I too hate the brand diluting. As of now, they have as many utility cars as they do sports cars (3 vs 3). I would hate for that to change in favor of the utility car lineup. As would I hate turbo 4 cylinders (even though they used them a long time ago). In a decade's time I wouldn't be surprised if Porsche joined the ranks of BMW Audi and Merc. I just hope the inevitable happens later rather than sooner.

 

I say in less than 5 years, Porsche will mean expensive SUV's and Sedans, about half the population thinks that already. I think it's sad for us enthusiast, great for Porsche profits.

 

Maybe, probably be that a 911 owner won't say, "my porsche' when referring to their car. They will begin saying my "911".. as the Porsche name becomes less prestigious in terms of the sports car world.

Sort of how people who are into Vette's don't refer to their vette as their Chevy.. Don't get me wrong Porsche is still a performance car company in anything they do.. but it is the sports car aspect that I think is being lost..

But I can only imagine when Porsche starts making minivans and I have to listen to some dork bragging about his new Porsche with 6 kids in it.. That's when I stop buying Porsche's

 

I am mixed on this. First, I think the argument that these other cars support the making of the 911 is overused. Porsche makes over 20K per 911. They have the business of custom options and "overpricing" the 911 down. Anything else they make will be for profit, not the survival of the 911. In fact, you'd hope that with these new cars, 911 prices would be less inflated. That being said, we buy the 911 because even at that price there is no car that good. There are better values out there, but not carrying the performance excellence of the 911.
Secondly, I do think that more cars dilute the Porsche brand, but as a sports car only brand. But I think it's fantastic that Porsche makes sedans like the Panamera (regardless of what you think of the design) or Cayenne. If they didn't, what would be the sportiest option in each class? BMW? Mercedes? So for those of you who need a family car, aren't you happy you don't have to buy a cushy S-class (a fantastic car as well, but totally in a totally different way) and have the option for a sporty Porsche. As long as each car is the sportiest of the class, I can live with more models.
No matter what, Porsche will be synonymous with a 911. Chances are if you have another car like a Cayenne and people ask what you drive, the response is a Cayenne or Porsche Cayenne. Just saying Porsche is almost a lie

 

Just as a side note, Porsche somewhat dilutes the 911 by having so many models: Base, S, GTS, GT3, Turbo, Turbo S, Targa, etc etc. More choices for sure, but in lots of ways they lessen the prestige of lower models. Finances aside, I do like that you get a Ferrari 458 and it's all-out the best, and a special edition comes out years later. I've never heard anyone say that's a base 458 or 430. But then again, they cost twice as much.

 

^^^couldn't agree more

 

Not sure I agree that having many models dilutes the 911. I think if you are not a 911 type of guy you have no clue as to the difference of one vs the other. it's just a 911.

As a 911 person it doesn't make feel better or worse about them as a brand. Other than wondering how they manage to effectively manage producing so many sub models..

Just seems a little ridiculous to have so many variants. As a product guy i tend to wonder if the added expense of managing 18 variants is worth it. I get the basic differences a C2 vs C4.. and a Cab vs a Cpe.. and even the Turbo..

But the only real benefit is pulling in people who wouldn't have otherwise bought a 911. So would someone really buy a BMW if there weren't the Targa? And the Turbo S vs Turbo is kinda silly..

But in the end if Porsche has mastered having the variants then all to them..

 

Is this really true? I keep hearing this argument but didn't some report come out recently that Porsche makes an average of $23K in profit on each 911? Besides, the 911 has evolved over the years but isn't radically different year to year. Do they really spend THAT much money developing the 911 that they keep making these new cars that, I agree with many here, are not very attractive looking or functional? I liked when they were a boutique company. As a kid when you heard that a guy had a "Porsche" you knew EXACTLY what that was


VW should just spin off a division of Porsche and make a new car company called "911". That way we have our pure sports cars and "Porsche" can be relegated to what it's become now: a car company for soccer moms and executive business lunches

 

Fully understand and even sympathize, but the car industry...like everything else...is a business first. Hence there are "M" badges all over the BMW lines, "AMG" all over the Benz lines and remember...Porsche makes more money on SUV's and sedans than they do on 911's. They are taking these steps because their sales numbers speak volumes. I mean look at Maserati and even Ferrari. The new California is going to be turbocharged and FF is AWD...even though it is a complete eyesore iMHO.

 

Porsche has lost their hunger. Remember Porsche the giant killer? The little privately
held company from Stuttgart that handed Ford, Mercedes and BMW their asses on
tracks around the world?

Does anyone remember the Porsche philosophy of a lightweight sports car with a
small but powerful power plant? How about the drivers pride of mastering the
rear engine layout.

SUVs and 4 door sedans aside, the 911 has become a bloated ultra luxury car
that even your Grandmother could manage a 7 minute time at the ring.

I bought a 996TT. I immediately converted to rear wheel drive and peeled off
350 lbs. I got rid of the soft ride and added H&R coil overs. Now it's a real Porsche.

 

Its all about profit....

 

Agreed, there is no doubt about it. However, there can still be a balance
of passion and profit. Furthermore, there's no excuse for diluting the
brand.

I remember seeing the rough draft and reading about the Panamera
in Panarama magazine in 1994. It was pretty much unanimous with
my fellow PCA members that the day Porsche put a 4 door on the road,
would be the day that Porsche lost their original direction.

 

I see your point but at the same time SUVs and 4doors have brought tons of cash to Porsche that 911 could have never done In this new world order everything is dictated by profits whether its Porsche or govt lol sad but true

 

No doubt about it! The SUVs are the Porsche cash cows. And now the company
is under the dictate of VW.

I'm a businessman and I own two companies that conduct international
business. I understand the nature of publicly traded companies and the
their sole purpose to increase the value of shares. In fact, any officer
who acted contrary to increasing the value of the stock, would be in
violation to their fiduciary duties to the corporation.

However, my protestations are the rantings of a purist consumer, the content of
which being purely emotional and idyllic.

 

Well put...

In the end I feel the new 911 has only gotten better.

I know I am a new owner but I took my coworkers 996c4s out and although I do enjoy the clutch... my 991 would eats its breakfast and it was a completely different drive.

Not to say that it wasnt a great car in its own right.

I think Porsche realizes that the 911 will always be its image-brand vehicle and for that reason the 911 will only get better.

I think another post put it best when he said the other models would have to be mentioned in full...ie...Porsche Panamera...not merely Porsche.