Page 11 - KCRPCA Sept Oct 2020

All of this brings me to my current garage status. I have acquired a 2001 996TT. It has a 3.6 liter twin turbocharged flat six in the back powering all 4-wheels through a 6-speed gearbox. It
has leather everything, power everything, heated seats, a claimed factory top speed of 189 mph, plus a tuned and free flowing exhaust that burbles and howls. All in, it should have horsepower pushing up to 450 and enough torque to spin the earth. It is a stomp on it and hang on kind of a ride.
Enter the 1999 Boxster. It sits with a normally aspirated 2.5 liter mid-engine setup politely pushing out 201 hp through a 5-speed gearbox. What it does not have
in horsepower, it makes up for
in handling. It’s mid-engine is perfectly balanced giving lots of confidence in the corners. With the top down and wind in your hair, you can even hear the exhaust give a polite “whAAaaahhh” as you pass from 4,000 to 5,000 RPM. It is a fun, “let’s go get ice cream” ride.
So I have my bookend driving experiences again. The two cars could not be any more different, yet be so fun to drive. Both
have the opposite characteristics
I was looking for. One is a sledgehammer while the other is
a scalpel. I am very happy with my garage options, for now. After all, my cars may change, but I still have the best wife ever.
- Stan
Der Sportwagen
11