PSM--how necessary an option is it on a C2 996?

I'm looking at a couple '02 996 C2's, both of which are pretty bare-bones--they don't have PSM among other things... How much do you guys rely on this while daily driving? Tracking? Is the 996 C2 easy to drive fast without PSM? I plan on tracking the car at some point, and we know that without PSM is faster (once you learn how to drive it well) around a track. I'm just trying to get an idea if I'll need the PSM to learn where the limits of the car are. As for daily driving I hope that most of you will support my assumption that the Porsche has such high limits that PSM should really not be needed in daily driving situations. Any personal opinions/experience on how you guys depended on, needed, or didn't need PSM is appreciated. Thanks.

I think it's like anti-lock brakes. They're a waste of money until that one occasion you need them. Then they save your car and/or save your life. I remember when brake-assist came out on M-B and could never understand whether it was just a marketing ploy until somebody ran a red light in front of me and I hit the brakes as hard as I could and the car seemed to brake itself. Thank God nobody was behind me because they'd have been no way they could have stopped as quick as I did. PSM hasn't kicked in for me yet but it did on my M-B before I bought my Porsche. I came into the neighborhood and as I rounded the corner there was a huge gravel spill. The car went nuts braking one wheel then the next, shutting off the gas, etc. and it came comfortably to a halt. ABsolutely amazing. Buy PSM. You may never need it but on that occasion you do you'll be thankful.

Could not have said it better than Othello. They are as needed as seat belts. Not needed until that one time, then they are life savers.

Not having PSM would not deter me from an otherwise nice pre-owned car. Ordering it from new, I would opt for it. What did we all do before ABS and PSM?? Drive.

crashed more

[quote]Originally posted by cooper996: <strong>crashed more</strong><hr></blockquote> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> Seriously, though, I failed to realize he was talking about used cars. If you had a choice, I would think the presence of PSM would make the car a more worthwhile buy. If, however, your choices did not include one with PSM, I would not let it deter you from getting the better buy. [quote]How much do you guys rely on this while daily driving? <hr></blockquote> None at all. PSM comes in only if you do something stupid, either purposely or accidently. You should never rely on the PSM. Best to avoid anything that would require PSM. Have never had it come on, despite my share of "aggressive" street driving. [quote] Tracking? Is the 996 C2 easy to drive fast without PSM? I plan on tracking the car at some point, and we know that without PSM is faster (once you learn how to drive it well) around a track. I'm just trying to get an idea if I'll need the PSM to learn where the limits of the car are. <hr></blockquote> Dunno where you got the info, but most drivers and instructors I've met tell me they drive better with the PSM on but not intruding. They say one is faster with PSM because you can drive closer to the limit due to the PSM safety factor. If you exceed the limit or do something stupid and PSM intrudes, then your time would be slower. But then, without PSM, you might have ended up spinning out or off track into the barriers. I've had PSM come on only a few times as I looked for the limits on the track. Then I learned to either do it differently or simply back down a bit. I ended up being even faster for it. I've learned to do drifts, controlled oversteer, trail brake, etc, with PSM on but not intruding. I always have PSM on. OTOH, I believe you can still accomplish the same lessons without PSM, just do it more carefully and slowly.

i wouldn't buy a car without psm even though it rarely turns on. it is not intrusive but will help save your bodywork in case of an error--especially in the rain! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> think of it as insurance <img src="graemlins/r.gif" border="0" alt="[king]" />

Saved an 18" Turbo rim two days ago - that paid for half of the cost of PSM already. One more save and I'm even... And yes, it's hard to beleive but true. Even a Boxster S can break its wheels loose on a hard corner every now and then...

I bought my 00 C2 used with PSM. I looked for it as a must have. There were a ton of other cars out there, but PSM for me was a must. A friend who wrapped his C2 w/o PSM around a tree put the fear of being without it in me. Also, have a friend who did the road atlanta thing. When he came back his lone comment to me - unsolicited - was, "make sure the car you are getting has PSM". Those two testimonials were enough for me. Can't say I have ever used it at this point, but I haven't used my airbags either - and I still am glad I have them. In this buyers market, I wouldn't worry about passing on a car - there are a ton out there and pricing is good.

It saved my butt in the rain due to the stupidity of other drivers. Under hard acel. in third comming out of a corner in the rain I find an idiot (maybe I was the idiot for playing in the rain) going really slow in the left lane, it would have been really difficult to bring the rear back into control under those conditions without PSM. BTW this 20 mile strech of road has three accidents per day average, and has an ambulance patrolling it all day everyday, thats how dangerous this road is, but its got great curves PSM is definately a must since no matter how your driving is, its an insurance when other drivers or road abnormalities put you into dangerous situations.

I agree it is a nice option to have....but nothing takes the place of time and experience behind the wheel in combination with quality instruction....You are buying a high performance car....maybe is not a good analogy, but look at it like flying a plane....to be a pilot you need instruction and you need to learn the limits of the aircraft....with a Porsche you need to learn its limits....PSM is not a parachute guaranteed to save you You will enjoy your Porsche more...after 30 years of driving Porsches, I never turn down the chance for live education....I am planning to go to the Porsche Driving Experience School...cars have changed as have my reflexes at age 53... Buy 0ne...Have Fun

for normal street driving it is probably a good option to have. IMO, on the track it is a crutch on which you become dependent until it can no longer hold you and then its all over. I have seen drivers get saved time afetr time by the psm until they pushed the psm to its limits and the TT into a tree. No PSM for me.

I just returned from Porsche Driving Experience last week. PSM is the must have. You should try it on skipad, and you will see how it works. PSM is different from other systems provided by other car companies. We had it on while driving on the track at Sebring. I was in the fastest group, and drove pretty hard, yet I did not active it. BTW, event you turn off PSM, if you are out of control and hit the break, PSM will come out itself to save you.

One must also keep in mind that there is no longer a limited slip differential option. PSM is your only choice. 320 hp driving through one wheel is not a pretty sight!

MUST HAVE