07 November 2007

How To Save Money When You Buy A Porsche 911

When you buy a Porsche 911 it's a fact that you will want to save as much money as you can. Any good Porsche will be expensive and the last thing you will want to do after paying all of that money is have to fork out a few hundred or even thousand on repair bills.

To save money when you buy a Porsche means you need to actively hunt for errors with the car so you can negotiate a price reduction. This price reduction should be a little more than what it would cost to repair, that way the bill will be covered and you will have a little money off for the inconvenience. Its finding these problems that proves difficult for a non Porsche dealer. Like any other car each model of Porsche will have its common problems, the difference between Porsche and any other car is the cost. A Porsche will need to be repaired by a Porsche specialist and not just in any old garage. This is not only more expensive but can cause further annoyance if you dont know a Porsche specialist in your area.

Top tips for getting money off a Porsche

1. The test drive

Take the car out on a lengthy test drive

. Check the handling on as many different roads as you can. If there are any signs of violent steering then it's likely that it will have a wheel balance problem. Call a Porsche specialist and ask for an estimate of how much it would cost to repair and then try to haggle the price down.

2. The V.I.N number

If there are any signs of tampering on the vehicle identification number then ask questions. This could be a serious problem and can sometimes hint towards a rebuilt Porsche that has had a crash. If there is a valid reason for this then ask to see the repair documents and receipt. Again, consult a Porsche specialist.

3. Gas gauge out of collaboration

This can be a common fault with Porsche. Sometimes when the car is filled up with fuel the gas gauge will still read as low. This doesn't effect the performance of the vehicle but will cost roughly £100 to repair. Request a price reduction of at least £120 or for it to be fixed before the pickup date.

Final steps

As you can see from these examples, when you buy a Porsche there are plenty of options you have to negotiate a lower price. If you still want to make the purchase even after finding faults then contact a Porsche specialist and get a quote for the repairs just to get an idea of how much you will be needing to ask for off the car.

05 November 2007

Porsche 911 Turbo Historical Overview From 1974 to Now

The production of the 911 Turbo began in 1974. The car was also called the Porsche 930 in the USA; the number 930 is in reference to the car's internal type number. In Europe, it was called the Porsche Turbo 911. One of the most distinctive features of the 911 Turbo is its wide wheel arches, so done to house the wide tires. The car also has a unique rear spoiler; it was called the whale tail on the early models and the tea tray on the latter cars.

The Porsche 930 developed a reputation for absolute acceleration, and difficult handling and drag. The first models came with a 3 liter engine spitting out 256 BHP. In the late 1976, a racing version of the Porsche 911 Turbo was introduced, called the Porsche 934. It became a favorite of many competitors in Le Mans and other races due to its power and handling.

The 1989 911 Turbo (930) was the only model to feature a 5 speed gearbox.

Porsche 964 Turbo (1990 - 1993)

In 1990 Porsche launched a Turbo version of the 964 series. For the 1991 and 1992 model years it used a 3.3 liter engine, similar to the one used on the Porsche 930, the engine provided 320 PS. Porsche then introduced the Carrera 2 and 4 in 1993, with a 3.6 liter engine and a 360 PS to the rear wheels.

Today the 964 Turbo is rear commodity; it was eventually superseded by the Porsche 993 Turbo (1995 - 1998).

Porsche 993 Turbo (1995-1998)

In 1995 Porsche launched a Turbo version of the Porsche 993. It was revolutionary in more ways than one; the 993 Turbo was the first standard Porsche to use twin exhaust turbochargers and the first 911 Turbo to have permanent all wheel drive. [Side Note: If you wanted to remove the AWD, you would have to refer to the more powerful and race homologated GT2 or another option is to remove the drive shaft leading to the front differential].

It was 1997 and Porsche decided to introduce a limited run of 200 units of the Porsche 911 Turbo" target="_blank" title="Porsche 911 Turbo">Porsche 993 911 Turbo S; the Turbo S delivered an even higher performance. The new car had a few additions as well, among these are an additional 24 PS (17.7 kW), this was over the regular Turbo 400 PS (294kW) and modifications to the car's body.

The Porsche 993 Turbo still command a premium price, due mainly to its reliability, raw power, and the fact that it is the last air cooled 911 Turbo cars.

Porsche 996 Turbo (2000 - 2004)

In the year 2000, Porsche introduced the 966 Turbo, which is as the name suggests a turbo version of the Porsche 966. It was equipped with standard four wheel drive and a 3.6 liter engine, which was derived from the 911 GT1 engine. It also came with twin turbocharged and inter-cooled producing a whopping 415 BHP (309 kW), which meant the car could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. In 2002 the 996 Turbo received an upgrade known as X50 or Turbo S, this increased the car power to 444 hp (336 kW). The 996 Turbo also had air vents in the front and rear bumpers.

Porsche 997 Turbo, 997 GT3 (2006 - Now)

The 997 GT3 or 997 Turbo debuted in 2006, and like previous models it gave Porsche the opportunity to homologate aerodynamic features for racing, and add a model for customer racing. The car used the same 3.6 liter engine as the Porsche 996 Turbo, but with the exception that it had more power; 480 PS. It gets from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds (using Tiptronic Transmission). The Porsche 997 Turbo is more driver friendly relative to its predecessor.

03 November 2007

All About The Engine Of The Porsche Cayenne

With every new automobile, Porsche tried to redefine the meaning of performance, by creating a more powerful engine. Cayenne Turbo makes no exception to this rule. Like all Porsche engine, it is hand assembled and the twin turbo V8 rises to an exacting level of technical excellence.

Motronic ME7.1.1.is a system that controls the split-second precision of the Cayenne V8 and V6 super engine. This new highly intelligent engine management system balances impressive power with great smoothness. All this to prove that Cayenne`s "brain" matches its brawn. The Motronic system is built to monitor a wide range of sensors and engine components. It compares streams of data with corresponding sets of reference values, all this in a speed of milliseconds. Then, if it finds any differences, the system adjusts key engine functions, such as the ignition of fuel injection, based on this comparison. Into Motronic management are included other key systems, such as onboard diagnostics and cylinder-specific knock control, with automatic adaptation to any change in fuel quality. All this for optimal performance in all driving conditions.

This process is seamless and automatic so the engine has a great level of power and torque. Also, another great result is better fuel economy and lower emissions in the exhaust stream.

Another function of the Motronic system is the managing of air flowing into the engine to ensure maximum levels of performance. It does that by regulating boost pressure on the Cayenne Turbo.

The Cayenne model includes another system, the resonance induction system with a variable-length intake manifold. This is also an inventive engineering concept that uses pressure waves created by the inlet valves. It does this to increase the density of the incoming air, which, in the end, will increase the amount of energy released during combustion. There are two intake tubes, and depending on the speed, the system will select one of them. The longer tube is used at lower speeds in order to maximize low-end torque. At around 4250 rpm, it switches to shorter Intake tube so that it maximizes power output with a more eager throttle response.

The Porsche Cayenne engineers wanted to improve combustion for more power, better fuel economy, reduced emissions and less maintenance. To do so, they created a static high-voltage ignition system with separate ignition coils on each individual spark plug. This is an advanced method that allows a longer spark-plug life. The sequential fuel injection system is equally advanced. A returnless fuel supply system serves each injector in order to continuously adjust the precise air/fuel mix. The result is of course a better environment, because it controls the emissions.

01 November 2007

All About The 2005 Porsche Carrera GT

Unofficially, the Porsche Carrera GT is a racecar, a racecar built for the street. What makes it a racecar is not necessarily the huge power produced by its V10 engine or the carbon fiber construction that keeps everything very lightweight - although these features surely make it a fast car. It's more the sum of its parts that make this car worth every bit of its $440,000 price tag.

The Porsche Carrera GT was introduced as a 2004 model and until 2005 there were already a few changes in order to make the Carrera GT the new Porsche super car. These were minor updates in order to make it a little more street friendly. Between the supplemental bar hoops is now mounted a glass screen. The seats height is adjusted along with the additional bolstering in the thigh area. The Carrera GT is easy recognizable, as it's a low, sleek, lightweight roadster, very beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. Two removable panels that can be stored in the front trunk make the foul weather protection available.

The car has unique features, among which are: 5.7 liter, 605 horsepower V10 engine, monocoque chassis with Porsche-patented engine and transmission mounts made of carbon-reinforced plastic and the first use of a ceramic composite clutch in a production car. A very important aspect is that The Carrera is safe and stable at speeds up to 205 mph, thanks to its aerodynamic and race-bred suspension package.

The design of the suspension is so sophisticated that the shape of its components improves the Carrera GT`s aerodynamics. The designers used lightweight materials such as magnesium for the car's substantial wheels and the frames of its special sport seats, the result being a faster and safer car. To prove so, The Carrera GT accelerates from a standing start to 62 mph (100km/h) in only 3.9 seconds reaches 100 mph (160 km/h) in less than seven seconds, 125 mph (200 km/h) in less than 10 seconds, and can achieve a top test-track speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

What makes this car have these impressive results is it's 5.5 liter, normally aspirated V10 engine for racing created in the development center in Weissach, Germany. That engine's bores have been enlarged to displace 5.7 liters in the Carrera GT. It has a very low center of gravity, a 68-degree V angle and four valves-per-cylinder heads. Since the block, crankshaft and camshafts are all made of light alloys, the engine weights only 472 pounds (214 kg).

To stop this "monster" Porsche`s team used a high-tech braking system. Developed for demanding motorsports applications, ceramic brakes are the first to work for on-road use. The massive 15 inch ventilated discs and six-piston calipers have the amazing capacity of bringing the car to a sure and safe stop, matched only by the stunning acceleration of Carrera GT.

Porsche Carrera GT is definitely a exotic appearance, a car that can do it all: fascinate you with its good looks, astound you with its performance and abilities on the race track.

30 October 2007

Porsche Or Ferrari - What You Need To Know.

Porsche and Ferrari are German and Italian sides of the same coin, interpretations of the sports car idea. Both founded by a dominant patriarch, both honed in racing, both more than 50 years old, both with engineering and styling integrity. Whether on the track of Le Mains or on the streets, the two have always been put head-to-head and compared. Even the most naive motorist associates these two names with both performance and style.

We've decided to compare the methodical Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and the passionate Ferrari F430 because both of them astonish with their performance while attempting to maintain a reasonable amount of practicality but do not pretend to be anything other than sports cars.

A modern sports car should feature these characteristics: it should be started easily, maneuvered around town, blasted on a couple of country roads, it looks and performs the part on a racetrack but at the same time it is very safe.

The easier way to separate the two cars is by measuring figures since both of them have mastered the modern sports car requirements and basically there's no other way to choose between these two phenomenal cars.

What initially impresses is Ferrari's lightning fast 4-second 0-100km/h acceleration and thrilling exhaust tone. As the occupants are pinned to the seats, the new generation 4.3-litre V8 pushes out 368 snarling kilowatts. Porsche's acceleration also offers that kick in the pants a super car should deliver, although it is 0.8 seconds slower at the 100 km/k mark.

With such acceleration performance, it comes natural for both cars to excel in the braking department. The two cars offer optional ceramic discs for impressive stopping.

Porsche's engine gets the upper hand as it is more refined and on the economy rank leaps ahead Ferrari with a 11.8 liters per 100 km as opposed to 18.3 liters. Both cars deliver the power through impressive 6-speed gearboxes and offer top rate handling performance.

Both F430 and Carrera4S offer great interior comfort and even if the space is limited, the occupants don't feel claustrophobic and flustered. Although an impressive mix of suede, carbon fiber and aluminum abound in the Ferrari, the Italians stand no chance when it comes to the high finish level attained by the Germans.

Speed and silence are key elements for any super car. The look and appearance is the biggest draw card. The Carrera 4S is a typical Porsche, despite the new proportions. It is a great looking car, like any other 911 but somehow the styling no longer creates the jaw dropping reaction that the Ferrari does. Indeed, traditionalists may say that Porsche pays homage to its roots, but the truth is that Ferrari F430 simply draws the attention.

However, even if Ferrari F430 takes your breath away with its appearance, the super car title goes to the Porsche Carrera 4S with a more complete all round package.

28 October 2007

All About The Porsche Cayman

In comparison of the engine, The Porsche Cayman is positioned between the Boxster and 911. Still, it has its own different personality. It is snappier, easier, and not burdened by heavy weight hanging out the back and the need to manage the effect of that weight.

The Cayman is strictly a two-seater because the engine sits where the rear seats would otherwise be. This means that the engine is not quite readily accessible, although there's a way into the oil filler via the boot. Under that long tailgate, is revealed a generous luggage area to supplement the front 911/Boxster-sized boot. Like all other Porsche, the Cayman is not very big, which makes it very practical and usable. And for all its obvious Boxster genes, the Cayman is very much its own car with its curvaceous rear wings and neat fastback roof. As with other Porsches, there's a movable rear spoiler, which deploys above 120km/h.

Going back to were we started, the engine, the Cayman has 3.4 litres, a mix of the cylinder barrels of a 911 with the crankshaft of a Boxster. A 911 engine is of 3.6 or 3.8 liters and a Boxster S has a 3.2-litre engine. It's a strange thing, but even though today's Porsche engines are water-cooled, they still overlay their intake and exhaust notes with a breathy whine like that of the giant air-cooling fans of old.

Basically, the Cayman is a mix and it doesn't have a huge number of new and unique parts. In short, the Cayman is a structure two and a half times stiffer because it's just a Boxster with a roof. In turn, that means that the driving experience becomes much more focused because its suspension can have tauter, sportier setting.

Porsche Cayman reaches a maximum speed of 275 km/h and gets from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, even if the fuel thirst is low for such pace. The Cayman is especially good with the optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), but unlike a 911, it works well enough without it, thanks to a ride that's firm but seldom turbulent. PASM makes the Cayman sit 10mm lower, and in its Sport mode it tautens the damping. And it feels absolutely fantastic when you have the Chrono option (complete with stopwatch for timing your hot laps).

Bottom line, Porsche Cayman is a remarkable illustration of a rigid, solid-roofed bodyshell's advantages. The Cayman S has all the positive Porsche attributes you could want, and none of the snags. It's not the fastest Porsche, not the fiercest, not the most breathtaking. It is a pooling of other Porsche parts, which means that the Cayman is not expensive to develop but it will generate big profits. The new car, by the way, takes its name not from a tax-haven archipelago, but from a type of crocodile.

26 October 2007

The History Of The Porsche

Ferdinand Porsche played an important role in the development of airplanes and racing cars, and the construction of tanks for the Wehrmacht. He is an automobile engineer with more than a thousand patents to his name. He was appointed chief engineer at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart in the 1920s. Later on, he set up his own engineering workshop and designed among others the Volkswagen. At the plant where Volkswagen was made, Wolfsburg, he was chief of operations and at the end of the war he was interned by the Allies.

He was released a few years later and started building his first car with his son, Ferry Porsche. The car was named the Porsche 356 and it was a sports car and a reminiscent of the Volkswagen. It had the same four-cylinder boxer engine that was rear-mounted, just like the VW. It was far from being a powerful sports car, developing only 40 bhp and a maximum speed of 87 mph (140 km/h). First produced as a convertible and later as a hard top it distinguished by the very elegant and innovative body. It was developed in the workshop of Erwin Komenda, a master of restrained streamlining who had been in charge of sheet metal and design techniques at Porsche since the VW Beetle. The new style of closed coupe was designed by Komenda and it soon became the embodiment of the sports car, thanks to its fastback.

This tradition was continued by Komenda and Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche, the founder's grandson, with the 911.

The 911 became easily recognizable: it had attractive sloping bonnet and what later became characteristic "frog eye" headlights, curves running from the top edge of the windscreen to the rear bumper and a straight waistline. From a functional and technical point of view it was more like BMW 1500, although it retained the stylistic features of the original Porsche. The new 911 will become the foundation stone of Porsche's identity, even though the design was not always appreciated. During the 1970`s and 1980`s, the designers attempts to distance Porsche from its legendary design brought the company to the edge of disaster. The more modern 924 model, "a people's Porsche", developed with Volkswagen, as well as the 928 were far from fulfilling the expectations.

In the 1990`s, the company realized that what for over twenty years was perceived as a straitjacket, it was in fact a market advantage. During the 1990`s, Porsche became highly profitable since they now knew that the typical Porsche features were timeless. Nearly forty people now worked in the design department on further developments of the long-running 911. These developments included the 911 GTI, a powerful combination of sports and racing car, put forward by the in-house designer Anthony R. Hatter. In 1999, chief designer proudly presented the new Boxster which enabled Porshe to establish a second independent range of models.