motor

sentra_dude · 01-03-2006, 11:10 PM

Well, I finally hit the jackpot and got to drive a real sports-car, and what a car! Hands-down the best car I have ever driven. 8) The gentleman who owned the car is a real car enthusiast and a really nice guy, and previously owned a 1998 Boxster (which he traded in for this), saying "I went nuts this time."

The car was silver with the 5 spoke Porsche rims (very simple and nice looking) the 6 speed manual transmission, and a navigation system (cool but why bother in my opinion).

Luckily the weather held up and we went for a drive on some great roads. I rode in the passenger seat for about 5 minutes before we pulled over and switched seats... It was pretty intimidating to go from passenger to driver of this Porsche, but the seat was comfortable, the gear shift was just where you'd want it, and the steering wheel felt great in my hands. The clutch was lighter than I was expecting and the pedals were quite close to each other. The clutch was easy to modulate, definitely easier than in other Porsches I have driven. Once you get moving you notice just how solid the car feels, and how it just does not lean. It really inspires confidence, and makes you want to push the car.

Luckily we were on some excellent twisting roads so I could get a feel for the cornering; which, in a word, was amazing, and I know I didn't even come close to the limit. The car has a great sound, and I was really impressed with the gearbox, even after just a few minutes of driving I felt comfortable with it, and it had short throws and a great feel.

On to the engine...amazing as well. The engine sounds great (if a bit quiet), revs freely, has nice torque, and it really moves the car. The engine certainly can't match the torque of the Corvette's engine, but it makes up for that in refinement. The car just...goes in 2nd and 3rd gear (the only two gears I was really using) and has instantaneous throttle response.

The whole car really impressed me by how cohesive it was, not only did it do everything, it did everything well...really well. The car just felt like it was made from one solid piece of metal, this car's chasis must be very stiff...

Overall the best car I have ever driven, and I'd say the best car I've driven in all the specific categories as well; best engine, best gearbox, best steering, best handling, even best interior (although I wasn't crazy about the seats)...I could go on and on...

I was maybe a little disappointed that the engine lacked the same exciting sound as the C4S I drove, but I'll chalk that up to the civilized stock exhaust...which could easily be rectified.

A C6 Corvette is definitely going to have a tough time matching this car...but if someone wants to let me drive theirs I'd be happy to find out and report on it.

Finally I have a pic,