things that amaze you about your car...

Gabrielm · Gabrielm's Garage

Winter has just bitten hard in the uk (I know its not as bad as other parts of the world). Due to the garage recently filled with junk, I had to leave my baby outside for two nights in sub zero temperatures where we had 3" of snow and some very heavy frosts.

on the second morning, I gingerly scraped the ice and snow of the windscreens and was mentally prepared for a long session under the bonnet to get the car to turn over. To my utter amazement I switched the ignition and with no drama and fuss she started and came to an even idle. There were other guys in the street fighting with their much newer vauxhalls, fords etc. given that this car is 17 years old I couldn't help but grin the grin of captain smug....

Anybody else got any stories of their cars doing things you would expect?

interglossa · 01-09-2003, 11:24 AM

Yeah, my 83 sat for just over a year, some of it in snow, some in the garage. I finally painted it (get it out of the garage paint job). Didn't think it was gonna start, but it gave me no hesitation and started right up. Thought the battery would be dead or something.

My 83 Sets me free!

gluestick · 01-09-2003, 12:26 PM

What amazes me is how confident this car makes you feel entering a corner. And most of the time, the tires don't give a hint of chirp or squeal. It usually amazes my passengers too.

scottmandue · 01-09-2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gluestick
What amazes me is how confident this car makes you feel entering a corner. And most of the time, the tires don't give a hint of chirp or squeal. It usually amazes my passengers too.

You not driving fast enough!

Seriously the cornering ability is impressive, not to mention the brakes.

few days ago, I'm whipping down a country road and I see a SUV ahead of me making a right to one of my favorite twisty roads. I know there is no way I can catch him before the road goes to one lane. While I am mulling over that thought I hesitate on braking and realize I'm coming up on the right turn a little too fast.
In this car however WTF... stab the brakes... slip her into second... stomp the gas... rear slips a few inches... I over compensate a little too much... front tires complain a little... the though of letting up on the gas never occurred to me!
Try that with FWD

Jgordon · 01-09-2003, 01:49 PM

Aside from the power and cornering, there's the fact that even after I take the keys out of the ignition, I can open and close the windows and sunroof until I open the door. That's pretty cool.

Mark_944S2 · 01-09-2003, 02:56 PM

Some of the spare parts prices amaze me!

$500 a side for strut top bearings

AFJuvat · 01-09-2003, 03:28 PM

1. The car will start under all sorts of adverse conditions
2. The car corners well, has decent speed (still better than a lot of them out there top end)
3. 100000 miles is "nicely broken in"
4. reasonably inexpensive to maintain (for a porsche) - as long as it is properly maintained
5. With the possible exception of a 914 or a 930 (albeit for different reasons) one of the most fun cars to drive out there.

AFJuvat

Lawrence Coppari · 01-09-2003, 03:29 PM

The bang for the buck both in handling and straight line speed.

todwic · todwic's Garage

The cigarette lighter. Once you push the button, it doesn't come out untill it's ready to light your gig. and everything else you guys said

ae1969 · 01-09-2003, 10:21 PM

.....airplane grade bolts throughout this car.

Nabeel · 01-09-2003, 10:25 PM

I was very surprised when I learned about the retained power feature after the car is turned off. Pretty impressive for such an old car.

Also, the car still looks gorgeous to my eyes, even after all these years. And can still outhandle soooo many modern cars. And the fuel economy is not bad. And the engine/exhaust sounds unique and quite sexy. And the stable feeling on the highway. And the compliments you receive from fellow car enthusiasts, regardless of their automotive prefrence. And the way you look forward to taking the long way home after a crappy day at school or the office. And the way you look forward to waking up in the morning and putting a hundred or so miles on the car, just for fun. And the way a girl's eyes light up when you mention you drive a Porsche. And the way you realize most girls like you only because you have a Porsche.................ok, no more!

theFONZ · 01-09-2003, 11:21 PM

I just found out the other day that the clock is also a stopwatch. My friend found that when he was trying to set the time.

gluestick · 01-09-2003, 11:36 PM

And you can put it on 24 hour time, to complete your German alter-ego when you get in the car! ...(or maybe thats just me)

rbt944 · 01-09-2003, 11:42 PM

I like the way the 944 pulls in fifth gear. When I'm on the freeway I usually have no need to downshift when I need to pass a car. I like that it feels stable when going very fast. The 944 is a great looking car with it's muscular shape.

-Gus.

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

....the feather-weight lug nuts.

wawaloon · 01-10-2003, 04:46 AM

I've always like the simple looks of the original 924 body style and my 924S still make me grin when I open the garage.

I do have to explain to some people (goons mostly) that my 924S shares drivetrain with the 944 before they'll take me seriously as a porsche driver but I don't really care about that so much.

All of these front engined porsches are good to look at.

944S Boyeee · 01-10-2003, 07:31 AM

I like how quickly these cars warm up!!!

I like the fact that the mirrors collaspe (just found that one out!!)

I like the heated mirrors.

What amazes me the most is the handling and the pick-up on the highway in 3rd and 4th gear.

944S Boyeee

mattdavis11 · 01-10-2003, 08:14 AM

The manual steering and roof. How it can hit a huge rock, tear up the steering, bust the oil pan, split the cross member in two, fly 3-4 feet off the ground, not flip, land nimbly, and still be able to half arse steer it to the side of the road! Oh yeah, the challenge of having adult activities in it.

profssr2017 · 01-10-2003, 08:36 AM

I'm 6'3" and excessively "large-boned". I have PLENTY of leg and head room in this tiny little car.

I also like the fact that the car has the best supporting web sites and BBS's like this one.

I also like that fact that my idle nuances seem to affect every one of you - I'm not alone.

I like the fact that the car pisses my neighbors off - You know, "the keeping up with the Jones'" effect.

Dougster · 01-10-2003, 09:44 AM

Its been quite cold here in Indy lately...A guy that works in my office building has a maybe 1 year old Explorer and you know what...He always has trouble keeping it running or even gettting started!
I also love the fact it feels like its made from one solid piece of STEEL! No rattles or creaks...Oh year...and it looks so sexy!