It's still the competition . Look at all the endless M3 Vs 911 debates and part of that dissolves itself in sales . I agree that the modern driver has shifted focus .. but no one can control that .. all one can do is control his driving and his reactions.

But --even on the track the GtR arrival struck a few chords with all its technology -- so even track cars are moving in the direction of computer assisted driver interraction.

I don't know what I'll buy in the future . I reflect on the past , dwell on the future but also take the time to enjoy the present .

 

We are in full agreement.

 

Let's have a peek at the "potpourri of nonsense" over the last 20 years:
-997 has more power than 993
-997 has more interior room than 993
-997 has better quality interior than 993
-997 has better stereo, rattles less, is more reliable, better handling, etc etc etc.

Glad PAG listened to its customers (I'm guessing new and old) back then.

 

good one...

lets face it the car has evolved and yet still holds on to core values....

everyone wins

 

That's the best thing about it.

The only thing I really wish they'd change is the auto-on/off lights. Sounds nancy I guess but after 5 years in a Merc and using my car every day this becomes a pain after a while. Especially given they seem to have the hardware installed already with the homelight function.

 

Not so fast. The major change occurred in 98 with the launch of the 996. What you quote is normal 911 evolution.

I oppose comments such as:

'Hard to get in and out' - this is one of the easiest sports cars to get in and out. I know 80yo guys who drive them every day.

'More cargo storage' - how much more room does a couple need beyond the trunk and the huge space behind the front seats?

'Larger back seats' - give me a break.

Those comments point to a larger/heavier car - a living room in wheels. Not for sports cars fans.

Many vocal new owners want the 911 mostly for its image and either do not understand or care about the car for its nimbleness and driving dynamics. I'm not naive, I know poseurs sustain the brand these days.

 

I have a 997.1 Carrera S and I believe its got more than enough power that I can use on the road (5k miles). The 6speed is easy to navigate (my first 6speed and have not even come close to over rev, if not sure, just drop it to neutral and then select the gear carefully till you adapt). The only thing is when the car is cold, selecting 1st and 2nd gear can be a little more difficult so do not force it. Anybody else have this problem?

Dislikes?...Dealership prices for service....$500 for an oil change...No thanks...I'll take it to an indy...All the other gripes such as auto lights, beeping alarms, getting in and out are not even an issue! Its a performance car for god sakes not an audi or BMW!

 

I for one am all for standard creature comforts like bluetooth, ipod, decent sound system, and nav. I'm totally on board with you that one should not be buying this car if one is worried about difficult ingress/egress, a back seat, storage space, etc. I think Porsche has gotten it right w/ the GTx cars, though, relatively light, no back seat, still has the electronic bells and whistles so daily driving is an option.

 

The fact is that Porsche does meet a wide variety of needs and wants...








You just need the wallet to indulge your desires

By my sig I have obviously slipped well down that slope! lol

My Cayenne GTS is a great living room on wheels, albeit a good handling one, and is easy ingress/egress, carries the groceries and fishing poles and guns and all the other toys and crap.

And my C4S is a great every-day sporty driver, and occasional track toy.

And my soon to arrive RS will satisfy any hard core flogging desires (at the expense of noise and ride quality).

All the other offerings, Cayman/Turbo/Boxster etc fill their own niches. If I could afford it, I would happily have a garage full of all the different Porsche models (like my wife and her purses and shoes!)

The key to driving happiness is to accept no vehicle will be an automotive Swiss Army Knife.

It does sound like the basic and common notion on this thread is that we do love our cars however, and to that idea I can agree without reservation!

Cheers!

 

Ok, I wanted to say my opinions as well

Likes:
-Timeless & classic design
-Sports chrono (function & looks)
-Engine sound
-Smooth gears
-The torque curve (delivering high torque at low RPMs)
-Can be modded any way you want
-3.8L 355 HP boxer engine (with a little modding the car changes into a monster )
-Reliability! (I love German cars for this reason)
-Being able to get pretty much every option you can want from the factory

Dislikes:
-Factory alignment (understeer... )
-Rev limiter, not a revving engine (7200 RPM is too little for me )
-LSD is not standard
-Comfort seats, I like the Sport Seats & should be standard
-Back seats are pretty much unnecessary, could move the engine to a mid-platform and increase the handling drastically
-The silver plastic (Porsche can at least make it real aluminum for that price! )
-The rear center console (looks so dull in black plastic)
-No bluetooth or iPod integration as standard
-The rear tires don't last that long
-Weight distribution (can be a little better)

 

Guys, I know I will get bombarded for the "Mid-engine" comment... Please understand my reason is just to improve performance, and I know it will never happen because it is the 911 design and it will be this way as long as they produce these cars

 

We are in agreement, I think you hit most of the points that I would have, especially the better weight distribution, which would keep the car from becoming an anachronism compared to the cayman. The ragged low-speed understeer has got to go!
I should also add that many of the comfort and sybaritic options offered by other makers can be included in the current platform without diluting the experience. I think that porsche will have to abandon the "customization" scam they are running at present. It is like they are doing us a favor in including a CD player with the car! LOL. I don't think the business model of making every option that you would want, and which is standard in a Kia, a multi-thousand dollar option. I do like the option of making the car truly special and unique and would hate to lose that, however. I am also very happy that they retain the smallish size of the chassis and don't feel compelled to make it into a GT/cruiser.

 

Those who want a mid-engine 911 should get a Cayman - great car. Why didn't you? Do not tell me you got the 11 for it's looks (the Cayman looks great too), because if you did... What do we call those who drive cars for looks alone?

 

Caymans are great track cars! I really like how they handle But I would never choose a Cayman over a 911. The 911 has a history behind it, it's a classic. That is why I love it.

For me, it was more about the power, the bigger & stronger engine to be honest And I don't like the looks of Cayman that much to be honest

The driving characteristics of the 911 is so much harder to learn and adapt compared to Cayman... But once you got it, it's so much fun!

 

The cayman is truly a great car, but I needed the extra room inside so I am not cramped up after a drive! I also did not like the driving position in the cayman. That was a deal breaker for me. I intended on autocrossing the car, and you either run a cayman S, boxsterS, or GT3 in A-stock or SS Solo......so I gave the hope of winning races up for the sake of comfort!! (I know..it is pathetic!)
I think the idea with a better weight balanced 911 is that you can keep the 'feel' of an interesting rear-drive chassis without the inherent flaws. If the cars had a 45/55 balance, instead of a 39/61, I don't think the heritage of the car would be lost, nor would the handling feel. But, let's be honest...if Porsche does not do something like this, the cayman will need to carry around an anchor in the trunk to stay "second fiddle" to the 911. I like the idea of 'learning' the foibles of this chassis, but an improvement will need to be made in the next generation product. Flaws are flaws.
It just won't do that M3s and Caymans are putting up better numbers in track tests, at lower prices and lower hp levels.