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by mcsb4 2395 days ago
> Funnily enough, that's exactly what you're supposed to do in a Porsche (assuming it is a rear engine 911). Unlike most cars, 911s will understeer (or correct an oversteer) when you mash the throttle, and oversteer when you lift off the throttle.

That is only true for pre-1994 911s. The 928 never showed that behaviour due to having a Weissach axle from the very beginning of production in 1977.
2 comments
darksaints 2395 days ago
It's also true of later 911s as well. I did carbon fiber bodywork for a PCA club racing team in college, and I definitely experienced it in some of the water cooled 996s. Some of the traction control methods reduced it a bit, but Porsche knows that they can't get rid of it entirely without changing the balance of the car (or alienating fans).

The 928 and the 944 were also front engine with a rear transaxle, which evened out the weight distribution quite a bit, and that alone mitigated a lot of the lift throttle oversteer. I loved the handling of both of those cars...you get the 50/50 weight distribution of a mid engine car, but the handling is so much more stable and predictable because the weight is at the ends of the car. Too bad they were about as reliable as octogenarian flatulence.

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OnlineGladiator 2395 days ago
> The 928 never showed that behaviour due to having a Weissach axle from the very beginning of production in 1977.

I used to drive a 928. Perfect 50/50 weight distribution, beautiful throaty engine, and the most god-awful gearbox ever made. I had to rev match to shift up! in 2nd gear. They had a design flaw where the synchromesh just fundamentally would not work, and if you fixed it it would just break itself again.

I had to learn heel-toe shifting just to be able to drive that car at all. I fucking loved it, and it really got me into cars.

Also that car was great for whipping around a turn, just push on the throttle, slide around the back, then take off (I realize this is not the fastest way, but it is the most fun).

I apologize for the tangent, it's just not often people talk about 928s anymore.

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darksaints 2395 days ago
Jeremy Clarkson also is an unabashed fan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiLc7GvmS_A

A 20 year old 944 was my first sports car. Simultaneously the best and worst decision I had ever made.

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OnlineGladiator 2395 days ago
Don't forget its role in the movie Risky Business:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O8_FMhW9dY

"Porsche. There is no substitute."

I wonder what they paid for that line.

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