What a pleasure these cars are!
 

I had a client request that I run up to his home in the mountains of North Carolina. Since I did not need many tools, I decided to take the 928. I am in Birmingham so I decided to take interstate to chattanooga and then take HWY 64 the rest of the way. 64 goes beside the Ocoee river and continues north and east to the Nantahala National forest where you once again ride beside the river. 320 miles total - 180 on the interstate, 140 through the mountains. I was a little worried about going that far as it could be an expensive tow home if something went wrong. This really is a garage queen. Sits under a cover in the garage way too much!

The ride up was a little cautious. My ball cup popped off about a month a go and left me stranded on the side of the road so I was shifting very gingerly. The ride home (next day) on the other hand not so much. Lets just call it spirited! I know these cars are considered "Grand Touring" because they are so comfortable on the interstate but I have to say that twisting through the mountains on a tight curvy two lane was absolutely awesome. I was very fortunate that I had an almost unobstructed route. No sunday drivers slowing me down. I really got to push it and the car handled it beautifully. Loved hearing the exhaust screaming through the mountains.

The driving position has to be one of the most comfortable I have ever been in. Really hated getting out of the car after a 5 hour drive. Drives like that make it worth all the time spent working on it.

One of the biggest groups that bought the 928 new were long distance commuters, and they were the repeat buyers as well.

I totally agree with you that the 928 is a beautifully balanced car and a delight to drive on any "challenging" road, particularly in the absence of Sunday drivers. However, I wonder if you would care to share with us some idea of the gas consumption (mpg) you typically are experiencing? I have recently graduated from a Mini Cooper, which shares the 928's road handling ability but not its gas consumption. I am getting somewhere around 10 - 15mpg on my 1985 928s...is this typical? Is there anything I can or should do to improve on this?
dave

on my 1200 mile drive home when i bought mine i got almost 24mpg

I got 21mpg during a leisurely drive from California to Texas in an '88 that I bought in 2008. I also got 21 mpg from Banner Elk, NC to DFW in 2005 in the Stepson with the cruise control on.

Something just might be wrong with your car.

Unless you are having a silly amount of fun, 15 mpg or less on a US 85 means its time for a top end refresh or at least intake reseal.

Send your maf to Kevin at Injection Labs. You'll notice crisper throttle response and much improved mileage.

I got a little over 21mpg going up. Coming back was more like 19. The return trip was 25 min quicker. Was actually surprised that I didn't burn more fuel. I will say that most of the time saved and fuel spent was on the two lane thru the mountains. Highway driving around 80mph always seems to be over 21.

Colorado Road Trip -
 

We took Miss Purdy (1984 auto) on an early fall trip to Pagosa Springs last year and the over all mpg average was about 18 - 19. On the open road and traveling around 85 mph (right in amongst a large herd of 18 wheelers) I was getting over 20 mpg. Once in northern New Mexico and Colorado on the twisty mountain roads the mileage dropped to 15 - 16. I used the typical flat-lander steep mountain driving technique - Accelerator applied heavily up the grades, brake pedal heavily applied down the grades. Some of the sharp curves out around the smaller Colorado towns and communities had no guard rails.

There was one 100 mile section of interstate out across the Texas pan handle that we did good to get 5 mpg while almost being pushed backwards by a 90 mph head wind. The funny part was that I had plans to turn the key off during the return trip over this same section of road and just coast home to Dallas. But while driving back we had a head wind from the opposite direction.... I should have known you can't out smart the West Texas weather patterns :)

We all enjoyed every minute of the trip - including Miss Purdy.


Michael

Mountain driving does kill your MPG pretty good. I have driven to Vail often which is pretty much "up hill" from Omaha, Nebraska. I always got better mileage heading back to the Midwest on the down slope along I-80. On average, I get 20 mpg in hi-way driving, but that is about it!

This is just plain mean...

Writing about an awesome ride like that...while us guys in the snow-belt can only look at our cars while on jack stands...lol

But, seriously...after reading your post last night I've been barely able to sleep. I've laid a wake most of the night trying to come up with roads similar to what you wrote of, but here in Michigan.

A few years ago, I did have a nice ride through VT and ME in my 944. Nice curvy roads with plenty of switchbacks and stuff, only problem was, most folks out there are concerned with their health or something and walk along the roads, so driving conditions were limited, plus every person you passed would greet you with a friendly wave, so you had to wave back.

Luckily, this is something you rarely run into, figuratively speaking, here in Michigan. I'll have to start studying google earth and look for roads that meet a 928's criteria for enjoyment before spring gets here.

Thanks for writing about your ride...it got "my newly acquired" 928 blood pumping.

Michigan you might try going to Hell, every summer there is a 928 meet there.

Sharks In Hell – 2013 | Southeast Michigan Porsche Club of America

Or this one has a road on the way called the Tail of the Dragon.
https://www.928gt.com/t-sitm.aspx