Mythical "on the road" and the 911

[Paul Franssen]

I'm a bit surprised that (or is it only an impression?) board members/Porsche owners do not seem to drive their cars over long distances very much.

I would think that is one of my favorite "reasons" for owning a 911: "on the road" (in the true American sense). Do not consider the above question a criticism in any way! I only have to look at myself: I haven't done so very much long-distance touring, only one weekend+1 day drive 800 km down into the French Vercors region, local "Monte Carlo rally mountain tour", and back.

My next long distance project is driving to Spain, touring there, and back. But the kids are still hanging on to our legs, and we can't just leave them at home

(gosh, I already see our return home with the whole house full of stale popcorn, if not worse: when we first left them (2 boys, 16 and 14) home alone 3 months ago, for just one night (we drove the Carrera to the Champagne region, stayed away one night only), our youngest had been -literally- held up at gunpoint in a chique street, his phone, money and house keys taken, whereupon he went home, only to be have the thieves come to our home, who held him there (together with 2 friends) for one hour... luckily, the thieves (or how should they be called?) only stole $3500 worth of video, camera, stereo etc. equipment and didn't physically harm anyone... but this is all OT, sorry.

So, the topic is about long-distance touring, which is my "ideal" Porsche situation. I've read with great interest the (is it?) JRonin story on this board. I also read the posts about "what should I take with me" (credit card, mobile phone, AAA, a gun (?), and a truckload of spare parts). A truckload of spare parts??? Have Americans gone chicken, or what? (I appreciate it's no fun being out into the sticks without that DME relay...). No, I'm not trying to elicit macho responses about American turkeys, of course, but I'd like to hear of other board members' projects about the 911 as a mythical "on the road" touring machine. Do a poll, go to Gallup!

[IROC]

Originally posted by Paul Franssen

I've read with great interest the (is it?) JRonin story on this board. I also read the posts about "what should I take with me" (credit card, mobile phone, AAA, a gun (?), and a truckload of spare parts). A truckload of spare parts??? Have Americans gone chicken, or what?

It's not so much "chicken" as being prepared. I live in a relatively highly populated area of the country (versus out west) and you can still get out in the middle of nowhere in a hurry. My typical drive to a track event (anywhere from 2 to 5 hours) would probably put me in another country in Europe.

My longest road trip has been to the F1 race in Indy (in 2000 and 2001). My 27 year old 911 is definetely the "weapon of choice" for long drives....

Mike

[Jadams1]

My longest trip was 980 miles (1448KM), second longest trip was 720 miles (1158 km). I like taking the Porsche on long trip but it seems we always have more than 2 passengers. I would love to take the car on a long adventureous ride before winter. I have noticed the car always runs better after long drives, must be good karma or something.

[Jim Richards]

Paul, you sure enjoy stirring the pot!

I've only done a number of 200-600 mile trips in the 993 or 911E. I'm thinking about a longer trip but haven't yet decided where. Probably something in New England or pehaps run up to Canada. Since we no longer have "ankle-biters" at home, my wife and I can pretty much run amok. Oh, Paul, I'll carry a few spare bits in the trunk for insurance, too.

[masraum]

I've driven to Austin from Houston (about 2 hours), to Dallas (about 5 hours), and to Pensacola (about 8 hours) with speeds that were probably running about 90 mph so the longest was about 700 miles. I've just not had the opportunity to go farther, but the drives that I did were very pleasant and completely comfortable.

[zotman72]

We went to the RGRUPPE rendezvous in California from Colorado this past spring in my 72 911S clone. It was an epic 911 journey complete with high speed runs across Nevada, a wheel bearing failure, rain, hot, cold and great solo canyon night driving in Utah. Memorable.

[cstreit]

We drive from Chicago to Montreal each year (950 miles each way) for Grand Prix F1 in the 930.

[AZ1977911]

Hi All,

8 trips from Phoenix to Denver in the last year and one half. 950 miles each way. Love my baby more each trip.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Paul Franssen

Have Americans gone chicken, or what?

[lukeh]

Wisconsin to Aspen and Wisonsin to D.C. Both trips came in at around 2000 miles round trip. But to be honest, I don't enjoy taking it on long trips and most likely won't ever again. Going 80 on the interstate with the top down for hours and hours is just too punishing. All that sun, wind and just being plain loud turns your brain to mush. I've tried it with the top up and the drive becomes even louder. I have a modified 930 and you have to crank the radio just you hear it. Yes, I know the engine is suppose to be the radio, but my wife isn't going to just listen to that for 15 hours straight. We would both be bored out of our minds. Now a 928 GTS, give me that for a long drive.

[JEB]

I think the 930 really is an autobahn cruiser. If I have to take a longer trip by myself in good weather I try to take it. I have done a couple of 600 mi round trip.

It really is a great "road car". The only problem is keeping it to "don't throw me in jail speeds".

Last summer on the way back from the beach I fell in w/ an S class and an A6 on RT 80. We didn't do less than 100 mph an hour or more. Man - the car just loved it.

Two years ago I drove 3000 miles from Seattle to Dallas in a 1970 E. I flew up to Seattle, inspected the car, bought it, got in and took off.

PO - Dan in his driveway saying bubye


Along the Oregon coast




Buttonwillow


Safely back home

[banjomike]

I practically commuted in my 944 between San Rafael (the SF bay area) and Los Angeles one year. My record was 4.75hours averaging about 85mph. Oddly it was because I was mostly at a steady 90 the whole way, I didn't have to stop for gas, and traffic was light through the east bay.

Once I went from LA to SF for about a week, then from SF to Salt Lake City, Utah for another week or so, and then back down to LA (on back roads mostly). Round trip of 1,850miles.

No long trips in the 911 yet, but I've got a full tank of gas in my car. I'd hop in it right now and drive to Utah without hesitation if I had the need. (though new tires would be nice if it rained!)

[motion]

Hey, I did 2735 miles in 3 days in my new 993, with no license plates. Spare parts??? How about a wad of one's for the hotties. Life is an adventure.. too much planning and preparation will ruin everything.

[Superman]

I'd dearly love a long trip in the 911. I recall my longdistance MC trips like they were yesterday. In actual fact, they occurred about 25 years ago!

Ron and Mark have 'nads.

[Zeke]

In SoCal, the metropolis stretches from the Mexican border to Ventura, one city right after the next with only Camp Pendelton to interupt That's a city over 200 miles long! The 405 averages about 35 MPH most of the day in mid LA including weekends. It's kinda hard to get out and enjoy a ride. If you do, the local mountain roads are clogged with day trippers, motorcycles and madmen. The only respite is to leave at dawn on a Sunday and at least enjoy the road until about 8AM. Kinda narrows down the oportunity. I'm out about 2 Sundays a month. But when it takes 3.5 hours to return from 2 hours out, it sort of saps your energy.

[motion]

Zeke - Head east out to the 15, then head south. All kinds of great uncluttered roads all the way down to the Mex border. Palomar is a great one. Down south of Jamul there are tons of em.

But you're right. We are pretty much trapped here. I've taken to leaving my BMW motorcycle in Salt Lake City and flying up to go riding. Sucks, but its the price you pay to live in paradise.

[jhugh]

My last longish drive in the 911 was hell, because my wife and I took backroads from our place in San Leandro across the central valley to the gold country in 100+ degree heat. The A/C was worthless, except to drive the engine temp up. Mods coming.

But there were some highlights..

* Passing multiple cars on 2 lane roads. The 911 is a monster!
* Keeping a Boxster at bay. Some guy in a Boxster (also with a chick in the car) came up behind me, having done the same multiple car passes we did, and obviously gunning to get by me too. No chance! Every time the left lane cleared I'd drop into third, floor it and pull out to pass with this guy behind me. Pulled on him dramatically every time (at least 5 times) with my 20 year old 911. Ha ha!
* Handing the keys to my father in law. He's an RGruppe dude with a lightened/rodded '73 911E. He's always busting my balls for my "heavy" Carrera. Recently he'd mused, "geez, I wonder which car is faster?" I knew the answer b/c I'd driven his car (rodded 3.2 beats rodded 2.7 any day), but he'd never driven mine until this weekend. We met in a little gold country town and I handed him the keys. You could hear him tearin it up all over the canyon. He's been quiet ever since!

[jrdavid68]

833 miles over the 4th of July this year.

Before my in-laws moved out of Palm Springs, we would take weekend trips to visit them - approx 900 miles round trip - add a little driving around while we were down there and it was easily 1000 miles per trip.

[SweetE]

Denver to Tampa, FL & back in an "02-C2"

Along with a DE @ Sebring!! 4000+mi.

The only way to fly!!