First Real Drive Impressions and Questions

[TargaHenry]

So after buying my 1984 Targa about a week ago, I finally had my first chance to get her on the highway and really drive. Until today, I had only done short trips in my little town, and up into the mountains to our ski hill.

- I notice the steering wheel has a fair amount of play left and right, none up an down or in and out. It doesn't seem like a lot, but maybe more than I would expect. Does this indicate the need for the rack check/lube mentioned in other threads?

- Related to the above, I find at times on the highway, it feels like I am driving in a strong wind, though I am not. Above rack issue? Uneven tires from lack of use? My car only has 63k miles on it, and the last owner barely drove it.

- I also feel every pebble, though I imagine that could be shocks.

- Will the ride even out over time? My friends have told me their cars of similar age really improved after 1000 miles or so of regular driving.

- When I had some clear stretches of highway, I was hard pressed to get above 90 mph. What kind of speed should I expect? (I drive safely, and don't pull high speed shenanigans in traffic).

Overall, though, I love this car! It really is a blast to drive, and I look forward to putting many more miles on her.

[JeremyD]

Welcome and congrats on your purchase.

I'd recommend a good alignment and check the date code on the tires. If they are over 5 years old then toss them. I'd also recommend you looking at shocks / suspension. These cars are like boats and women - they don't like being ignored.

I'd check your throttle cable - on the 3.2 cars they are notorious for stretching - then not activating the WOT switch on the throttle body (that tells the engine to Go Go Go)

100 mph should be no trouble at all. Did you do a leak down/PPI?

[billybek]

I would think that you are having some sort of fuel or ignition problems.
That car should pull 90 without breaking a sweat.
Maybe run some techron or BK44 through the tank and see if it cleans up.

[pete3799]

If you didn't get a pre purchase inspection I would strongly recommend a post purchase inspection.
Tie rod ends, wheel bearings, ball joints, all could cause play in the steering.
As mentioned check the date code on your tires.
If your car is struggling to get to 90mph it needs a lot of help.

[AshEvan]

90 mph should be easily/quickly achieved with your 911, in fact all 911s.

[TargaHenry]

Thanks for the input so far. I bought the car from the mechanic who maintained it for the guy who owned it since 2000. That guy barely drove it, but brought it in faithfully for service twice a year. When he wanted to sell it, the mechanic bought it, thinking of using it for a DD, but it wasn't practical, so after some maneuvering, I got it from him when another offer fell through. He is willing to work with me to take care of things I find need to be taken care of, and his wife is giving me the records of all the service he did. It's a small town, I know the guy, so if we need to do suspension, or anything else, we can get it done. He also gave me a decent deal.

OK, so I checked the tire date codes, and had to laugh. I was so blinded by the rest of the car, I just looked at the tread, and my buddy and I (he's also a P owner said) 'they look OK for now". Well I have Michelins on the front with a date code of what appears to be 267. That's right 3 digits, which I believe means they were made the 26th week of '97! There are Kumhos on the back with a code of 269. I see no 4 digit number, only 3 at the end of the DOT number. That would explain some handling issues!

As for the speed, the engine sounds and feels great, and gets to 90 no problem, zooms right up. I will put on new rubber ASAP, and run some additive as mentioned. I will then take it out on a quieter day, and see how she runs.

[JeremyD]

What part of New Mexico? I went to NMMI and actually the car I currently own come through Taos to Kentucky before I bought it.

[TargaHenry]

I split my time between Los Alamos, where I work and have a house, and Albuquerque, where my elderly mother lives. That's 100 miles of pretty open road, with a few winding parts. It's also loaded with speed traps! There is a gorgeous 'back way' to go, through the Jemez mountains. I plan to do that after a few tweaks to the car. I see there are a few NM people on this board, and I hope to meet up with them in the future.

Today I am off to see if I can find a place with tires that will fit in stock. I see I have 245/45 16's on the rear, which I understand are getting harder to source.

[Vin-barrett]

Originally Posted by TargaHenry

- I notice the steering wheel has a fair amount of play left and right, none up an down or in and out. It doesn't seem like a lot, but maybe more than I would expect. Does this indicate the need for the rack check/lube mentioned in other threads?

Get one of these
FS - NEW Mitch Leland Steering Wheel Bearing

Originally Posted by TargaHenry

- Related to the above, I find at times on the highway, it feels like I am driving in a strong wind, though I am not. Above rack issue? Uneven tires from lack of use? My car only has 63k miles on it, and the last owner barely drove it.

Besides the good tire advice, my car did this somewhat on the highway before I installed a front lower spoiler. Do you have one?

Originally Posted by TargaHenry

- When I had some clear stretches of highway, I was hard pressed to get above 90 mph. What kind of speed should I expect? (I drive safely, and don't pull high speed shenanigans in traffic).

I have to echo what Jeremy said above about the throttle cable. I've seen this a few times on 3.2's

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by TargaHenry

I split my time between Los Alamos, where I work and have a house, and Albuquerque, where my elderly mother lives. That's 100 miles of pretty open road, with a few winding parts. It's also loaded with speed traps! There is a gorgeous 'back way' to go, through the Jemez mountains. I plan to do that after a few tweaks to the car. I see there are a few NM people on this board, and I hope to meet up with them in the future.

Today I am off to see if I can find a place with tires that will fit in stock. I see I have 245/45 16's on the rear, which I understand are getting harder to source.

Don't forget tirerack.com

[dyount]

Don't forget tirerack.com

90 mph? should be somewhere between 3rd and 4th with plenty to go. Your real enjoyment is to slowly <<< emphasize slowly learn how to drive a P car on the curves.
1st step in your new addiction is to get your car into a good Pcar mechanic for a look over and then get it out there and drive it like it's stolen!

[Chuck.H]

+1 on checking the throttle is reaching full WOT, but 'throttle cable'?

My '89 has solid ball jointed rods connecting the throttle pedal to the throttle body. Maybe there is a cable under the tunnel, but I think even that is a solid rod. It's one of the things that makes the throttle response so direct.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 364k miles

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by TargaHenry

1984 Targa


1. I notice the steering wheel has a fair amount of play left and right, none up an down or in and out. It doesn't seem like a lot, but maybe more than I would expect. Does this indicate the need for the rack check/lube mentioned in other threads?

2. Related to the above, I find at times on the highway, it feels like I am driving in a strong wind, though I am not. Above rack issue? Uneven tires from lack of use? My car only has 63k miles on it, and the last owner barely drove it.

3. I also feel every pebble, though I imagine that could be shocks.

4. Will the ride even out over time? My friends have told me their cars of similar age really improved after 1000 miles or so of regular driving.

5.When I had some clear stretches of highway, I was hard pressed to get above 90 mph...

1. search for bushing + steering - IIRC, Mitch leeland makes them; that could be it; also check mounting of the column, etc.

2. could be lots of things (!) How old are the tires??

3. are you familiar with sports cars? it will not feel like a Lexus, or see #2

4. not sure - maybe they are talking about unevenness in stored tires, or an effect in the owner; but the 911 does "like" to be driven

5. odd; what does the engine sound like then?

BUT do NOT drive it esp. fast untill you search on critical + safety + issues

and address every danger item in that thread!

Congrats on your new car!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I just bought a 911 too and have a similar "windy" feeling on highway. If there is no slop in your tie rods, bearings, etc, could be time for new bushings. Mine need replacement. here is an exaggerated pic of worn rear bushings. It shows the spring plate not centered in the spring plate housing. Mine isnt this bad, but it's shot:

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

+1 on checking the throttle is reaching full WOT, but 'throttle cable'?

My '89 has solid ball jointed rods connecting the throttle pedal to the throttle body. Maybe there is a cable under the tunnel, but I think even that is a solid rod. It's one of the things that makes the throttle response so direct.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 364k miles

Yeah - More Rod like in the 3.2 cars - mine has a cable to attach to my 3.6 liter. Still attaches to the bell housing. It still stretches - it still needs adjustment. Most people leave HP on the table because the throttle linkage is out of adjustment (seriously) This is where you adjust it

[TargaHenry]

So much great information, thank you!

I am ordering new tires from Tirerack, since they have the best selection in my size, and have the models others here have recommended.

Just went out for a modest drive. The play isn't as bad as I initially thought, probably just a matter of getting more seat time and getting used to the car. I am however, tomorrow getting the service history on the car, and checking for any steering and suspension items. I will also have my mechanic address the issues mentioned here, though I want to see how it drives with new tires.

The engine pulls up to 90 smooth as silk, sounds great, and feels like it's barely trying. The throttle 'cable' adjustment makes sense, I will have my guy do it ASAP, unless I find the time to do it myself.
The tires are indeed old, and I am told they may have 'flat spots' that even out with time. I don't plan to keep them long enough to find out.


I really appreciate all the feedback. This car is a blast to drive already, so I can imagine how great it will be with a few tweaks.

[Porchcar guy]

Hi, Also from Albuquerque so check in sometime !! Always put the same make and model tires on your 911. I am running Kuhmo's from Tirerack on my 79SC. Good road handling, not a lot of noise and sticky. Remember that a 911 is a sports car and you should feel the road more than any other car that is not designed to do what a 911 does...which is go fast, turns well and let's you know its limits. Do not let off the gas when in a turn or you will be backwards quickly. Welcome to the madness :=)

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by TargaHenry

1Q. - Related to the above, I find at times on the highway, it feels like I am driving in a strong wind, though .................

2Q. - I also feel every pebble, though I imagine that could be shocks.

3Q. - When I had some clear stretches of highway, I was hard pressed to get above 90 mph.

1A. Please post a side view of your car so we can see if it's nose up or something weird. Strong wind...........like in side sway? I had a broken drop link at one time, would only notice it with dead weight (passengers) in it on high speed lane changes and in tight corners though.

2A. That's what we call driver "feed-back", again a photo will tell us if you have 50 series tires, and you should find out how old the rubber is - could be a factor.

3A. Your car should be able to zip to 120 mph in a flash and go up to 150 mph given enough road. Something is seriously wrong here, could be the ignition timing or other things involved in a full tune-up. How is your tire air pressure looking? If you are down 20 lbs or over by 7 or so some unexpected odd stuff can happen.

[RWebb]

if it will rev to redline at a stop, then it is not the throttle cable, so try that

all bushings (F & R) will need to be replaced after ~ 20 years on any 911 - various choices avail.

- what did you get in the way or parts/service receipts? type the relevant info into Excel with dates & miles, then see how long it has been since whatever service interval

change all fluids - chg. brake fluid when you replace the rubber brake hoses - so that when you swap tiers and have the wheels off

never let a tire shop torque your wheel lug nuts...