Now, I’ve driven some modified Porsches over the years that have been, well, rather disappointing. Sometimes, messing around with a car can spoilt what was previously a perfectly good car.

However, today I had a long drive in a 993 Cabriolet that was owned by the director of top exhaust specialist Hayward and Scott, so it’s fair to say he knows a thing or two about making an engine breath better. He’s done some gentle work on the car’s engine that gives  a modest power boost to 297bhp and made the engine feel freer revving and more willing. It’s good.

The car’s fitted with 19-inch wheels which won’t be to everyone’s taste, granted, but surprisingly they don’t have an adverse affect on the ride quality or tyre noise. It also has Turbo S bodywork.

Click here for more details on this Porsche.

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

He’s got a point. 944s are two a penny now – there’s little demand for them and they’re considered old cars now. Which is a shame because a decent 944 is a great car. The Porsche 968, on the other hand, has held its value remarkably well, especially in Club Sport form as it’s a sought after trackday weapon.

The 968 has held its value because its a much rarer car – it wasn’t in production for long and so there are fewer out there. It’s the old supply and demand thing. Also, the 968 still looks a more modern car than the older 944 which it replaced.

So, looks aside, is the 968 really much better than a 944? Good question. Sure, the later car has a very nice six-speed gearbox, whereas the 944 is only five, and it has revised suspension which helps the handling. That apart, though, they are essentially the same Porsche (although I suspect 968 owners will complain about that!). OK, the more extreme Clubsport is a different kettle of fish and worth getting hold of but I’ll less convinced by the standard model (or even the Sport).

A decent Porsche 944 can be had for about £4000 whereas a standard 968 (if you can find one) will be double that. However, put a grand or so into sorting out the 944′s suspension (must will have tired dampers) and you’ll have a car that’s as much fun as a 968 for less outlay.

But the Porsche 968 looks better, I hear you say. Well, does it? I rather like the angular, muscular lines of the 944, especially in Cabriolet form (below).

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

It’s a lengthy text and I’m on a train, writing on my iPhone so I’ll just paste the press release below:

Stuttgart. Driving a Porsche is a very special blend of rationality and pleasure: the combination of peak performance and sportiness with efficiency and practicality across the entire model range is unprecedented. Systematic development with the goal of optimal performance in everyday life and on the race track guarantees Porsche owners not just the driving fun typical of the brand but ensures also that their vehicles are reliable, hold their value and are long-lived. Approximately 70 per cent of the Porsche vehicles ever built are still on the road. And many of them have not just retained their value but have increased in price by orders of magnitude.

Porsche has used the driving fun the new sports car generation offers to build on the 911 Carrera’s competitive advantages. The 911 Carrera S Coupé with optimal sporty equipment can lap the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife in 7:40 minutes. That makes it approximately 14 seconds faster than the previous model. That is on a par with the earlier 911 GT3 – the road version of the Cup racing car.

The reasons for this spectacularly faster lap time are basically to be found in the greater engine output, weight savings and new chassis geometry. This is complemented by new and improved, effective driving dynamics systems such as Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), dynamic engine and transmission mounts, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV). The gain in sportiness as a result of these driving dynamics systems – some of them optional – is not confined to the sports cars. They are available every bit as much for the Panamera models, enabling their basic sportiness to be honed yet further.

Models of efficiency in genuine motoring use
In the top flight of sports cars and Gran Turismos, Porsche models don’t just set very high standards in terms of performance but efficiency as well: the underlying idea is known as Porsche Intelligent Performance. All product families without exception offer systems and functions such as auto start/stop, thermal management and electrical system recuperation. In addition, models featuring Porsche Doppelkupplungs-getriebe (PDK) enable coasting – an especially energy-efficient sort of intelligent freewheeling. The sports cars’ new electro-mechanical power steering offers not only Porsche’s typical precision and feedback but also helps to increase efficiency and reduce fuel-consumption.

The fuel economies are as significant as the performance gains: all 911 Carreras get by with significantly less than ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. Compared with their respective predecessor models, fuel consumption and emissions fell by up to 16 per cent. The Panameras as well are models of efficiency in their class – especially the hybrid model. In the course of a fuel consumption challenge at the press launch of the Panamera S, journalists achieved average fuel consumption figures in everyday traffic of less than eight litres per 100 kilometres – in the Bavarian mountains, what’s more. The Panamera S Hybrid emerged victorious in the approximately 300 kilometre long “Challenge Bibendum” environment rally, heading a field of 14 competitors with a mere 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres. This category judges both vehicles with conventional diesel and petrol engines as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Second place went to a 911 Carrera with a conventional combustion engine.

The extremely low fuel consumption of the Panamera S Hybrid, notwithstanding its 380 hp system output, was a triumph for progressive operating strategies currently being developed by Porsche and put to practical use against the competition. They constitute the core of the future ACC InnoDrive assistance system. Based on navigational data, ACC InnoDrive looks at the road ahead and derives information for controlling engine, transmission and brakes for a fuel consumption-optimised drive in different speed and driving dynamics ranges. In the process it makes a significant contribution to enhancing the vehicle’s efficiency. ACC InnoDrive assisted potential fuel savings are approximately ten per cent in real-life conditions.

Top-quality for practicality and value for money
Porsche has always pushed the boundaries of what is technically feasible and there are only very few technologies for improving performance and efficiency that did not subsequently find their way into series production – or are in the process of doing so. Always, however, on condition that they are also practical. All vehicles are developed and built to very stringent and broad based quality standards. Just as much importance is given to reliability in the value rankings as to longevity and customer and service friendliness. As a result, each Porsche model is precisely tailored to the different climates, some of them extreme, in the more than 110 markets worldwide in which Porsche vehicles are officially offered.

In Europe, for example, the 30,000 kilometre service intervals for Panamera models are the best in their class and in some cases significantly superior to those of their competitors. The well-known US Internet portal “Motor Trend” awards the Gran Turismo the top ranking of “excellent” for running costs, as it does the 911 Carrera. In the German market, the Panamera even occupies a middle-ranking position in the insurance league typical of its class; the 911 Carrera is deemed to be comparatively inexpensive.

When it came to the market launch of hybrid technology, Porsche again set its own standards. One of the key tasks with the concept was that in addition to the electrical driving experience, the hybrid vehicles would offer all the typical Porsche brand values that customers are used to. For example, the Cayenne S Hybrid offers the same cross-country performance as the conventional variants and without any restrictions as to trailer load despite the higher system weight. A successful outcome: the sales figures of the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid for 2011 are more than twice as high as those of all other competitors in this market segment combined.

Quality pays off: satisfied customers, optimal value retention
The Porsche principle of developing and producing top-quality bears fruit year in year out throughout every vehicle generation. In the last ADAC practical test, Porsche scored the highest mark of all German manufacturers for customer satisfaction. Included in the assessment were the qualities and reliability of one’s own vehicle, as well as workshop and dealer services. At the beginning of 2012, the well-known US market research Institute J.D. Power and Associates declared Porsche to be the best European car brand in the Vehicle Dependability Study 2012 (VDS). The study focuses on the vehicles’ long-term quality in the US market. The Porsche 911 is the best vehicle in its segment. The European car plants’ review also gave top slot to the Porsche production plant in Stuttgart for the long-term quality of its sports cars. And the Porsche brand achieved its best score in the VDS for freedom from errors.

These results conceal tangible economic benefits for Porsche customers. For example, the Porsche Panamera Turbo was declared to be the most price-stable car in its class. The vehicle’s residual value after four years was still 56 per cent of the original price, as jointly calculated by Auto Bild and Schwacke. That is why the Gran Turismo boasts the title “Value Champion 2012” title for the lowest percentage depreciation in the luxury class. The prospective residual value is behind many of the calculations for financing and leasing offers and the purchase decision when it comes to company cars and rental car fleets.

In the long-term, investing in a Porsche typically turns value retention into value growth. Two out of every three Porsches ever built still exist in part because they are becoming ever more valuable.

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

Recently, though, I was driving a newish 997 car and pondering to myself. What if you bought a shiny new 911 – went to the showroom and got your perfect colour and spec – and kept it for life? The £80,000 purchase price spread over 30 or 40 years would be reasonable (assuming you can find the money in the first place) and surely less expensive than a string of those boring cars.

We live in an increasingly disposable society – we buy new things every few years because we always want the latest – and that goes for cars too. I’m as guilty as anyone of this and I do wonder that, after buying a brand new 911, in a few years I’d be hankering after a newer model.

But maybe I’d fall in love with the car and not want to sell it. After all, you don’t trade your kids in every few years, do you?

I have a book called Durable Car Ownership that argues the case for keeping a car running indefinitely – much as you would a house. It’s a good plan, so long as you have the right car to start with – the book suggests Morris Minors (OK, it’s quite an old book but the principle remains).

Now, there’s the problem – modern Porsches have too much built-in obsolescence. Take the PCM system, for instance, in 10 years the sat-nav will be laughingly old fashioned. In the old days, you could easily buy a Porsche – say a 964 or 993 – and quite happily keep it going and, indeed, people have done. However, I’m not sure a modern car, of whatever type, will have that same durability, which is a shame.

However, there’s no reason for not buying an older Porsche – a 964 or 993 would be a good choice – and then keeping it for life. It would become a much-loved member of the family. It would also make financial sense and be more eco-friendly than throwing away cars and buying new ones.

That said, a part of me still thinks that a modern Porsche, such as a 996 or 997, could also be considered as a lifetime purchase. Maybe even a 991…

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

OK, I know this blog isn’t normally about new and unreleased Porsches, but I just couldn’t resist sharing with you these photos of Porsche’s new 918 Spyder being tested on track. The car is camouflaged but you can still get a sense of its shape. Here’s what Porsche has to say about the images:

The Porsche 918 Spyder is on the road: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has taken the driving trials of the super sports car of the future a step further with completion of the initial prototypes. The 918 Spyder will go into production at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before 2013 is out. “What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG.

The prototypes, their camouflage harking back to historical Porsche 917 racing cars, signal the final touches to the 918 Spyder. The focus is on the interplay between the highly sophisticated individual drive components. The combination of combustion engine and two independent electric motors – one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels – poses completely new demands on the development of the operating strategies. “They are therefore a critical component in this vehicle into which we have put all of our expertise and capacity for innovation,” said Wolfgang Hatz. These operating strategies and the development of the software to go with them are one of Porsche’s core competences. Both of them have a major influence on the extreme driving fun to be had with the 918 Spyder and they make possible a unique combination of minimal fuel consumption and maximum performance. The initial results of the driving trials are in line with the high expectations placed on the 918 Spyder.

The super sports car is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle combining a high-performance combustion engine with cutting-edge electric motors for extraordinary performance: on the one hand, the dynamics of a racing machine boasting more than 770 hp, on the other hand, fuel consumption in the region of three litres per 100 kilometres. Moreover, Porsche is breaking yet more new ground with the technology demonstrator with spectacular solutions such as the full carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering and the upward-venting “top pipes” exhaust system. In the process, the 918 Spyder is offering a glimpse of what Porsche Intelligent Performance may be capable of in future.

If you enjoy my blog posts please click here to like my Facebook page.

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

Not at all. The Carrera 4S is basically a standard 996 enhanced with a wide Turbo bodyshell and Turbo brakes and suspension, plus a classic full-width rear reflector. To my eye, it’s the best-looking 996 of all (especially from the rear) and is lovely to drive with the uprated suspension. I suspect that, medium term, a 4S will hold its value better than a standard Carrera, too.

My caller went on to say he’d looking at a 4S Tiptronic but wondered if the automatic transmission would be appropriate. Considering he does 16,000 miles a year including a daily commute on the outskirts of London, I said a Tip would make sense for. However, with one caveat – that he test drives one first to see if he likes it.

Now it’s just a case of finding a good one. I sold two Carrera 4Ss for clients recently and both went very quickly.

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

They were created by UK based artist Toby Sutton, whom I got in touch with. Toby says that, to date, apart from the Speedster, the only other Porsche he’s made is a 993 Turbo; his main work is with classic cars from the fifties and sixties. He is, though, open to commissions of any car. He works in English Walnut with details, lights, bumpers, wheels in Sycamore. The models are about eight inches long by three inches high, and prices range from £245 to £295.

If you like to commission Toby to create a sculpture of your Porsche, he’d be delighted to hear from you: susutton2@tiscali.co.uk or 01502 575205.

Now, I’ve a birthday coming up. I hope my wife sees this…

;

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

The 996 Turbo is a supercar that anyone can jump into and drive, whether to the local shops or the south of France. It’s supremely practical, easy to use and, above all, forgiving. You’d have to be doing something really stupid to get into trouble with a 996 Turbo, with its four-wheel drive and Porsche Stability Management.

There is, though, something that can get into trouble and that’s your wallet. As 996 Turbos have dropped in price, there are some on the market that haven’t been properly maintained and that can lead to big bills for the unsuspecting buyer. That’s why I’m always very choosey about which ones I stock. This example is great news because it’s had all the front radiators and condensers replaced (damp leaves and muck gets caught inside the front bumper causing these items to corrode away). It’s also had two new turbochargers, another potential weak point of these cars. In other words, it’s a well sorted example and that’s what I like to see.

Oh, the only other thing that may get in trouble with a 996 Turbo is your driving licence, especially this example with the X50 pack that pushes power to 450bhp. A speed camera detector is essential!

Click here for full details of this Porsche 996 Turbo  

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

The 911T  delights people of all ages, and it turns heads wherever it goes. People smile and wave, and the reaction to the car is 100 percent positive. It’s a real feel-good car and that’s nice.

Click here for more information on this Porsche 911T

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%

Fear not, no Porsches were harmed in the making of this video. It’s all down to a clever little iPhone app called Action Movie that my son downloaded. Just a bit of Friday afternoon fun for you.

If you enjoy my blog posts, even the silly ones, please click here and like my Facebook page. 

%%www.philipraby.co.uk%%