Kyle Fortune Warwickshire, UK

Model 993 Carrera 2 Year 1994 Acquired December 2014

As a motoring journalist I spend a fair amount of time driving around in cars that aren’t mine. I’m always hugely grateful to the people who trust me enough to drive what’s very often their pride and joy. Indeed, cars like Max’s 997 Carrera and Louis’ Carrera 4S from the previous issue. Without people like them, dealers and, of course, Porsche itself, producing this magazine would be pretty tricky. Actually, it’d be impossible.

Occasionally it’s me lending out a car, which was the case this month when a friend, Colin Goodwin, called asking if he could use my Carrera for a feature in Autocar magazine. I was only too happy to help, as I know how difficult it can be to source cars, and it’d make for an interesting day in the company of some colleagues and friends in some cars the same age as the Carrera. Specifically mid-1990s cars, the 993 joining a Ferrari F355, 968 Clubsport and TVR Griffith among some others, the premise of the article being that the 1990s was ‘peak car’.

I’ll admit that it’s a line I’m partial to; don’t get me wrong, the modern cars I drive on a regular basis are all good, but it’s perhaps just a bit too good at times. Not least because of technological creep, even fairly ordinary cars these days come loaded with tech, most of which I could do without. Whenever I jump in the 993 I find it refreshingly free of buttons, buzzers, flashing lights and suchlike, its simplicity being part of its appeal.

There’s some safety kit, but it amounts to ABS and a couple of air bags. There are no sports buttons, ESP stability or traction control, switchable drive modes or active safety aids like lane-keeping assist or collision avoidance. It’s all the better for it, being devoid of distractions and the interference such modern systems bring to the mix. Add the fact that the circa 300hp is quick enough, it’s a manual so it’s engaging and, thanks to the recent Classic Nav fitment, it’s got a degree of modernity in relation to connectivity and route-planning that’s useful, rather than dominating and distracting.

That it was so well received by the younger roadtesters on Autocar’s staff when they tried it only underlines Goodwin’s, and, indeed, my, assertion that the 1990s were a high point in cars, at least if you’re an enthusiast.

And given you’re reading this I’m guessing it’s safe to presume you are. The drive to and from the photo location was hugely enjoyable. Seeing the fun others had driving it was enjoyable too, though I did spot that one of the taillight bulbs has gone – one benefit of letting someone else drive the 993 for a change. That’ll need sorting as it’s MOT time soon.