THEMODERNWORLD

It's always nice when one's choice is validated. The modern era 911 test in last issue ( 911&PW, Jan 2019) summed up my feelings and experiences of the water-cooled generation of 911s, which is really the only generation I've ever known.

I started with a 996 Carrera 4 as my own business supplied car in the early 2000s and ran it for a couple of years, and loved it. A Boxster followed, which was a bit of a mistake over the 996. It just wasn't as useable or, somehow, special, although I did

9 enjoy getting the roof down in the summer.

Heading towards retirement and my last business run Porsche was a 997 C4S. It didn't quite have the tactile qualities of the 996, but it was a leap forward in terms of build and a great companion for a couple of years, when I never tired of driving it in any conditions.

So, with the business sold and no chance of offsetting my Porsche costs and mileage, I've been out of the Porsche game, until eight months or so ago when I realised that life was too short and I needed another Porsche in my life, but not a classic, because I enjoy my comforts too much and I'm not a masochist. So the choice was 996, 997 or 991.

I was tempted by a 996 from a value point of view, but finding a good one is just so difficult, and I don't need a project. That said, I loved the whole look and ethos of Henry Powell's incredibly early car and I admire his desire to keep it just so. On the assumption that newest must be best, I inevitably tried a 991, even though I couldn't really afford one, but knowing that if it proved to be utterly beguiling then I would probably find a way. It wasn't even a close run thing. Too big, too sanitised, too much the GT car, a 911, but in name only.

So, of course, that left the 997 and you're so right, it is the “sweet spot” of the modern 911 age and with a better selection/range of cars to choose from. Having already had a C4S, I went purist and basic, with a manual Carrera 2. I would love to have held out for red or even yellow, but I wanted it before I got too old to drive, so grey it is. Matches the colour of my hair I suppose.

Just the right size, just the right amount of power and just the right amount of technology. Perfect. Barry Parker, via email