Seats and interior
Lovely. Everyone I have
spoken to about my specification has been astounded that I didn't specify leather.
Admittedly these people have been salesmen, or posers and I guess that a lot of people
with specify leather because they like other people to see that they can afford it (and it
is very expensive), or they are nervous that "cloth" sounds like the car
will look awful. Rest assured, the "cloth" looks great. The seats only have a
small amount of cloth in the centre (and of course you can't see it when you're in there),
the rest is leatherette, and the dash and doors look exactly the same as the leather, but
without the dodgy stitching. The black interior doesn't look too dark, possible because
there is is in fact a collection of dark charcoal shades and you are diverted by the
curves everywhere. These two photos make the finish look shinier than it really is,
the overall effect is actually a collection of mattes. The overall finish shames the 968
and makes the 911 look pretty poor and old-fashioned as well (with it's terrible switch
location). Everyone who's seen it has commented on how cool the interior looks. My only
comment would be that the pattern on the passenger airbag cover is slightly different to
the rest, but now we're getting down to pathetically tiny detail.
The instrument cluster is great. The needles are beautifully sculpted and stable in
operation, and the fuel gauge seems strangely linear! The numbers only are lit (there is
no green or orange glow), and that looks great. My only complaint is that the mph analogue
speedo is calibrated so strangely that you can't glance and read the speed. In 1400 miles
I haven't yet been able to use this gauge while driving along. Good job the central
digital job is so good. Shame there's no oil pressure gauge, but I guess I should stop
worrying about that kind of thing…
The seats are very comfortable, once in the right position. The backs are narrow, but
really supportive. You are less upright than in a 911, but less "on the floor"
than in the Club Sport. I messed around for ages trying to get it right and finally fell
on the solution of pulling the steering wheel fully out, thus freeing up the interference
with my knees. Also, you have to get the seat nice and low. It feels right at first with
it high, but then the centre console gets in the way and the instruments are pointing at
your chest. Now I'm in position, it's better than the 968, just. I got back into a 993 for
500 miles and the seating felt awful!
After 24,000 miles, however, the base of the seat had sunk down a little, causing a bar
in the seat back to press on you near the small of your back. A new seat base is coming
under warranty...
The seat in the
996 was just great. The basic position was the same as the Boxster, but the additional
adjustments let me get that much more comfortable than I am in my car. Wonderful! Other
than the engine, this was the only real beneficial difference between the two cars (for
me).
Lovely. Everyone I have
spoken to about my specification has been astounded that I didn't specify leather.
Admittedly these people have been salesmen, or posers and I guess that a lot of people
with specify leather because they like other people to see that they can afford it (and it
is very expensive), or they are nervous that "cloth" sounds like the car
will look awful. Rest assured, the "cloth" looks great. The seats only have a
small amount of cloth in the centre (and of course you can't see it when you're in there),
the rest is leatherette, and the dash and doors look exactly the same as the leather, but
without the dodgy stitching. The black interior doesn't look too dark, possible because
there is is in fact a collection of dark charcoal shades and you are diverted by the
curves everywhere. These two photos make the finish look shinier than it really is,
the overall effect is actually a collection of mattes. The overall finish shames the 968
and makes the 911 look pretty poor and old-fashioned as well (with it's terrible switch
location). Everyone who's seen it has commented on how cool the interior looks. My only
comment would be that the pattern on the passenger airbag cover is slightly different to
the rest, but now we're getting down to pathetically tiny detail.