Is PSM a Necessity?

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PSM is a wonderful little piece of modern technology. Like an IPOD or GPS it is just a a tool. A tool for safer driving. Can you live without it...yes you can. Is life better with it... yes it is. Like tire choices every driver must decide for themselves what is most important on their ride. My current car does not have PSM but my next one surely will.

[rick3000]

Firstly, I resent being called a sedate driver.
Second, I agree that the people without PSM seem to be the one's saying it doesn't matter. If I had ordered my car from Porsche I would have spent the few extra bucks on PSM. It obviously makes a difference, and because I don't have it, I am viewing it as an advantage. Because if I ever get in a car without a traction control system, I'll now how to drive without relying on a computer chip.

[kras]

I believe PSM is standard on all Boxsters now.

Originally Posted by kras

I believe PSM is standard on all Boxsters now.

Correct, PSM is standard on the 987.

Originally Posted by rick3000

Firstly, I resent being called a sedate driver.
Second, I agree that the people without PSM seem to be the one's saying it doesn't matter. If I had ordered my car from Porsche I would have spent the few extra bucks on PSM. It obviously makes a difference, and because I don't have it, I am viewing it as an advantage. Because if I ever get in a car without a traction control system, I'll now how to drive without relying on a computer chip.

K, maybe not sedate, um... how about more sane than I Thanks for your honesty with the second point. Refreshing. Lastly, I want to make clear the point about PSM doing all the driving. I do not use PSM for covering up my mistakes. Just the opposite, PSM allows me to expose my mistakes without having me pay dearly for them (wrecking).


In fact, every corner I find with enough run off room, I disable PSM, and fly solo. See if I can "beat" PSM. That's PSM's greatest feature, it's user defeatable (if you use the brakes it comes back on for that duration). PSM riding co-pilot is like Jackie Stewart riding shotgun, only better, because Jackie can't swap places with you instantaneously. PSM does just that. There when you need it, gone when you don't.


I consider myself a pretty good driver, and PSM has made me a better one. I really look forward to having PASM one day. For the record, if I could never switch off PSM, I wouldn't get it.


For everyone, don't knock it until you've tried it.

[Dr. Kill]

+1 for the PSM camp. I can see an argument for an experienced driver opting to not have PSM on a dedicated track car, but for city driving, regardless of experience level, I think it is a different story.

When you are on the track, you are driving under very controlled conditions and giving 10/10ths attention to what you are doing. On the street, we do not have as much control over the road and traffic conditions. And let’s be honest, street driving is never done with 100% concentration for 100% of the time. I feel like I pay a lot more attention than the average driver, and I can think of at least three times that PSM has stepped in to help me out at times when I have needed it. Maybe I would have corrected and saved it, maybe I wouldn’t have. Regardless, I am thankful that my Porsche has this technology.