Here's What One Month of Porsche 911 Ownership Has Taught Me

A brand new (to you) car is often leads to love at first sight, but what happens when the newness wears off and you transition to a long-term relationship? On this episode of eatsleepdrive we talk about what I've learned in a little over a month of ownership with my 911 and answers the question of what it's like after the initial drive.

[@jirenthegray]

I used to own a 996 911 Cabriolet back when I was in the US and I can tell you that Porsche 911s are the MOST practical supercars you can ever own. You can be soft or hard on it and it can take it. It's a really fun car to drive. I'm looking forward to getting the 997 next here in Japan.

[@EatSleepDrive]

Hope you find the right one for you!

[@utrocks97]

Have a 79 930 911 turbo. She’s amazing. Oil cooled, loud, handles well, and shifting through the gears in a true manual from the 80’s is second to none

[@opethmike]

Congratulations! It's a really great feeling getting one's dream car. I'm a Corvette guy, and man, that feeling when I bought my first one.

[@soILLitsADVISED]

I don’t wanna hear anyone outside of Doug Demuro mention “quirks”

[@existenceispain_101]

I dOn'T WAnNA hEAR anYoNE ouTSiDe of dOUg DEMuRo mEnTIoN "QuiRKS"

[@RageCage1701]

I don't wanna hear anyone say anything else other than "RAGE OF THE ANCIENTS!"

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Hasn't Doug already patented that? Ain't it some form of infringement going on here?

[@arr0gant1]

Ya, quirks is taken.

[@Jmoneypoprocks]

@ Ayo O, Doug is great at KZbin reviews, modern day car commentator, but if you look back at Top Gear you can see that Doug was not the original quirk identifier. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHi1iXx6m56sisk

[@Fentanyl780]

Great video! Most of those quirks are gone in the the 991. But the drive is amazing, enjoy the drive!

[@melchorperez2554]

Great video! Thanks for the information.

[@acereport8939]

My Lexus has 3 settings for the suspension. I had it in “comfort” mode because the ride is softer but my daughter was sliding around in the back when cornering so I switched it to “sport” and the body roll pretty much stopped. I think it’s very useful depending on what you’re attempting to do with the vehicle.

[@Fulloctanegarage]

Love your Porsche videos! Had mine fora month now, love it!

[@frontrowguy1]

Nice Video. I own a 2015 911 S and it finally has auto headlights. You are correct, it is really hard to break the back loose unless you drive at 8/10 on a hot road in the middle of the summer. Then maybe... Also, not sure about the 997, but in the 991 with a sunroof, if you have the sunroof open and you go above 75, the wing will actually rise about 10 degrees higher so you can see it in the mirrors. Love that.

[@ChrisH930S]

997.1 turbo with the dsc is a game changer. What really works well on a turbo is the bilstein B8s with Gmg lowering springs, gt2 rear bar and the dsc.

[@ctski123]

This is the most real and honest 911 review I’ve ever come across on KZbin! Enjoy your 911!! :))

[@prototek]

Great video. Hopefully I'll be looking for a 997 in a few months. BTW, what year is your car?

[@EatSleepDrive]

Thanks! Mine is an 06. Enjoy the hunt!

[@avolkoff83]

Headlight can be programmed to be always on whenever the engine is running and will switch off once you shut off.

[@grahamdutton1227]

Loving the vids on your 997. Am thinking about buying one myself this autumn. And thanks for not producing videos that only focus on exhaust noise or show guys doing asinine, tire smoking starts. So great to see an adult talking about a fine car. Keep up the good work. Q: Hows the sound system? (which one does yours have?)

[@EatSleepDrive]

Thank you! Mine has the Bose system, it's just 'ok' I would say sound quality wise. But really, the driving experience makes up for the 'ok' stereo. Good luck on your search!

[@michaelhall1315]

I'm retiring next year and will be in the market for exactly that...thanks for the info.

[@herrfinke1]

Congratulations!

[@valicourt]

Nice car dude. Enjoy!

[@100thomasmagnum]

Always happy to c another happy Porsche owner!

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Takes one to know one!

[@stephenshea8647]

Ideal Cars might get lucky

[@paddyschannel217]

Great vid pal👍🏻

[@EatSleepDrive]

Thanks 👍

[@siobhantowell6083]

I am currently researching the 997 with a view to buying . Your video was honest and helpful. Hope you post more covering reliability and running cost. Thanks. BTW the headlights thing,not really a big deal unless your arms and hands don't function! Lol You have a 911!

[@DJMotoVlogs]

I cant wait to be able to own a Porsche man. These cars seems to have the right balance of comfort and performance.

[@03Esprit]

I have a 911/997 S convertible had a year now LOVE IT I agree with the lighting comment but set mine to have daytime running light on with ignition (do this is setting ) no doubt about it 911 are the dogs Great vid from you thanks.

[@theupscriber65]

DJ MotoVlogs you can do it! In 2008 I bought a 9 9 6 series Porsche 911 for $15,000. It was salvage and I invested another 7000 to have it painted. My kids and wife hated the car when it was completed because it was way too small and inconvenient. I loved it but I was in the driver seat.

[@mrsantosjon]

What about reliability??

[@sinan6713]

ItAintGaY porsche is top reliable as german TÜV reports say. also DEKRA agrees on it. best german brand

[@Baerchenization]

I have a Boxster for 2.5 years now and absolutely nothing broke :) So I only did the scheduled 20K mile oil + brake fluid change; and over that time, I topped up just a little bit more than 1 litre of engine oil, so that was my only other expense. There is also no rattling of parts or any other annoying BS going on... not saying that Porsches never brake, but I can only tell of my own experience.

[@Alpha-uh3cq]

Subbed and thumbd up bro keep em goin i love the 997 best 911 ever made =)

[@benshaer2640]

You're right about to some extent about the pendulum effect. I've seen a 997 CS stock spinning on some bends, Thunderhill track in CA turn 1 as an example, doing 90 mph and the same year Cayman S, 987, doing the same speed, the Cayman S just sliced through. You will not experience the pendulum effect on the street but on the track better know how to trail brake, don't lift, and throttle steer. Physics rule at the end, Porsche just knows how to push it. At the end of the day in the track light weight mid engine cars rules in dynamics and the model/brands rule in boulevard/street cruising bragging rights.

[@OctaneProjects]

Great videos, subbing for sure! Keep them up! I love the 997!!

[@Porschee944]

I love 997.1 too

[@IdealMediaChannel]

We love the 997 too! Great machines!

[@benshaer2640]

I've given up on the CD player in mine. It feels like the engineers grudgingly added it as an option, much like the "cup holders". Have you found the single rear fog light?

[@doogiemoster]

Amazing to talk of owning such prestige car. I have seen Porsche 911 at hotel of previous employment. Amazing !

[@taforth]

So, how is the car to drive? I have driven 997S, very similar to yours and loved the pure and yet unique feel of being shoved forwards, that only the pre 991s offer. Would be interested to hear your take on this.

[@robertdavis5714]

I agree 100% on cold starts, I have after market exhaust and it just makes my day to hear that sound. I recommend you 1st use some WD40 then a decent lube on the rear lid rails, took many times for me until it sounded fine.

[@larrystromberg2840]

Dude...it is a special car... I love my 2017S

[@hwoodist]

I've given up on the CD player in mine. It feels like the engineers grudgingly added it as an option, much like the "cup holders". Have you found the single rear fog light?

[@appleapple8841]

I have an 05 carrera s and trust me, the cold start is incredible

[@gregorytrane7828]

Too bad about the firm suspension. Porche might want to offer a real adaptive ride control personalized to the driver's taste, mood and ability to handle this race car. Another point to consider is that in Europe, particularly in Germany, those Barvarians fix their roads. In America, we often do it when it's an absolute necessity or when you can actually plant small trees in the pot holes. Just a thought.

[@joegf1739]

At 5:50, "the widow maker" comments you're hearing are a reputation from the 70s that won't die. The 70s 911 Turbos that had a lot of power and immense turbo lag. You would get a violent boost of sudden power, lose control, and die. It's kinda badass

[@marianluc6235]

Joe GF how do you know about that?

[@joegf1739]

@@marianluc6235 Common knowledge. Lots of Internet sources if you search.

[@jameskocks4734]

The exhaust note reminds me of my 2018 wrx. Both boxer engines after all. Have fun.

[@christophersmith5323]

I have a Panamera 4 which is a vehicle I’ve never owned before. I’ve had it for over a month and MMAAAAANNN! I love the way it feels and handles. It’s smooth and powerful! I drove it from Miami Florida to Nebraska and WOW! That was the longest and yet the best drive I’ve ever had!

[@RobertSmith-sq1wg]

when your doing sub sonic speeds what has been your experience with the spoiler up? Is there improved traction and overall cadence?

[@adimuftic9930]

I had 07 I love it such nice touch of fun enjoy man

[@ImAlrightITHINK]

That way you can turn your headlights off when you're running from Cops and get into an ally way 👍

[@marlonandrade562]

rudy torres amen brother

[@BESIMXCARS]

I'm just editing my review of a 997 GTS and mentioned you always have to hit the spoiler button, just because it looks cool. I also thought the same thing, you fire it up cold start and it sounds like a lion growling. I need one of these so bad.

[@rafaellastracom6411]

Cood vid. One thing, make sure that wing never stops working. It is there because without it the Coanda effect will get you.

[@agayeff]

You can apply some engine oil on spoiler lifting mechanism. Open hood and you see technical holes to joint lift mechanisms. And there will not be noise after this

[@kdudutse]

first time i heard, that a 997 c2s is called a “widowmaker” 930 turbo is a real “widowmaker” in 997 family, you can try that nickname on GT2 only , and even than , its not close enough to be there

[@Car_Mo]

I had bigger problems with shaky handling caused by the rear tires being cold, than the engine placement and that's true for my current (C5) Corvette as well. The 911 as a "widow maker" stopped being a true more or less in the 90's when the 911 stopped being air cooled. Even though there's no correlation causing a water cooled engine having better handling, it was around that time that Porsche engineers got electronic handling figured out. Also, for the last 50 years the engine in the 911 has moved further and further forward, to the point where the center of mass for the engine is millimeters behind the rear axle. It's kinda weird that Chevrolet can move the engine of the Corvette behind the seat but in front of the rear axle and motor journalists pee their collective pants in exitement, but if Porsche put the engine of the 911 in front of the rear axle the same people could scream "blasphemy!".

[@sew9068]

@@Car_Mo No...they would scream Cayman!

[@SoCalReviewPLUS]

Just saw a lot of super cars this weekend at an event. But that Porsche is always my favorite, since childhood.

[@briantracy1324]

I've had a rear tire blow out on my 64 CORVAIR while pushing it hard mid-corner and had no problem... Porsche's post 1980's are very stable.

[@dchall8052]

The Black Keys - Turn Blue ... Nice!!!

[@vdubjetta02]

I owned one for (2) years... once all the little plastic pieces and rubber hoses start failing (due to age) all the tiny maintenance bills begin to start adding up to thousands and thousands. I spent about $6k on my car in 2 years and another $6k in modifications. It was a blast to own, was actually a very reliable DD, but I ended up needing more space/comfort creatures and landed back in an Audi that I am currently modifying. It was my extra 3rd car, and I wont be back in one until its my 4th car. I highly encourage everyone that is in to sports car to atleast own one for some amount of time

[@EddieCdeejay]

Love your Porsche bro!

[@EatSleepDrive]

Thank you!

[@longbowdt]

had to subscribe to a homeboy anyway, but this is a very informative video (in a series of them, I hope). :)

[@russwright]

FYI PASM is always on. When the light isn't on it is in "normal mode" PASM. The electronic dampers are working away. Makes it more comfortable and adapts to road dynamically. When you hit the button, it puts it in PASM sport mode. Yes, that's a lot less comfortable and not great for anything but a smooth road.

[@egg979]

Looking at getting one of these now 😎

[@genatorbol]

Nice factory track car..don’t worry about the headlights. Try it out on some time trials courses or a good slalom course! Porsche is the embodiment of excellence and needs to be opened up on the road!!

[@MiniacPL]

Stock 997 C2S suspension is based on cheapest Bilstein B4s shocks. PASM suppoused to be 'active susspension', but that B4s Damptronic shocks don't do their job at all (you get B12 Damptronic with Turbo and GT3). The PASM (beside choosed mode) is working with G-sensors, but in 997.1 it's 2-axis modul, and you can't even get much better TPC one. With stock PASM modul the ride is much to soft, or MUCH to harsh. Suspension and brakes are the first things that needs to be moded on that car.

[@rambow58]

One of my dream cars

[@limulus61]

The 997 is an excellent 911. You can keep that one for years. I have a friend with a 997 Turbo and it is a beautiful car. I did not know that about the spoiler speed: My 2015 981 Cayman S spoiler deploys at 70 MPH and I think it retracts at 50 MPH. I normally keep it in the up position because I like it better that way.

[@randomrebuilds]

Now that its been 5 years, how has your ownership experience been? Especially in the maintenance/repairs section?

[@85getbig]

Mate, make sure the bottom of your wheel centre cap crest(logo), points directly to your air/dust value cap!!!! The porsche gods will thank you. There's two small pin holes in the crest/logo you can use to gently pull out and turn with a bent paperclip 👌 Welcome to porsche ownership!! Its all about the precision and finer details!!!

[@marksuave25]

Holy shit, you still have the Sony CD Walkman! Haven't seen one of those in like a decade and a half

[@EatMyPropwash]

I forgot what cd’s looked like, and then the Walkman!? Oh man..... throwback!

[@iflick7235]

As a Porsche owner, you simply have to watch some of the video on the Nordshleilfe (Nurburgring) It's Porsche's R & D center with more than 6,000 employees. Your Porsche has done laps on the Ring. 14.2 miles of twisting curves, hills and super speed straits. The most challenging, dangerous race course on Earth!

[@willryan5508]

Beautiful car, trying to decide between one of these or a V8 Vantage, the aston may be even more beautiful inside and out....

[@JustAnotherKyd]

You’re a Cincinnatian! Dope! Maybe when I see a 911 on i75 it’ll be you lol

[@mortenberg2897]

Nice car by the way 👍😉

[@dickb2128]

I would suggest most Porsche owners are not concerned about a music system in the car. This is a fabulous sports car for driving and the best music is from the rear of the car.. I've had two 911s and after having laid out bundles of money for regular maintenance I decided that I no longer could keep them. I still love the cars and if I was a rich guy I'd have one.

[@markbuckley4152]

Great video, I live in Ohio as well (Cleveland). My girlfriend and I got a chance to do the Porsche World Driving Tour at Mid Ohio several years ago. I was blown away by the quality the cars. When my girlfriend got the invite, I thought it was fake. I thought, no way would Porsche let potential customers drive their cars on a racetrack for free. I was wrong! What a car company. I am determined to own a Porsche before I leave this earth.

[@porsche558]

The old 911's used to act very sketchy when cornering (generally when pushing the car to the cornering limits). The new ones are a lot more placid. The old 911's never had a flat deck lid, I assume what you meant is that when your spoiler is up it looks like the old whale tail spoilers.

[@scottveazey9080]

TPC’s Dynamic Suspension Controller (DSC) fixes the stock suspension stiffness IMHO. Regular is more forgiving with less body-roll and sport setting for suspension still has plenty of forgiveness but turn in is better. The DSC isn’t cheap, but easy to install and totally worth it on my ‘09 997 Turbo. 👍🏻

[@mindyturner6958]

That headlight switch looks the exact same as the one in my 2007 Passat B6. If that’s the case you can buy an aftermarket headlight switch on eBay that has the “auto” feature and a sensor for around $30. I’d bet you it would work perfectly.

[@tommihevonoja7254]

About automatic lights. Have you checked "personalized setup" in your audio system? At least I can add there automatic lights on/off in my '06 997. Setup needs to be done for each "personalized" key.

[@space_114v2]

I use PASM on mine whenever I am on a good stretch of pavement and in the mood to let her rip a bit ..... I have a 997.1 4s and she is like a train on tracks thru the turns ... I haven't even in the slightest ever had the feeling it was starting or going to wash on a turn and i have pushed it pretty hard (any harder and i would need a track environment).... Enjoy the car they really are a treat to drive.

[@718vox]

I will be buying this car in a year or two!

[@danrook5757]

I can totally agree with PASM setting

[@HungryMeshigaud]

Under rated !

[@HungryMeshigaud]

Subscribed 😀

[@the3hrdoption637]

PASM is body control. The button with the shock on it is the sports suspension button which firms up the shocks. If you have PASM it will be a button on the right side of that panel. I have 09 911 Carrara S, my previous 996 TT was the same. Cool car.

[@HellaBuggin]

PASM(Porsche Active Suspension Management) isn't traction control PSM (Porsche Stability Management).

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

You're confused, noob. PSM is a sophisticated form of traction control, and is an acronym for Porsche Stability Management. PASM is an acronym for Porsche Active Suspension Management. It electronically controls the suspension dampening, just like the guy in the video said.

[@Personal_Comp]

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) PSM is traction control.

[@BuckMcAntlerson]

Thomas Kiefer Respectfully, You're wrong. The shocks button is PASM.

[@713vinh]

What is the difference between PASM and PSM?

[@bluethunderbug]

I love the Super Porsche Active Suspension Management aka SPASM....

[@piratesteveninja]

If you have PASM installed, the system is always on. The button just turns switches it to PASM sport mode which is for track use and why its incredibly harsh on the streets.

[@HawkMillFarm]

piratesteveninja You are correct re PASM, the guy had it wrong. Non S cars ride harder as they are not adapting all the time.

[@jhelwig19781]

Great review, a steal for under $30k

[@malcolmgay2206]

Are you aware the cd skip is due to the cd player not having a spooling memory buffer. See an audio shop they will fix it😉

[@lmd742]

I love Porsche!

[@rantANDrave1987]

I have a 05 997 cabriolet. Any issues with IMS or did that get replaced in yours before you bought it?

[@tybis4u]

Cincinnati guy! Nice, I'm originally from Nky/Cincinnati. Great video

[@EatSleepDrive]

Yessir! Glad you enjoyed!

[@wschomburg303]

You know how to fix these quirks. Go find some twisty backroads and have at it! Love my 997.2

[@dontblockmebro2082]

Try finding an auto headlight switch and popping it in. My 06 Cayenne had a non auto switch, bought an auto switch and now I have auto headlights.

[@mkghostface]

Dream car!

[@robertking7584]

I'm confused. My 2001 Boxster S automatically turns the headlights on/off when the engine starts if the light switch is in the on position... Your 911 doesn't do that?

[@TheMichaelV]

you leave your headlight switch in the on position? That kills the battery. The running lights stay on even when you pull the key out and lock the car if the headlight is in the on position. I have a 1999 base boxster.

[@rodneyjohnston2217]

Everything is optional on a porsche. Somebody didn't check auto lights on option sheet. 2nd the "pendulum effect is no longer" in modern 911. Been gone forever. Any rear engine car would tend to oversteer. Actually as you learn it's characteristics you can use slinging that weight out back and get thru a corner faster than pretty much anything hence why 911 s have won more races than any other car. Still not completely fond of water cooked ultra complex modern porsches but that is still one badass car.

[@shawnjackson9240]

Great car my man...ive loved the look and sound of those cars forever...but i still haven't driven one...i currently have a Challenger SRT 392...I'M serious considering trading it in for a 911.

[@gdfggggg]

Doug, the type of guy you think about when you’re watching other people’s car reviews...

[@baileyreport.]

The guy does know the correct pronunciation for Porsche. That's a good beginning.

[@GLvDOS]

Dude Walkmans were the bomb back in the day. They were meant for people to be active and listen to music. Not a fair comparison in terms of functionality.

[@tkong888]

Did you ever do upgrades to your LC100?

[@richardcraycroft931]

spray some silicon spray on the spoiler lift arms and that noise will go away!

[@darylcjackson]

HVAC? Automatic lights? Too much noise when the spoiler goes up? I think you miss the whole point of a Porsche. But I'm glad you like it and glad you are enthusiastic about owning it.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

PASM is stability control that button you pressed is Sport Mode. Stiffins shocks. Sport Mode faster on Autocross. But I do run with PASM on on Autocross. But yes, I agree, Sport Mode stiffens up too much for street driving. It certainly can be a widow maker with PASM turned off. PASM just makes a bad idea rear engine trans, and makes it livable. But yes, with PASM Car is very stable easy to drive with confidence.

[@speedcanada1]

Actually, stability control is "PSM" or Porsche Stability Management. PASM is Porsche Active Suspension Management, which means that the dampers are continuously adjusting to road and driving conditions. Putting the PASM into Sport Mode will push the dampers on to a stiffer map - still variable, but within a firmer range. On my 997.2 (an updated and improved PASM) I will usually leave the car in comfort mode but will put it into sport for spirited driving by using the "Sport" button (part of the PDK/SC+ package) which changes the throttle mapping, transmission shifting, puts the suspension into "sport" mode, and sets a higher threshold for the PSM allowing some slip before intervening. "Sport Plus" also puts the suspension into sport mode, but makes the transmission mapping much more aggressive, and sets an even higher threshold for the PSM.

[@jambrand3708]

When the spoiler deployed. 😆

[@kawrx2002]

You can make any car that has rear drive wheels (including awd) snap around by lifting the throttle at the right point. Might be harder with a haldex center diff. but the argument is overblown.

[@ryanaboud3924]

PASM is always active, but when you push the button, it activates a “sport” setting.

[@wilkiedriver]

Thank you for sharing. I have to say while it's kind of strange that a 2006 911 doesn't have auto headlights, the 2000 Avalon makes sense because it's for old people. It's a fine car don't get me wrong!

[@ralphfeldes9052]

Porsche makes everything optional including the headlight package! You also need to lube the wing!

[@flash1034]

Porsche doesn’t give a crap about music in the car. If Porsche had its way...no audio would be offered. You’re supposed to enjoy the cars sound and the drive....not some crappy music.

[@methafuture]

Bill Beverly shut up numb nuts. Music was around before porsche pull your porchse logo panties out of ur ass

[@jc32750]

Use your phone to stream your music or replace the radio. I put a Kenwood in my old 986.

[@NoHassle911]

The Black Keys CD!

[@EatSleepDrive]

Good eye!

[@gsthree9534]

Good taste!