Chuffin' heck. It's not a car, it's a banana. I'm starting to side with Goji on the "hideous" front - this thing is the Max Power Porsche - sodding great handle on the back and a stupid chin spoiler thing.

The gearbox is all crunchy, the clutch is vague, the steering is far too heavy and the turning circle is enormous. And the GPS thing is in the middle, miles away from your normal line of sight. You can't reach the seat controls when you're sat in it unless you open the door. And it bumps over everything. I'm not convinced it has suspension at all.

On the upside the seats are quite comfy and the visibility out is surprisingly good. Also it goes around corners jolly nicely. Boy next door looked quite envious too, though I'm somewhat concerned that I'll look like a total and utter ****** driving the thing to work.

When can I come round for a spin?

Early tomorrow morning?

It's a bit plasticcy.

Gearbox is meant to be all clunky, my boxster was the same. The reason is it gives more feel as to whats going on, you soon get used to it. My 3 series BM was the same.

Large turning circle is because of the very fat tyres, you can only turn the wheels so far before the inner wings are a problem.

Dont forget to take it easy with the icy weather overnight, the rear end is very twitchy.

The gearbox is meant to feel like it's full of gravel? Baffling.

The gearbox is meant to feel like it's full of gravel? Baffling.

Indeed, but if you drove it for a week or two, you will soon see how much better than the VW gearbox it is. The box is quiet smooth, if you use all the revs and full throttle right up to 7K RPM, but I wouldnt recomend it at this time of year. Try being gentle with it, you will be surprised.

I suppose there has to be something to it!

Agree with everything Mannyo said,all the Porsches i've used have been the same,give it a couple of weeks and you will be used to it and then going back to another gearbox and you'll be able to feel how positive the movement is.

Enjoy though,just don't be driving like a holigan in these conditions,as great a handling car as it is it will still bite you,HARD!!!!

Couple of weeks might get me in trouble - it's only meant to be a 24 hour test drive!

The gearbox is meant to feel like it's full of gravel? Baffling.

You think thats bad? Try a 350Z

From what I've readit would seem that you dont actually like the thing? Surely not?

Did you have to sign your life away or leave credit card details?

Nah, they were very nice about it. It's fully insured, £1000 excess, and they said not to worry about stone chips or grounding the chin spoiler because they're removing it and respraying in a couple of weeks.

I think I've warmed to it a bit. The seats really are very, very comfy, it's dead easy to drive (though the gearshift still feels odd to me) and the interior is jolly nice indeed - a confusing number of dials and such, but fairly clear once you work out the important ones.

Unfortunately there's about an inch and a half of snow today. I was driving like a granny, and it still went wiggly taking Lady Bertie McHobnobs to work. Very scary. I think I'm going to take it back and see if I can rearrange for another day, seeing as I'm stuck at home now.

Actually, without the body kit, the 19" wheels and the wing on the back I think it might be quite nice. Two neighbours have asked if I've won the lottery, and the boy at the end of the road drove past slack-jawed and gawping.

I think its pretty fair to request another day - afterall if you were actually looking to buy one they'd be pretty dumb to expect you to evaluate the car in the snow.

The man was very nice - I'm taking it back in an hour or so and we'll book another day then. I imagine with practice it's probably perfectly safe in the snow, but even being as careful as I could it felt awfully wiggly.

I have to say, I was a bit nervous about turning up in my beloved Fabia, but they were all very friendly and nice.

Just gave it back, so I need to choose another day before the end of February.

Just gave it back, so I need to choose another day before the end of February.

I've heard tell that Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds is available for a mere £50 an hour

Chris

I have to admit that I was getting used to it by the time I returned it - the clutch still feels heavy and I couldn't feel what it was doing, the handbrake is in a slightly awkward position, but the accelerator and brakes are great - very progressive and easy to handle. The gearshift felt better too, but still a bit stiff and crunchy.

The Fabia felt like a Unimog when I got into it - about 10 feet off the ground. But having heated seats again was ace - I noticed the chap who brought it out of the compound for me had the driver side one on 5!

Most cars of that ilk have an "on/off" clutch.

I s'pose that makes for faster changes. Wasn't too bad once I got used to it, though reversing into the drive was a 'mare - I stalled twice. Ahem.

Just found out that there are no more slots - the 24-hour test programme ends at the end of Feb. They're seeing if I can have one after that though - Porsche seem jolly accomodating.

And a quick picture. Lady Bertie McHobnobs can be seen shivering in the background.

That looks awesome!

Yeah that is a gorgeous car ... I wonder how one gets on a Porsche mailing list :rubchin:

Chris

If I knew I'd tell you!

Yeah that is a gorgeous car ... I wonder how one gets on a Porsche mailing list :rubchin:

Chris

He's probably a distant relative of Ferdinand Sporche?

I love Unimogs Sporky, have you ever driven one?

Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Nice colour too