911 as family errand car?

ohecht · 03-29-2004, 06:30 AM

My daily driver spends most of its time as my toy to have fun to and from work (I always enjoy the commute, not matter how "bad" the rest of the day), but occasionally, it is called into service for tasks better suited to a minivan. Either because we have to use it, I really want to use it, or because the whole point of the trip is to drive the Porsche (meets, PCA, etc.).

I was treating rust on the other cars this Saturday, so the wife, 2 kids and I piled into the 911 for some errands. Ended up being out for about 6 hours going from place to place, and ended up picking up groceries on the way home. The girl who brought them to the car was confused about where to put them, and I had to make sure to ask for plastic so they could be molded to the trunk space!

I drove some, and rode in the back some with my daughter (not comfortable, but I had a great view of the sky through the back glass). The looks people give us when they look way down on us at lights are hilarious, as is the spectacle of 4 people climbing out of the little clown car.

Just thought it was a funny story to share and I have been curious about how many others have even tried sitting in the back at all. The noise was deafening but enjoyable.

Olivier

masraum · 03-29-2004, 07:00 AM

The only time that I have been in the back was to clean the back window or replace the speakers. When I first got the car the kids rode back there a couple of times, but now that they are 19/20 they generally aren't around.

We do use it for general errands, and it is my daily driver. We bought a rug this past weekend. I thought I was going to have to remove the targa top and drive home with the rolled up rug sticking out of the roof, but it barely fit in the back after folding it some.

jyl · jyl's Garage

I use my 911 for all normal driving chores except parking at the subway station and family roadtrips with lots of luggage. Aside from having to watch where I park, it's fun and works fine. My kids are still little so they love sitting in back. My wife tolerates the noise and ride.

I've though about getting a 928 for the roadtrips. They seem to have a fair bit of luggage capacity.

david914 · 03-29-2004, 08:32 AM

My car has seen daily driver use for most of the 9 years that I've owned it. My wife and I (no kids, one dog) have used it for many trip to the grocery store, etc. It's amazing just how much stuff you can put on the back seats folded down! I've ridden in the back several times (not too much fun as I'm 6'2"!) as has my wife. I once rode in the back of my friend's 944 turbo from central Florida to Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville. Well worth the 3+ hour trip as we got a personal tour of the dealership AND the race shop, but not much more comfortable than the back seat of the 911. If you're going to have a sportscar as a daily driver, I can't imagine anything as comfortable or "practical" as a 911.

ohecht · 03-29-2004, 12:31 PM

I agree, compared to other sports cars, it is like a stretch limo. I kept thinking that each time we all got out of the car, how cool it was that it could do 130+ around a twisty track in perfect balance and even have 4 seatbelts.

Olivier

Randy Webb · 03-29-2004, 01:05 PM

It's a remarkable job of packaging that the designers did -- 911 is a big increase over the 356, and 996 is even better. Another 20 years and it'll turn into a full 4 seater (After they shrink the 400 hp fuel cell down...).

goliver · goliver's Garage

I use my SC as a daily driver and the kids beg me to take it instead of the Expedition for all errands on the weekend as well. My kids are all young (11,9,8) but the 11 year old is 5'2'' and doesn't mind when she loses whatever contest is used to decide who gets to sit shotgun and has to sit in back.

I tried to sit in the back when I was working on measuring etc. when I made a new bracket to lower my seat and couldn't even fit in the seats let alone have any head room.

John L, Get a 928 for the long trips. My S4 is great on the open highway and does hold a ton of stuff. You won't be disappointed. Just get a through PPI from Devek down in Belmont (should be fairly close to you) before you take the plunge. They are truly experts on the 928.

Cheers,

Geoff