Test drive report

[Jobbo]

Thanks Mik. I do want all teh carz though, so it's not going to stop me looking at 911s. I think a 992 would be a really nice further addition in a couple of years' time, probably prompted by them going hybrid or similar.

[IanF]

Hybrid 992.2 is out this year.. I think September? 992.1 actually already has space for hybrid gubbins as it was designed in..

[duncs500]

Nice.

I can understand where you're coming from with all your logic with the Emira, but I don't see why the special-ness of it would wane? I don't think it would for me. I've seen quite a few now, and consistently gives me a feeling I've seen something a bit special (something for Porsches only a GT-series gives me).

Would the refinement not just mean you're hungry to use it more often? Which is probably not so bad.

Why didn't you use the box as much? Ratios?

I'll have to take your word for the Boxster analogy as you've driven both and I've driven neither.

[scotta]

Nice.

I can understand where you're coming from with all your logic with the Emira, but I don't see why the special-ness of it would wane? I don't think it would for me. I've seen quite a few now, and consistently gives me a feeling I've seen something a bit special (something for Porsches only a GT-series gives me).

Would the refinement not just mean you're hungry to use it more often? Which is probably not so bad.

Why didn't you use the box as much? Ratios?

I'll have to take your word for the Boxster analogy as you've driven both and I've driven neither.

My thoughts about driving the boxster were it was just a bit boring. Too quiet. Also the brakes were shit. I suspect that was just that particular car however.

[Jobbo]

Nice.

I can understand where you're coming from with all your logic with the Emira, but I don't see why the special-ness of it would wane? I don't think it would for me. I've seen quite a few now, and consistently gives me a feeling I've seen something a bit special (something for Porsches only a GT-series gives me).

Would the refinement not just mean you're hungry to use it more often? Which is probably not so bad.

Why didn't you use the box as much? Ratios?

I'll have to take your word for the Boxster analogy as you've driven both and I've driven neither.

All valid questions Duncs. The specialness of the Emira's looks probably wouldn't wear off in a hurry. But it's such a usable car I'd either want to use it all the time (in which case, the auto is more appealing) or I'd feel like I did about my Boxster; that it's not right to keep such a usable car for high days only. And the gearchange wasn't bad but the ratios aren't stacked close so it was more a case of choosing a gear and leaving it in that gear (usually 4th). Funny how driving a Transit around made me think about the Emira's gearbox.

Anyway, light, simple, small, just fast enough and ideal for thrashing, with a brilliant soft top. Mazda can spend hundreds of millions finessing the MX5 because it's sold in such numbers. I went with my heart and head.

[Ascender]

Order placed Aero Grey Homura, will be one of the first ND3s to be delivered I think.

Good choice! Makes perfect sense based on what you've said.

When do you think you'll get it?

[Jobbo]

When do you think you'll get it?

Probably end of June/beginning of July. I've got quite a bit on during the next month so delivery timescale is as much dependent on my diary

[JonMad]

Nice one getting to a decision and a purchase.

[duncs500]

When do you think you'll get it?

Probably end of June/beginning of July. I've got quite a bit on during the next month so delivery timescale is as much dependent on my diary

Ooh, that's quick. Plenty of fun to be had with that this summer then.

[Jobbo]

Ooh, that's quick. Plenty of fun to be had with that this summer then.

I'm hopeful - if summer wasn't just last Saturday and Sunday

[Explosive Newt]

Congrats on putting your money where your mouth is! Although you have spoiled a future "guess the car" thread...

Re: boxsters and 'special' I think it's such an individual thing. Mine felt special every time I accellerated hard out of a corner (and I still miss that) but I appreciate for a few it lacks enough grunt, or a sense of occasion, or whatever it is that does it for you. Each unto their own...

[Matty]

Nice I watched the Throttle House review of the new MX5 only a few weeks back, they were positive about it.

I actually forgot to bounce this to ask if you'd considered a GR86 (although it's a bit late now!)....similar to the MX5.

[Jobbo]

I did consider a GR86 - Jon offered me his allocation from the second batch - but I just didn’t want one as much. Not open-topped, it’s a bit of a one-trick pony to me: lovely to drive but that’s it. I’d rather have a GR Yaris I think.

Just adding - the spec of that one in the video is pretty much what I'm getting; it has a different name in the US and the Recaros are part of an option pack rather than being on a stand-alone model but the end result is the same including the colour. Hey, it's primer grey; if I get bored I can wrap it and the base colour should suit most things Supposedly but it looks non-metallic to me, but with the anthracite alloys, black mirrors and hood, and the grey piping and stitching on the inside it works quite well. Love the wrap on the blue one though.

[Ascender]

Seems like as good a place as any to post as it was @Jobbo mention of the GTS he drove which has stuck with me. I drove a C4 GTS yesterday as I was on full work avoidance mode. It was in full black batman/stealth spec (which I'm not a big fan of as a thing, but I thought it did look tremendous) and the interior was a nice mix of leather and Alcantara with red details. I'm thinking this is the "GTS interior" that Jobbo mentioned?

The drive was a mix of motorway and some twisty stuff and I have to say, it was as good as Jobbo made out. I deliberately wanted to drive the 4WD version due to where we're moving-to.

The ride was surprisingly good, not at all crashy and I was surprised by how smooth and fluid it felt on the short section of roads I knew well - was so easy to just flow from corner to corner and the steering was very direct. I know Harry M bangs on about it, but the thin-ish steering wheel was a nice change from what I'm used to and I did like the Alcantara.

Its got more than enough power and felt utterly planted. I know its a much bigger car now than past generations, but it didn't feel its size/weight although maybe that's because its nearly 300kg lighter than the Touring. This one was on steel brakes which seemed to be more than powerful enough and the steering feel really reminded me of older Porsches despite the obvious changes in the setup since then.

Interior quality, features and usability was all nice. I like how they've kept the dash layout the same but now it's digital.

I don't think this one or the others they had in stock were massively optioned, but I'm not sure what else I'd want to spec. Didn't feel like it was needing anything like rear wheel steer and it was light on the driver aids. Very impressed and its got me thinking.

[Jobbo]

Sounds a very similar colour scheme to the one I drove. Alcantara everywhere is the GTS interior but there are further options even then

I have to wonder what the 992.2GTS will be like - the hybrid stuff just makes it quicker but it’s more complicated as a result and I think a 992.1 GTS is my preference. It’s not as if it’s slow.

[Ascender]

Sounds a very similar colour scheme to the one I drove. Alcantara everywhere is the GTS interior but there are further options even then

I have to wonder what the 992.2GTS will be like - the hybrid stuff just makes it quicker but it’s more complicated as a result and I think a 992.1 GTS is my preference. It’s not as if it’s slow.

Yeah, I was wondering about the next-gen, but at the same time, it's refreshingly simple if that makes sense? And as I've found with the wagon, everything is batshit levels of speed these days. Definitely more fun to be had in the twisty stuff.

I really want a Targa...

[Jobbo]

I would love a Targa with heritage interior (check rather than houndstooth - not sure if that was only offered in previous model years or is available as a special order).

[Ascender]

I would love a Targa with heritage interior (check rather than houndstooth - not sure if that was only offered in previous model years or is available as a special order).

The heritage interiors really are fantastic but there just doesn't seem to be many of them around.

Anyway, you must be enjoying these last couple of days with the roof down?

[Jobbo]

I did on Friday but got a bit sunburnt; been driving the Audi otherwise because I’ve had chores to do and passengers

[mik]

I would love a Targa with heritage interior

I'm a fan of the Targa for 911s (for non-extreme-GT versions at least). I just went back to remind myself of the collective oh-pinions.... 2020 View Here.