[968 Cab]

Decided to drive the 968 Cab tonight from Vancouver up to Whistler for meetings tomorrow. It's 65 miles of scenic twisty mountain 2 and 3 lane road, with lots of great views with the top down. A pretty quiet night around 9pm with a setting sun and high overcast to keep things cool. Usually takes me a little over 70 minutes in the ML350SE SUV. But the Porsche is a lot more fun.



Had a great drive up with a couple of Audi Quattro's - would let them get ahead a little, then blast by at the right times. Best part was letting them know how Porsche handling still bests that quattro drive - straights or twisty sections included. Best part was getting an open section and hitting 180 kph (110 mph) - steady as a rock and having that Variocam engine wind up through the gears (OK, even though it's a Tiptronic, at least it has 4 spds). Kind of surprised the Quattro wagon that was playing tag for the last 30 miles.



The balance and handling of these cars still impresses - tough to beat at this price point that's for sure. Very precise - easy to clip the apexes and just touch those bots dots along the edge. Almost as much fun as winding up my 951S along this stretch too - actually a little safer as that car can easily hit 140+ is the same stretch.



The traffic was very light, and no sqawks from the radar detector! I get to drive back tomorrow night.....

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[NeedPorscheSpeed]

Sounds like a wonderful time! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> My father has a 968 Tip, as well (it's the Amazon Green 968 in my sig pic), and I know from experience how much fun it is to "tip" the shifter from 4th to 3rd while on the Interstate. Would you believe that I seem to sense the Variocam more in his tiptronic than I do in my 6 speed? I really do. Cheers and here's to more enjoyable drives!



P.S.--I also have a 951 S. You are right, 140 mph on a long straight comes blisteringly quick, doesn't it! Phew! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Seric]

After buying and driving my first Porsche, there really is "No Substitute". I carouse various car forums and all people talk about it seems is straight-line speed. Drag racing is just trivial to me, what's the big deal? Any knucklehead can mash the gas and go in a straight line. Yea, there is a little bit of skill involved for good launching and tight shifting, that's about it. It's really all about how much power the motor can make compared to the weight of the vehicle and getting it to stick. If that's the case, I'll drive a LeCar with a blown small block V-8 and Hoosiers.



The avenue of handling has gone to the wayside for mash-the-gas power. I see these guys who buy F-Body cars (ugh so ugly) with LS1 motors talk smack to guys who buy Civics, WRXs and Lancer Evos (all just as ugly) all day. Their measuring stick is rolling down a freeway and stomping the gas from 60mph. Whoopee!



Yea so my Porsche isn't the fastest thing around (although it's no slouch), don't let me catch you in the turns <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



My apologies for hi-jacking the thread, but this was just on my mind.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

agreed - we used to laugh at those 1/4 mile guys with our budget small block vega - less than 4 grand for the whole car, blown engine and all - 10 second car - nutty, but pointed out that "any knucklehead...."



road racing is much more fun - this car is a blast - i regularly take out 996s (and just about every heavy road machine like the ones you are talking about) in the canyons

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968 Cab]

Coming back tonight was almost as much fun... light traffic in my direction, but lots of heavy traffic heading up to Whistler for Canada Day (July 1) and from USA for July 4th. Still a great drive under sunny skies with the top down, CD volume up high enough and the trusty Bel985 volume up even higher just in case! Must have been a great discount donut day because not a peep all the way back.



Had a few times to get the car up to speed passing other cars, mashed a few bugs along the way, and made it back safe and sound. Just love to see these machines ticking away and performing the way the factory intended. Temp guage just below the 1st mark, 4 bar oil pressure, and just the right amount of feedback - actually what I can only describe as a "mechanical feel" through the steering - such a lovely sound when the tach hits 4000 rpm and climbing.



Better go wash those bugs off the new paint!!!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[NeedPorscheSpeed]

Seric, that was no hi-jack, but just your expression of your appreciation for your beloved 968! I really enjoyed your thoughts! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I have felt the same way for quite some time... well, ever since I sat behind the wheel of my first Porsche almost six years ago: a 1989 951 S. Since then, I have never been the same! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



As I was driving down the road today, I spotted a lovely Porsche in the corner of my eye. My first thought was that it was a new 997, and then it dawned on me that it was my dad... in his 1993 Amazon Green 968. I thought, "whoa! that machine looks so good!" I called him right away and told him my funny little story, and we both agreed that for such beauty, enjoyment, and handling, it is truly a wonder as to why these cars EVER trade hands for less than $20,000! They are worth every penny of that and more!



Another reason I love my 968 is its extraordinary build quality. Due to its having been build alongside the 911 in Zuffenhausen, they are impeccably put together. Although today's Porsches still have excellent fit and finish, judging from my experience during test drives and the experiences of some who have owned a 968 and a late-model Boxster and/or 911, it is quite probable that the 968 and 911 machines built in Zuffenhausen from 1992-1995 have even higher build quality than most other Porsches built today. The notable exception would be the 911s that are, or course, still built at the Zuffenhausen facility today. (However, at least one chap has told me that he felt his 1993 968 had higher build quality than his 2000 911 Carrera.)

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Seric]

I will have to agree on the fit and finish. My girlfriend's father has a '99 996 and the last time we went down to the track in it, he talked about the real cheap feel of the interior. He is currently looking at a 997 Cabrio, go dad!



He's driven my 968 a few times and always has nothing but great things to say about it. He especially loves the overall feel and smoothness of the power and handling.



"This was a great buy!" Score points for me <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

that's funny - one of the things, about which our car was ragged on so badly when it was new, was fit and finish - comments about the cheap interior, lack of upgrade from previous models, and the large body panel gaps compared to other cars of the day, were high on the list



funny how our impressions change with age, or maybe we just love the cars too much to notice

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968thailand]

I see from the original post that you are referring to the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler. It is beyond a shadow of doubt a brilliant, fantastic, twisty, exhilirating road (right up there with bits of Highway One in the US, the Great Ocean Road in Oz or the road from Pai to Mae Hong Son here in Thailand). I had a Boxster 2.7 manual when I was living in the Van and would take it up very often. The best roads are actually above Whistler - to Pemberton and Lillooet - well away from any traffic and with lots of fantastic mountainous camber. Never really had any 'company' chasing for long though, heh heh...



Trawling through the site as contemplating the purchase of a manual '93 968 (32,000 kilometres) here in Thailand though am worried that it might be a bit of a 'garage queen' and replacement parts (they are hard to come by here in Thailand) and specialist service may be a bit of an issue. I want to use it as a daily driver in Bangkok, to explore Thailand and have the occasional track day (Bira in Thailand and perhaps down to Sepang and Pasir Gudang in Malaysia) with it.



Great to see the camraderie and fantastic advice and shared knowledge on this site. This is all going to be very useful shortly! Thanks everybody!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[S_Cal968]

@Seric,

I respect your opinion, but I find your post rather condescending if not ignorant. Most notibly you're comparing oranges & apples. A new 968 was a lot more expensive [more refined] than the cars you mentioned. If you're going to do comparisions, list cars in the same class - that would validate your point. The 968 is wonderfully engineered car which makes it fun to drive.

On the other hand, if I'd like to feel the exhilaration of V8 power, I'll jump in my 69 400 Firebird. With 400+ ft/lbs. of torque and updated front-end geometry. I won't be far behind in the turns and blow your doors off in the straights. Although, most likely, you'd pass me @ 120 when my car tachs out.



The approximate power to weight ratio of the F/B is 10.8:1 whereas the 968 is 12.9:1, both would be fun for different types of driving.



I find all performance cars fun... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rustech]

What's the point..."rather condescending if not ignorant." Not only did you respond to a post 7 months old...but I find your post the same.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[S_Cal968]

The topic was revived in case you didn't notice...[it was the first time I had seen it]. I fail to see how my post was condescending & ignorant[??]. Bragging maybe, but I'm not talking down to anyone and made a logical point.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.