What do I try and sense when I test drive?

It's some thirty years since I have driven a 911. Tomorrow I am off for the first test drive of my search. Stepping from the unflustered calm of the Jaguar I am certain that my senses will be flooded with exciting stimuli, probably far too much to really appreciate what I am hearing / feeling. Now OK there will be a full PPI later. But I just wondered if there are any tips that everyday 996 owners would like to pass on? Things like where on the pedal travel should the clutch bite.. Odd noises that ring alarm bells.. That sort of thing. All input gratefully received

Rob, I think the first thing that will concern you is how poor the brakes seem - I have an Audi A6 which is over servo'd to the hilt and throws the anchor out just by breathing on the brake pedal. 996's don't have quite the same feel... Don't get me wrong, the brakes are certainly there, but exhibit a very firm pedal. I hope you get the opportunity to drive some twisty roads, that may influence your decision to buy. Good luck!

Agree on the brakes. Whenever i jump into the missus' 206 after driving the 993 and touch the brakes, I nearly go flying through the windscreen :grin: Ideally you should drive several as this will give you a point of reference, that way you will know how heavy the steering / clutch / gearchange should feel, etc...

Again, another vote for the brakes. I thought they were knackered on the first 996 I drove. Now I'm used to them I certainly wouldn't have it any other way - much more control.

The 996 can seem a little jittery at low speeds and a bit light on steering (like an overpowered power steering) but that all changes at speed. At 60+ it should feel planted like the car is being pushed into the floor (particularly through the corners). Also make sure that it's smooth throughtout the rev band. The engine lifts onto the second cam at around 4000 rpm and it should be smooth through that and then really accelerate a lot quicker up to the red line when it comes on. The spoiler warning light will stay on until you start moving upto about 10mph. This is normal. Check the rear carpets for dampness. Quite a common issue on the 996 is for the drains to get blocked and this culminates in damp rear carpets. Agree on the brakes though. When I get out of mine and push them in my Jag I go through the window too. Hope this helps and if you decide to buy you won't regret it!

I am not sure that this happens on mine, or maybe I have just never noticed it. Where is the warning light situated? Does the same light indicate that the spoiler has been raised when the car reaches the threshold speed?

I've never noticed a spoiler warning light either... Hmm... Oh - there's a very good buyer's guide here: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/414586-the-ultimate-preowned-996-buying-guide.html It's got a US slant, but it's still and interesting read.

It's on the Dashboard along the bottom set of warning lights. Doesn't come on when the Spolier Goes Up. It's supposed to show there is a problem but I believe it's common for it to stay on until you start moving (most say up to 5mph).

Before you get out the Jaaaaag, make sure you have removed your tweed cap and pipe. The 996 will feel hugely different, so be prepared for it. Before you go, make some notes on any tests you want to make when driving, as it will help you remember, rather than half way home after the test drive. Just a few things you should do, as you would with any car: Check that the steering doesn't pull left or right when hands-off. Check the brakes pull the car up straight and true when braking heavily. Listen for any creaks, knocks, and clunks from the suspension, particularly on poor surfaces. Listen for wind noise around the screen and side windows. When warm, give it some beans and check that it pulls strongly up to the rev limiter. When warm, check the oil pressure, temperature, etc. If it is a manual, check all the gears engage smoothly and that the clutch isn't excessively heavy. The 1st-2nd shift might be a bit notchy when cold (this is normal). Listen for differential whine (load on, and load off). Listen for any other transmission noises. If it is a tiptronic, check that it changes up and down through the gears smoothly. Don't expect a DSG-type change. Check everything works. There's a buyer's checklist I did with one of the guys on the PCGB forum you might find useful. You can download it here: http://www.porscheclubgb.org/clientftp/Register/996/tec_buyers_checklist.pdf

The warning light is red and is on the farthest right of the bottom row of lights. (at least it is on the 996.1 3.4). The symbol, unsurprisingly, looks like a deployed spoiler from the engine lid. The warning light is shown during start-up to indicate it is interogating the relevant sensors and actuators. It should go off after the vehicle is driven a short distance. The ABS and other speed sensors are sampled aswell as spoiler location and actuator sensors. The system establishes whether the speed triggered spoiler can or will deploy. If the car cannot ascertain its speed correctly or the actuators (hydraulic rams) detect a failure or the location (rest or deployed state) cannot be verified then the light will stay on. Alternatively, if any of the systems fails whilst driving, it will come back on. The vehicle is not stable over 70/80 mph without the spoiler deployed (in fact the effect increases with speed). Think of the first gen Audi TTs that tried and succeded to swap ends without rear spoiler... and they had the weighty engine and drive stuck up the front end. PS - oddly, even fixed wing (GT2/GT3 - or fixed wing Aerokits) have this warning lamp and test cycle. That is because it is related to ABS and/or PSM diagnostics and it would be too much trouble to make alternative systems for these low volume models (the actuator and location sensor inputs are simply clamped to read permanent OK response)

Only the Turbo has hydraulic rams on the spoiler. The others are motorised.

I stand corrected, but the movement mechanism (whatever it is) is tested. I am sorry, I don't have one (speed activated spoiler that is, I do have the warning lamp though!)

Thanks to all who have contributed. Just to make it clear, the purchase is not in doubt. The question is just 'Which one?' I'll report back tomorrow

If you get message this in time have a feel along the bottom edge of the doors and look for wet trim, this in an indication that the door liners need replacing. I also have fixed spoiler and the warning light comes on until I reach 5mph even in reverse Good luck finding the right car TB

5 mph you say. Hmm, never been that fast, and I would caution against it. By my rudimentary calculations, reversing at high speed with a fixed spoiler would surely result in lift and eventual flight?