Two very different M491s

[bkreigsr]

Originally Posted by wildthing

You guys actually sit on your cars?

..with jeans on.....?
...the kind with RIVETS fastening the pockets to the fabric?

[JeremyD]

Turbo with PSS9's gets you there - nice pair of rides.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

... and make the car more enjoyable to drive stupid fast when time and location permit on regular roads.

Yeah, that's not happening in Massachusetts.

But I think Vermont doesn't have reciprocity with the RMV...?

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

^^^ You know I've driven both this car and an 01 TT. The TT is of course blindlingly fast. Scary fast. But for normal roads, I prefer the C4S. I think that would change with more seat time in the TT.

It would. Trust me on this. You get used to the acceleration very very quickly.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Yeah, that's not happening in Massachusetts.

But I think Vermont doesn't have reciprocity with the RMV...?

Waze works wonders. Lot of road work these days too. Some are even smooth. I swear the road crews in this state are either the worst in the country. I've driven a lot in 10+ states and our roads are by far the worst.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Alan A

It would. Trust me on this. You get used to the acceleration very very quickly.

I would expect so yes. It would be interesting to test my long held dear belief that driving a slower car at 9/10s is more fun than a fast car at 6/10s. I will say my '73 with a healthy 3.2 weighing in at 2174# is the most fun car I've ever driven.

The M491 on it's restoration weight loss plan is starting to feel similar. When a new suspension goes in, it may give that car a run for the money. But I know another 40-50 hp would help as well. While I love to go fast, it's the feel of driving that is most precious.

[Alan A]

You don’t -have- to go fast.
It’s the acceleration that makes it fun.
That and the ability to pass pretty much at will on a back road.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Yes, the acceleration is otherworldly.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Yes, the acceleration is otherworldly.

It really isn’t that great. Boost comes on too late.
Until you chip it and add a decent exhaust at least.
Then it’s a little livelier.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Waze works wonders. Lot of road work these days too. Some are even smooth. I swear the road crews in this state are either the worst in the country. I've driven a lot in 10+ states and our roads are by far the worst.

I was stationed in Springfield for several months. I'd ride my motorcycle a lot out there in Western Mass. I could tell where the state line with CT was, as even the backroads all got a little nicer and smoother.

[DWBOX2000]

Shaun, have you driven a 996 C2. Now I didn't like them because they felt so light in the front vs the 4S. You might actually prefer that as many do. Probably more of a 911 air cooled feel.

Regarding speed and acceleration, I am a big fan but how much do I need? I think the 4S was rated at 5.0 0-60 and 170 top speed. I've done neither so really silly to spend money on something I will never use. Now if I was in a macho contest, yes the 996TT would be the way to go. The accountant in me says waste of money "in my case". "In my case". "In my case".

I am not a big sports car scene guy but recently I was at an autocross with Jr. He wanted to try so I took him. Brought his Miata (talk about a fun car). The overall winners at the end of the day were a S2000 and a 986S. (I miss my S). Not close to TT capabilities but on that track, that day those cars would have ate a TT. Does it lessen the greatness of the TT, neck no. Does it say it's not perfect and not the ideal car for everyone, I would say so. Anyhow, if blowing by people on the highway is your thing or you need to be the fastest guy around (well until the next version comes along), go for it. I'll still wave to you as you blast by me at my 75mph.

[911boost]

I am glad you like your C4S, I could counter every one of your comments but not going to waste my time or yours.

If you ever get a chance, get behind the wheel of a 997 GT car. That will change your impression of the 996 series cars.

[DWBOX2000]

Will do. I'm sure I will enjoy.

[speeder]

I drove a beautiful, stock 996 C4S when I had my regular 996 coupe w some performance mods. The C4S felt like a big/heavy/slow/understeering barge in comparison. I drove it on Mulholland, you may or may not even have roads like that to test a car. YMMV.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Shaun, have you driven a 996 C2. Now I didn't like them because they felt so light in the front vs the 4S. You might actually prefer that as many do. Probably more of a 911 air cooled feel.

I have driven regular 996s, to me they are just meh cars, like the 01 Boxster S I almost bought 3 years ago. For my taste, there just isn't anything interesting about the cars. Quick and capable but, meh. And narrow 996s aren't lookback cars, that's important to me too.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I would expect so yes. It would be interesting to test my long held dear belief that driving a slower car at 9/10s is more fun than a fast car at 6/10s. I will say my '73 with a healthy 3.2 weighing in at 2174# is the most fun car I've ever driven.

The M491 on it's restoration weight loss plan is starting to feel similar. When a new suspension goes in, it may give that car a run for the money. But I know another 40-50 hp would help as well. While I love to go fast, it's the feel of driving that is most precious.

Slow car fast vs fast car slow is what I love so much about the 356. On the 270 degree turn interstate on/off ramps I can push it to my limits and probably the cars limits and not worry about speeding tickets, etc. Same with the mildly twisty roads we have around here (drive 10 miles to find two or three good curves). Heck even flooring it from a light you don't even have to worry about "display of horsepower" tickets, etc.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

That's it exactly Steve. Here's part of a circuit I do 3-5 times a week, maybe 3-5 times around, at low traffic periods. it's great for learning the car and working on technique. So much fun. With a much quicker car, it would all happen too fast and not be as much fun.

[JeremyD]

Even the G body cars were dialed in to understeer from the factory. The TT does as I assume the C4s does too. Just like the G body cars they also respond favorably to suspension tweeks. A set of decent coil overs transforms the handling. Mine is coupled (PSS9's) with a bigger rear sway bar and wider tires and it handles like a go kart.

My impression of a 1985 M491 that I was considering buying was that it was a pig - a slow heavy pig - so I get completely where you are coming from.

[911boost]

I do prefer the G body M491’s without tails, otherwise theY scream all show an no go.

There was a gorgeous black/red one for sale earlier this year that was tempting (except for the price).

[Shaun @ Tru6]

You think that '85 you were looking at was slow Jeremy, try this. I had to do a top end on the motor with 8 broken studs, sort of rushed through the install and didn't have even close to WOT. Drove that for awhile. Slow but still entertaining and fun. Fast forward to this summer, put the '75 wonderbox 915 in which necessitated a new clutch cable. Putting that in found that the pedal box accelerator bell crank bushings were gone. New brass went in.

That combined with the weight loss a custom chip for megaphones, I'm now at less weight than an 84 Carrera with a little more power and all the braking and handling of a Turbo. I think the wonderbox also has short gearing, I can beat an M4 to 45 off the line. That's pretty fun.

What I love most about these cars and cars in general is there's a seat for every butt, each with it's own passions and desires. That air cooled 911s are essentially a box of Lego's that you can make whatever crazy car you want makes them a little extra special.

Boost, I hear you on the tail. I love it because it's iconic, so period perfect for the body though I do like the sleek tailless look too. If the Catorce cases ever ship, I'll be building a 4.0 MFI motor for the car as soon as I get mine. Then I can put the tail back on, or at least another one saving mine.