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In anticipation of the turbo-ification of engines and prevalent PDK I got the 50th anniversary. Then I was on the list for the PCA 60th so I got into another one in a more sporty looking spec with the Aero package and ducktail. So both of them essentially 991.1 GTSs with 7 speed manuals and X51 powerkits; one a bit classic and the other a bit throwback with what I would call a tick in the timeline with the last of the NAs.
I know they're not 930s but the best I could do to start my own family hand-me-down keepers while everyone will have turbo-ed automatics. While I love the lines of the classics up to the 930, I feel disassociated with it to buy one, after all I only started to drive in '86 and my father was rolling in a Sedan de Ville.
I don't know why they put on vertical 356-ish vents on the 991.2, that alone is a big 911 faux pas to me and says nothing about it being newly turbo.
Anyway my wife thinks I'm a hoarder but I just love these cars and the 3.8 engines. My first daughter is due in February so by the time she's old enough to drive, I don't know if she would be with the way things are going - so I tell my wife that I want my kids to grow up knowing how it used to be to drive your own car, all while burning uncompressed fossil fuels.
It's a classic to me and that's what matters. It has the peak of technology that I grew up with and want to experience and remember everytime I drive. A teenager today may have a Tesla or i8 as their classic when they are old.
End of an era? Only if you think FP is turning over in his grave and that it doesn't hit the benchmarks and touchpoints for the model.
I personally think the Porsche marque is always going to have a bit of mystique. While there are folks that think the only true Porsche was the 356, and some that things went all to heck when they put an engine in the front, and of course some that think it fell apart when that wonderful air cooled engine started using water for cooling. Somehow the marque has managed to survive and grow. The newer model always develops its own following and supporters. The interesting thing with the "old" technologies is that they have often had a habit of becoming quite valuable to collectors.
For me, I wanted a NA engine while they were still available from Porsche. I could not justify buying a new model -- really wish I could have acquired a new GTS -- so I managed to find a very clean, well cared for CPO 2013 Carrera S Cab. I had a 981 BS but really wanted to own a 911 NA before they were gone. And yes I realize that I did not really get it direct from the factory and it is not the latest (and last) model, but it was from a Porsche dealer, had CPO, and was the right model - 991- so I convinced myself it was good use of my limited funds.
I'm not against the new 991.2 and firmly believe they will be great driving cars. I hope the marque does wonderful with them as I would really like Porsche to stay around regardless of what is powering the car at that point in time.
So I guess to answer your question .... I choose to believe that the 991.1 is an instant classic. And, well if is not --- then I guess I will just have to enjoy the living daylights out of it.
A 911, any 911 is something else altogether. There is genuine passion here, starting at those that design and make them to those that drive and (sometimes) destroy them. There is even history. Lot's of it. It's a story that has touched many lives in all sorts of ways. No this is not "just a car".
A 911, any 911 is something else altogether. There is genuine passion here, starting at those that design and make them to those that drive and (sometimes) destroy them. There is even history. Lot's of it. It's a story that has touched many lives in all sorts of ways. No this is not "just a car".
Rainier
Having owned many sports cars, some of them exotics, and now this 991 for a year, I can say there is nothing passionate, emotional or involving about a Porsche. It's a highly capable sports car, but there is nothing special about it. I could care less about the 'story' (made a slow sports car out of a beetle?).
Having owned many sports cars, some of them exotics, and now this 991 for a year, I can say there is nothing passionate, emotional or involving about a Porsche. It's a highly capable sports car, but there is nothing special about it. I could care less about the 'story' (made a slow sports car out of a beetle?).
Definitely just a car.
If it's "just a car" how'd you deem other "exotics" that you've owned..not "just a car" or still "just a car"? After all, these are all cars and not something else?
Ferrari 360, 430 and 458 are all special, but a pain in the *** to own. I can't wait to drive the Mustang GT350 as it just might trip the special switch. Looking forward to the Evora 400, too.
I think the GT4, then the GT3 are the most special Porsches. If I fit in the Cayman comfortably, I might have already traded the 991 in for a GT4. If the GT350 and Evora 400 don't excite, then I might get a GT3 next.
In any case, GT350, Evora 400 or GT3, I have to wait a while until someone else has eaten the initial depreciation. So I'll make do with the 991.
There have been way too many 991.1's built to reach classic status in my opinion. As to the Turbo having more torque there is something to say in that favour. I also have a 996 TT that's had some mods (actually many mods) and now has produced about 550 foot pounds of torque. It's wonderful to drive anywhere and know you've got torque just like the old powerful American cars. Something to be said for both camps it's all what you like/prefer (I also like the Torque on my Macan Turbo and even more on my wife's supercharged Audi S5 with instant torque).
Being personal and 5 posts.....thanks for you contributions so far
I've been a lurker since 2013. Hardly a troll, just a lurker. And quite frankly I don't consider my comment personal at all- his comments were truly remarkable in the fact that they were similar to the laments from the anti-water cooled crew. He is 100% more than welcome to disregard my comments.
The 991.1 is the end of an ERA, not the 911.
Originally Posted by todd92
Having owned many sports cars, some of them exotics, and now this 991 for a year, I can say there is nothing passionate, emotional or involving about a Porsche. It's a highly capable sports car, but there is nothing special about it. I could care less about the 'story' (made a slow sports car out of a beetle?).
Definitely just a car.
Agreed. A lovely car though that I enjoy owning.
Originally Posted by Rainier
I hope you're right. I've driven the Turbo - I tried to convince myself that that is what I wanted - but failed. Once the sensation of popping your eyeballs out of your ears vanes, there is little left. That is where the NA just keeps on giving. The ultimate speed or acceleration just becomes of secondary importance. May I use the word "fun" ?
Perhaps it's why there are so many variants on the 911 - each to his own.
No I have not driven a 991.2 myself but will the moment I get a chance. I have however some contact with guys that did. So far the comments are somewhere between mixed and, well, negative.
It's likely to blow over. Don't get too much comments on electric steering anymore do we ?
Time will tell.
Rainier
I can see were you're coming from. The crazy thing is the Cayman might end up being the best vehicle for some 911 owners.
Excellent point about the electric steering! Funny how that works. Time will indeed tell.
In my way of thinking, a classic car has little to do with numbers. Yes if you attach the word "rare" to that then yes of course.
As example, I would like to mention the old beetle. Many consider it a classic and certain models in restored condition are already fetching fairly impressive prices - even those models that have been produced in vast numbers, if clean and well restored are now looked at with quite different eyes for many. It's no longer a piece of junk. It's a classic. ("classic piece of junk" perhaps ?)
For me, a classic car is one you cannot buy new AND that has a specific, notable place in the history of transportation. So, the 991.1, 997, 996, 993, 930,... they all qualify. Not to mention many other cars. Classic is also not necessarily about price. It's something that deserves a mention due to a special status.
20 years ago I would not have called a Ford Taunus a classic. I still don't - but others are starting to look at it that way. Are they wrong ? It's all in the eye of the beholder as they say.
I don't think one should confuse the monetary value of an old car with the word "classic". The two are not the same.
10-28-2015 | 10:43 PM
I agree. They manufacture over 30,000 911 cars every year. Those are hardly numbers that define a rare classic (to be).
