Do you drive different in your 911?

[78sc]

Just wondering if when you climb into your 911 you also put on a more defensive attitude.

With all the huge SUV's around I'm afraid that someone is going to "lane change" right into the side of me because our 911's aren't as visible given they are smaller and lower to the ground. I've had numerous close calls. I find myself keenly aware of their blind spots and make special effort to "present" myself to avoid any mishap. Just curious what you all do.

Phil

[84porsche]

Absolutely, my eyes are glued to my rear view mirror. I keep my eyes floating alot more and if I see someone coming too close I try to always have a way out, whether it be a shoulder or grassy field etc. I am much more of a defensive driver. On the freeway when traffic is coming to a halt, I depress the brakes early to give fair warning to the person behind me and tell them to slow down.

[Jerome Ryals]

Definately become a more defensive driver even though I mainly drive mine on weekends - when there is less traffic -at least in my area.

[911mot]

When I'm in the 911 I always hang back just that little bit further from the car in front. Partly because I'm driving a LHD and it gives me a better view past the car in front, and partly so that if the traffic ahead stops suddenly I can brake gently and give the woman driving an SUV full of kids with one hand on the mobile behind me time to react - and hopefully not rear end me...

[78sc]

Yeah, someone rear ending me is also something I think about. Braking early is good on the freeway. I've been thinking about adding that third brake light in the rear window. Seems like a worthwhile project.

[vesnyder]

I drove faster, which makes me more alert. Typically driving the 911 in different conditions as well.

[911mot]

Most modern cars have their rear lamp clusters mounted as high as possible these days, and most have a centre brake light too. It seems to me that drivers have become accustomed to just looking through the windscreen of the car in front and relying on the centre brake light to warn them
Although how anyone can drive behind a 911 and not be looking at it's fabulous rump is beyond me...

[bigrubberjeep]

Yes I do, my Jeep is a different beast all together

[Bobboloo]

911 brake lights leave alot to be desired. I've considered re-wiring mine so that turn signals light along with the brake light. A LED strip for the back window would be nice as well.

I also assume that people around me can't see me so I'm ready for that unexpected lane change from a high profile vehicle.

I guess you could go the Harley route and get an extra loud exhaust so that people around you are aware of you but that constant drone gets on my nerves.

[gatotom]

I think 911mot hit it on nail about looking at the fabulous rump. People start drooling the minute they see you and kinda get mesmorized with the sexiness of the shape.

I get nervous when I spot a junk car behind me with bent up fenders and they are tailgating me. I usually try to get away from the bozo and hide between some lexus or any nice car I can see, these are cars less likely to hit me cuz they don't want to ding their car up.

Alot of space between you and the other cars is a must and when the feeling gets too sufficating, remember you have the car, third gear is very quick

[jtkkz]

Be aware of cars around you, be in defensive driving mode.

Try to get in front of newer cars, cause they will have better stopping distances.

Try not to get in front of older cars/trucks.

Keep a good space between you and the car/truck in front of you.

[bill3667]

If you think you're a blind spot to other drivers in a 911 try riding a motorcycle! I most definately improved my driving skills after I started riding a motorcycle 10 years ago but do admit I'm a little more focused when I'm on the bike.

Bill W.

[DavidI]

Yes, I have more confidence in the abilities of my P-car than my truck.

David

[gatotom]

DavidI, wouldn't it be sweet if your patrol car was a P car. That could possibly be the best darn job in the universe.

[Steve87-911]

I agree with most of what has been said here. I too keep extra space and steer clear of huge SUVs and old junkers. My 3rd brakelight helps a lot.
My 4x4 truck cost waaaay more than my 911. Still, I don't worry where I park the truck. While my 911 may only be worth ~$20k, I treat her like she's gold. (But I drive her hard.) Parking is a big concern for me. I'll walk long distances so I can park the 911 away from all the dorks.

Finally, I do notice that some other admiring drivers are very careful to not get too close. Perhaps because they also love these cars, perhaps they are afraid of the cost of hitting her.

[porschenut]

In Denver most people don't respect other drivers OR their fancy cars. I'm constantly surrounded by SUVs and pickups and they don't like me driving "that Nazi crap". They seem to always want to get right up on my bumper and fill my rear view with their giant Dodge Ram diesel grill. Most of the time its obvious they're doing it on purpose. Why don't you drive Amurrican, boy?

[strother]

Here are the things I do to avoid being crushed:

1. The first thing I look for in the cars around me is a driver on a cell phone. If I see that, I usually, back off, speed off, or somehow get the hell out of their way.

2. I stay out of other drivers' blind spots, other than the .1 seconds it takes to pass them.

3. When passing, I assume that the cars in front of me are going to cut in front or into the side of me, and I drive accordingly.

4. I also assume that cars waiting at an intersection to enter traffic are going not going to notice me and pull right in front of me.

5. It's worth mentioning that I assume that people are going to run red lights for 8 seconds after the light has changed. And they're going to be moving a lot faster than average traffic.

It goes without saying that I don't talk on the phone while driving.

[Grady Clay]

I agree with all the above and in fact practice it every time I’m driving anything.

When my ’68 911 was brand new I had the “other” cars also; daily beater, tow vehicle, and track car. Driving on the street is much more risky than on track driving. Some of the other things I practice are; never be first through an intersection particularly if there is another car stopped. I don’t listen to music, news, etc. unless towing on the highway and never use headphones. Let the cell phone ring on to voice mail. Don’t get carried away in conversation, the more I talk, the slower I drive.

For many years (‘late ‘60s – ‘70s – early ‘80s) my in-town daily was a ’63 VW cloth sunroof. It had two large (10x16”) mirrors screwed onto the doors and a Wink inside. It looked sufficiently beat that no one dared hit it. Of course under the skin it was maintained all new – 1750 cc, Michelins, gas heater, Bosch H1 100W with relays, and a single 911 hound’s tooth seat. Being able to sense every car around it was invaluable protection. It had Colorado license plate “Turbo.”

By the time I got “old” and turned 25, I would drive like the proverbial little old lady when on the street. We had (and have) plenty of opportunity for on-track excitement where a 911 really shines. Yes, I would make some blitz-trips to Parades, races, etc. The good news is that I lived to tell about it.

Everything considered, drive very carefully regardless of what you drive. The life you save may be your own.

Best,
Grady

BTW, David’s job needs an easily replaceable Crown Victoria. Bondo will cover up only so many 9 mm holes. I wonder of you can order Factory armor and run-flat tires for a 997S.

[jmarenas]

I just purchased a Large ex State Trooper Light that I plug into the cig lighter, stick on the roof, and turn on when I am driving since the car is too low for all the SUVers to see. Most pull over to the side of the road as I am approaching. Thus, Clear roads


Also just installed a device that allow my OIL Tank to DUMP 2 QTS if some one is tail gateing in an instant when the button is depressed from the cockpit. As well as an additional tank that overFILLS the tank to send smokescreens

seriously, yes, high revs at all times to "squeeze out" of any situation.

[wholberg]

I drive like I am on a motorcycle. Maybe it's overkill, but to the person on a cell phone in a Ford Expedition, I am no more visible.

I will pass on the advice that an old, archetypal Harley biker gave me when I first started riding a motorcycle;

"Pretend that you're invisible, and everyone in a car knows you're out there somewhere...and they're still trying to kill you."

It has always worked for me.