Porkers future..what do you think

[Grant]

in answer to John, this 911 has gone " GT" angle has been argued every time a new model is launched, dig out your back issues & you will see that the press have said each new model has " gone soft" , including the 964. As Stuart says time has moved on & we now have crash tests, yes cars are heavier with all their air bags & crash cells BUT SAFER(did you see Top Gear 2 wks ago, makes you think) is a good thing as are the electronic PSM systems. ALL cars have got heavier because of this Clarkson compared the new Golf RS to the original & found although it had double the power it' s power to weight was similar. Porsche have done more than most to keep weight in check, & also still make raw, basic & focused cars look at the new GT3 club sport.But I want to enjoy my car every day not just on race days, so yes I want a decent stereo, leather & a degree of comfort for a long haul. I use my 996TT on a daily B road drive into work, it' s a typical very bumpy unpredictable British road. As a daily drivers car the 10mm lowered suspension offered by Porsche is still pretty " bumpy" but I think this offers the best compromise between handling, interaction & comfort. The current 996 series has proved far more popular than previous 911' s because it is more of an all rounder. BUT they are still fantastic drivers cars when you press on & if you are " hardcore" you can minimise options, specify the 30mm suspension & the sports exhaust & you can still have raw. But then again why not go the whole hog,you can save a fortune & buy a caterham which will run rings around a GT3 on track, is light raw & interactive.
On the look' s front I agree with Helen & a couple of the other posts that the pre facelift Boxter & 996 were probably prettier & change isn' t always for the better. But I also think Porsche need to go forward with NEW sleek stylish designs, increases in performance & handling to keep them at the forefront of performance car design, not look to go all retro on us.

 

[Guest]

From a security perspective I would add a laminate or plastic film to the side windows.

Damn good idea - but include the rear as well. Very reassuring to know that people can only break in via the (toughened) front glass.

Make the doors unlock when you turn off the ignition.

Bad idea, for security reasons - you may forget, and having unlocked doors in certain parts of Britain is not a good idea.

I still maintain that the shape of the 996 will not be used much in advertising, as the silhouette is more like the DB7/XK8 than the old 911 was like anything else. Clumsy, but I meant the shape is ' less unique' . (I know, unique is an absolute, and can' t be qualified, but I did it for effect, and because I am tired.

 

[NicD]

I was at the Leipzig Factory over the weekend and had the chance to ask senior management why we could not have a 300HP and lighter Boxster. I said I knew of many people who would be interested.
Their reply was the 911 was the racer series, the Boxster more a life style car, there would not be a (relative) performance model. The spokesman said there wasnt a market for such a Boxster.
You can image that my blood boiled!

They also said " the sales figures last year were good so dont expect the 987 too soon" . I however, feel the Z4 will pressure sales over the next two years and they will back track.

 

[Guest]

RUF make just such a Boxster (although I think it gets a roof).
However, there is no obvious price, and " if you have to ask you can' t afford it" .

 

[NicD]

Stuart,

The RUF 3400 and 3600 S are open like the Boxster, there is an Italian prototype that is closed.
I was speaking to an owner of a Ruf 3400S, he loved it. Note, no longer a Porsche as Ruf issue own VIN nbrs, so couldnt join the Club.
Also, Roock do Carerra engine conversions, though have had endless trouble adapting the 3.6l, hopefully all sorted now.
What has stopped me, is, you are so far from the Ruf or Roock factory if anything goes wrong, theoretically an OPC or the country rep can help, but it is a risk.