Traction Inc. - Cars, Racing and Auto Commentary

"The worst cars are the best cars because they get in the way of life in interesting ways instead of boring ways. I’ll go down that dirt road, and maybe I high-center it on a tree stump, but I bet I get it out with a borrowed tow strap and a couple of new friends."

"I used to call these cars sh**boxes, but now I call them adventureboxes, as in, 'You remember that rattling noise coming from underneath my car? Yea, well that turned out to be… an adventure.'"

I really enjoyed my time at back the Porsche Experience Center this week. It’s such a privilege to be invited to this lovely facility.

Now that every 991.2 generation 911 is turbocharged, every 911 is an exciting 911. Each model is very nicely appointed inside and seriously rapid. On track, these new 911s hook up and launch out of corners like nothing else I’ve driven.

The latest Boxter and Caymans are also a blast to drive.  Car snobs complain about the sound of the turbo four cylinder in these 718s, but the optional sport exhaust cures that with a crackling snarl. The torque and power of the new motors give these cars much more pace than than before; I don’t even miss the flat six of the previous cars.

The 718 GTS I flogged around the handling circuit had plenty of power for a four cylinder; it was about as quick as a base 911. While it had less grip than a 911, it’s penchant for rotating in the corners made it easier to steer with the throttle and more entertaining to push hard.

Only about a quarter of the Porsches sold this year are sports cars.