Thank you always for reading the blog. In today’s article, we’re sharing some of the voices from our readers who are Porsche owners. We truly appreciate your insightful and enjoyable comments—they’re always a great learning experience.

Real Voices from Porsche Owners

GT3 / GT4

【1】In early May, during the 1-year inspection after exceeding 10,000 km, a minor oil leak was found, and my car is currently in the shop. It’s scheduled to be back in July, and I’m eagerly looking forward to driving again. I envy that your car has had no troubles. (GT3 Touring Package owner with almost the same specs)

【2】The GT3 Touring Package is simply stunning. I’ve always wanted a brand-new left-hand drive 911 with a manual transmission, and currently I’m driving a parallel-imported 991 Carrera T, but someday I hope to go back to a naturally aspirated or air-cooled model.
Originally, my car is registered in Kobe, but due to work, it’s usually in Tokyo, so it’s tough that places where I can really push it are limited or far away. I’d love to greet you if we ever meet on the Royu Driveway. (TJ)

【3】My GT4 was scheduled for production as soon as the factory reopened. (As of May 11, 2020) The delay was about the same length as the factory shutdown. If the factory is running at full capacity, delivery might be around autumn.
It took exactly one year from reservation to production, and this is the longest I’ve ever had to wait—my M3 took about half a year. I’m a bit tired of waiting, though… (Nak)

About Buying My Car

【4】I wanted a Ferrari, but I compromised and bought an Alfa Romeo 4C when I was 26 because “I had saved enough money.” However, recently my desire for a Ferrari has grown stronger, and this blog has encouraged me to start taking some steps toward that goal. I sometimes go to the Royu Driveway, so please say hello if you see me. (shuhei)

【5】“Earning” is important. As a self-employed person, my motivation dropped due to COVID, and I was more focused on cutting expenses than taking action. I feel my drive to “earn” had weakened.
As a husband, first I must earn! Regain my family’s trust and peace of mind, then buy two Porsches (one for me and one for my wife). I want the same model I sold—a 991 early model or turbo. My wife’s favorite is the 964; it’s hard to find a well-maintained one, but if my luck improves, one will come my way. First, earn. Also, don’t forget my daughter’s gift.
Having a concrete reward after achieving this goal really motivates me. Once it happens, I’ll take photos on the Royu Driveway and apply to feature my car. Looking forward to it! (taro)

→【Update from taro】
On Father’s Day, the three of us went to Nagoya to see a car and decided on it. We didn’t have time to visit Legoland before delivery, but our home will surely be filled with laughter! (taro)

【6】I’ve been reading occasionally for a while. This blog conveys Porsche’s charm perfectly, and I was so captivated that I recently bought a used Panamera and am even more hooked on Porsche! (pioshion)

【7】This article really moved me. That’s because I started my own business so I could buy a Porsche myself. It would have been easier if someone else bought it for me, but no one around me was willing… haha.
COVID has made my work difficult, and maintaining a Porsche is tough, but commuting in my Panamera today made me want to keep pushing forward!
Always stay positive, be grateful every day, and take one step at a time! Reading this blog reminded me of that feeling. Thank you so much. (Gori)

【8】I first saw a Porsche 928 in 8th grade and was shocked by its UFO-like shape. I wanted to own a Porsche someday, but as a salaryman with a family, a house, and my own business, I got caught up in daily busyness and completely forgot about that dream.
Then, while considering switching from a BMW 3 Coupe I’d had for 12 years to a family car, I somehow ended up signing a contract for a 911 at the Porsche Center. Silly, right?
That shock from 8th grade must have come back. I forgot I’d wanted a Porsche for 20 or 30 years, but now I think it was fate. Everyone’s different, but maybe what you truly want comes to you naturally when the time is right. (matt_6348)

【9】I usually just read and enjoy, but after seeing this article, I felt compelled to comment… haha.
I’m only 33 but have driven about 15 cars since getting my license at 18. I currently own four cars, and my Panamera Sport Turismo GTS was just delivered!
My dad influenced me a lot, but like your husband says, I love driving and have had a car life where I rack up miles until my sales rep tells me to stop! haha.
I’m sure many men want someone like Mina-san to watch over them, and I look forward to more insightful articles from a woman’s perspective! (nikky)

Car Seats

【10】Choosing seats is really tough. The 981 Spider’s sports bucket seats are hard to get in and out of and too firm for city driving, but on winding roads, they offer incredible hold and are very comfortable.
My French car, the DS7, has very soft, comfortable seats, but on curves, my body is thrown side to side. The Mercedes CL class felt similar. (Of course, suspension also plays a role.)
The best all-around seat is probably impossible to make because it depends on how you use the car. Ferrari GT seats seemed well balanced… Having a family really makes this a dilemma. (ds124)

【11】German car seats are designed for different body types, so they don’t always fit Japanese people well. But Porsche offers options. BMW’s M3 and regular 3 Series seats have a bit more room. I don’t think they had options beyond 18-way electric adjustments. I lost interest after the turbo models, so I’m not sure about recent ones…
I really wanted a roll cage on my GT4, but it came only with carbon buckets, so I gave up. I’ve always used Recaro seats and don’t see the value in the price difference.
I’ve only sat in Porsche’s carbon buckets on a 997 GT3 RS, and they didn’t fit me that well. (Nak)

【12】Thank you for repeatedly mentioning the function to adjust the passenger seat from the driver’s seat in the Panamera! For a car as prestigious as the Panamera, I want the passenger seat to be adjustable from the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel adjustment to be electric as well.
The standard 8-way seats on the Panamera 4S don’t allow moving the passenger seat from the driver’s side, and the steering wheel adjustment is manual, so the easy entry function hardly works. Anyone considering a Panamera should know this.
I hadn’t really thought much about seats themselves until now. Frankly, I hadn’t considered the importance of investing in seats, but from now on, I want to think about it seriously! (Manma)

Tires

【13】I’m a returning rider and motorcyclist, and I know that tire pressure critically affects ride comfort and grip. If a bike’s front tire slips, you’ll definitely crash and get hurt. So grip is crucial. Temperature and road surface temperature affect how tires warm up, and tires vary in temperature sensitivity.
I adjust pressure based on tire characteristics, vehicle weight, driver weight, driving style, season, temperature, and road surface temperature. These old books are my bible. If you’re interested, I recommend them:
“Why Cars Corner: Dynamics of Limit Cornering” (2001)
“Research on Automotive Tires” (1995)
Not sure if you can get them, (sorry for the irresponsibility), but the physics don’t change, so they’re timeless. (Kaz Ougonkyuryo)

【14】I’ve experienced how different tire brands change the ride feel. Same tire size and all other components (shocks, springs, body reinforcements) were identical; only the tire brand differed.
One grade used supple Michelin tires, the other used high-rigidity, high-grip Bridgestone Potenza tires focused on response.
I was amazed how much the car’s character changed just from tires, and also impressed by the manufacturer’s development skills in planning such products (Nissan Serena Autech vs. Serena Nismo). (nashi6944)

Car Maintenance

【15】I switched from an 18 Cayman to a 718 Spider, and I feel stepping into the GT model was partly thanks to this blog making info more accessible. The 1-year inspection details didn’t mention it, but was the transmission oil changed during the first inspection? If possible, I’d like to hear your thoughts on oil maintenance! (Rintaro)

→【Reply from the blog owner】Rintaro-san,
>The 1-year inspection details didn’t mention it, but was the transmission oil changed during the first inspection?
The transmission oil has not been changed yet. The reason is that my husband follows the official Porsche GT3 manual (available online) to decide. (He always checks and follows the manual.)
However, for engine oil, since there’s a lot of stop-and-go driving in Japan, he changes it earlier.

【16】Regarding washing, I basically put all my cars through brushless car washes. If they’re very dirty, I hand wash. I think I put all eight cars through brushless washes weekly.
I have solid coatings, so water alone removes dirt well, and I’m impressed by the drying power of the brushless wash dryers every time. I always wipe and check the condition myself.
People ask if I do the same for Ferraris, but only Japanese worry about that; overseas, they use car washes normally. I avoid brushes, but some latest brushless machines at specific stands near Sannomiya have soft brushes, so I sometimes use those.
Porsches are fine, but water sometimes gets in through Ferrari window gaps. (Kurumania)

Battery Drain

【17】Battery drain on the 964 was tough. I also kept my 964 in my parents’ garage and only drove it occasionally, so it often had battery issues, even when I replaced the battery yearly.
I heard that compared to the 930, the 964 has many more electrical components, increasing standby current and making battery drain more common.
For my 964, the AC switch unit’s standby current was about 10 times higher, so I replaced it with a 993 unit, which reduced battery drain.
Also, after installing a battery kill switch, battery drain stopped.
Japanese-made (Panasonic) batteries last longer than original Bosch ones. I keep a charger connected in the garage, but recently forgot to connect it once, and the battery died from over-discharge. (After 5 years, I accepted it.)
Mobile jump starters are great! I’m thinking of buying one… (Injunia)

【18】If you don’t drive often, battery issues are inevitable. C-TEK is great! I’ve tried Delco and others, but C-TEK is the best. Others often stop charging when voltage drops too low, so I ended up with C-TEK. (Sakon)

Porsche Clutch

【19】The 981 Boxster’s clutch is heavy (in a good way). The firm resistance when pressing the clutch and the feeling of your foot being pushed back when releasing it are very satisfying, making you feel directly connected to the car. The GTS clutch is also heavy, so this might be a common feature of the 981.
The 2.0L 718 Boxster I drove before didn’t feel that heavy, and the 2.5L 718 Boxster S I tried briefly seemed similar to the 2.0L.
I remember being a bit surprised by how light the clutch was when I saw a used 991.2 MT in person. (I only sat and pressed the clutch, didn’t drive, so it might feel different when driving.)
I heard 911 clutches are heavy and tough, but that was probably during the air-cooled era.
I recently test drove an Aston Martin V12 Vantage 6MT, expecting a heavy clutch due to the 5.9L engine, but the 981 Boxster’s clutch was definitely heavier. I used to think engine displacement correlated with clutch heaviness, but apparently not. (Ishi)

【20】There are many interpretations about clutch heaviness, but I don’t think Porsche deliberately makes them heavy.
Traditionally, more engine power and torque require stronger clutch pressure, making it heavier, but if it gets too heavy, operation becomes difficult, so materials and structure might change beyond a certain point.
As Ishi mentioned, the 718 clutch wasn’t heavy—I felt it was lighter than my previous Subaru B4 MT.
The 991.2 clutch is even lighter but offers excellent operability, smooth engagement, and good power transmission.
I recently saw a 981 Cayman GT4 in the Porsche Center Fukuoka showroom and sat in the driver’s seat; the clutch was solid.
By the way, the 911 GT model’s PDK can disengage the clutch by pulling both paddles, so the concept is to allow PDK to do everything an MT can. (PorscheDreamer)

【21】Personally, when I replaced my stock clutch, I also switched to a lightweight flywheel, which made the clutch heavier. The steering, which I hadn’t noticed before, felt lighter, and the difference between clutch and steering heaviness felt strange.
Last year, I rented a manual BRZ and felt the difference between the light clutch and heavier steering. I replaced my steering wheel with a smaller one, balancing the clutch and steering heaviness, making driving even more enjoyable.
Driving pleasure is built on balance.
I also feel German cars have heavier steering than Japanese cars, regardless of class. (BL5 owner)

981 Boxster / Spider

【22】I use the exact same magic hand with my 981 Boxster Spider. I was surprised.
It’s convenient because you can store it behind the passenger seat. When the roof is open, after taking a parking ticket, you can rotate the magic hand like a clock hand to bring the ticket closer.
With the roof closed, you have to pull it horizontally, and since the magic hand is long, it’s harder to bring the ticket close. I can’t explain well in words…
One day, the middle part of the magic hand bent. Probably the passenger moved the electric seat back and hit it when getting out. I bent it back by hand; the scratch remains but it’s usable. (kenkenken75)

【23】I also drive a 981 Boxster with the sport chassis, so I read this with great interest. I didn’t test drive or research much before buying, and only found out later that it had the sport chassis.
I read online that it’s about 50% stiffer than the normal 987 and has more harshness, so I was worried it might be too much for casual driving.
Actually driving, probably helped by the Falken Azenis FK510 tires, it felt very supple and the harshness wasn’t bothersome. On mountain roads, it felt like carving turns on skis—very enjoyable.
It’s comfortable in the city and suburbs, so my worries were unfounded. After driving the Boxster, riding in a Note e-Power feels like driving in bed… (Yellow Submarine)

That’s all for the comments we wanted to share.

Many comments are so detailed that I think, “You could write your own blog!” (Light comments are also very welcome!) I always learn a lot from you.
I’m now nine months pregnant, and the baby has passed 2000g, so the countdown to birth has begun. I hope to continue updating the blog at my own pace and enjoyably. Thank you for your continued support.