For people who don't track the 996

Do you feel it is worth it to just drive the car on the street? For the entry price of the car, and the much more $$ you spend on maintenance vs a honda or acura, is all this money worth it to just daily drive a 996? You really can't get half the car's potential in the street As much as I would love to try the track, I need to pay my car off first, then afford all the track consumables and also be in a position to afford a drastic event on the track - and for me, this looks like it won't happen before 5-6 years at least - maybe more depending on the kid's school So is it really worth it to spend all this money on the 996 just to daily drive it? Please discuss PS - this topic came accross my brain as there is always a fight between the left side (the wise one) and the right side (the crazy about cars one)

Whether you track the car or not, whether the car is worth it Is the question. Only you can answer that for yourself. The good news is that you are aware of the higher expense before purchase. Part of the problem is, unless you have owned one in the past, you're not sure just how rewarding it would be for you. My guess is that the more time you spend in heavy traffic, the lower the relative reward. Also, you tend to worry more about fools running into you, parking lot damage and the maturity/skill of valet parking employees. Getting a good car at a good price gives you an exit strategy in a year or so if you decide it's not right for you. Yet...you buy many cars mainly because the numbers pencil out to use them as transportation. You would tend to pay extra for a Porsche because of its entertainment value on back roads, trips, et.

Tracking is not as expensive as you think it is if you don't get too serious about it. These are the costs I can see: Helmet - $200 Event fee - $250 Inspection - $100 Brake flush - $50 As for the consumables if you're only tracking once in a while it really doesn't kill your tires and brakes all that much (especially if you're still in the green group) so you'll just need to increase the frequency in which you replace these components. So in my opinion it's something I have to do at least once a year now just so I can really feel how or why this car is so special.

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its like asking, "is it worth it to get married so you can have sex everyday" I think there is more to it than just tracking the car.. I drive my car everyday to work. and everyday I get out of the car with a huge grin and walk to the front door with my head turned back looking at the car as I walk into my jail cell (cube) - I get more pleasure in driving to work than just about anything else I will do all day (sad I know) I track my car too... and the track is great fun, like sex in the elevator if you need an expression to compare to, but still... the daily is WAY WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION !!

Don't forget insurance or make sure your current insurance will cover a mishap.

Interesting answers so far - although I disagree with the marriage comparison - tottaly different IMO I should mention that I already have an 02 C2 - I have been driving it daily for 5 months - and this came across my mind last month and is still in my brain

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Sex everyday? married? Funny stuff. Anyways, it's all about whats important to you, life is too short. Drive what makes you happy. It does not have to make sense!

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How do you stop a nymphomaniac?

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Marry her.

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I actually think getting married reduces the frequency of sex, having been married twice, it becomes a declining benefit... Now to tracking your car, IMHO, you are investing in yourself as a driver, and the skills you acquire on the track are transferrable to driving anywhere with any car. I did not buy my car with tracking in mind, but after my first and second time on the track i cauhgt the bug (big time). Loving to learn, and loving the rush you get on the track (both sides of the brain working together) has made me appreciate how much there is to discover. It is not expensive at first, but when the bug bites, it also bites into your checkbook... FWIW, having a porsche and not taking on the track is a big mistake, the car is so well engineered and needs a track to safefy appreciate the fabulous car you own. Hope this helps..

Frankly, you don't get to half the potential of a Honda on the street either, FWIW.

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very true but a used Honda is thousands cheaper than a used Porsche - and the maintenance difference is also in thousands again it's the right side vs the left side of the brain

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I completely agree with you there and hence my question from the first place. I know I should not go to track when I owe lots of money on the car - it's just not right - also I know myself very well - once I go that route - once every year will not be enough and I will be addicted

I'd focus on the driving attributes of your Porsche such as, fabulous brakes, a willing engine, steering feedback, and a better handling.Then compare it to other cars that are available in the 996 price range, and I'd say you'd be hard pressed to replace it with another make. Whether you track or not is a whole different matter, try it and see.

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Best part of my day as well and likely the best material possession in my life.

I started owning and daily driving Porsches in 1972. I didn't do my first track event until 20 years and 8 Porsches later. For me, simply driving the car is all the reward I need. If I never went to another track event I would still own and drive a Porsche as my main transportation. It is not necessary to extract the nth degree of performance from your car to enjoy it. Track events are fun, I've done about 70 of them, now. But so is driving on the interstate or in the mountains of western North Carolina. Driving to work is also a joy. Running short errands is a joy. Driving it to where I keep my boat is a joy. I love to see it in my driveway, day or night. I love to grip the steering wheel and feel the supension working the road surfaces. Probably less than 1% (see disclaimer below) of the nearly 2 million Porsches ever built see a track day... Yet, 6 decades of happy owners who drive them in spite of their higher cost of ownership.

amen, yes.... material satisfaction - naturally I am very much in agreement that there is more to life than a car (or other object) but the fact remains there is some fun to driving a well engineered car to work... if you are into that sort of thing. I work with people who think its silly (stupid) who ask why, who say... I passed you on the way to work, I thought those cars were supposed to be fast and on and on....i still have the biggest smile at my company so what's that tell ya

I don't plan on tracking my new 996, I bought it purely for the joy of driving it. And in my SoCal commute, it feels like a track to me! Miles of empty winding toll roads... so much fun. And personally, I got the most bang for my buck. I was first looking at a Z or G37 and those were thousands MORE expensive.... it was an easy decision.

No doubt the 996 is best kept secret out there nowadays. You really don't need to own the most expensive P Car on the planet in order to feel the thought and engineering that went into these. You really get a huge appreciation from a track event though. Even if you do not plan on being the DE regular I think you owe to yourself to at least do it once. You will either fill your pants or starting thinking I WANT I WANT...

Yes

This is a very interesting discussion. I don't feel like I have to track my car, but I want to try it for sure. Having only owned the car for a few months, I have been trying to explore it's handling limits on some of my favorite roads. The problem is those limits are very high and for the sake of my safety (and others), I NEED to try this thing on a track. I feel good about owning this car no matter what kind of driving I'm doing. A few weeks ago I was washing the car on my driveway and one of my neighbours comes over. He drives a truck and is not into cars. He starts asking me if it's worth owning a car like this that's not driven every day. Without batting an eye, I say, "absolutely". I went on to tell him that the pride of ownership and the pleasure I get from driving it makes it worth it to me. But at the end of the day, I think you have to be a "car guy" to understand.

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This thread has changed my mind. I'm going down to trade my car in for a Prius so I can at least floor it and get away with a ticket well after it gets up to speed on a the rare long down hill.

You are absolutely right - sometimes I feel that I am schizophrenic any time I think about this I think I need to see a Psychiatrist and very soon

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You're just pulling our chains, aren't you.

Buddy. Buy the Honda.

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Thats like saying that once you have driven a full out race car that you can never drive on the street again within the speed limit. The answer to your question above is I can afford to do both. This is a P car forum. Why do I even read the words Honda or Acura here? If I wanted to discuss or read discussions on X vers Y brands and what brake job's cost and who gets better MPG's... I would read Consumer Reports - which I don't read becuase I test cars before I buy to MY standards - not someone elses. Is top speed, braking distances and G limits in corners the only 'potential' you see in P cars? If you have to ask...

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Partially - yes - I was bored at work today

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Why not the acura???

For me, absolutely. I haven't been anywhere near a track in the 6 months of my ownership and I get a smile driving the car to work, Wal-Mart, even going to AutoZone to buy something I probably wouldn't need to buy if I drove a Civic. Disclaimer: I enjoy the experience of driving (even mundane, city traffic driving) much more than the 'normal' person. For me, a car is not just a vehicle to get from point A to B; half the fun is getting there even if I am just going to run an errand. For most people I imagine that is not the case - which is a great way to be. There are times I wish I was that way too, but I'm not. I think if people used primarily their left brain, every person without 5 kids or the need to haul things for their job (only their job, not boats as they are not left brain) would drive a Corolla. We'd also live in houses with only enough space for our needs, eat only what is necessary to stay full and healthy, and drink only water. The benefits of using the 996 as a DD outweigh the costs - for me. For anyone analyzing the cost/benefit ratio logically, it would not. If the costs no longer give you the amount of pleasure required to justify them, sell it. If you would get more joy out of lowering your debt - or anything else, for that matter - sell it. Not driving the 996 to its full performance potential regularly does not bother me - if it bothers you, sell it. Just my .02

[QUOTE=Torontoworker;7947325]Thats like saying that once you have driven a full out race car that you can never drive on the street again within the speed limit. The answer to your question above is I can afford to do both. That is not what I am saying "at all" This is a P car forum. Why do I even read the words Honda or Acura here? If I wanted to discuss or read discussions on X vers Y brands and what brake job's cost and who gets better MPG's... I would read Consumer Reports - which I don't read becuase I test cars before I buy to MY standards - not someone elses. Don't take what I said literally - read the meaning behind my example related to the point I am trying to make Is top speed, braking distances and G limits in corners the only 'potential' you see in P cars? Why else would you drive a car like the 911? to show off????

[QUOTE=HRTex;7947401] Disclaimer: I enjoy the experience of driving (even mundane, city traffic driving) much more than the 'normal' person. For me, a car is not just a vehicle to get from point A to B; half the fun is getting there even if I am just going to run an errand. For most people I imagine that is not the case - which is a great way to be. There are times I wish I was that way too, but I'm not. This is really it - there are times I wish I was that way too, but I am not

I haven't properly introduced myself here yet but can't resist this thread. A month ago bought my wife an 04 C2 as a daily driver for her birthday. She smiles everyday she gets in it. Worth every penny so far!

D-Man, If you can get a Porsche AND make your wife happy at the same time, it's a no-brainer. In your situation, the cost/benefit ratio = HOME RUN. Buying a used car = ~$35k The fact that it's a Porsche, makes her smile, AND you remembered her birthday = PRICELESS Congratulations, and enjoy it.

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[QUOTE=P7;7947408] Again.... (sigh) there are many other quailities to Porsche cars other then watching the needle hit 7 grand all the time that make our cars a joy to drive on the street. 'Showing off' as you put it - isn't even remotely on my list. You make it sound like it's black and white issue; go fast or go home? It isn't. If you start (what we all take as a serious thread) that questions people's motives on why they buy a 996 and don't track it and get flack about it... and THEN you mention, "Don't take what I said literally..." Well expect sarcastic replies to result. Just saying.

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You're the man, D-man. Is that your air colled in the background?

My garage must look a little like yours Barn 996, Just working my way up, currently have an air-cooled 83 SC, turbo S4 and the 04 996. Duane

Only here would we have one thread on if it's worth owning a 996 with no track use and somebody else asking if it'd be OK to drive the car on the street in the next thread...

?/>;"':%#$%!%^&()()*(_*)^&*( blah blah blah..... Questions that cant be answered...I dont track mine. I have no warranty.. When it breaks I's gunna out my wallet. I drive it a few times a week. I put 3000$ in it when I bought it in Jan '10. Put 16000 Miles on it this summer and have only put oil n gas in it. I drive it like I stole it. Have no fear.. If you have the money to buy it you have the money to fix it? No?

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Very few, if any 996's have a warranty. These cars are expensive to repair and maintain regardless if you track them or not. I have had my 996 for over 5 years and i have spent more money on this car than any other car i have owned. I am now on my 4th set of tires in 30k miles. Its also the longest i have ever owned a car, and most fun. The sound of the engine is simply amazing, and brings a smile to my face ever time i fire it up.. If you have the money to buy the car, and you dont have the money to fix and maintain properly, then you should not have bought it..

I got my 996 in June. I've never been to a DE, but I might try one next year. I work from home so I'm not using it to commute. Every evening, I go to a deserted stretch of parkway near me to get my growl on. The road is curvy, has stone bridges and runs along the water. Top down, I merge onto the parkway slowly - about 40 mph then hit the gas and I'm doing 85 in the blink of an eye. The sound of an old fat guy laughing out loud nearly drowns out the growl of the engine.

It's what you value. Plus they all go on the track, some just visit sometimes. I will always remember the mild mannered salesman when I walked in to see 996 FS, saying "you have to drive it," I'd chose to see her *** up on the lift first! Until you are prepared for that, it may be best stay away. Maybe can think of it like this too, don't date a hot latin chick unless you fully understand what may happen.

I could DITTO most of what was said, but I want to go back to the practical - you mentioned "KIDS"? If you cannot afford to do good things for the kids and own a $25000 996 and the $2000 to $5000 potential maintenance annually --- then I suggest you purchase a good used 944 and have your cake (yes with less HP) and enjoy it too. Spend $8000 to $10000 on a nice late model 944 or maybe an S2 and you will have fun on your daily drive and spend less on Maint & insurance - and when the 18 year old wants to borrow the car for prom night you will not worry nearly as much. When college is paid for it will be the 996 or 997 time of your life, and make the 944 your Track car... ;-)

When I bought my 996 back in july I didn't think I was going to track it, after a week of owning it, I was a little bored. Some how I thought owning a porsche would change my life, no, there was something missing. I went on a sunday drive and came back discouraged because I couldn't safely push the car to the limit on the street. I signed up for an auto_x the next weekend and fell in love with the car, I found what I was missing. I signed up for a trackday, and really fell in love, and knew I would keep the car for as long as I could and keep doing little mods until one day it's a full on cupcar. It's a love/hate relationship with driving the car on the street though. On my way to work I have to apex every turn, I hate it because if a cop ever sees the way I drive when I drive that car, I'm going to get a reckless driving ticket, I love it because when I get out the car I'm smiling ear to ear, and feel like I've had 7 cups of coffee. Although I'm much more emotionally stable when I drive the tacoma to work/errands. Ideally I would like to turn in it to a full trackcar and get an enclosed trailer. When I go to the track if the car breaks it breaks, if I slam into a wall because someone's coolant leaked all over the track, then I'll pick up a second job to get another 911. As with any addictions, you can't rationalize it, you just make it work!

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Actually Duane, yours looks much better and bigger. My list that you're referring to are history/sold. My '79 SC was a fabulous Porsche...and you still have your SC.

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fun as h&ll isnt it.... - welcome to the sickness

Track the damn thing or sell it to me for $$'s and my 88 924S and all your paranoia will be gone. I've been going to most of the UCR DE's for 4 years and it is truly the more fun than Wonderland! What you learn on the track can enhance the enjoyment you get from driving your car to work, the store, in and out of your driveway etc Yes, you can wreck your car but it's a lot safer than trying to push it on the street when you think no one is looking and a kid, a cop, a dog, a pothole can jump out and get you. The DE's at Mosport are incredibly safe especially when you are first starting out and have an instructor beside you to keep you out of trouble. From what I understand UCR has not had a car on car incident at a DE for more than 10 years and usually any solo crashes seem to happen in the advanced groups. Stop obsessing and enjoy your opportunities!

I test drove a 997 Carrera Non-S and it did not drive as well as my 40th Anniv 996 (at least on a test drive on street and freeway). My car is quite fun on the street and on spirited drives on open roads. I would not use it as a daily driver as it suspension is rather stiff and a manual transmission is tiresome. It's a great weekend car and ok for occasional drive to work. You definitely feel the grip, how precisely it turns, the great exhaust note and the "connection" b/w vehicle and environment. Most cars hermetically seal you from the outside world LOL. Autocross can be done quite inexpensively and pre-track inspections are sometimes done for free by the club or local independent porsche shops. I only really push the car on closed circuits. Of course, if you do a lot of track events, tires, brake pads etc will need more frequent replacement. These cars are usually out of warranty so purchase CPO or have a some cash put aside for repairs (what I do). I don't know much about the aftermarket warranties. Cheers.

I guess I'm an oddball here. I really believe that you can't know a car until you take it to an auto-x or track. I personally would not be driving a porsche unless I could regularly track it. For me, these cars are overkill for the streets and I could never come close to its limits on public roads even if I tried(and it'd be less fun than flogging a less capable car). On track however, they are (imo) perfection. Of course I've always been obsessed with performance and the adrenaline associated with eeking out that last 10th of a second. If you can be happy driving cars like these solely on the street, go for it! I think however, if you ever track your car you'll never quite get the same satisfaction from regular driving. Edit: Agree on the autocross. It teaches excellent car control, is an absolute blast, is usually around 30 bucks, is local, doesn't really eat up your brakes & tires and you can push the car much harder than on the street. Try it out and go from there!

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finally - someone agrees with me for me, what I realized is that driving this car only in the street gets old quickly, hence my post. It is definitely more fun than most cars, but the $$ vs this limited street fun is not worth it IMO - for others it is more than worth it and that's OK - people are just different - let's just leave it at that.

Tracking is not about going fast. Its about driving smooth and understanding different laws of physics at work which one does not usually experience during regular street driving. It teaches car balance and what to do and what not to do in certain situations. You become a faster driver because you do all of the above well. You can argue that you will never see those type of conditions outside of the race track but I would say that the experience can help you make the correct set of actions saving your life as well as lives of others encountered during emergency situations on the street. Going to the track has made me a better driver.

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I think these are one of the main points I want to go to the track, but also because it is a thrilling fun, whether going really fast on straights or taking corners at near the car's limit. It is the kind of fun you just can't experience on the street unless you are careless For me, what taught me to be a better driver was riding motorcycles at one point in my life - that really taught me a lot

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If you want flat out kinda fun - I use karting as a sub for getting my 'speed' fix. Nothing like left foot braking while the other foot is flat to the floor on the gas through the corners and generating 4g's doing it! Keeps me in shape having to keep up with the 20 somethings. When they pizz me off and bump me I just use the Paul Tracy option and tune them up...

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I am toying with this idea right now - I wanted to do kart racing back in the days but never did

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Do you own a cart, and is it a shifter cart?

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Shifter Karts are scary! When I was young and stupid I tried one out. OMG it was a rush - you feel like your going 600mph and they brake on a dime and some tracks you might use the brakes maybe once or twice out of 10 or so corners. But the downside... is off track, out of control slides... Usually results in tumbles and being thrown out of the seat while still moving at sonic speeds.

Please delete the fat ladys picture They are showing way way WAY toooooo much skin. I'm going to go and wash my eyes with soap now.

Driving the same dozen corners over and over and over again, with reasonably consistent traction, where your only goal is to do it slightly better than that last time around. Kinda fun, sure, but the end-all-and-be-all of the Porsche experience? No. How about driving as fast as you can, down a twisty forest road you've never seen before, with unexpected cambers and surfaces, blind corners, dropoffs and cliffs? There's a lot of great driving in the world. Maybe some of you are unfortunate enough to only drive on highways and in cities--and I could see doubting the point of daily-driving a Porsche there--but many of the roads in this country are very well suited to enjoying in Porsches.

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and Wildlife and unexpected traffic. Sounds really safe...

Ask Kimi Raikkonen. I guarantee that you're getting no closer to a REAL race driver on a DE day, than you are getting to a REAL rally driver on a drive in the country.

I wear and love my diver's watch, but don't go diving.