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Nick Murray Is About To Upset Every GT3 Owner

Nick Murray Is About To Upset Every GT3 Owner

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About this episode

Nick Murray’s Porsche story kicks off with a 2013 991.1 that kept shutting down and restarting over bumps due to a grounding fault, then spiraled into CAN-bus parts, lemon-law timing, and a returned car that was allegedly broken—plus extra “service miles.” The dispute escalates after a viral video, and Porsche ultimately refunds him. Around that, the hosts debate GT3 hype versus usability, why 991.1 naturally aspirated cars are rising, and how manual-focused Carrera T and even a 993 cabriolet/DIY ownership can feel more rewarding than chasing options.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

options

"because you know there's there's over a hundred options on these cars and I was like [237.4s] what does this do?"

“Options” are the extra features you pick when you order a Porsche from the factory. They can change how the car looks and how it works.

Concept

overspend

"which I try and be crap in five years. Yeah I try and cure [280.9s] these days like it's just not necessary to get any option at all so don't don't overspend."

The host is talking about spending too much money on extra features. He thinks people do it because they’re worried they’ll regret not choosing something.

Term

grounding short

"So yeah I'd a little bit overspent on this car with some silly options and just out of the gate [293.1s] it had some problems. The major problem it had was that there was a grounding short [301.2s] somewhere in the dash so when I went over a bump"

A grounding short is an electrical fault where a wire or circuit accidentally connects to ground (the car’s chassis/negative reference) when it shouldn’t. Because the speaker says it was “somewhere in the dash,” the fault likely caused the dash electronics and PCM to lose power when the car hit a bump.

Term

PCM

"the major problem it had was that there was a grounding short [301.2s] somewhere in the dash so when I went over a bump the whole dash including the PCM [308.4s] would just shut down and restart"

PCM is the car’s main computer for the engine and powertrain. In this case, the computer would turn off and reboot when the electrical problem showed up.

Term

grounding fault

"it's a grounding fault like some some wire somewhere is not grounding or or grounding on something a bump like that that's easy to replicate but hard to find"

It means the car’s electrical system isn’t properly “grounded,” like a bad connection to the metal chassis. When that happens, the car’s computers can get confused and act weird.

Term

can bus

"because they had to order a whole lot more parts for the bus the the the can bus that goes around the car that you know you'd press a button"

CAN bus is the car’s communication system—basically the wiring network that lets different computers in the car coordinate. If there’s a problem in that network, lots of features can act up.

Concept

lemon law

"I hadn't even I wasn't even really aware of lemon law stuff at that point ... because they wanted to get me back on the road to reset that timing"

Lemon law is a consumer rule that helps if a new car keeps having major problems. If the issues don’t get fixed after enough attempts, the law can force the company to refund or replace the car.

Part

sunroof seal

"it was not ready like there was water coming through the sunroof because they hadn't put the seal back on the sunroof"

The sunroof seal is the rubber strip that keeps rain from getting inside around the sunroof. If it’s not put back right, water can leak in and cause problems.

Term

transmission locked into one gear

"and there were lights coming on and smoke coming out of the dashboard and the transmission locked into one gear"

If the car locks the transmission into one gear, it’s usually a safety mode. The car limits how it shifts so you can drive to a shop without causing more damage.

Concept

buyback process

"I got contacted by Porsche North America for the buyback process [508.6s] which is pretty straightforward and and they have a uh some sort of calculation they do"

A buyback process is when the company offers to buy your car back. The price is usually calculated using things like how old the car is and how many miles it has, not just how much you personally drove it.

Company

Porsche North America

"I got contacted by Porsche North America for the buyback process [508.6s] which is pretty straightforward"

Porsche North America is Porsche’s regional office for customers in North America. Here, they’re the ones running the process to buy the car back and figuring out the offer.

Term

depreciate it by you know $9,000, $10,000

"she said yeah we're going to you know the car's so and so many weeks old and it's got this many miles on it uh we're gonna depreciate it by you know $9,000, $10,000"

In this context, “depreciate” means reducing the buyback offer based on the car’s loss of value over time and usage. Even if some miles were driven by someone else (like service transport), the formula can still treat those miles as part of the car’s total mileage.

Term

service miles

"I'm like but hang on a minute I've only done like 50 miles in their car and you're saying the car's got a thousand miles on it like I didn't do those miles so should I really be stung for the mileage those are service miles yeah yeah"

“Service miles” are miles the car racks up while it’s at a shop—like being driven to and from service. Even though it wasn’t your driving, those miles can still lower the value in the company’s paperwork.

Car

Ford F150

"just inundated with [845.9s] emails from people going Nick I own a such instance I own a Ford F-150 and the gas gauge [854.2s] always shows you know quarter more gas and so on"

The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup truck. In this story, it’s just an example of another vehicle owner reaching out with a complaint.

Term

Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control

"I put um uh what's it called ppdcc pusher dynamic chassis control what a complete waste of money that is like that was an expensive option ... it's the suspension flattening technology that's standard in the um I think it's only standard in the turbo s"

Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control is a system meant to keep the car from leaning too much in corners. The host’s point is that it costs a lot, and unless you drive extremely aggressively, a 911 can already handle so well that the extra money may not feel worth it.

Car

Porsche 911 Turbo S

"it's the suspension flattening um technology that's standard in the um I think it's only standard in the turbo s and for the most part it is an expensive waste of money"

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is a high-performance variant where Porsche’s chassis tech is more likely to be standard or more prominent. Here it’s used as the comparison point for PDCC, with the speaker claiming the suspension-flattening benefit is most relevant on the Turbo S.

Car

Porsche Cayenne

"...like this is a pop more popular option and say uh Cayenne or you know a heavier top heavy vehicle where it ..."

The Porsche Cayenne is Porsche’s SUV. It’s heavier and sits higher than a typical sports car, so it drives differently—especially in how it turns and feels on the road. It’s often mentioned when people compare what kind of Porsche fits their needs.

Term

active suspension management

"so when you're taking a turn it no it actually puts oil pressure into the opposite so it's actually active and it's suspension management oh okay yeah it's it does it's it's an active system um"

This is a suspension system that can react while you’re driving. Instead of just letting the car lean in a turn, it helps push back to keep the car more level.

Term

DV8 stitching

"and I spent a fortune on DV8 stitching because I had a black interior and what I have subsequently learned"

DV8 stitching is an interior option where you get decorative stitching on parts of the cabin. The host paid a lot for it to make a black interior look more interesting, but says it wasn’t as dramatic as they hoped.

Car

Porsche Carrera T

"...I have subsequently learned like I speaking a new Carrera T I you know you're stuck with a black interior so ..."
Term

two-tone interior

"I needed to get a two-tone interior and that's that's what I did in my next 9-11 and it really you know brightened the interior"

A two-tone interior means the car’s cabin uses two colors instead of just one. Here, they’re saying it helps a black interior look brighter and more visually interesting.

Term

allocation

"if you are speccing a new car right now people listening to this are they got their allocation and they're going to go down to the dealer and and spec something out"

An allocation is basically your turn/slot to buy a limited-availability car. If you have allocation, you can go to the dealer and choose options for the car you’re allowed to order.

Car

Carrera T

"something like that you know I reviewed just yesterday a brand new Carrera T which is a model [1460.7s] that I would personally like to buy myself... [1501.7s] it um and but keep in mind that the Carrera T comes with a lot of options already"

The Porsche 911 Carrera T is a special version of the 911 meant to be more driver-focused. The host is saying it already comes with a lot, and then he explains which add-ons actually change how it feels to drive.

Term

rear wheel steering

"it comes with the sports exhaust it comes with the sport chrono it comes with the rear wheel steering [1512.0s] it comes with a bunch of um shit that you don't need as well"

Rear wheel steering means the back wheels can turn a little too. That helps the car change direction more easily and can make it feel more stable when you’re driving fast or turning.

Term

sports exhaust

"there is nothing there is not a single uh option that I think is a must [1538.9s] have now there are very popular options like sports exhaust is obviously an extremely popular option [1545.8s] and sport chrono also an extremely popular option"

A “sports exhaust” is an upgraded exhaust system. It’s mainly about getting a louder, more exciting sound (and sometimes a slightly different feel when you drive).

Term

sport chrono

"and sport chrono also an extremely popular option and I'd say if you can afford it and it doesn't [1552.5s] bother you definitely get sports exhaust and sport chrono it is almost a standard in most of sports [1560.8s] Porsche sports cars"

Sport Chrono is an option that makes the car feel more “performance oriented.” It usually adds extra driving modes and helps the car respond more sharply when you drive it hard.

Term

resale value

"it doesn't need to be you you can get [1597.2s] such a good feel from the configurator and you personalize it to your own taste yeah and I [1603.1s] recommend people not worry about what the next owner is going to think [1610.6s] ...otherwise it's really going to impact your resale value"

Resale value is how much the car might be worth when you sell it. The host says don’t pick options just because you’re worried about what the next owner will pay—pick what you’ll enjoy driving.

Term

configuring your own Porsche

"but you know [1587.2s] configuring your own Porsche is such a daunting task but it doesn't need to be you you can get [1597.2s] such a good feel from the configurator"

Configuring your own Porsche means picking the options and colors through the online ordering tool. The host says it can be overwhelming, but you can still get a good feel for what you’re building.

Part

carbon bucket seats

"especially if they're buying a GT car and they feel compelled [1639.2s] that they have to get the carbon bucket seats yes they do ...make their freaking nightmare to drive..."

Carbon bucket seats are racing-style seats made to keep you firmly held during aggressive driving. They can feel great on track, but they’re often less comfortable for normal everyday driving.

Term

couch seats

"so happy that they went with the carbon buckets over what they call the couch [1666.9s] seats ..."

“Couch seats” is the speaker’s nickname for the more comfortable, regular seats. They’re basically saying the bucket seats are more hardcore and less comfy.

Term

18 ways

"over what they call the couch [1666.9s] seats or the 18 ways which are just the normal seats for those out there..."

“18 ways” means the seat can be adjusted in lots of different directions. The host is contrasting that comfort/fit flexibility with the more fixed, racing-style bucket seats.

Term

halo effect

"they continue to be the least usable 911 and so they've got this halo [1686.9s] effect you know ah it's the best model blah blah blah..."

The “halo effect” is when something famous or highly praised makes people think it’s the best option for them. The host is saying GT3 hype can override real-world usefulness.

Term

tracking

"because they're you know you know they're really you just don't see well [1762.9s] the few times that I've taken my cars tracking and seen GT3s..."

“Tracking” means taking the car to a race track event. The host is saying that on track days, GT3s sometimes end up being driven more carefully than you’d expect.

Term

wide wheels

"with the potholes and the expansion joints and the gravel all you hear is ping ping ping with the really wide wheels"

Wider wheels usually mean wider tires, which can help the car grip the road. But on rough roads, that setup can also make the ride feel louder or more jarring, which is what the speaker is describing here.

Term

9000 rpm

"yeah it's I'm not going to argue you taking the GT3 engines up to 9000 rpm it is a thrill"

RPM tells you how fast the engine is spinning. The speaker is saying the GT3 can be pushed to very high revs (around 9,000), which is exciting but not always the most comfortable way to drive every day.

Car

Boxster 981 base

"I have a 2005 997.1 base and I have a 2014 Boxster 981 base and I have done a bunch of videos where I think the base is better than the s"

The Porsche Boxster 981 is a specific generation of Porsche’s roadster. “Base” means the standard, less hardcore version, and it’s mentioned to reinforce the idea that everyday usability matters.

Car

Tesla My Model

"... and I'm guilty of that as well always going well my model the one that I got is definitely the best because..."
Concept

diminishing returns

"and you know [1992.7s] each to their own and there's definitely as you go up the range is diminishing returns is what I'd [1999.9s] say in enjoyment"

They mean that moving to a higher trim can cost a lot more, but the extra enjoyment you get might not increase as much as you’d expect. So it’s worth thinking about what you personally value in the car.

Term

locking rear diff

"often the s model has [2042.2s] the the locking rear diff which makes a big difference to the traction and so forth"

A locking rear diff helps the rear wheels work together instead of one wheel spinning faster than the other. That usually means better traction, so the car can accelerate more confidently, especially on slippery roads or when exiting turns.

Car

Cayman

"people buy a base 911 or Cayman or Boxster or whatever and they come to me you know hoping [2072.8s] that they've done the right thing"

The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engine Porsche sports car. Here they’re saying that even the less expensive version can be fun because you have to drive it more to get the best experience.

Car

Model Tesla Plaid

"...e Nick I call it the plaid effect I feel like the Tesla plaid put this up for most of us to see where it was li..."

The Tesla Model S is an electric car in sedan form. It’s known for being very fast and for having advanced technology. People sometimes talk about it because a top performance version can set expectations for what the whole model line is “supposed” to feel like.

Term

GT3

"and I wonder if that kind of fits into what you're saying about the GT3 and taking it to 9000 rpm all the time maybe you do there's a few that do but not everybody but even more specifically"

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a more track-oriented 911. In this conversation, it’s associated with revving the engine high, which can make driving feel more exciting and involving.

Term

manual transmission

"what is currently the slowest model Porsche 911 because officially and if you look at the Porsche website it's the Carrera T right because it's got the base engine with the manual transmission so looking at the numbers it is the slowest"

A manual transmission means you choose the gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a shifter. The host is saying the Carrera T is slower than other 911s partly because it’s set up with a manual gearbox.

Term

naturally aspirated engine models

"they just grossly understate the turbo engine models not the naturally aspirated engine models"

Naturally aspirated means the engine doesn’t use a turbo to force extra air in. The hosts are comparing those engines to turbocharged ones and how the power numbers are presented.

Term

horsepower numbers

"both the both the horsepower numbers and how fast they are like grossly understate them sometimes"

Horsepower is a number that describes how strong the engine is. They’re saying the official horsepower numbers Porsche lists may be lower than the real output.

Term

stage one tune

"with a simple 1500 dollar stage one tune that just releases the hold on the on the turbo so it just allows the turbo to spin up"

A stage one tune is a software update for the engine computer. The idea is to get more power without changing lots of physical parts.

Car

Porsche 911 GT3

"that makes them way more powerful than a GT3 and this is what's going to be very upsetting to a lot of people because it's such a halo car the GT3 but it might actually be the slowest car in the range"

The Porsche 911 GT3 is the Porsche 911 you buy if you want the most track-focused, enthusiast-approved driving experience. In this discussion, they’re basically saying a tuned non-GT3 911 might surprise people—power-wise—and could even change how you think about GT3 being the top of the lineup.

Term

over 600 horsepower

"is totally capable of over 600 horsepower with a couple of very minor modifications but you're starting to get into the into the dangerous zone of stressing parts of the transmission or whatever"

Horsepower is how much power the engine makes. The host is warning that if you push the power too high, you can start putting extra strain on parts like the transmission.

Term

PDK

"I do hold a personal grudge against Porsche for moving so far into PDK only for all their models except for the T or the GT3s"

PDK is Porsche’s type of automatic transmission that shifts very quickly. Instead of you rowing gears with a clutch pedal, the car handles the shifting for you—often with faster results than a normal automatic.

Car

2017 Carrera S

"for years I had my 2017 manual transmission [2652.5s] Carrera S and my buddy down the road had the same exact car but in a PDK and we would swap"

A 2017 Carrera S is a Porsche 911 variant. Here it’s the example car the host uses to compare two ways of shifting: manual versus Porsche’s PDK automatic. The point is how different the driving experience feels between the two.

Term

torque

"it is really and and to be honest I think it's the transmission to get for the the four-liter [2776.4s] Cayman and Boxster really yes because that engine is such an interesting engine it sounds so great [2783.8s] but it is so lacking in torque"

Torque is the engine’s “pulling power.” If an engine has less torque, it may feel weaker unless you keep the revs up. The host’s point is that PDK helps you stay in the right rev range so the car feels strong more often.

Term

turbocharged 3-liter 911

"i'm like no that is a naturally aspirated engine going to feel gutless after your [2867.1s] turbocharged 3-liter 911 because there just isn't the torque"

A turbocharger forces more air into the engine, which often makes the car feel stronger and more responsive. The host is saying that turbo cars tend to deliver that push differently than non-turbo cars.

Car

Porsche 993

"when 993s were really taking off the coupes but the convertibles people were still turning their nose up to... I did definitely want a 993... every every day I walk out and see those funny looking headlights and I get in that tiny little car... unlike a modern 911 they are significantly smaller the air cooled cars yep"

The Porsche 993 is a specific older generation of the 911. The big idea here is that it’s an air-cooled, more old-school car—smaller and more “hands-on” to live with and repair yourself.

Term

cabriolet convertible 911

"I never wanted to own a cabriolet convertible 911 not in my wildest dreams... I ever want to own one of these things because it's just not me"

A cabriolet convertible is a car with a roof that can open. The host is saying they don’t like the idea of owning an open-top 911 because it doesn’t fit their personality.

Car

Porsche 928

"owning a 928 and so I was not in the frame of mind to spend a 100000 dollars on the 993 that I actually wanted"

The Porsche 928 is a different Porsche model the host previously owned, and they mention it to explain their financial mindset before buying the Porsche 993. The key point is that owning the 928 “cost” them money, so they weren’t ready to spend a large amount on the 993 at the time.

Term

air cooled

"because unlike a modern 911 they are significantly smaller the air cooled cars yep um and it's a completely analog experience like it's not gonna save you if you do something wrong"

“Air-cooled” means the engine is cooled mainly by air moving over it, not by circulating coolant. The host is using it to explain why the car feels more old-school and less forgiving than newer cars.

Term

analog experience

"um and it's a completely analog experience like it's not gonna save you if you do something wrong and um and because I've got the opportunity to fix it"

“Analog experience” means the car feels more connected to the driver—less like it’s using computers to correct mistakes. The host’s point is that you have to be more deliberate because it won’t automatically bail you out.

Term

body work

"I've sort of left it like that like the body work the car needs a repaint but you stand back just you know a few feet"

“Body work” means fixing the car’s outer damage—like dents or scuffs on the panels. The host is saying their 993 still needs that kind of work and a new paint job.

Term

jump start

"and so I had to jump start the McCann because I was going some distance ... jump start the McCann from the from the 993 and the 993 and the good shape"

A jump start is how you get a dead battery working again by borrowing power from another battery. The host is using the other car to provide enough electricity to start the car with the flat battery.

Term

accessory belt

"it had thrown the um the accessory belt so that the um the the alternator wasn't running so I think it ran ran dead on the battery"

An accessory belt is a belt that powers important parts of the engine. If it comes off, the alternator may stop charging the battery, and the car can eventually shut down.

Term

alternator

"so that the um the the alternator wasn't running so I think it ran ran dead on the battery"

The alternator is what keeps the car’s battery charged while the engine is running. If it stops working, the battery eventually runs out and the car won’t keep going.

Term

utility belt

"I sat it in the garage I put the utility um belt back on recharged the battery closed my eyes turned the key started started first time"

A utility belt is a belt in the engine bay that spins important accessories when the engine is running. If it’s off or not seated correctly, the car may not run properly or may not charge the battery.

Term

recharged the battery

"I sat it in the garage I put the utility um belt back on recharged the battery closed my eyes turned the key started started first time"

The battery provides the electricity the car needs to start. If it’s low, the car might not start until you recharge it.

Term

dipstick

"black man there's a little there's a little gauge it tells you and the the dipstick is you know I had a new oil in it so I was really having trouble reading it on the dipstick and I was oh no it needs more"

A dipstick is the simple stick you use to check how much engine oil is in the engine. You pull it out, look at the oil level marks, and it tells you whether you need to add more or drain some.

Topic

Cars that become "loved" after being overlooked

"…I love cars that aren't loved that people love and then they become loved…"

They’re talking about cars that aren’t popular at first, but people end up loving them once they experience how they drive. They mention a couple classic Porsches as examples.

Car

Porsche 944

"…I feel like with 944s it's like that with uh 993 cabriolets…"

The Porsche 944 is a classic Porsche from the 1980s. It’s a sports car that’s less talked about than the 911, but people who drive it often love how balanced and fun it feels.

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