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What is this discussion about? Porsche 911, Porsche Carrera GT, Coupe, Convertible

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#1 of 2048 997 Porsche by pathdoc Oct 02, 2004 (11:57 am)
Last night I attended my local Porsche dealer's presentation of the new 997's. The dealer invited the local PCA club as well as other potential buyers. While I am impressed with the new models(Carerra and Carrera S) I am concerned that there is NO spare tire. There is only a pump and can of "flat fixer". The sales pitch is that a survey of owners in LA yielded only 4% that had used their spares. The tires are NOT run flats meaning that most likely you will have to be flatbeded in for replacement. If you happen to be in a deserted area with no cell phone serice this could be a major issue. Anyone else concerned?
#2 of 2048 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 03, 2004 (8:51 am)
I wouldn't be. My Porsche has one of those silly mini-spares that is stored deflated---and they give you a little pump for it---isn't that nice?   The scenario you mention is very unlikely. Look at it in terms of risk management.   If indeed 4% of all 997 drivers will need a spare someday, how many of those will find the fix-it aerosol successful? Probably 95% will find that the hole in their tire is small enough to respond to the gummy stuff.   So that leave 5% of the original 4%. Of THAT number, how many will find themselves on a road with no cell phone service and no one passing by to help them? Probably 1% of that 5% of the 4% of all 997 drivers.   Given the likely sales of 997s, you'd have to be pretty unlucky to get stranded by this system. Surely there are more plausible risks that can be addressed. Yes you could hit a deer or have your car catch fire, etc. etc., but few people worry about this, and the possibility of having a grevious tire failure that can't be pumped up and this happening on an isolated road are even more remote than deer collisions and engine fires I think.   Your 997 has to be flatbedded for just about ANY problem that stops the car, so that's not unusual.
#3 of 2048 by kirstie_h HOST Oct 04, 2004 (3:51 pm)
If it's a HUGE concern, couldn't you add a service like OnStar? May not be feasible, but just a thought.   kirstie_h Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host Replies to this message: porschedaddy (Oct 06, 2004 5:16 am)
#4 of 2048 Re: [kirstie_h] by porschedaddy Oct 06, 2004 (5:16 am)
Replying to: kirstie_h (Oct 04, 2004 3:51 pm) Porsche as introduced OffStar .... a service comparable to GM's ................
#5 of 2048 Porsch Spare by pathdoc Oct 06, 2004 (9:13 am)
I'm sorry but If you really use the car for touring it is unacceptable not to have a spare. If I am in a remote are between Palm Springs and Las Vegas(or up North on CA1) the cell doesn't work I would not want to depend on "someone passing by".In a recent "Automobile" article reviewing the 997 they had the same problem. They had a flat on their trip through Europe and were delayed while they waited for roadside assistance. It went something like "I opened the trunk and had a sinking feeling when I saw that there was no spare". There are too mant competitors in the market to stretch practicallity to this extent for the "Porsche experience". Corvette and BMW have run flats as well as Lexus and I believe Aston Martin. Replies to this message: porschetarga4s (Oct 10, 2006 11:44 am)
#6 of 2048 Have you driven on runflats? by kyfdx HOST Oct 06, 2004 (9:26 am)
I'm not saying Porsche shouldn't have a spare.. but, I wouldn't want the solution to be runflats.. They leave a lot to be desired. They can ruin the ride of a decent car.
#7 of 2048 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 06, 2004 (9:37 am)
High speed touring in a powerful sports coupe has all kinds of risks associated with it, the least of which is a flat tire I think. You know, it happens, deal with it. You can't expect a car company to cover all your bases in every contigency. All vehicles make design compromises of one sort or another. Run flats is also a compromise that is no less distasteful than no spare, either in terms of ride or expense. Ask a Lexus SC430 owner, who is the very antithesis of a Porsche owner anyway. Replies to this message: mbrady1 (Aug 01, 2005 4:28 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Aug 02, 2005 6:09 am) mbrady1 (Aug 02, 2005 12:36 pm) and 1 more...
#8 of 2048 Porsche Spare by pathdoc Oct 06, 2004 (9:40 am)
I currently have a Jag XKR which has a standard spare. Since I have a couple of older Porsches I was thinking of a new 997 to replace the Jag next year. Since I do take the car on extended trips I really want a spare. I am now going to check out the SL500. Although I haven't driven a car with run flats I find it hard to believe that the Corvette and 645i BMW give up much in handling/ride . Replies to this message: kyfdx (Oct 06, 2004 10:24 am)
#9 of 2048 Re: Porsche Spare [pathdoc] by kyfdx HOST Oct 06, 2004 (10:24 am)
Replying to: pathdoc (Oct 06, 2004 9:40 am) Believe it.. runflats suck! I'm surprised that Porsche (and Lexus, BMW, etc) don't offer the option of the little doughnut tire.. There is plenty of room for it, in almost any car.. Just for emergency purposes..   Not having a spare won't keep me from buying a car, but until runflats get a lot better, I'll avoid any car that has them (which is getting harder to do).   regards, kyfdx
#10 of 2048 Porsche spare by pathdoc Oct 06, 2004 (11:31 am)
A doughnut tire I could accept. It is interesting that my older Porsches (70 914-6& 78 911 SC targa both have full sized tires. Progress? Replies to this message: porschetarga4s (Oct 10, 2006 11:49 am) kyfdx (Oct 10, 2006 11:51 am)

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