Sharing my 997S - another great experience
Don't know whether others have had problems with insurance companies, but the one I've been with for 25 yrs, no claims except one windscreen, would only insure my wife and I to drive my 997S. After some negotiation, they've conceded and will insure the car for anyone I permit to drive the car.
Yesterday I took a friend of 20yrs for lunch, and a 997S experience in Coromandel, about a 400km round trip over some great driving and scenic roads. He drives a 2004 Subaru Legacy GT wagon (205kw) and his previous Porsche experience being our friends 993 C2 tiptronic. Many years ago, we used to drive a lot together and I respect his driving abililties.
After I drove out of town, he fitted his 6ft 6 frame into the drivers seat and took a short time to acclimatise while we followed 2 diesel trucks on some coastal roads. Windows were up, sunroof closed. Nice car but nothing special. Once inside you can't see yourself in a PORSCHE!! Had a few problems knowing what gear he was in - ratios are relatively close, and even in 5th at 60km/h it goes when you prod the accelerator pedal.
We cleared the trucks heading inland and uphill, and I urged him to use the revs, between 5000 and 7200rpm. Opened the windows and sunroof too. The sound of that magnificent flat six filled the cabin - huge grin on his face - he was hooked on the engine power and sound!! About 15min later we were in Coromandel and had a nice lunch.
He drove out of Coromandel, and we headed east across the ranges to the Pacific Coast. This was going to be fun, as the roads are tight, smooth, and also a few short straights at the other end. The damp shaded areas were now dry. Going at a reasonable pace now, I hit the PASM button and he notices the difference immediately. The combination of the tighter suspension and the raw engine power is addictive. Time for party trick no.3. I hit the Sport chrono button without him knowing. He says something is different, the engine power seems smoother, or more powerful? Can't quite describe it but likes it better. I tell him that the PSM is less intrusive also, so to be more careful.
On to the short straights at the end, and so far his gear changes have been slow. Again I urge him to use the revs, and speed up those upchanges. Accelerating from an intersection, he does perfect upshifts 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd etc.... he's amazed at continuous flow of power - how the gear ratios are so perfectly spaced, and it sounded fantastic. Another huge smile!!
We stop at Cathedral Cove, took some photos (below) then headed to Tairua. This is another fun stretch of road, but quite bumpy though we used PASM sport mode. I got the video camera out and did the short video (link below). Should have done the video over the ranges, where the roads were smoother, and better quality, - maybe next time, (I'll take the friend with the 993). The sounds come out good, and overall it gives a good representation of our drive.
Altogether a fantastic day out - and I hardly drove any of it. What an awesome car!! I think a day we'll remember for a long time
Video at http://leonggoh.neptune.com/
Photos here http://www.rennteam.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5571
Yesterday I took a friend of 20yrs for lunch, and a 997S experience in Coromandel, about a 400km round trip over some great driving and scenic roads. He drives a 2004 Subaru Legacy GT wagon (205kw) and his previous Porsche experience being our friends 993 C2 tiptronic. Many years ago, we used to drive a lot together and I respect his driving abililties.
After I drove out of town, he fitted his 6ft 6 frame into the drivers seat and took a short time to acclimatise while we followed 2 diesel trucks on some coastal roads. Windows were up, sunroof closed. Nice car but nothing special. Once inside you can't see yourself in a PORSCHE!! Had a few problems knowing what gear he was in - ratios are relatively close, and even in 5th at 60km/h it goes when you prod the accelerator pedal.
We cleared the trucks heading inland and uphill, and I urged him to use the revs, between 5000 and 7200rpm. Opened the windows and sunroof too. The sound of that magnificent flat six filled the cabin - huge grin on his face - he was hooked on the engine power and sound!! About 15min later we were in Coromandel and had a nice lunch.
He drove out of Coromandel, and we headed east across the ranges to the Pacific Coast. This was going to be fun, as the roads are tight, smooth, and also a few short straights at the other end. The damp shaded areas were now dry. Going at a reasonable pace now, I hit the PASM button and he notices the difference immediately. The combination of the tighter suspension and the raw engine power is addictive. Time for party trick no.3. I hit the Sport chrono button without him knowing. He says something is different, the engine power seems smoother, or more powerful? Can't quite describe it but likes it better. I tell him that the PSM is less intrusive also, so to be more careful.
On to the short straights at the end, and so far his gear changes have been slow. Again I urge him to use the revs, and speed up those upchanges. Accelerating from an intersection, he does perfect upshifts 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd etc.... he's amazed at continuous flow of power - how the gear ratios are so perfectly spaced, and it sounded fantastic. Another huge smile!!
We stop at Cathedral Cove, took some photos (below) then headed to Tairua. This is another fun stretch of road, but quite bumpy though we used PASM sport mode. I got the video camera out and did the short video (link below). Should have done the video over the ranges, where the roads were smoother, and better quality, - maybe next time, (I'll take the friend with the 993). The sounds come out good, and overall it gives a good representation of our drive.
Altogether a fantastic day out - and I hardly drove any of it. What an awesome car!! I think a day we'll remember for a long time
Video at http://leonggoh.neptune.com/
Photos here http://www.rennteam.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5571
