I got my first Porsche in 1973.

There was plenty of commentary about style (face to face in PCA monthly meetings, tech sessions and elsewhere). It just took a back seat to figuring out how to get 911s to handle, stop, not wear out tires, not overheat, not leak oil, to get the valve train to not sound like a ticking clock, and to prevent rust when there was heavy dew.

By 1974 Porsche race success raised style discussions to the same level as mechanics, to cover the varieties of flares, spoilers, sport seats, wheels, decals paint trim, shift *****, steering wheels, etc that started to appear.

Same discussions today- just with lots more people and way more frequently and easily with the net.

 

Simply, I don't believe driving enthusiasts that actually drive their Porsches spend a lot of time on forums. Those that want to make their cars look pretty do. Nothing wrong with that.

 

So all the other people just look at their cars, don't drive 'em and spend the whole day arguing on forums... ?? LOL I get your point though and there's definitely some truth in it.
Maybe the fact that nowadays we have iPad-apps also makes a difference. Without it I probably wouldn't even be on forums.

 

I don't notice a change for the worse.

1. In the 80s, it seamed like everyone wanted to put an awful slant nose on their 911 and there were also a lot of custom interiors.

2. The 911 has consistently been a car that was difficult to make faster without major changes.

3. Porsches have always been comfortable for their time. My 1961 356 was a lot more comfortable than my 1961 Corvette.

The 991 is a near perfect car so there really isn't a whole lot meaningful to talk about.

 

I think a combination of everything said above makes sense. A few more thoughts...

If you were to go to some of the older model forums, there is a higher concentration of tech talk as those are the cars that are typically out of warranty with owners more willing (and able) to do some mechanical tinkering.

Additionally, I suspect that more of those cars are taken to the track with owners looking for suggestions to either remedy a performance issue or upgrade the car somehow.

Of course in the 991 forums, there are folks like me that are in the process of ordering the car and want to discuss various options, etc. Those types of conversations don't exist in the older model forums because there are no cars to order...

 

^^^ +1 good points! Definitely true!

 

I've tested almost all the cars out there in this class, and the Porsche 991 is the best all around car at this price point. The next step up is the 458/F12. Everything else is just not worth the money IMHO.

 

A guy walks into a Porsche dealership with a confused look on his face. He looked around a little and decide he was in the wrong place. A salesman approached and asked if he could help. The guy turned to the dealer and said "I think I am in the wrong place". The dealer looked to him puzzled. The shopper continued "I have driven a couple of Porsches before and was underwhelmed by the power. I just came in and looked as due diligence. I have been looking at the Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo". The salesman replies "Which Porsches did you drive". The man responds "an older Panamera and a Cayman S". "There is quite a difference between a 911 and Cayman. You should drive one." To which the man responded, "Then let me drive the one you think will be most likely to impress me".


I was that guy at the dealership just a couple of months ago. The dealer had me drive a c4s. I was blown away by the handling. I didn't want to be. I have never been a fan of Porsche styling. It took me 3 weeks to comes to terms with how much better the Porsche was compared to other cars under 200,000. I had up to that amount to spend. Another test drive of an Audi R8 V10, and a week later I placed my order for a C4S with an exuberant list of options added. By this time I had fallen in love with the looks of it. The sheer quality made me appreciate all the aspects that made it what it was. The function was it's beauty to me.

The 911 is a fashion statement. It is a very quiet statement though, compared to a Lamborghini or even the R8 V10 for that matter. Fashion alone would have dictated that I buy one of them. Handling, quality control, resale value, timelessness, and interior comfort is what warmed me over to the Porsche.

My 911 is still on order. I do look forward to being seen in it. Not nearly as much as I am looking forward to taking it around a mountain corner a little to quickly, with a beautiful woman beside me. All the while enjoying the scenery with her.

 

You may be right. I only have 15k miles on my 15 month old 991CS.

 

I was just thinking this same thing yesterday. I think part of it is the 991 is so new that there are not many real mods available and the hardcore guys are sticking to the 997 for another 12-24 months. Everyone with a 991 currently is an early adopter by Porsche standards.

Another thing is that Porsche is definitely appealing to a new buyer. Simply look at the number of PDK cars on lots vs 7M. Also, open the engine lid and you can see what Porsche wants. The engine is virtually sealed off from view and the opening is significantly smaller than on the 997. They are definitely not emphasizing the mechanicals of the car. Compare that to an R8 or 458 where they are putting the engine on display. Also look at the warranty coverage compared to the GM products. Do something on the track to your 991 and be prepared to get your checkbook out. Trash a clutch, blow a motor, etc on your Corvette or Camaro and they will send a tow truck to the track to pick it up.

Porsche is at a crossroads right now. They are building a fantastic product, but a lot of the appeal is based on a racing heritage. Owners are being actively discouraged from taking their cars to the track despite the fact that the number of people doing it would be tiny. The company is definitely walking a fine line when looking at the long term.

 

I'm curious how Porsche is actively discouraging owners from tracking their cars. I'm not challenging you or disputing it because I have no idea if or if not the statement is true, so I'm curious to learn what you base that statement on.

I'm enrolled in their 2-day Performance Driving course and they do provide the cars (and, more importantly, the tires), but I don't consider that to be a form of discouragement.

 

I think you are right, it depend on the buyer of the vehicle and their intend on for the car. I didn't want to wait a few months for my car and luckily found one similar spec to what I would of wanted. To other member's point, the 991 is gear toward more Lux and true GT comparing to the 997s. For me I feel the stock suspension is way too soft for a sport car, so I switched them out for coilover and the car steering and handling is so much better and sharper then before. I intend to drive the car and track the car as much as time permit. I luv the look of the 991 and decided on getting one instead of getting a 997.2 GT3. the 991 GT3 in a few years once I get tire of my 991s.

 

Porsche has been pitching its cars to all parts of the performance to luxury spectrum throughout its history. The 356 originally appealed to the "GT" crowd with roll up windows and padded tops until Porsche was convinced to produce the Speedster. Early 911s featured wood dashes. Every new model and more so if sales slowed special models appeared often with special leathers, paints, decals and chrome trims.

Somehow some think that Porsches used to be something close to pure race cars. That is pure marketing. But one would have had to tried driving a race car on the street to know.

 

Chuckbdc, you quoted me in your post but your response didn't actually address my question to Salespunk.

 

A lot of constructors do this (including GT-R's, Mercedes, Porsche, etc..., even Dodge).

They all have similar verbiage regarding what is appropriate use.