Can they go lighter? Everyone and their brother wants them to, an surely THEY realize lighter is faster...but do safety regs FORCE them to stay the same, or go heavier, and maintain their price point AND keep the cars relatively broad-based in their appeal (needs creature comforts)?

They don't sell the turbo as a track star, they sell it as their GT cruiser. Just the fact the clutch is so friggin numb/overassisted should tell us that. So why would they make it more uncomfortable (lighter)? I don't think they will.

 

They can go lighter, but im sure they wont. The TT is basically turning into an mercedes SL or CL. More luxury, more power, less driver input.

 

The C4S Cab sold more units in North America than any other 996 variant. That should put to rest the theory that customers want low weight. Enthusiasts are more likely to self select in choosing to participate in an enthusiast message board and are therefore more vocal. However apparently the majority of buyers just want a luxurious GT with some sportiness.

 

Slight correction - the 911 with the worst weight/hp ratio - the C4S Cab was not only last year's top US seller , but worse - it was the even heavier Tiptronic version. SL500 intenders obviously are the Number 1 US 911 buyer type now , it seems .

 

There is nothing sporty about the C4S cab tip, the top selling unit. It's a pretender that projects image of sportiness without substantiating the image with anything sporty. It aint a sports car if you can't tell the car what gear to be in when you want to.

Just how difficult is it to operate a stupid clutch pedal that most supposed entusiast drivers whine about it at the slight hint of traffic? At least the grassroot BMWCCA DE crowd still makes no apology about snobbing automatics. There are many of us P car owners who drive in LA traffic daily without resorting to neutering their cars by sticking a slushbox in it.

 

Relax dude, not everyone wants a manual car, ontop of that, not everyone can drive a manual car despite wanting too. I know a guy who cannot use a clutch because of a physical ailment. If it doesn't effect you, chill out.

I happen to think that AWD sports cars are neutered, but I don't run around flappin my lips about it. I just don't buy one. I am happy with my cars, you are happy with your awd TT.

 

How many people really wanted to drive a real sports car with a clutch but couldn't? Are you telling me that most C4S tip cab drivers have some kind of ailment that they are unable to drive it despite them wanting to?

It's only a sports car for crying out loud. People made it out to sound like manual driving is some kind of impossible thing. Thing is, if you can afford a P car, you more than have enough mental capacity to learn how to operate a clutch pedal, rev match, and heel and toe. Instead of just steering the car and let the computer decide what gear you should be in.

I agree that AWD cars are neutered, which is why I said that M3's are way easier to drive sideways. But hey, I have to start somewhere, and at the time I did not have the financial resources to get a new GT2.

My next car will be a GT2, no nonsense RWD with no electronic aids. At least all BMW's let you turn it completely off if you want to, unlike PAG, who feels the need to save its "talented" drivers from themselves with the stupid PSM that can't be completely shut off.

 

Errr... did you notice that you actually CAN tell the tiptronic manually which gear to be in?

This whole discussion is sooooooo useless and so never-ending. If people would learn to respect a term called "personal preference"...

Saying that people who order a tiptronic, are people who cannot drive, is like tip-drivers saying that people with a manual 6speed are too poor to afford a tiptronic.