Drive Safe

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

I just saw a disturbing short clip on Fox News of a grey 944 Turbo (or S2) spinning out in the snow, crossing the median and hitting a tow truck in Texas. The driver was killed.

Even our well balanced, good handling 944s have limits, especially on snow.

Drive safe everyone.

[This message has been edited by thamlin000 (edited 01-19-2001).]

hoff944 · 01-19-2001, 04:47 PM

Yeah, I saw that too on our CBS affiliate. It was pretty wicked!

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

You're Goddamn right they've got limits! Went over to the honey's place early Friday afternoon as I got out of work early. (We're in Pittsburgh) The weather was fine, so I decided to unwrap the 944S and run it - just this once.........
Besides, it will give me the chance to install the Boston speakers I've had salvaged from the old one, too. Well, as most of you know, it is not easy to just "pick up and leave" your girlfriend on a Friday night

Anyways, as I head for the car, a squall had moved in. Great.
So I head out. Things go from bad to worse as it is now well past 2:00am and NOBODY is on the road. All alone. It looked like a Hoth ice planet scene from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back as snow flew about wildly against the high beams. Now I'm heading down a 65mph highway at about 45mph when without any feeling whatsoever, the car wobbles briefly then spins wildly!
Whoa. This never happened to me before. I gave myself a perfect "10" for the grace and execution of not one - but TWO perfect spins. Steer-in did absolutely nothing. Luckily nothing was clipped in the process but I get out to evaluate what just happened for good measure. No damage. But a warning: Yes, they've got legendary handling and balance, but avoid haevy snow wherever possible. Makes sense

944Driver · 944Driver's Garage

I saw the clip too. It was terrible. The number one mistake people make is to not slow down in inclement conditions. Whenever possible, I'll GENTLY test my brakes if I think the road may be icy. When in doubt, slow down!

Rollins · 01-21-2001, 10:11 PM

I didn't see the clip and frankly I don't want to. But I do concur with all of you guys. I had a bad experience with spinning my 944 once. It was morning and I was pulling out of my complex on the way to school. The roads were slick and my front tires were really bald. The road had a weird dip in it and I took the turn (would estimate it at around 100 degrees or so) too fast and I did a 540 and landed on a grass median. luckily all the other driver's were awake because they all slowed down and let me back on the road. Part of it was the tires, but most of it was prolly my fault. I got lucky that time and I am thankful for that! As it is right now I have had to tone down my driving to meet the jettas limitations. I have taken turns in it that the 944 wouldn't have had a problem with and I could swear the tires lifted off the ground james bond style.

I think I might lower it a little bit.

------------------
Former owner of a 85.5 Porsche 944
Currently own a 95 VW Jetta.

kaffine krazed · 01-21-2001, 10:57 PM

I saw that clip. Boy did he hit that truck hard to throw it around like that.

Sevral years ago going to a jobsite with my dad in his 924 in WA he lost control I think he did a 360 (I was half alseep so I'm not sure) then hit a gaurd rail, on the way home from that trip he lost control again and hit another gaurd rail. No major injuries thankfully and the 924 was still drivable. A month later he hit a patch of black ice and lost control taking it up an embankment it rolled half way up the hill, he came out without a scratch. They certainly have good seat belts in them.