Porsche - Petrolheads choice ?

[hobo]

Called into the local dealers early last week to speak to them about chopping the Boxster 'S' in against a 997. We've only had the Boxster 6 months (got 4000 miles on it), and whilst all the figures were good (the p/x was only 2k less than I paid), when I went out in a 997 2S I was completely underwhelmed (in the same way I am with the Boxster).

Don't get me wrong its a great car, but just lacks something, and in my eyes in that 'something' thats the difference between a good car & an amazing car.

I find myself considering returning to TVR ownership. Whilst I know they have thier problems, there's just something about them Porsche have lost over the years. Suppose a GT3 would be an option, but 80k is a bit steep for me at the moment. Sometimes wish I hadn't cancelled the order I had on the new RS4.

I ain't slating Porsche, its just, they're all getting a bit samey.

[Podie]

Cayman + £ towards "tinkering"...?

[mbutchers]

Try getting a more 'basic' one..... 20mm lowered, LSD, no PASM etc..... The speed of the car can't really be called into question, I suspect it's more the 'feel'.

[stuj76]

hobo said:

Suppose a GT3 would be an option, but 80k is a bit steep for me at the moment.

Is second hand not an option???? That would leave you a better choice of 'different' Porsches for your £££ - GT3 MKI, GT3 MKII, GT3RS, GT2, 996 Turbo etc etc.

[singh911]

How about a used GT3 - nowhere near £80k - and for me, my GT3 has more "feel" than my old 993.

Ajit.

[burriana]

hi Mark - like has just been said, the GT3 feels like a road going go-kart, you'll have a lot of fun in one of those. i went for a ride in Jeremyc's the other week, very impressed. It fills in the missing blanks on the "normal" feel of the standard 911s.

Or, a 993/996 twin turbo.

Or ... go Italian

Edited by burriana on Tuesday 20th June 15:28

[hobo]

Still yearn for a GT2 but as whatever I buy is going to be the missus's daily car then not sure this would be a sensible option.

I do like the GT3 having test driven one last year (back to back with a Sagaris), but would have gone for the Sag out of the two. Again, mostly for the way it makes you feel. Awesome car though.

Love 993's, but can't stand the interior.

Italian. Never been struck on them, unless were talking Lambo

[Dave 321]

Sagaris is hardly a daily driver....It would spend every day on the back of a tow truck.. GT3 MK2 would be a sensible daily driver comfort spec. GT2 is also an excellent daily driver. Ask kleonard, he has done 9k miles in 5months

[hobo]

GT3 is a possibility.

Think I may have a look around the motorshow & see whats about before making a hasty decision.

[Adam B]

hobo said:

Don't get me wrong its a great car, but just lacks something, and in my eyes in that 'something' thats the difference between a good car & an amazing car. I find myself considering returning to TVR ownership.

it seems to me you have unrealistic expectations - most Porsches are everyday sports cars so they won't have the same edge as a TVR that is raw and will fall to bits or Fezza/Lambo which cost a lot more. Its a compromise so why expect that edge unless you go for one of the GT models that are less practical?

[polarexpress]

hobo said:

I ain't slating Porsche, its just, they're all getting a bit samey.

There is a lot of truth in this... I agree that Porsche are running out of ideas... the technical and dynamic prowess of their cars is superlative, but the range is starting to lack a bit of imagination... at risk of becoming a little anodyne. I think Porsche should take a cue from TVR and start to push the boat out a bit further. Although no one has driven/reported on the upcoming 997RS, I can't help but feel it is an example of their capped imagination...

[993c4]

I don't think it is capped imagination, more a push for mass market cars that no longer give that bit of excitement but provide maximum profit. It started with the 996/Boxster and as that turned out to be such a lucrative package the company have gone down that route.

They no longer cater for the people who bought Porsches in the past, but will release one model which is more driver focussed in each range eg upcoming RS, but at a premium.