Test Driving a 996

With the sunday weather looking pretty good, im sure many of you guys will be warming the tyres up on your 911... but once back here, can someone please advise on the following: Im looking to become the owner of a 996 but to this date have never sat in the drivers seat I can't bear to put up with OPC guys for the sake of a test drive and not really the type that chasses up all the 996 ads for a test drive... -Currently looked at options for 996 for the weekend and would want once with Tiptronic (city driving) but dont mind just for the day (or a few hours (off track), depending on cost) Any idea where I can test drive a 996 so I've got an idea for the car without leaving a massive hole in my pocket and so i know what to expect when looking ad 996 classifieds.. Links (if forum rules allows) with prices/duration etc would be great!! Cheers, Afsar.

Why don't you ask an OPC to lend a car for 24 hours? Don't let them bully you into making any commitment on purchasing if you dont like the car. Other than that most places will charge about 300 a day. But to be honest, I reckon an hour is enough for you to determin if you like the car or not. Personally speaking after 10 minutes I fell in love with it.

Where I am it was raining this morning before 8 so no Porsche driving today. As Dejan says go down and visit an OPC. Yes the sales people can be pushy but if buying a 996 the likelyhood is you will need to build some kind of relationship with one as you will probably want a warranty. If all you want to do is to sit in one then why not pitch up at an event like the Wednesday evening at the Ace and ask someone? as for the tip/manual. I think you should drive both. For the kind of road driving I do I love the tip. There are however times when i am pushing it i would love it to have flappy paddle or up/down on the gear selector.

I sat in the passenger seat for 2 mins and was sold (and the engine was still off)

Hi, Bit confused about your OPC comment. Prior to my 996 purchase I spent 12 months sourcing and doing my Porsche homework. Any Porsche experience is worth it. If you really want a 996 then explore any opportunity out there. I test drove several privately, Indie route then OPC. Ended up bying from my local OPC more than pleased with their service and hospitality. Recommend that you drive as many as possible during your search that fit your wants. The OPC route for test drive is by far better than other competitors out there. Enjoy your search. Regards Alan.

Hi Alan, To clarify, generally speaking, I went to OPC about two weeks ago, wasn't too impressed. Service/hospitality was fine but didn't feel I was taken serious enough.. Guessing it must of been the lack of formal clothing, I did book an appointment for a C4S but when i arrived i was told it was getting washed.... hence could not drive (did sit in a few other thou, but OPC was not very welcoming in having a test drive). -not very impressed considering I gave them 4 days notice of my app. OPC was Stratford, East London. Maybe a one-off experience?

Go to another OPC! There are lots of benefits of buying from an OPC at the end of the day as well such as warranty is included + highly finished car. Don't ever feel that you have to dress up to test drive a car. Two people that will test drive you no sweat: Paddy Patel at Hatfield (bit closer) Mark Fleet at Mid Sussex is also a nice guy Just say I sent you, Jamie Garside All nice salespeople with no pretense.

Cheers Jamie, any contacts with the OPC in West London (just before M4) ... drive past it during commutes... its like rubber-necking when there an accident... will rac/googlemap the hatfield OPC- cheers.