When Is an F-150 worth the same as an 2009 997?

daepp · daepp's Garage

Or - My observations of driving an 09 997 for a week of LA commuting

So I lent my F-150 to a friend that needed it for a week. I drove the 997 in exchange. Although I am no automotive journalist, the following are my observations of five day's worth of heavy freeway and city commuting around LA. Lots of 10 to 30 minute trips, with some freeway and canyon carving thrown in for good measure. Lots of in and out of the car visiting jobs and customers.

Fast – plenty fast. Very fast. Docile and then watch out – it will blast out of the hole like no Porsche I’ve every driven. Exhaust note is perfect.

Loud – noise levels at 70 mph keep this car from being a Grand Touring machine IMO. I cannot imagine taking a road trip in it. Too aggressive tires perhaps? They are stock Michelin's.

Handling is spectacular. Just point it and it will go there. The rear end is so wide and sticky that there’s no fear of swapping ends. Would love to get it out to an autocross, turn off the traction control and see what it would take to break the back end loose.

Braking is phenomenal. Non-cermanics.

Car is BIG, but the interior is tighter than my 72. You wear this car.

PDK – why bother for a daily driver? It’s good, but for 99% of daily drivers and spirited freeway driving, I don’t know why most wouldn’t just prefer an automatic. It seems VERY sophisticated – don’t know if I’d want to thrash it around an autocross/de/track day. But get it out into the canyons above LA and watch out. Shifts are smooth and instantaneous. Red Line is 8 – never got above 6 as it wasn’t my car and, quite frankly, I had no business going any faster unless on a closed course.

Nifty tire pressure indicator on the dash.

Cup holders are flimsy, but I suppose I should be glad it even has any!

AM radio stinks. I know you think these are petty, but this is the stuff of commuting in LA.

A/C is better than my Lexus.

Mirrors are awesome. Now I need a right side one for my car!

If you’re 6’ or over, the door must be opened all the way to get your legs out. Therefore, you gotta park it away from any cars or contort yourself getting in or out.

In all, this is a superbly engineered – so much so it’s hard to trace it back to an early 911 in any way other than silhouette.

Would love one for the track, but not as a DD.

My public service here is through - hope you appreciate me taking one for the team

Of course, YMMV! What is it they say about opinions???