I drove my Porsche 968 across the country for Monterey Car Week
Posted by Aldairion@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 101 comments
At the beginning of August, two friends and myself each drove our cars from Atlanta, GA to Monterey, CA for car week. We only planned and finalized everything about a month before we departed, and it is possibly the most ambitious thing we've ever done. Three weeks on the road, two of us in 30+ year old German luxury cars, and one of us in a car he'd barely spent a week in.
We saw some of this country's most beautiful sights, drove some of its absolute best roads, and got to play a small part in one of the greatest automotive celebrations in the world.
Below is an album of some photos from our journey out West, as well as many of my thoughts from along the way.
https://imgur.com/a/maeve-takes-america-CNK6aQ5
verdegrrl@reddit
What an eloquent tale. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you for reading!
verdegrrl@reddit
I think we spotted your car in Carmel.
https://imgur.com/a/NyBQJLv
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
There she is! Do you remember what day this was?
verdegrrl@reddit
Pretty sure it was Friday - 15th.
Kitchen-Lab9028@reddit
Would you mind sharing your route? It looks beautiful and would love to maybe one day do the same.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I'll send you some Google Maps links in a message!
Das-Wauto@reddit
Rad. Very rad. Road tripping sports cars is a great way to build a bond with a car. I drove my BRZ across Canada last year and hope to add many more trips like this to the resume.
My next target is St. John’s, Newfoundland but I’d consider a US trip after that. I’ve been to California so I’m thinking Utah and Colorado would a good destination and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb the perfect justification for it.
gimpwiz@reddit
If you go for a US road trip, post here for suggestions. I've done many cross-country and other 2000, 3000+ mile trips, always happy to suggest amazing places.
Where are you based out of? Toronto?
Das-Wauto@reddit
Southern Ontario, about 1.5 hours from Toronto but that’s close enough for the purposes of this discussion.
Went to Montreal for the holiday weekend so the car has seen even more of the country now, having started life on Vancouver Island. :)
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Utah & Colorado will treat you to some of the best roads you'll ever drive on, especially if you're in a BRZ. I've driven up some of the North Georgia mountain passes and Colorado/Utah aren't nearly as tight and technical, but that's nice because you can still have fun driving while having a little more brain space to enjoy the lovely scenery.
humdizzle@reddit
thats awesome. i live in the midwest but taking my gt3 to California sounds like misery. we took the x3 to monterey and it was a breeze. way easier than i thought thanks to lane keep.
gimpwiz@reddit
I would do it any day, it'll be fine.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I believe in you! All you need is some earplugs and maybe some extra seat cushions if you have buckets!
Rihsatra@reddit
This post isn't helping me not want to look for a 968 some more.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I won't talk you out of it.
Rihsatra@reddit
Probably by the time I could make that work again they'll all be way out of my range for something running. I wish I could have found the S2 wing for my 951 when I had it. Loved that look on the 968 instead of the awful large rubber thing the earlier cars were stuck with.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
One of my friends has a 951 with the spoiler, door handles, and mirrors from a 968. They certainly do a lot for the look.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I won't talk you out of it.
Ecsta@reddit
I'm impressed your back could handle it. More than 2 hours in my dads 997 and I need a massager after...
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I'm as impressed as you are to be honest. These seats really did their job, and as low as the car sits, it's still easy to find a decent, upright driving position.
r_golan_trevize@reddit
Most comfortable sports car I’ve ever driven has been the 924/944/968. Ergonomics are perfect.
I don’t know if I could do a cross country roadtrip in a 2+2 anymore though (I do know and the answer is “no”, my knees are reminding me) but these are right at the top of my favorite cars of all time so I’ll live vicariously through you instead!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I can't say enough about how well the car did, regarding both reliability and comfort. The ride got a little jittery on some rougher roads in the country, but the seats did their thing.
Ecsta@reddit
That's great! Super impressive journey.
Puzzleheaded-Fly3819@reddit
Beautiful car mate
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thanks a million! I've fallen in love with it all over again.
to_the_victors_91@reddit
I’m not too familiar with Porsche models, but how does the 968 stack up with later 944s?
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
The 968 is a successor to the 944. They share a platform, but there are a lot of updates under the skin that make the 968 more modern and a little easier to live with. Its closest cousin is the 944 S2, which features the same 3.0L 16v Inline-4, although the 968 has a variable valve timing system called VarioCam.
Porsche only built the 968 from 1992 - 1995, and they built over 10x as many 944s as they did 968s. This was a financially tumultuous time for the company, same period that they were loaning out their production line to Audi for the RS2 and Mercedes-Benz for the 500E.
If you can believe it, only one model year separates the end of the 968 and the beginning of the Boxster. They look like they're from entirely different decades.
to_the_victors_91@reddit
Thanks for the response!
How much for a decent 968 on the used market? I mainly stick to 90s MBs, but have always liked the 944s and by extension the 968s.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
The market is kind of all over the place, but the bigger challenge is finding one. The ones that come up for sale are often split between 200k+ mile projects or Concours-worthy single family heirlooms with very little in between.
Coupes generally tend to fetch more than Cabriolets, and there's about a 50/50 split on how many of each were sold in the U.S. You can get into a great one for the mid to upper $20k range. Solid drivers that need a bit of TLC are in the teens.
Plan a timing belt service, or at least ensure you have documentation of the last service. These cars are reliable, but the intervals are weird. Porsche will recommend a timing belt every 60k or 5 years, but owners have always advised me to stay closer to 30k-40k or 5 years just in case.
Otherwise, I can't say enough good things about this oft-forgotten Porsche, though I may be a bit biased.
Blu64@reddit
I picked up this beautiful 968 last month in Sedona, az. It's a garage queen that has spent her last 14 years with someone who really loved her. but she hadn't had a belt change in 22 years. I just finished up a full belt/water pump change along with a bunch of other stuff. waiting for a new alternator then I can finally cruise her around town! I love this little car.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Congratulations! They're certainly a delight to drive aren't they?
Blu64@reddit
yes, I took it on a few midnight drives up here in flagstaff before I tore it down. Top down stars out, I just kept thinking "I can't believe this is my car."
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Over four years later, I still have that feeling with mine. I fell in love with it all over again after this trip.
Blu64@reddit
I can't wait to take a road trip in it. I'm really looking forward to being done with this round of repairs so I can just drive it for a little while.
Onlylikesblades@reddit
The post deserves every upvote it gets, and probably more. It’s such a convincing story to inspire someone else to make the journey someday.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your kind words! I'm so grateful that we were able to pull this off, and I'm even more proud of how well my car handled it.
shd0w2@reddit
After reading this post, it seems I underappreciate Colorado for what it is. Reminds me not to take things for granted. Thank you
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
My friends and I had a conversation about whether folks who live in Colorado ever get used to the scenery, or if it's just as spectacular every single time they get to see it.
We were in the southwestern part near Ouray & Silverton, well away from most of the bigger cities. I've hung out in Denver before, but this time we got to explore the stuff we've only seen in photos.
Seedfusion@reddit
Lived in Colorado since 1991. Still in awe of this vast and beautiful state. Still pull over on the road to watch sunsets and rainbows. I've put over 250K miles on my Xterra, most of it spent exploring the endless dirt backroads for camping and fishing. In SW Colorado, the Xterra has been over Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass and Engineer Pass.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I'd definitely be putting hundreds of extra miles on my car going for random drives if I lived out there.
Nero_Wolff@reddit
Well there is that Swiss collector who shipped his 1936 Bugatti Type 57 to Rhode Island and drove it to monterey for car week over 11 days. Was wild seeing that on the highway with normal traffic
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
We saw them driving around in Monterey! Caught them absolutely sending down Big Sur one morning. Definitely one of many highlights during our trip.
SectorZed@reddit
The Las Vegas pics were epic. That lighting was excellent.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Had to break out my tripod for those.
tiagojpg@reddit
Your pictures of the 968 in Vegas are absolutely breathtaking. Warm, beautiful tones and amazing atmosphere.
Please post your analog pics somewhere on Reddit so we can get to see them!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you! It will be a couple of weeks before I get my film shots back, but perhaps I'll make another post with those.
TimePanda9@reddit
Love it! These cars are meant to be driven. Love a road trip in mine. I was just about to hit the road tomorrow morning but my window regulator decided to die with the window down today.
Fabulous-Celery4141@reddit
Incredible adventure.
TRAVERSETY@reddit
So well said! Thanks for the awesome write up. Has me itching to get out on the road myself!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Enjoy the drive! Thank you for reading.
vissor4@reddit
Good write up but if you're going to Vegas again on a trip, I implore you to avoid the strip and see the rest of the city. There is so much to do and lot of natural beauty that doesn't involve the strip. You could have driven through Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, or up to Mt Charleston and Lee Canyon. I have a feeling all of those places would have left you feeling differently about the city. Not to mention the countless restaurants, large china town, and arts district to see. Please don't judge the city purely off the strip because that's the only thing you're familiar with.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I hope I didn't come off as too derisive of Las Vegas. I do wish we had done a little more exploring, but we were giving ourselves a little time off our feet after three days of hiking and mountain runs.
I still loved the opportunity to visit Vegas again as an adult. I caught up with one of my closest friends who lives out there now, and I had a good time finding photo spots around the old strip.
GlendaleFemboi@reddit
Thank you for sharing, based porsche driver. Reminds me of the legendary motorcycle trip to Alaska that was one of the top posts in the old days of reddit.
Legend13CNS@reddit
Awesome post, great read and nice photos! I know you said the car performed well, but was there anything you'd do differently or wish you'd brought along? I've done quite a few long drives but they've always been pure interstates for getting somewhere as fast as possible, and not in a fun car.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your kind words!
It's hard to think of what we'd do differently, as I'm still riding the high off of this trip. I think we could have planned our route back a little more. Whereas the route up was planned a month in advance, all stops marked and all hotels booked, the route back was pure improv. Wake up, find the nearest big city within 8 - 10 hours, hit the road, grab lunch and look for hotels for the night, rinse & repeat. With some better planning, we could have probably explored more national parks like Black Canyon, or driven up Pikes Peak. I did get to visit a lot of old friends on the way back though, so that was cool.
Biggest thing for my car though? I wish I'd done some UV protection tint on the windows. The 968 has a LOT of glass, and while the A/C works, it can't battle southwest summer heat in a rolling greenhouse. I did build some blackout shades for all the windows for when I had it parked in Utah or Nevada where it was well over 100°, and they worked very well. Not much help when I'm on the road though.
Ear plugs were also a game changer. Started using them about halfway through the trip and they made the drive far more comfortable. Constant road noise and tire roar can really wear you out.
Legend13CNS@reddit
Makes sense for the drive back. I like spontaneity like that, but it can lead to missed opportunities.
That's a really good idea I wouldn't have thought about. I'd love to do a drive like that with my Skyline but it's a bit of a fish bowl.
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mastahkilla90@reddit
What an awesome experience! Thank you for sharing. I can relate to it being therapeutic.
JeerzQD@reddit
Fucking badass man. Looks like it was an amazing trip in some awesome cars.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thanks! My friend with the E550 kind of lamented not having something older and more interesting, at least until he discovered it has massaging seats. I love how each of our cars represented a different approach to taking a road trip.
Fish_bob@reddit
Awesome journey and post. Sending love from New Mexico!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you! My car feasted on a LOT of grasshoppers in New Mexico 🥲
rajwade695@reddit
Awesome Writeup, reminds me of the Old Magazine articles I used to read when I was in school.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thanks a million, that means a lot. I've got a big collection of magazines dating back to the early 2000s, and those certainly played a role in how I absorbed this journey, as well as countless episodes of Top Gear/The Grand Tour, and more video games than I can name.
therealDL2@reddit
You should be an automotive journalist. The pictures and the narratives were great
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you, that really means a lot. That's the dream, and this was basically our own episode of The Grand Tour.
Hardac_@reddit
Fantastic, I hope to be able to replicate this someday. Thanks for sharing such an awesome trip.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Absolutely! If you can include Million Dollar Hwy and Scenic Byway 12 in Utah on your route, you'll be treated to the best roads this country has. I can't say enough about that part of the journey.
Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit
There is a Renault Scénic in Utah?
r/foreignmarketcars
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
We saw quite a few foreign market RVs and vans. Even ran into a couple from France on their way to Burning Man.
tarasboulba7744@reddit
Amazing (the trip in general, but the photos and write-up too). So good seeing these cars used. I did something slightly similar with my Dad when I was in college -- took his red-on-black 968 to Big Bend NP for some backpacking. They're such great cars that are so often forgotten. Those deserted highways can feel pretty Vanishing Point in the right car.
Also nearly got stranded in West Texas with a clogged fuel filter in my 912 when driving SF->NOLA, but that's some anxiety I'd rather forget.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
It's amazing what these cars are capable of, and I learned of one other 968 owner from a FB group who has also driven his cross country more than once. I'm so impressed by how well it took to every environment I put it through.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
Glad you got to see LA. I’ve been spoiled having been born here because I just assumed everywhere was like this. Our car culture runs seriously deep and makes driving enjoyable, even if you’re stuck on the 101 or the 10 going to work. This was an awesome post. Super glad you love your car. May it bring many more years of smiles and miles.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
We managed to avoid the worst of LA's traffic as we spent most of our time in West LA. Petersen Auto Museum and Rodeo Dr. were about as close as we got to the city.
I loved the atmosphere, and I can't get over the sheer number of interesting cars I saw in regular traffic. I actually saw an Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake just driving round late one morning. Not to mention how many well-maintained older, forgotten, "ordinary" cars I saw. I left out the part about seeing Jay Leno leaving a Whole Foods in Malibu in his Mustang GT-D.
Also, is blowing kisses an LA thing? It happened to my car more than a few times, usually right after someone took a photo. Not gonna lie, it felt pretty special.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
It depends on the car you’re driving but I’ve gotten everything from waves, blown kisses, tons of hang looses, and some other stuff. Glad you had a good time in our traffic.
Joke: you know why they call it the 405? Bc the whole time you’re on it, you’re only going 4 or 5 miles per hour.
Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit
The best Porsche is the Opel Zafira.
HamlnHand@reddit
Amazing pictures and writing, thanks for sharing. Now I want a 968 even more
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I'd sell you mine, but the price just went up after this trip!
HamlnHand@reddit
Haha and I'm even in Atlanta also!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Nice! You might catch it at a local show or meet.
I've actually seen more than a few 968s around town, including two that look just like mine.
ClearAccess3826@reddit
Outstanding. No garage queens for you guys. Were you able to drive on route 66 at all? Years ago, when stationed in San Diego a group of us would make the trip to Monterey in our Corvette's. Beautiful drive and scenes along the coast highway were simply breathtaking. I hope you guys had a chance to visit San Rafael and the wine country. If you ran into any nerds at the car show they were probably from the Monterey language school or Microsoft. Shout out to those guys LOL!
P.S. On the return trip did you drive the Tail of the Dragon and pick up a bottle of Jack Daniels from the distillery.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
We did a small section of the original Route 66 between Dallas and Santa Fe, making a quick stop at Cadillac Ranch.
The return trip was sort of a rush back home. Three of us parted ways in Denver, the black E420 is still traveling and should be near New York City by now. Perhaps the coolest thing we did on our way back was check out Bonneville Salt Flats. I also stopped in Nashville to check out Lane Motor Museum which was pretty excellent.
Capri280@reddit
Those are some beautiful images
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I brought a couple of disposable cameras along and I can't wait to see how those turned out.
Hntr@reddit
Incredible read through. This makes me want to experience it for myself. There's always a shortage of quality content like this on Reddit, thank you for sharing!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I really appreciate that, and I highly encourage you to do it! Time is honestly the biggest challenge. You'll find a way around all the other stuff.
yamsyamsya@reddit
thanks for posting this, it looked like an awesome journey. sweet 968
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I feel like the 968 gets overlooked and forgotten quite often, but that's a big part of why I love it.
GodLovesUglySong@reddit
I saw your car on Alvarado St.!!!!
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
We must have been grabbing a bite at Turn 12!
Bucky664@reddit
Beautiful pictures and write up. How did you decide which scenic route to take?
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
I planned this trip with two good friends, and we kind of automatically delegated our duties for the trip.
My friend with the black Mercedes-Benz E420 was the one who first floated the idea. He'd had a general idea of stops he wanted to make, including Dallas, TX, Ouray, CO, Las Vegas, NV, and Los Angeles, CA.
The owner of the E550 has done a lot of camping and hiking between Colorado and Utah, so he selected the actual driving roads we'd be taking. I connected the dots in between some of our stops and booked our hotel stays.
The route only started getting scenic once we left Texas. If you look at our map, the first two days are just a straight shot across the Southeast, then through Texas and onto Santa Fe, NM. After that, it was pretty much four straight days of mountain runs and scenic byways.
bigd2jzgte@reddit
I drove my 996 Turbo cab with my Dad from Chicago to California for Car Week in 2022. It was a great journey of self discovery and love for the automobile and open road. Learned a lot about myself and what I want on the trip.
Great photos, great group of friends and a wonderful line up of cars. Hope you guys had a blast
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
That's awesome, and definitely a great car to get across the country in. I never considered how fulfilling this trip would be beyond simply my love for cars.
We had an incredible time, and I'm thankful that I had such great friends to share this journey with. Everything went so smoothly.
carsnbikesnstuff@reddit
Great trip! And you did it right - getting off the interstate and enjoying some scenic and fun driving roads, small towns etc. 🍻
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Best way to do it. Minimal interstates means minimal traffic jams!
We made some great moments and encounters along the way, and I'm kind of regretting not posting more photos in that album; I mostly just focused on our cars.
Absolutely unforgettable trip!
emp_mei_is_bae@reddit
Cool
SkidzLIVE@reddit
Excellent pictures and write-up. I would love to see Monterey again, might just have to be during car week.
Aldairion@reddit (OP)
Monterey Car Week really is something else. I may have spoiled myself by bringing my own car to my very first one.