Why I still love my 986.

[ekam]

There was a time when “sports car” meant a car designed for sport, that is, a car whose primary, and often singular purpose was the sport of driving. Carrying groceries or kids was secondary, and the idea of integrating a purpose-built receptacle for your beverage would have been laughed at.
Over the years the sports car has evolved, or more accurately, devolved, into a comically over-engineered, overweight, luxury status symbol whose list of design goals place things like iPhone connectivity and multi-zone air conditioning systems above driving pleasure. Hence why so many of us have turned to vintage cars to get our excitement out of driving. How else are you going to feel connected with the road, the car, and the elements? Some of us still enjoy the sense of danger that comes with pushing a purely mechanical object to its limits and those of our own.

Does The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Instill Hope in the Driver? | Petrolicious

[ekam]

And yes, I have spilled every single cup of coffee after putting it in my cupholder.

[Joe B]

I still love my 986 too, more every time I drive it, and I've never spilled coffee in it (horrors ). The Alfa Romeo sure looks like it has an e-brake to me...

[Carlisabadman986]

I absolutely love this car, but I just don't think i could give away the feel of a manual transmission.

Shifting gears is one of the most enjoyable parts of a spirited drive.

[bwillia080261]

Don't get me wrong I love my Boxster for it's vintage feel and overall fun factor but after driving the 987 version I wish I had popped for that model. I think I would have had a lot less issues too.
Let the flaming begin!

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Carlisabadman986

I absolutely love this car, but I just don't think i could give away the feel of a manual transmission.



Shifting gears is one of the most enjoyable parts of a spirited drive.

I remember drawing comparisons between the cars when I first heard of the 4c. Specs are fairly similar to a 986 S.

As you have stated though, why trade for an auto, and from the reviews I have seen its an auto that beats the hell out of you. If the cars automatic is going to be rough then why not just give it a manual anyways.

Not to mention you are not only trading for an auto..... You are trading a Porsche flat 6 for a turbo 4 made by FCA that you can get in a Dodge Dart.

[schnellman]

Been driving Porsches since 1979, and still love 'em. And, I hope to never give up a stick shift.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

You are trading a Porsche flat 6 for a turbo 4 made by FCA that you can get in a Dodge Dart.

This is why I would not buy the 4c. Add to it that it's a automatic. I will give up a stick shift when my hands are cold and dead. And then there's still a bit of the "Fix It Again Tony" with Fiats.

I love my 986 and can only imagine replacing it with a 987 or a almost no option 981. I go to the Porsche dealer and all I see are 981s larded up with options that add nothing to the driving pleasure of a sports car.

[Perfectlap]

I hate love it.

[kk2002s]

I don't daily drive it anymore. It seems like I do more little fixes then drive, peek at it sitting in the garage
BUT when I do drive it, I am a happy boy. Love to row through the gears. Love the feed back that vibrates back through the steering wheel to my hands

Then the CEL dings at me - Oh Baby, now whats wrong

[Finnegan]

"significant turbo lag" and no manual? Ick.

[pony13ca]

I haven't had mine that long. But while I was looking, I drove a lot of different cars. Vette, 350z, Miata.....It wasn't until my Mrs. talked into trying a 986, that I found that sensation I was looking for! I grin like an idiot every time I start the thing up!

[BIGJake111]

It is to note that the car has a lap time almost identical to the 987 spyder on the top gear test track.

The new cayman gts had a time over 3 seconds quicker. Which is actually quicker then a 997 turbo cab!