What was "lost" from the 986?

[JTP]

I can't say what was 'lost' from the 986, but I think alot was lost from driving in general.

Kurt, I never drove a 914/6 but I loved my 914/4! It wasn't fast, but I was living on Maui at the time so it had plenty of power for the roads there. It was a blast to drive, took a beating and never let me down.

My 2000 986S (no T/C) is the newest Porsche I've owned and love it, but compared to the old Porsches it's missing that "feel." I know modern cars with all the computer controlled throttles, transmissions, brakes, and differentials are superior in every way but is technology taking cars ahead into the future in the wrong direction? As an engineer I love all the advancements but we seem to be getting disconnected from the thrill that turned us into gearheads. Is being cushioned by a cloud of technology always a good thing? The Nissan GTR comes to mind, capable of making almost any driver look like a pro. Some cars should still be produced that still holds onto that old go-kart thrill of driving.

Are cars too safe, too easy to drive now? Seems like that's the way society of going now, safe cars, safe sex, safe war, don't spank your kids, don't yell at new recruits in Basic Training 'cuz you'll stress them out. Due to new safety standards and legislations we will never have exciting cars to drive anymore, cars that were just bare bones excitement unless you're lucky enough to save a classic car to drive. Sometimes a 50hp 356 can be more fun than a 2010 Carrera.

A good friend of mine is an ex-Navy pilot, used to be THE test pilot for the F14 Tomcat before delivery to the Navy. He told me in many ways he enjoys flying his ultralight, felt the thrill of being a pilot, over the F14!

[Orient Red]

If your car feels too safe and insulated, here is a prescription to cure it:

1) Get some sticky tires on light rims
2) Increase sway bar sizes. Might as well eliminate the understeer by maxing-out the front camber.
3) Put some grabby/noisey brake pads in.
4) Increase spring stiffness and shock damping (oh hell, might as well buy coilovers).
5) Replace the dual-mass flywheel with a lightweight single-mass unit. Might as well install a grabby clutch while you're in there.
6) Replace the exhaust with something louder. Try not to concern yourself with whether or not you are adding or losing horsepower.
7) Replace the seats with racing/sport seats. The harder to get out of the better.
8) Do something unreasonable to make the car lighter (Remove some of the carpeting/insulation? Toss the A/C?).

Whether it's a 986 or 987, your car will gain back a lot of the mechanical feedback the engineers worked so hard to insulate you from. Now it is not everybody's Porsche, it is YOUR (meaning, my) Porsche. Will it be less civilized? You bet, but when you get it out on a canyon road (or on the track) it will be well worth it!

p.s. Make sure to turn the Stabilty Control OFF!

[Quickurt]

Originally Posted by Orient Red

If your car feels too safe and insulated, here is a prescription to cure it:

1) Get some sticky tires on light rims
2) Increase sway bar sizes. Might as well eliminate the understeer by maxing-out the front camber.
3) Put some grabby/noisey brake pads in.
4) Increase spring stiffness and shock damping (oh hell, might as well buy coilovers).
5) Replace the dual-mass flywheel with a lightweight single-mass unit. Might as well install a grabbly clutch while you're in there.
6) Replace the exhaust with something louder. Try not to concern yourself with whether or not you are adding or losing horsepower.
7) Replace the seats with racing/sport seats. The harder to get out of the better.
8) Do something unreasonable to make the car lighter (Remove some of the carpeting/insulation? Toss the A/C?).

Whether it's a 986 or 987, your car will gain back a lot of the mechanical feedback the engineers worked so hard to insulate you from. Now it is not everybody's Porsche, it is YOUR (meaning, my) Porsche. Will it be less civilized? You bet, but when you get it out on a canyon road (or on the track) it will be well worth it!

I'll tell you what, guys, there are a TON of older Formula cars and sports racers for sale CHEAP! Get one and go track it with a group like VDCA, SVRA or HSR. They are all Vintage racing organizations that put fun way, way, way ahead of all the BS that goes with SCCA racing. I'd love to get 10 grand for my ex-multiple-championship winning Club Ford and that's WAY less than you'll spend on the above list of stuff that will make your Boxster a pain in the ass to drive like what you bought it for!!

[Gent]

If you guys really want to appreciate your 986, do what I do and drive a 2005 diesel smart ForTwo for the winter 6 months of the year.

THEN get back into your Boxster. Hoo baby. Summer fun!

Don't get me wrong, the smart is also a performance machine; however it is a fuel economy performance machine. I love both vehicles for different reasons and each makes me appreciate the other.

[CRCGuy]

Great feedback from all of you. thanks!

I used to own a 1980 honda prelude that didn't have power steering or power brakes. I still remember what the steering felt like--I really enjoyed it.

I would definitely pay money for a stripped down Boxster with no power steering, actual throttle cable, manual top etc... I would have picked up an Elise if it wasn't so harsh as a DD. you guys are right, all this technology has insulated us from the driving experience--in an effort I guess to overcome driving skill inadequecies and improve fuel economy.

Seems there's a market for those that want a pure connection to the road but in a car that is comfortable as a DD. Like if an Elise and a Boxster had sex and produced offspring.

Anyone want to start a car company?

[Quickurt]

Originally Posted by CRCGuy

Anyone want to start a car company?

I've wanted to for years!!

How about a first generation MR2 with a 2.0 TDI Diesel and VW 7spd PDK??
The 1st gens weighed in at a miserly 2150 lb.!! The 2 liter VW TDI has more HP and about twice the torque of the Toyota 1.6 and with the 7 speed twin clutch transmission?? You gotta be kidding me!! What would it get? 70 MPG?

How about a 1500 lb. roadster built like an oversized sports racer using a Fiat 124 windshield assembly and fold down top? No AC, no PS, no PW, no BS, just a fun as hell and efficient commuter/sports car? It could use any number of front engine/front wheel drive power units, whatever you prefer.

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted by Quickurt

I've wanted to for years!!

How about a first generation MR2 with a 2.0 TDI Diesel and VW 7spd PDK??
The 1st gens weighed in at a miserly 2150 lb.!! The 2 liter VW TDI has more HP and about twice the torque of the Toyota 1.6 and with the 7 speed twin clutch transmission?? You gotta be kidding me!! What would it get? 70 MPG?

Drop the PDK and drop the diesel fuel, and you have something worth considering.

How about a 1500 lb. roadster built like an oversized sports racer using a Fiat 124 windshield assembly and fold down top? No AC, no PS, no PW, no BS, just a fun as hell and efficient commuter/sports car? It could use any number of front engine/front wheel drive power units, whatever you prefer.

The anti-fun police would show up, take away your toy, all in the name of protecting you from yourself, and imminent happiness.

BC.

[CRCGuy]

Originally Posted by Quickurt

I've wanted to for years!!

How about a first generation MR2 with a 2.0 TDI Diesel and VW 7spd PDK??
The 1st gens weighed in at a miserly 2150 lb.!! The 2 liter VW TDI has more HP and about twice the torque of the Toyota 1.6 and with the 7 speed twin clutch transmission?? You gotta be kidding me!! What would it get? 70 MPG?

.

I like it!!! I've been looking for a first gen MR2 for awhile, in parallel to my first box. it was a great design. You're combination is a good one. I was excited to see the VW Bluesport prototype. I like the diesel sports car/roadster concept. fuel economy is of course a main driver but the torque makes for great fun. maybe we'll pick up some roller MR2's and get started. We will probably have to offer a manual tranny alongside PDK--- assuming it comes up as a key buying factor for our target segment. Oh and, one of those keyless starting systems--I've always loved the idea of just pushing a start button with the key still in my pocket.

I'll round up the VC money, you start looking for those roller MR2s