What Do We Really Want from a Car? Since starting this blog, my husband has had the chance to test drive not only the Porsches he owns but also many others owned by friends and dealers. “I wonder, how many Porsches have I actually driven so far…” When he counted, the number was over 50 cars. He often says things like this: “A car isn’t just about having power or being fast.” I used to...
Porsche in the Rain is Also Great I’m well known as a touring enthusiast, but I actually enjoy driving not only on sunny days but also in heavy rain. So, when I see a forecast for heavy rain rather than just a drizzle, I sometimes get an irresistible urge to go somewhere. Why do I like driving in heavy rain? I can’t quite explain it well myself, but I love the atmosphere—the rain hitting the...
The Ultimate 911 GT2RS Weissach Package I’ve written many reviews on the GT3 before, but this is my very first test drive report of the GT2RS. First, let me explain what kind of car the GT2RS is, which belongs to a category above the GT3. Porsche’s GT lineup consists of five types. There’s the famous GT3, the GT4 for the Cayman, the GT for the Cayenne, the legendary GT1 (which is no longer in production...
Eleven 991 Early Model Grades Reported So Far So far, the 991 early models I have reported on this blog are as follows. I’ve experienced as many as 11 different grades. I believe very few people in the world have compared this many 991 early models not just on short city drives but on winding roads like I have (laughs). Carrera 4S Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet Carrera GTS Cabriolet Targa 4S Carrera Carrera 4 GTS...
The Early 991 Carrera 4S Lately, many people around me have been buying early 991 models. What everyone consistently praises is the NA engine’s sound and rev feel. While Porsche may still produce NA 911s in the future, this generation represents the last NA engine 911s from an era before stricter noise regulations and without GPFs. That makes many eager to get their hands on one now. I’m one of them, having purchased an early...
A Long-Awaited Drive in the Porsche 911 A few days ago, I wrote an article titled, “Why I Don’t Feel Like Driving the Porsche 911 or Boxster We Have at Home.” At home, we have Porsches that my husband purchased, but since he cherishes these cars deeply, I felt hesitant to drive them. Then, just recently, when I was going to renew my driver’s license, my husband said, “Since it’s a special occasion, why not...
Crossing Shikoku on Route 194 The morning in Saijo City marked the final day of our touring adventure. Although the snow clouds that brought a cold wave to the Japanese archipelago had eased somewhat, there was still a risk of snow in the mountainous areas of Shikoku. Checking the weather forecast, I confirmed the route. The 911 was quite dirty, its body sticky from road salt. Washing it now would be pointless since it would...
Enjoying the Okayama Wide-Area Farm Roads from Tsuyama Following up on the previous touring report, this time I’d like to share the wide-area farm roads of Okayama and Hiroshima. Mornings in Tsuyama often bring thick fog. The last time was foggy as well, and this morning the mist is deep again. After getting ready at the hotel, the fog cleared and the sun began to peek through by the time I was about to leave....
Porsche 911 Carrera RS (964 Model) It’s been about three and a half years since the air-cooled Porsche 911 (964 model) Carrera 2 came to our home. Captivated by the analog feel that modern Porsches no longer have, and the handling that directly reflects driving skill, I still find the 964 endlessly fresh and enjoyable to drive. It’s a car that’s fun even without pushing it hard, enjoyable at any speed or situation—from city streets...
Driving Along the Sea of Japan from Tsuruga to Kyogamisaki The morning in Tsuruga City was bitterly cold. Fortunately, the snow from yesterday had stopped, and there seemed to be no accumulation. Climbing into the ice-cold 911, I carefully warmed up the engine, PDK, and suspension components at a slower pace than usual. Both the 981 Boxster and this 991.1 Carrera 4 GTS take quite a while for the oil temperature to rise. Sometimes it...
