"kyngfish" (martinbidegaray)
04/22/2015 at 12:32 • Filed to: None
1
7|
"kyngfish" (martinbidegaray)
04/22/2015 at 12:32 • Filed to: None | 1
| 7 |
My driveway doesn’t suck. I own a 2004 SLK32 AMG and a 2015 GTI. The SLK puts out around 350 hp/tq and weighs a little over 3000 lbs. If you punch the throttle on the supercharged 3.2 liter V6, it screams to 60 and if anything, feels more stable and happier above 90 (where legal). Top speed is supposed to be 186 mph, I haven’t tried to get there, but it definitely feels at home in the upper ranges. The GTI is a bit lighter and the 2.0 turbo and DSG are no slouch, with 258 lb/ft of torque and a planted, nimble feel.
Neither of those are a 997 4S.
My SLK is currently giving me a huge headache and has been sitting at the mechanic for a few weeks. Luckily, my car misfortune has coincided with my in-laws’ two week trip to Europe. Their driveway doesn’t suck either. They have a 2012 CLS550 and a 2010 911 4S. They said I could take my pick, if needed. Momma didn’t raise no fool.
My brother-in-law also has access to the cars and he prefers the CLS - so when I was left with the Porsche, I turned the key with equal parts excitement and trepidation. I’m a careful and competent driver but, shit happens, and it’s not MY baby.
The commute to work was miserable. At 3400 lbs, compared to my other two cars, the 4S is no lightweight, like my Benz it feels like it’s cut from a block of marble, heavy, planted, solid, but used to the forced induction in the SLK and the lightness of the GTI, this car felt heavy and unwilling to move. Bumper to bumper traffic in a 4S isn’t fun. The idle is relatively rough, and the throttle felt oddly weighted and not really that responsive unless I became aggressive with it, which seemed unlikely in the morning press.
Unfortunately
Luckily, I had a late afternoon in the office. On the way home I decided to be a bit more assertive (respectfully!! father-in-law). That’s when I realized I had no idea what I was doing. Staying in the throttle made all the difference in the world, the car felt responsive, and the transmission snappy. It WANTED to be revved to infinity, and in the corners, it begged for more gas, shifting weight backwards, but staying stable. The steering in my Benz kinda sucks, the GTI is precise, but the 997 talked to you in ways I hadn’t experienced since my 85 accord hatchaback without power steering. The front felt unusually light, but the sound, oh God, the sound was intoxicating. This was a car that wanted to be run hard (and put up wet), it demanded to be disrespected.
I was in love.
When I got home last night I called my brother-in-law and asked if we could trade. I couldn’t have that Porsche for one more day without testing its limits — and I didn’t want the responsibility. One day I will own one, and when that day comes I’ll abuse the shit out of it.
Textured Soy Protein
> kyngfish
04/22/2015 at 12:46 |
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They’re even better if you skip the awd.
schwartz
> kyngfish
04/22/2015 at 12:46 |
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This has also been my experience when driving several Cayman S. I am hooked and patiently waiting my turn to upgrade my ST to a used Porsche. Only 2-3 more years.
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kyngfish
> Textured Soy Protein
04/22/2015 at 12:47 |
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Yeah, that’s the only thing I was thinking the whole time, the standard S is almost 300 lbs lighter. But I will say, the grip was amazing.
PheeNoIVI
> kyngfish
04/22/2015 at 12:52 |
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Im a huge Porsche fanatic, they’re my ultimate dream car. However I have only ever driven one, a 2012 911 Turbo S. And I feel as if it has probably ruined the driving experience, of other lower end versions of the 911. I will own a Porsche one day, a 911, or a Cayman.
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kyngfish
> PheeNoIVI
04/22/2015 at 13:02 |
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Honestly for me, you can’t beat the 992 GTS, I haven’t driven a 911 Turbo, but plenty of high-powered forced induction engines, and I gotta say, I really like the NA feel. To each their own!
cayman2007
> kyngfish
04/22/2015 at 13:29 |
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Porsche’s need to be driven hard, the fun begins at 4000 rpm and goes to redline. To really appreciate how they drive you need to take one out on the track, where it’s legal to hoon them to their full advantage.
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PheeNoIVI
> kyngfish
04/22/2015 at 13:55 |
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Im more of an NA guy too, but that level or performance was insane. But the more direct feel and everything of an NA RWD Porsche is more my style. So hopefully I love it once I get one.