Are you up to a 911?

stuartj · 07-02-2002, 11:29 PM

911's are powerful, fast and have some quirky handling characteristics, like lift off over-steer. Should just anyone be allowed to drive one on public roads?

DDR 964 · 07-02-2002, 11:58 PM

StuartJ raises an interesting challenge (although DDR is a '92 C4 - and therefore more prone to understeer). Should drivers be required to undertake additional training and testing to become qualified to pilot 'quirky handling' high hp/wieght cars?

I think they should - this would help weed out the 100mph on the freeway crowd who stigmatize Porsche ownership.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Paaahhhllleeeezzzz,

Most people don't drive like idiots, thankfully. If you have to worry about these things on public roads, you shouldn't be driving the cars.

Of course, not everyone drives like that...

-Wayne

07-03-2002, 02:33 AM

Should tiny little old ladies who look through the steering wheel rather than over it and sit far too close to the steering wheel be allowed to drive big old Volvos without power steering? How do you think their chances would be of avoiding a child that suddenly runs out on the road?

Don't start thinking about who should drive and what they should be driving.... Far too scary

Victor · 07-03-2002, 04:35 AM

I think a lot of people who buy showy cars that go fast have matching ego's and therefore have a tendency to be 10 foot tall and bullet proof. Well I know I am anyhow. This of course means we are all deserving F1 drivers with MASSIVE gonads.

Track time is the ultimate reality check and I haven't been on one for a few months now.

WydRyd · 07-03-2002, 05:08 AM

There are quicker cars out on the roads these days than 911's, which are being driven by inexperienced P-Platers!

'Cheap' cars like the R32/R33 GTR's, GTS-T's, Toyota Soarer Twin Turbo's, 300Z TT's, Mitsubishi EVO's etc.

How scarey is THAT

Victor · 07-03-2002, 05:12 AM

Hi Merv,

You forgot to mention the mighty WRX. I think the statistic is something like one hitting a pole every four seconds. Just in my street alone.

Adam · Adam's Garage

Victor...

Guess what my "rice" company car is right now?

Complete with ricer exhaust and eye (POLICE) catching, Aztec-Yellow paint!

Victor · 05:28 AM

Adam,

Oh no. You too huh? The world is conspiring to get me into one of these evil little cheap cars. My cubicle buddy at work is trying to sell his MY99 and after a fireside chat with some dealers has decided that he will be better off "driving it into the ground". He's taking it to the WRX club Calder sprints this saturday so come Sunday, the job should be done.

Just noticed the front of the yellow peril is smoking. Company car eh?

Adam · Adam's Garage

Victor,

This is a company car. It doesn't cost me a cent, I drive it, fuel it with the company fuel-card and that's it. Throw in a few cold, wet, turbo-friendly nights like tonight and enjoy! With the grunt and the AWD, it's a recipe for fun, but it ain't no 911!

No matter what comes along, there really is no substitute.

Jgordon · 07-03-2002, 05:38 AM

Stuart, why are you playa hatin? I can drive anything, anywhere. real fast too.

Seriously, I think there should be special driving tests for all sorts of vehicles, and the standard test should be much more difficult as well. The number of unqualified drivers on the road is astounding. I hate this topic, as it pisses me off and I get upset, but I agree with you, it is way way too easy to get a license.

Jared

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

If you were talking about learning to drive a 911 at its limits, then I would say it takes about a year of practicing before you know what the car is telling you and are confident and in control. Thank God none of us drive this way on the street

. Fortunately, most people who own 911s have been driving awhile and still never reach the limits of the car.

Superman · 07-03-2002, 08:08 AM

I think it's just amazing how many Porsches are still on the road. Still, there is a steady supply of used Porsche engines out there.

k9handler · 07-03-2002, 09:45 AM

I found out after my first autocross that I am not the driver I thought I was...and I also found out that my little pcar can run it's wheels off and perform at a much higher level than I am capable of at the moment. On the streets...no problem, even my wife could handle the car though she chooses not to.

WydRyd · 07-03-2002, 04:08 PM

Doh! Sorry Vic, I overlooked THAT one.

etc = WRX (LOL!)

So Adam, is that REX really a company car, or your Novated Lease Vehicle? C'mon, own up buddy

I must confess, I'm actually seriously considering trading the wife's '94 Bimmer in for a Subaru Liberty B4 TT. Just waiting for someone to convince me NOT to

The twin turbo 2 litre boxer 4 would be a nice compliment to the Turbo Carrera

jjforland · jjforland's Garage

IMO if you're not paying their insurance premiums, then why should it matter? Unless a person is filthy stinking wealthy, chances are with the amount of money and time he has spent on the car, he would be more careful than say a person driving a souped up camaro.

jjforland · jjforland's Garage

Ha, maybe we should refrain from the communistic viewpoints....after all, we are Americans driving German cars in 2002, not German politicians driving German cars in the 1930s-40s

stuartj · 07-03-2002, 04:34 PM

jjforland

Indeed we are. Happy July 4, btw

And a lot can be laid at the feet of those Communist Germans in the 30's.

stuart 87 carrera

Victor · 07-03-2002, 05:09 PM

Oh no! If it wasn't for a certain famous anti communist German "politician" we wouldn't have our beloved gleaming status symbols in the first place. Not sure where I'm going with this so I'll stop now.

David Bahr · 07-03-2002, 07:13 PM

I see lots of teenagers driving current Mustang and Camaro pony cars with 250+ HP V8s. NO WAY are they qualified to drive them. I wouldn't advocate taking them away, but watch out for them! I think they are a greater threat than the few dangerous drivers out there in 911s.