May 13, 2006 11:05:43 PM
- Silver Bullet
- Veteran
- Loc: Canada
- Posts: 1126, Gallery
- Registered on: Nov 24, 2004
My first impressions
1. The new chassis is fantastic. The car has more grip and is more planted, yet the ride is more forgiving than the stnd suspension setup on the 996. The grip that this car has is mind blowing, yet it just swallows up bumps and road imperfections. The whole car is appreciably stiffer than the Targa too.
2. She looks gorgeous. Subtle differences add up to a night and day difference compared to the 996 styling. I can't stop looking at her.
3. The brakes, even though brand new, are simply amazing. I can't imagine what PCCB's have to offer.
4. The engine definitely needs some breaking in. I am so far unimpressed with the power of the 3.8, but I think in about 3000 more km, it'll start to open up more.
5. The Bose stereo is a big improvement over the base stereo I had in the 996, but it still isn't that great, and definitely shouldn't be something you have to pay extra for in a car of this caliber. The base stereo in my Jetta is better than the Bose upgrade in the 997S.
6. The steering is great. I was worried about the variable ratio, but I'm now a believer.
7. I am unimpressed with PASM sport mode. It seems to just make the whole car bounce more.
8. I hate the wart just as I thought I would, but I wouldn't have the car without sport chrono, just so that I could get the intermediate PSM setting. I haven't really used sport mode much yet, but my sense is that the throttle response has been set back in normal mode (back compared to the throttle response on my 996), while sport is really standard (ie. like the throttle response on my 996). I think this really is clever but manipulative marketing on Porsche's part.
9. Michelins: I like them more than the Pirelli's I had on m 996. They seem quieter, and the whole car seems like it grips better (granted, that's probably due to more than just the tires).
10. The clutch is more civilized, though the shifter is more vague and less precise, despite shorter throws. I had an easier time appreciating the 320 horses in the clutch action on the 996 than I do appreciating the 355 horses in the clutch action on the 997. Even though it (the clutch) seems more Honda than Porsche to me, I can live with it.
11. Sport seats (not Adaptive): seem about 30% more supportive than the standard seats I had in the 996 with no price paid in comfort. In fact, my wife couldn't tolerate the standard 996 seats b/c of back pain after about 20 minutes. She loves the new ones.
12. Wish she had a dipstick.
13. At least up to 4,500 rpm, the exhaust note is dull, and definietle less exciting than the 996. I know that this engine really sings above 5,000 though . . .
I have a long road trip planned to help break her in and I'll provide my impressions of the 4,500-7,200 rpm range then.
Overall extremely pleased despite exhaust rattle at startup from cold, and weird bounce in PASM sport mode. My only regret is that the -20 mm suspension isn't available here (and I simply couldn't wait any longer to see if it ever would be).