bad happened, all is well. Thats what I try to tell my mom when I do something dumb. It doesn't always work, unfortunately. I didn't realize they could pull that well though! That's awesome.

When I first got my car I did something sort of similar, but its such an old car that I definitely could feel how fast I was going and that alone felt a little sketchy, and I was only doing high 90's. New cars generally handle speed really well, especially cars that are performance oriented like the ST. I drove my uncle's Ferrari F430 to a car show (yeah I know, I'm a spoiled brat as far as driving experiences go) and he was in his 365 GTC doing at least 150, so I had to catch up/keep up because I had no idea where the hell I was going. I hit 172mph (it was super early in the morning on the weekend and there was literally no one else on the road. Still not responsible, but I don't regret it. Ahaha) and it didn't even really feel like I was going that fast. Luckily its made for that kind of speed so there wasn't any drama involved, because I'm used to racing go-carts, not super cars.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/25/2014 at 23:43

Not so much spoiled as you are privileged to have the opportunity to drive such an amazing car! I reckon as long as you don't boast or brag about it,you're not really spoiled.

I use to think that my dad taking me for drives in his 911 and rides on his Harley made me spoiled, boy was I ever so wrong! :)

That speed though, THAT is a great feat and I wouldn't regret it either!

Kinja'd!!!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 23:56

Yeah, I feel super fortunate that I get to even be around all of these cars. I literally just go over to his house and stare at them in his garage sometimes because they're the cars that I've spent so many hours looking up on the internet, and some that I never even knew about. And I think thats a good point about what makes you spoiled. Doug Demuro wrote something the other day about what people think when you drive old luxury cars, even if they're pieces of crap and it kind of got me thinking about that, especially after one of the comments my friend made to me even though his car costs WAY more than mine.

But those are the best drives ever. Where my dad lives, the roads are super windy with a lot of elevation change and he would take me out in whatever car he had at the time, even if it was just to cruise. Those were, and still are some of the reasons I am now so obsessed with cars. I think thats how a lot of us get our start.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/25/2014 at 23:57

What kind of Harley does your dad have? My dad has one too! They seem pretty similar in their taste in vehicles. Ahaha

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 00:05

It's a 198x(have now idea what year) wide glide. It's modded too, not sure how modded but it's an adrenaline rush for me when I did ride on it; it's in better condition than the 911!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > alexotics
03/26/2014 at 00:06

That's what I've been told about the 915 transmission. It's a very touchy one that needs to be driven in a specific way; not driven hard or soft, somewhere in the middle.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 00:11

Those are very cool. Definitely more my taste than what my dad has. He's got a RoadKing but I have no idea what year his is either. I've never actually been on a motorcycle, but I bet its a rush!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 00:18

And with no frame or body to protect you, there is some fear that goes along with riding one of those I'm sure! I recommend taking a ride on one at some point. It's simply a joyride comparable to a roller coaster; just be sure you've got a sensible driver behind the handlebars! :)

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 00:25

My dad's been riding since he was 14, so I feel like I'd be pretty safe with him. Maybe I'll bug him about it next time I'm home. And at least on a roller coaster you're strapped in! I think that would freak me out for a minute. Ahaha

Kind of random, but have you seen this? Its my favorite ST that I've seen pictures of so far. I figured you's appreciate it.

http://www.stanceworks.com/2013/03/fiftee…

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 00:31

I haven't seen this ST, but a few like it. I believe its got the Agency Power fender flares and some kinda special wheel whose name eludes me currently. Is this the one that belongs to Ken Block or something?

I like it's looks, but not enough to replicate it on mine; maybe just rear flares with maybe wheel spacers and wider tires and lowered maybe an inch or so, but that's as extreme as I think I could possibly go. :P

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 00:37

It was just a Fifteen52 project car last year, I think. Thats who make the wheels, too. If I remember correctly they made 2 or three. But yeah, as much as I love it I don't think I'd do the same... Unless I had the money, maybe. That is one extremely long mod list.

Oh, and if you don't mind my asking, how on earth do you post to Oppo? Ive been trying to figure it out for a while but with no avail.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 00:44

You mean post a post like I did? If I recall correctly, you gotta get an admins approval or something.

Vizzini > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 00:44

I am horribly biased when it comes to 993s. They are a tremendous refinement over what came before: comfortable, reliable, and still exceptionally capable as a sports car. Yet, compared to everything that came later, they are far more like their early progenitors because they lack a lot of the electronic and luxury gizmos that come with anything that's been made in the last 15 years. I drove my 993 daily for nine years and never got tired of it, and it functioned really well as the car I simply drove to work every day. Having never spent much time around the 964, I can't really comment on what it would be like to live with it every day, but I imagine it would be great as well. Mechanically, the 993 has some very significant refinements over the 964, but they are both very livable. It's hard to go wrong.

Enjoy that first drive, someday!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vizzini
03/26/2014 at 00:48

Thanks! I will, and there will be a future post and video to follow if this is indeed the year of the 911 for me haha! :)

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 00:48

Hmmm... Well there's my new goal for the next few days/weeks/however long.

Anyways, I've been procrastinating for far too long. Congrats on the ST, again, and good luck getting into the driver seat of the 911!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 00:50

I think I could just ask if you want? shouldn't be too hard, it was reasonably quick for me; I had a good friend ask for me!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 00:53

If you wouldn't mind, that would be awesome! I know some people like when others do reviews of their cars (which I definitely suggest you do for the ST), and since a lot of people like the BMW 2002, I figured it might be cool do review mine.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 00:57

Oh yes! A review will happen once summer hits!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 01:03

I just followed you so I won't miss it. Oppo reviews are always great. I wish they were more common. And a huge thanks in advance for asking/trying to ask to get me admin approval.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/26/2014 at 01:04

Just comment in the new post I just made and I think you should be all set. let me know if it doesn't work and I'll see if my friend can help you out! :)

alexotics > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 01:25

Deliberate and firm but smooth and gentle.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > alexotics
03/26/2014 at 01:33

Like taking care of a baby with determination!

Not sure how I got to this conclusion....

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/26/2014 at 01:36

Drove my dad's '85 911 at age 17 after two years in a '79 beetle. What can I say - the car is brilliant.

The clutch requires effort and care, the shifts need to be precise. The steering is thick but direct. The car is glued to the ground. There's no mistaking that this is a sports car, through and through. There's only one digital readout on the entire car - on the radio. The orange needles on the tach and speedo, five analog gauges staring you in the face. The Flat Six starts to wail behind you as you climb the revs. You're ass is basically dragging on the ground you're sitting so low; and you wouldn't have it any other way.

You're never going to forget it. Ever.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
03/26/2014 at 01:47

You have basically described my expectations and experiences in a whole. :)