Washed the Car Today ...

"Flat Six" (flat-six) 01/04/2015 at 19:05 • Filed to: Porsche, 911, 997, Austin

6

31

... and got it dirty again (just a little)!

whoarder is tellurium > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 19:06

2

Beautiful 997! Texas FTW too.

jkm7680 > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 19:08

1

Awesome car! Looks great.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 19:09

1

That is a very beautiful car.

Brian Silvestro > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 19:10

4

That's not an inline six!

Flat Six > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2015 at 19:17

2

No, maybe I need to change my user name!

Flat Six > whoarder is tellurium 01/04/2015 at 19:18

1

Thanks! I'm in Austin.

Brian Silvestro > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 19:18

2

DO IT

Flat Six > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/04/2015 at 19:19

1

Must be the Griot's speed shine ;)

Flat Six > jkm7680 01/04/2015 at 19:20

1

Thanks!

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 19:27

1

It's official. I love and hate you at the same time. Gorgeous car.

Xyl0c41n3 > whoarder is tellurium 01/04/2015 at 19:32

1

Texas forever!

Flat Six > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger 01/04/2015 at 19:53

0

I think I can live with that ;)

Flat Six > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2015 at 22:16

1

Brian Silvestro > Flat Six 01/04/2015 at 22:16

0

YEEEESSSSSS

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/05/2015 at 23:49

1

how long you had the 997?

i got mine exactly 4 years ago

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/05/2015 at 23:54

1

Just about 2 months. I'm still on the honeymoon period where I go to the garage to make sure it is still there.

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 00:00

1

Hahaha that's the best. You wake up and think "did I really buy that car?".

The first 6 months are the most exciting and the most dangerous with a 911. I took a stale green left arrow too fast and nearly spun out. I didn't know what trailing throttle oversteer was. Luckily instincts kicked in and I corrected with oppo and didn't hit anything. Fun times

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 00:05

1

Man that is what I am afraid of - I do not want to end up a Frontpage Youtube Asshat. This is my first RWD car since owning a NA Miata some years ago. I'm thinking about taking some sort of class.

What model is your 911? Mine is just the base 3.6L so hopefully I won't get into too much trouble.

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 00:08

1

Hahaha yeah we don't want to be FP'd for that reason

What's weird is that even though it was startling it wasn't really scary. The thing about the 911 is that once the back comes around it kind of comes around slowly. I find oversteer scarier in mid engine cars because the backend comes around a lot faster. Correcting with the steering wheel and then easing back onto the throttle fixed the problem pretty easily.

Mine is almost identical to yours, just a couple years newer. Black C2 with stock rims. I have the stock exhaust though. Are just your tips changed or the exhaust itself? I hate my stock exhaust, so damn quiet.

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 00:43

1

I've read all about lift-off oversteer but haven't felt it yet. Is that mainly a older 911 thing, or something to be really cautious with?

I'm not sure about the exhaust. There was no documentation on it. I have the sport button but I don't think it is the sports exhaust. I took a quick look under it when I bought it but couldn't make out much. I should have another look. I'm happy with the sound - my kids say it is loud! They usually ride in back and the garage is under their bedrooms.

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 00:53

1

Yup pretty sure it is stock exhaust with quad tips from the S.

http://sharkwerks.com/porsche/porsch…

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 00:57

1

I wouldn't be too worried. I cooked that turn WAY too fast. I had no business going into a 90 degree left turn with that much speed. I might have had the same result with a front engine car because I came in too quick and then lifted off the gas to break. The new cars are definitely better than the old ones. That was the only time I had anything even remotely scary. My dad's '82 911SC is scary at ALL speeds! You can be taking a turn slowly in that car and get lift off oversteer if the road is slick. The 997 is so much wider and has much wider tires. As long as you don't drive like a bone head like I did that day you'll be fine!

That's awesome that your kids love the car. Do they like riding in it? I don't have kids yet but one of the things that sounds good about keeping the car long term is that it's a true sports car yet you can fit young children back there so they can go along for the ride.

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 00:58

1

oh nice! looks like you might have some optional extras on your Carrera then

what is your sport button for? i don't have sport exhaust, PASM, or any other fancy features usually found on the Carrera S. so i have zero sport buttons

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 01:11

1

Okay good to know.

Yes they like riding in it for short trips. Especially my 4yo son - he folds down the other back seat and uses it for a table. I think kids actually prefer smaller seats that are their size.

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 01:16

1

I think the sport button came with the sport chrono package. On my 6 speed it affects the rev limiter and throttle response. I haven't redlined it yet so I don't know. If you have the sports exhaust it kicks it into the "loud" setting. It's more important if you have the Tiptronic or PDK because it changes the shift settings and gives you launch control.

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 01:18

1

Haha I never thought about that! Little seats for little people

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 01:20

1

That makes sense. It's a pretty small difference when you have the 6 speed and regular exhaust.

How different does the throttle response feel with the button on? I guess you can just leave it on all the time since it's not impacting how loud the car is or the ride quality.

The one thing I always wish I had was PASM. Adjustable dampers would be nice when driving on poor roads.

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 01:37

1

It felt a little more sensitive, but you know I'm not convinced I would be able to tell in a blind test. However I don't normally drive blindfolded.

Mine does not have PASM. The next car I buy new I am maxing out whatever suspension options there are as the top priority. I think it especially makes a difference for your passengers or long trips. I just got back from ~600 mile road trip with my in-laws in our SUV. I regret not getting the upgraded suspension in that car. I started to cringe everytime I saw a rough patch coming. If I'm by myself I don't mind so much and enjoy the shocks giving me their honest impression of the road.

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 17:17

1

LOL. It took me a second to get that one.

I agree that upgraded suspensions are so worth it.

Which option did your SUV have? The only optional suspension I'm leery of is the air suspensions. Those tend to break.

Electronically adjustable dampers such as those found in PASM seem pretty safe. And the magnetic ride control dampers seem solid as well. The latter is my favorite. All the modern Ferraris, the C7 and the Audi R8 have them. So sweet.

Flat Six > Manuél Ferrari 01/06/2015 at 18:31

1

It is the X5 Adaptive Drive which I think is similar to PASM - adjustable dampers and stabilizers. It ALSO has a self-leveling air suspension, but I haven't heard of too many problems (like on a Range Rover).

The magnetic ride control is very cool. The new GM SUV's (Denali / Sclade) are getting that too

Manuél Ferrari > Flat Six 01/06/2015 at 18:42

1

Yeah the Range Rovers and Audi Allroads were notorious for air suspension issues

I didn't know the Denali has that option. Nice!!