Porsche road tests/reviews etc.

Many of you will have read my messages asking for feedback on 996's, since I wish to replace my 964 with one next Spring. These messages were just a small part of the attempts I made with the PCGB generally to obtain the info. I wanted ( I very much wanted to obtain copies of road tests, reviews etc.) Sad to say, apart from one or two kind 996 owners who did reply, I very much drew a complete blank in my attempts and also met with much discouragement from a number of Club officials. Therefore, more in desperation than anything else, I accessed the website of a competing Porsche club, only to find mention on their home page of a Porsche model review service. I paid a £5 for a copy of their 996 review. This was money exceptionally well spent, since I learned more from reading this 7 page review than I had from any and all the PCGB sources put together. Having spoken to the publishers of this series of reviews ( they cover most well known sportscar types) they tell me that they offered this service to the PCGB but it was turned down ( most other well known car clubs such as the Ferrari Owners etc snatched at the chance to get this service for their members ). Still on the same general subject, I have complained to the PCGB editor that I thought his articles lacked substance and should have given the members more detailed information, with preferably a greater technical content. I was prompted to make my complaint due to the combination of my need for info on the 996, and the lack of anything of real substance in his last articles on 996's. His comment was, that if I wanted to learn of anything other than superficialities on Porsches, I should buy the many Porsche related magazines on the market ! So, now you know ! All I can say, is that if I was ever given a Porsche for a roadtest, I'd be able to come up with an article that was a damned sight better, a lot less superficial, and very much more informative than those that we pay our editor for !!!!! S.G.Lyden-Brown.

Hi Steve, I am inspecting a C2 996 coupe - 1998 tomorrow at a specialists in Surrey, and posted a message yesterday requesting help (as I am not technically minded). So far no interest, but I came across your message making reference to a report on the 996. Could you e-mail it to me..I am happy to send you a cheque for £5? My e-mail address is [email removed]. Regards Nick Fletcher

An intersting point you have both raised. It also seems to me that the PCGB exists mainly to assist communication between the many eclectic divisions of Porsche ownership. Be they racing/renovation or simply driving them. The Porsche Post, whilst a very packed magazine, contains very little of real interest. Also as you have already pointed out very little also seems to be doen to encourage new owners. So - as members perhaps we should begin to request more infomative articles on a regular basis - road tests/projects and maybe some insights into frequent problems/issues that arise from owing cars. Having owned two porsche cars now I have to admit that most of the assistance from repairing and maintaining has come from suppliers of parts/service and my onw accumulation of knowledge - none of which has stemed from being a member of the club.

Hi Grant Thanks for your reply, I think the major problem is that I have not used this Forum prior to yesterday and am not searching for information to assist my possible purchase tomorrow of the C2 1998 996 coupe. I've left it rather late!! So any thing that you can offer will be appreciated. Regards Nick Fletcher

What is really needed is an archive where the various register secretaries can put owners comments together for the benefit of others in the future. With the ability to cut and past e-mails it is suprisingly easy to do. That way it can be updated/added to/amended, to keep it up-to-date and relevant. No point in telling you that two years ago a C2 996 Coupe was worth £X if you want to know todays market values. Also as mileage increases new things come to light and even the OPC's learn things about the cars and advise on solutions. As my interest is mainly focused on the GT3 I only have limited experience with a 996. When the 996 first came out it was much berated and everyone said it wasn't a proper 911. Having hurled a C2 996 coupe around Thruxton over two days, courtesy of Porsche GB, I must say I was mightily impressed. Running up towards the chicane in pouring rain at over 130mph the car was safe, secure and planted on the track. In addition to its easy driving manners the 996 models have capacious interiors, something I appreciate being 6ft 4in tall. The GT3 clubsport version has a bolt-in roll cage but whenever we travel it is just a case of using suit carriers and soft luggage to ensure all the essentials plus a few non-essentials can be loaded. If we need more space the roll cage is removable. So a standard 996 has even more usable interior space. When we went to Spa at the end of 2003 we took several cahnges of clothes, crash helmets, car washing bucket (folding type), car washing materials, two folding chairs (bought at a PCGB shop - Goodwood FOS), bottles of water etc, etc.

As far as providing information re the purchase and ownership of a Porsche this forum must rate as a must have. I too only really focused on this after purchase of my 996 having been an owner of an SC for three years before that. I have also looked at the American Porsche Web forum (http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa.asp) and have to say the quantity and quality of information provided there is superb if not always spot on. They have a vast database of previously asked questions and answers which can be searched or viewed. Perhaps we could do something like that here? I know there are many publications you can buy for the 'ins and outs' of Porsche purchase but it must be possible to create a simple yet effective check list of items for use on here. Speaking from experience having owned my 996 for three months now I am still learning and realise what I should have been looking for. I am trying not to lose too much sleep over it though!

Try the tech section on the US club web site - I use that more that GB site (and they also allow guests to read all mails)