First Drive: Porsche 911

23/09/2008 11:49. PRAISE-WORTHY: The Porsche 911 really does live up to its hype.

Sometimes when a car's reputation precedes it, you can be disappointed when you get behind the wheel.

It's a bit like when a friend recommends a "hilarious" new movie and it barely provokes a giggle when you finally watch it.

That was the biggest fear at the local launch of the new Porsche 911 in Tasmania.

So much praise has been heaped on the car - and in particular its new PDK double-clutch automated manual transmission - you begin to wonder if it can be that good.

The doubt begins to fade at the first inner-city gear change and by the time you find a stretch of open country road, it has disappeared almost entirely.

The changes are as precise and lightning-fast at high speeds as they are relaxed and comfortable... // Waikato Times