I know there are a few of you who like spirited driving so I am inviting you to come out and join me on an early morning drive out on Mines Rd. I plan to meet a couple of fellow sports car enthusiasts at the parking lot near Concannon and South Livermore around 0730 on Sunday. We want to get an early start, hopefully before cyclists, Harleys and sport bikes take over. I'll be there for sure unless, heaven forbid, that area goes up in flames too. I know it's early so I may end up being the only one to show but I'll still drive Mines Rd. I've helped organize drives there in the past and one time we had as many as 9 cars there.

The line up so far (if everybody shows up) are three 911s, a 944 and a Mazda 3. No crazy driving allowed as we don't want to attract too much attention. Please bring a walkie talkie tuned to channel 7-11. if you can make it, PM me. If you get lost, my cell is 707.373.9504. Hope to see another BF'er there.

Hmmm, we're starting our bike ride on Mines around 6:30, so watch out for us! We'll actually be heading north, heading over Tesla to the valley, then coming back via Del Puerto Canyon and Mines Rd again. It's supposed to be the start of our taper, but with all the smoke and stuff, this may end up being a tough ride.

JB

Thanks for the heads up! I'll let the other drivers know there will be bikes early. If I see you guys, I'll slow down and yell, "Go Team".

TnT Alumni - Summer 2007

Don't look too hard for us - we decided not to risk the air quality in those canyons just 2 weeks before our event. We'll be riding out by the coast instead, hoping some of the ocean breezes put in an appearance and give us some fresh air.

JB

Last bump. I hope to see you there!

Maybe next time.. my rear tires are shot anyway, and I needed to get some riding in yesterday.

The Ferarris were out in force during the Giro on Saturday. I think I saw five or six of various vintages, all told. There was one guy in a recent V12 model, who was really putting his car through the wringer. Shifting hard and revving it like a V12 simply must be revved. It was a wonderful sound, and in/around Palo Alto Hills early in the morning, it was otherwise so quiet, I could hear him for miles. :)

Good turnout this morning. Four 911s and one M3. Maybe next time there'll be a Miata in the mix, right t4mv?

Oh haha didn't realize it was Sunday. I needed to sleep till 11:30 though to catch up after yesterday :)

I've got a serious soft spot for a 993 C4S or C2S, but I can't see paying what they sell for, for a car that old.

Right, cantdrv55! 'Sorry I wussed out on the drive; I had errands and stuff in the AM, then a mini-gtg with another friend of mine who just got a '93 Miata LE, so I had to go get my car fix with him, and now I'm continuing the car bonding w/ an oil change on the TDI, so, yeah, it's been kind of a busy day so far. I'm still holding out a slim chance of getting a few miles in at the end of the day, tho. ;)

Did you guys go around Mines/Livermore or did you open it up to more areas of exploration? Out here we/I usually take a run up to the Santa Cruz mountains and stretch the legs out there. I don't have to be going fast, only turning left or right. ;)

993s hold their value pretty well. I think if you spend any time behind the wheel in one at a track, autocross or rural road, you'll see why they are the most sought after affordable 911. The red 1995 993 coupe the I followed today left me in the dust and my car (and driver) are no slouch.

t4mv, I am planning another group drive but I want to change the venue. I'd like to drive out towards HMB and Santa Cruz. We'd go out early to avoid sharing the roads with cyclists and to hide from the cops. if you have a route you like to drive, would you let me know? I am looking for suggestions.

We just rode out to the Junction and back. I didn't want to stay out too late and I know around 9AM, cyclists are all over Mines Rd.

993s hold their value pretty well. I think if you spend any time behind the wheel in one at a track, autocross or rural road, you'll see why they are the most sought after affordable 911.

I've got an older 911 - a 1984 Carrera. While it is bone-stock, it satisfies my needs and then some. It really is a driver's car, and after 13 years of ownership, it still makes me grin when I drive it.

That being said, I'm currently searching for my new(er) Porsche. This time, I'm going with a 996. Why? Air-conditioning. The 911 air-cooled cars suck when it comes to air-conditioning. It is their one weak spot, apart from the slightly notchy shifting. The 996 is heavier, water-cooled, and the body styling is not as distinctive or aesthetically appealing as the traditional 911 - but it has a silky-smooth 6 speed, about 100 more hp, and the air-conditioning is top-notch.

I like being cool, and it still goes plenty fast and handles just fine for my purposes.

Right you are about the HVAC system in the air-cooled 911s. I have a '79SC targa and I pulled the anemic AC out. It weighs too much and does almost nothing.

I've got a buddy who is selling his 996. Kind of souped-up though with a supercharger.

Yeah, I just can't get behind the 996 styling. I like the 997, though not as much as the 993, and of course it costs way more :)

The 996 and 997 are leagues ahead of anything that came before them in terms of interior quality and (from what I understand) reliability.

That's why I say I couldn't bring myself to buy a 993; at ~$40k for a decent one, it's simply too unreliable, old, and dated a car for me to comfortably buy. The 993 interior looked dated the day it was released, and has not aged particularly well, where the 996 and up look thoroughly modern.

The 996 really has it all, the quality, comfort, performance, great price, and daily driveability. So if you like the way it looks, it is a better buy in every way than the 993.. and of course, way cheaper than a 997 :)

10 years from now, I'm going to own a 997. That's when they become affordable to me. Love how they look.

10 years from now, I'm going to own a 997. That's when they become affordable to me. Love how they look.

:lol:

That'll be me, too. :) The reason I'm shopping for a 996 is that, as reidconti said, "The 996 really has it all, the quality, comfort, performance, great price, and daily driveability". But most importantly, it is the newest one I can comfortably afford. :D There are many 996's available from the mid-20k to the mid-30k range, depending on trim and mileage. I don't care for silver cars or rag-tops though, so my choices get narrowed down some. I just passed on a pretty Sapphire Blue one with full leather interior - didn't pass my mechanic's inspection.

I'm sold on the marquee - the 1984 I have has been one of the most reliable daily drivers I've ever owned. I'm just tired of sweating my way through 90+ degree days, and the interiors are a bit on the spartan side. I'm old and I want to be comfortable when I have fun, dammit!!

I'm not real keen on the aesthetics of the exterior (the classic 911 headlight nacelles should have never been messed with) - but I'm warming up to it and I can't see it when I'm driving, anyway. :D