New Porsche Coupe!
Discussion
www.autocar.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=213050
A nice black C7S ClubSport for me please.. that'll do nicely!
A nice black C7S ClubSport for me please.. that'll do nicely!
Porsche taken a leaf out of TVR's book? Exactly how many models do you need to fit into the various market segments? I mean, for £50k you can get a fully spec'ed up Boxster S, or a new C7 or a low end 911..... seems a little strange to me....
Edited to add : actually my comments sound very negative! If I had £50k to spend, I would be looking at one of these. No doubt that its a cracker and since its a all-new model residuals etc would be great. BUT, I aint in the market which is a shame....
>> Edited by off_again on Tuesday 11th January 14:55
Edited to add : actually my comments sound very negative! If I had £50k to spend, I would be looking at one of these. No doubt that its a cracker and since its a all-new model residuals etc would be great. BUT, I aint in the market which is a shame....
>> Edited by off_again on Tuesday 11th January 14:55
off_again said:
Exactly how many models do you need to fit into the various market segments? I mean, for £50k you can get a fully spec'ed up Boxster S, or a new C7 or a low end 911..... seems a little strange to me...
Judging by what Autocar have written, it would seem that this model is intended to replace the Boxster.
IMO it's a great car.
Porsches problem is the 911. Well, perhaps it's not a 'problem', but this is how I see it:
Traditionally, you knew where you were with a Porsche 911. It looked sleek, was very fast, had a rear-mounted engine and produced handling with a delicate balance between wild oversteer and great traction out of corners. It was a marginal 2+2 and came as a coupe or a targa, and you could get a faster one with a turbo.
The full cabriolet was inevitable, I suppose, but other than that, if Porsche wanted to do something different they brought out another car. You wanted a mid-engined car? the 914 and 914/6 filled the niche. What about a big automatic GT car that crushes continents? Have a 928. Can I have something practical and economical that I can drive every day that still drives like a Porsche? Here's a 924. 4WD bonkers-fast 911 variant? The 959 is for you.
IMO Porsche went downhill in around 1995 when they decided to scrap half their model range and try to incorporate all the various attributes into the 911 range. Problem is, how on earth can you still call them all '911s', and how can you still charge the Earth for base models when previously I could have got myself a 968?
I mean, why not split the model range up a bit? Instead of the Carrera 2 and Carrera 4, why not optimise the bodywork of the Carrera 4 for 4WD performance and call it the 959? Why not distinguish more strongly between the turbo and that officially-sanctioned 'lookalike' the C4S? (can't figure out why Porsche have shot themselves in the foot there - it's like Ferrari saying 'and would you like your F430 made to look like an Enzo, and we'll throw in the brakes as well?').
I like the Boxster simply because it means it's a Porsche, that can be developed 911-style, but has its own virtues courtesy of its mid-mounted engine, so Porsche won't be trying to make a 911 that drives like it. Alongside the frankly desperate Cayenne, it's good news.
All we need now is a replacement for the 928 and we're away!
Porsches problem is the 911. Well, perhaps it's not a 'problem', but this is how I see it:
Traditionally, you knew where you were with a Porsche 911. It looked sleek, was very fast, had a rear-mounted engine and produced handling with a delicate balance between wild oversteer and great traction out of corners. It was a marginal 2+2 and came as a coupe or a targa, and you could get a faster one with a turbo.
The full cabriolet was inevitable, I suppose, but other than that, if Porsche wanted to do something different they brought out another car. You wanted a mid-engined car? the 914 and 914/6 filled the niche. What about a big automatic GT car that crushes continents? Have a 928. Can I have something practical and economical that I can drive every day that still drives like a Porsche? Here's a 924. 4WD bonkers-fast 911 variant? The 959 is for you.
IMO Porsche went downhill in around 1995 when they decided to scrap half their model range and try to incorporate all the various attributes into the 911 range. Problem is, how on earth can you still call them all '911s', and how can you still charge the Earth for base models when previously I could have got myself a 968?
I mean, why not split the model range up a bit? Instead of the Carrera 2 and Carrera 4, why not optimise the bodywork of the Carrera 4 for 4WD performance and call it the 959? Why not distinguish more strongly between the turbo and that officially-sanctioned 'lookalike' the C4S? (can't figure out why Porsche have shot themselves in the foot there - it's like Ferrari saying 'and would you like your F430 made to look like an Enzo, and we'll throw in the brakes as well?').
I like the Boxster simply because it means it's a Porsche, that can be developed 911-style, but has its own virtues courtesy of its mid-mounted engine, so Porsche won't be trying to make a 911 that drives like it. Alongside the frankly desperate Cayenne, it's good news.
All we need now is a replacement for the 928 and we're away!
door said:
Porsche just destroyed the competition. 300bhp 50k you know it will handle like a dream, it looks great. What is the point of buying anything else?
What competition?
The Audi TT? Thats cheaper.
The SLK? Thats faster or cheaper and has a funky roof.
The Z4? Thats quicker.
A Noble? They are a LOT quicker - niche.
A TVR? a lot quicker - niche.
The 911? Ah well there's the rub...
Everyone was expecting this to start around 30k. Its only 8k less than a 911 now, and will still need 6k of options. Talk about pointing a shotgun at your own foot.
As to 'looks great', thats highly subjective, but I'm not alone in thinking it looks pants
>> Edited by DanH on Tuesday 11th January 15:32
I like what they've done with the new 911s styling - IMO from about 1993-2003 the 911 went from delicate, pretty swoopy-looking fastback coupe to big-arsed, fat, meaty double-chinned bastard son of a New Beetle and a lard factory, no matter how fast it went.
I saw a late '60s/early '70s 911 late the other day, in metallic grey, and was struck by how pure and pretty it looked - a Saville Row suit compared to today's tracksuit, trimmed in classic chrome. Made a great rumbly noise too.
I'm glad they've stopped the molten headlights from being smeared all over the bonnet again, I like the chrome and I like the sharper, neater rear-end treatment. No doubt about it - it's a stylish car once again.
I saw a late '60s/early '70s 911 late the other day, in metallic grey, and was struck by how pure and pretty it looked - a Saville Row suit compared to today's tracksuit, trimmed in classic chrome. Made a great rumbly noise too.
I'm glad they've stopped the molten headlights from being smeared all over the bonnet again, I like the chrome and I like the sharper, neater rear-end treatment. No doubt about it - it's a stylish car once again.
DanH said:
Porsche just destroyed the competition. 300bhp 50k you know it will handle like a dream, it looks great. What is the point of buying anything else?
What competition?
The Audi TT? Thats cheaper.
The SLK? Thats faster or cheaper and has a funky roof.
The Z4? Thats quicker.
A Noble? They are a LOT quicker - niche.
A TVR? a lot quicker - niche.
The 911? Ah well there's the rub...
Everyone was expecting this to start around 30k. Its only 8k less than a 911 now, and will still need 6k of options. Talk about pointing a shotgun at your own foot.
As to 'looks great', thats highly subjective, but I'm not alone in thinking it looks pants
AudiTT / SLK / Z4 quicker? Don't make me laugh. Thats three hundred horses in something that should weigh about 1100Kg.
Noble: Yes. Its a fine looking and handling car that goes superlatively. If you can get one and find someone to look after it. The Porsche will be fundamentally reliable and has an excellent network of dealers to fettle it.
TVR: Same deal. You'll now need an S6/AJP equipped car to keep up - not everyone wants that kind of engine/committment.
The 911?
Nope. The 911 has the engine at the rear of the car. Its a fundamental disadvantage that Porsche have developed around as it has its fans and these were the installed base Porsche had to keep happy.
What they've decided to build is a "911" with the engine in the right place.
One day, if its successful in eating into traditional 911 sales, they'll fit it with a 3.6 twin turbo and it'll cost 100K.
All IMO of course. But this car opens up options for Porsche. They couldn't "retire" the 911 with the 928 - wrong car. Maybe they'll "retire" the 911 by moving its engine forward. Who knows? But all the same - the C7S looks to be one hell of car.
Not totally sure I want one, though. Hmmmmmn.
JonRB said:
Don't get me wrong - they're great cars. But there is just too much 'flash git' public perception for me to feel comfortable owning one.
Once you've got one, though, Jon, one can gaze serenely from the cabin at the envious proles and be totally unconcerned about one's image...
JonRB said:Jon, the sooner you stop giving a shit what other people think about you the better...
What they really want is a Porsche that doesn't have all the negative baggage associated with Porsche ownership.
Don't get me wrong - they're great cars. But there is just too much 'flash git' public perception for me to feel comfortable owning one.
Besides, you own a TVR, you flash git
Greg
£50k sure is a lot of money for a Boxster Coupe, right in 1 year old 911 territory.
Having said that I remember hearing a Boxster owner once ticked every box and spent over £70K on a car. I suppose a £50K C7S CS is a veritable bargain compared to this.
The most sensible car for the money is undoubtedly the cheapest, the 3.2 C7.
It won't be £28K, but God, could you imagine if it was....
Having said that I remember hearing a Boxster owner once ticked every box and spent over £70K on a car. I suppose a £50K C7S CS is a veritable bargain compared to this.
The most sensible car for the money is undoubtedly the cheapest, the 3.2 C7.
It won't be £28K, but God, could you imagine if it was....
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