J Clarkson Top Gear 26 June

[Guest]

I think Rodney has a point.
I think that the for some, the capabilities of Porsche cars can be a little bit intimidating.
They can cope with accelerating, but are not so good on braking, or cornering, or balancing the car or being in the right gear.
Therefore something that has some easily understood limits, looks good, will impress the neighbours but is not too hardcore, so as to highlight their limitations, is more suitable.
They are scared of overstepping the limits of their abilities and perhaps perceive Porsche as a bit too hardcore. Of course many people on here, think the standard offerings a bit soft, but that only reinforces the stereotype.

It's the same sort of thing as people who say that certain cars are too fast. They don't seem to realise that you can control how fast you go. If you are in control of it, then you'll only be scared if you decide to scare yourself.

As driving gets dumbed down, and the electronics take over everything and make it easy for you, proper cars are going to be seen as too demanding by some. They want to beat you from the lights, but that's all.
It is possible that this lies at the core of the general perception.

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: boxster27

As a collective we must be getting used to JC's lack of objectivity. It took a whole 76minutes after the programme before the thread was started...

Not really, we had hijacked someone else's thread while the program was on, so I move it to a seperate thread thereafter when I got around to it... JC loves all the attention we give him and that is why he does it; would an SLK forum get so worked up about it? []

If anyone if keeping records, the thread officially started at 20:23:36:
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/m.asp?m=128782&mpage=1&key=

...so that is some 2 minutes and a couple of seconds to spare before the 987S appeared on the screen. [8|]

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hmm, interesting comparison, and one which I actually agree with (to an extent) as I looked very closely at an AMG SLK before rightly concluding that the Boxster was the better car - This was based on:
1) Build quality - inside the AMG it's easy too see the seminal roots of the A class if you look hard enough. The Porsche has it licked on that score
2)Handling - the Porsche is far better balanced and given some windy bits is far more inspiring and fun
3) Electric 'safety aids' intrude at a much earlier stage than the Porsche, which is pretty annoying if you're trying to have fun.
4) More luggage space in the Porker if you have the roof down, about the same if the roof is up on the AMG, but you lose the ability to 'pop the top' if the sun happens to shine and you have a boot full of stuff!
5) Better economy - you'd better have shares in BP if you drive the Merc.
6) It's a Merc - although a good one. The Porsche? A low volume, hand finished item - 'nuff said.
6) Think of the amount you'd save in hair mousse and other coiffure condiments in not choosing the Merc!

I do have to admit though, that the engine in the merc is a gem, real power by NASA, with a soundtrack to match (although the Porkers is more melodic) although a set of tyres will probably last you to the filling station and back again before needing to be replaced - Did you see the way the merc's tyres lit up under acceleration? No such drama in the 'S'.
Says it all really - true athlete versus body-building curio!
[]