how hard do you drive?

[ssinkule]

I have loved every Porsche I have ever owned, maintained them, done my best to keep them from coming into contact with other objects, and generally kept them happy.... But they are PORSCHES, they are built and designed with one singular purpose.. TO BE DRIVEN...quickly. Contrary to even most of their rivals Porsches weren't really even designed to be particularly "pretty" or "comfortable". So I guess the point of my rant is.. I seem to see so much written about how to "make my clutch last longer", "how to make my engine last forever", "should I not rev my engine", ect. These are Porsches, and unless someone buys the vehicle to be a poser I assume the only reason they purchased the car was to "drive" it.. Well, Drive it, drive it hard, drive it quickly, stop fast, go through corners quickly and enjoy it. If clutches, tires, brake pads, ect are a major concern maybe an alternative automobile choice is in order.. Sorry for the rant, it is probably more caused by living in Atlanta where most Porsches are owned by mindless posers than by people who appreciate the marque for more than its crest.. also having seen firestone low speed rating tires being mounted on a Porsche the other dat at an Exxon gas station.. Happy driving and yes I now feel better.. BTW has anyone else had problems with Mass Air Flow Sensors in 2.7 Boxsters?

[Perfectlap]

you right Porsches were meant to be driven. But Porsches are also very expensive and they are mostly purchased by older folks who have had some sucess in life (or inherited it!). After attending many PCA events I can say even in an enthusiast club only a small part of PCA members venture onto an Autocross course or Track event. Sadly most Porsches are garage queens used as status symbols. C'est la vie.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by ssinkule

BTW has anyone else had problems with Mass Air Flow Sensors in 2.7 Boxsters?

Do a search here and on Renntech.org and you'll find tons of threads with MAF problems across the three engines running in Boxsters. Most MAF problems I've read about are due to oil-filled air filters and people doing other fooling things to their intakes to get a couple extra HP out of their cars. The other problem with MAF's I've read about is that they do get old and need to be replaced in high mileage or higher aged cars like my 1997. I'm waiting for mine to go out anytime, and hope it doesn't.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by ssinkule

I have loved every Porsche I have ever owned, maintained them, done my best to keep them from coming into contact with other objects, and generally kept them happy.... But they are PORSCHES, they are built and designed with one singular purpose.. TO BE DRIVEN...quickly. Contrary to even most of their rivals Porsches weren't really even designed to be particularly "pretty" or "comfortable". So I guess the point of my rant is.. I seem to see so much written about how to "make my clutch last longer", "how to make my engine last forever", "should I not rev my engine", ect. These are Porsches, and unless someone buys the vehicle to be a poser I assume the only reason they purchased the car was to "drive" it.. Well, Drive it, drive it hard, drive it quickly, stop fast, go through corners quickly and enjoy it.

Agreed. I baby my Acura because that is what I put my big mileage on. While I do not abuse my Porsche by any means, I didn’t buy it to cruise in a straight line at 2500 RPMs. I had a recent argument with a coworker who has a BMW garage queen (a 525 no less – obviously not an enthusiast). He never drives the thing and will make snide remarks about my 987 being dirty. I have tried to explain that a Porsche (and BMW) is performance art, not sculpture – he thinks it is all about the status. Well I guess we both spent about the same amount of money and got the right cars for our individual tastes.

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

Agreed. I baby my Acura because that is what I put my big mileage on. While I do not abuse my Porsche by any means, I didn’t buy it to cruise in a straight line at 2500 RPMs. I had a recent argument with a coworker who has a BMW garage queen (a 525 no less – obviously not an enthusiast). He never drives the thing and will make snide remarks about my 987 being dirty. I have tried to explain that a Porsche (and BMW) is performance art, not sculpture – he thinks it is all about the status. Well I guess we both spent about the same amount of money and got the right cars for our individual tastes.

Dr. Kill, the next time that guy from your office makes a snide remark about your Boxster (clean or dirty) you have our collective permission to kick his butt! Just drop the dude right there! The nerve of that man. Doesn't he know you're Dr. Kill!

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Dr. Kill, the next time that guy from your office makes a snide remark about your Boxster (clean or dirty) you have our collective permission to kick his butt! Just drop the dude right there! The nerve of that man. Doesn't he know you're Dr. Kill!

Thank you for your support. You know, I think I am going to go throw hot coffee on him right now.

[Perfectlap]

dude hot coffee hurts!

by the way explain to him that Porsche are made in such small numbers compared to BMW that BMW is more like GM in the status symbol world.

[Brucelee]

Just to be clear, I have no problem with anyone using their Porsche as they see fit.

However, we should not be deluded on this point. When you hammer your car, there is a cost. And with a Porsche, this cost is likely to be substantial (try finding a $3000 create motor for you Boxster.)

It simply makes me laugh when folks say that driving at upper ends of the RPM spectrun is "good for the car." It may be good for you (and that is good) but is certainly is NOT good for the car.

The truth shall set you free.

[SD987]

"Try it for awhile and you'll notice how much smoother it drives and it will stop making all of those annoying clicking and sticky valve noises at idle. "
- deliriousga

I've noticed that too. Interestingly, I've also found that driving more spiritedly in the Box improves the fuel economy versus driving like an old lady.

"If clutches, tires, brake pads, ect are a major concern maybe an alternative automobile choice is in order"
-ssinkule

"by the way explain to him that Porsche are made in such small numbers compared to BMW that BMW is more like GM in the status symbol world."
-perfectlap

I couldn't agree with you two more. I think that when younger folks make the move into a "status" car, the BMW is the most popular and viable option. BMW has done a great job of attracting the "status" buyer by marketing: "the ultimate tanning machine" e30 convertible was the first upscale german convertible to be priced to this market...but just as big a ploy has been the 4yr/50K free-scheduled maintenance. If you've had to pay for an Inspection II you know that it's inline with scheduled maintenance on other pricey imports and by making it free for a time they've eliminated a huge concern of alot of young status buyers (can I afford to maintain this imported moneypit).

While of course I'd love to see Porsche and Mercedes have free scheduled maintenance, I personally perceive the drivers of a new model to have more "status" than a BMW owner because not only can they can afford the car but they aren't overly concerned with what it costs to keep it running.

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

It simply makes me laugh when folks say that driving at upper ends of the RPM spectrun is "good for the car." It may be good for you (and that is good) but is certainly is NOT good for the car.

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting you top it out all the time. Ours has seen the limiter one time and it was my screw up in shifting that got it there. 4K-4.5K is a good cruising range, but like Brucelee said, keeping it at the top all the time (5+K cruising) will wear the engine out faster. Those ranges are for quick shifting and not for cruising.