RE: Porsche says 'kerching!'

[J4CKO]

HAB said:

I wish they'd go bust so I can like them more. Or at least be a bit shyte and/or fall apart & break down frequently.

Then they would have passion & character and be a true enthusiasts marque.

They'll never learn.

You can have the best of both worlds, just buy a 944 !

[J4CKO]

kambites said:

beeej said:

Of course its worth producing the Boxster, they make a killing on it. Seen the costs of the options? It's like a bloody Audi...

Do you know that, or are you speculating? I didn't think Porsche published the profit margins on individual models?

I think the point is that the German manufacturers have the standard spec of a car down to a fine art to make the list price sound reasonable, you go in having seen a photo which makes you think thats what you want, then you realise it comes with a grey cloth interior and some sofa castors for wheels. The options list is always full of stuff you can only get of the manufacturer, bespoke to the car and usually costs them pennies relative to the cost to them, thats where they make the most money.

I cant imagine that for example for BMW a base spec 316 and an optioned up M3 are that far apart in cost to build but they hold the keys to the toy box and there is sod all we can do about it, if cost to build plus 100 percent across the board was the formula I suspect the prices would be markedly different to what they are now.

Not saying it is wrong but lets not be under any illusion that most options are anything like value for money, but then it is a Porsche, does it need to be ?

[kambites]

J4CKO said:

kambites said:

beeej said:

Of course its worth producing the Boxster, they make a killing on it. Seen the costs of the options? It's like a bloody Audi...

Do you know that, or are you speculating? I didn't think Porsche published the profit margins on individual models?

I think the point is that the German manufacturers have the standard spec of a car down to a fine art to make the list price sound reasonable, you go in having seen a photo which makes you think thats what you want, then you realise it comes with a grey cloth interior and some sofa castors for wheels. The options list is always full of stuff you can only get of the manufacturer, bespoke to the car and usually costs them pennies relative to the cost to them, thats where they make the most money.

I cant imagine that for example for BMW a base spec 316 and an optioned up M3 are that far apart in cost to build but they hold the keys to the toy box and there is sod all we can do about it, if cost to build plus 100 percent across the board was the formula I suspect the prices would be markedly different to what they are now.

Not saying it is wrong but lets not be under any illusion that most options are anything like value for money, but then it is a Porsche, does it need to be ?

I meant is he sure they make a big profit, not is he sure the options are ludicrously over-priced.

[kambites]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Hmm. I thought the Boxster was narrower, is that an optical illusion?

[Pints]

Does that mean the Boxster is more rare than the 911?

[B10]

VW must be happy with their additional brand.

[telecat]

Haven't seen many New Cayenne's for a couple of years. 911's and Boxsters are another matter. I believe that the "name" depends on the 911, Boxster and Cayman being successful in Europe and the US. That name means that the Cayenne sells where it does because the sports cars are successful. If they weren't the Cayenne could be the best of it's type but still wouldn't sell. It's a case of perception in the face of reality.

[Orichalon]

It cost Porsche about £2k more to make a base 997 than a base Boxster. 997/991 range has huge profit margins.

[k-ink]

So Porsche is effectively an SUV maker, with a tiny little sideline in sports cars.

[JamesK]

k-ink said:

So Porsche is effectively an SUV maker, with a tiny little sideline in sports cars.

Completely agree!

that should bristle the moustaches of the string backed glove brigade

[J4CKO]

I think they have gone from a high end niche manufacturer to more of a player in the normal premium German realm, I remember as a kid if you spotted a Porsche it was a rare thing, even the front engined ones, now it is a mainstream choice.

[mr sagman]

HAB said:

I wish they'd go bust so I can like them more. Or at least be a bit shyte and/or fall apart & break down frequently.

Then they would have passion & character and be a true enthusiasts marque.

They'll never learn.

Not been keeping up to date with the recently discussed 997 Rs engine rebuild issues, Not to mention the 997 Carrera engine problems.

[DonkeyApple]

k-ink said:

So Porsche is effectively an SUV maker, with a tiny little sideline in sports cars.

It's clearly been the perfect business model for the last decade and they were right to copy what is now JLR . If only Aston had cottoned on sooner and rolled out a Lagonda SUV.

[k-ink]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Would you call Audi a supercar manufactuer just because they sell a few R8 models on the side? Or would you call Lexus a supercar manufactuer just because they sell a few LFA models on the side? Or would you call Aston Martin a micro city car manufactuer just because they sell a few Cygnets models on the side? No to all of those examples. A company is always labelled by their core activity. In this respect Aston Martin is clearly a sports car / GT manufacturer, Audi is an all rounder family car maker, while Lexus is an executive saloon manufacturer. By equal comparison Porsche is undoubtedly an SUV manufacturer. It really does not matter what they once were, or what they would like to be. The numbers speak for themselves.

[Trevor M]

Seeing as Porsche was making about 1250 911's a month back in the 1980's, the 991's 2000 figure a month is pretty good. Even the last figures for the outgoing 997 aren't so terrible. It is surprising to see that the new Boxster isn't now exceeding the sales of the 991. Certainly Chris Harris was commenting on the seeming sales difference in the UK for Boxsters over 991's in EXCELLENCE magazine, but this doesn't seem to be the case -- the more expensive car remains substantially the bigger seller!

That blue Boxster is a rock star in the photo for this article. I saw one on the road last month in that unpleasant green -- and it still looked terrific.

I've not had a big problem with the Cayenne and think the current one is not bad looking. I guess because it's an SUV. As in Sport Utility Vehicle -- which really is Sport. But the Panameradingdong is an abomination which will always be remembered as the bloated hunchbacked egomaniac symbol for when Porsche lost their independence. It must die.

[excel monkey]

k-ink said:

So Porsche is effectively an SUV maker, with a tiny little sideline in sports cars.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/04/hype-and-hypertrophy-how-lamborghini-lost-its-man-card/

"Porsche used to live or die by 911 sales, the same way Lamborghini relied on selling the Countach to keep the doors open. No longer. Today, the Panamera and Cayenne drive the business. They trade on the image of the 911 to move the metal, but the 911 itself has become irrelevant. It’s a trophy wife on the arm of the Panamera. It’s there to make the Pano look good."

Edited by excel monkey on Wednesday 12th December 16:49

[Ozzie Osmond]

The Don of Croy said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

I am the one in ten.

"A statistical reminder of a world that doesn't care."

[Ozzie Osmond]

beeej said:

Of course its worth producing the Boxster, they make a killing on it. Seen the costs of the options? It's like a bloody Audi...

Exactly. Base car is an absolute bargain. Big price jump to the "S" at little more build cost. And then you get to the sucker options...

Or you can buy a 911 and put even more profit in Mr Porsche's pocket.

But that base car is THE sportscar bargain right now if you don't need mega grunt.

[Cyrus1971]

HAB said:

I wish they'd go bust so I can like them more. Or at least be a bit shyte and/or fall apart & break down frequently.

Then they would have passion & character and be a true enthusiasts marque.

They'll never learn.

They did nearly go bust in the 1990's, sailed very close to the wind building those true enthusiasts cars you mention. It nearly killed the brand. No pheonix would have risen. It would have been the end of another fine marque, probably picked up for a few Deutsch Marks by VAG and we would have had less choice than we have now. Making Cayenne Turbos for countries with the $$$ is a mature business' risk management strategy and since it works and gives us mental cars like the GT2RS I am all for it.

[Zumbruk]

Davey S2 said:

As Mr Harris said previously I don't care what ugly, heavy 4x4's or Panemeras they build and flog to China. If it gives them the cash to make cars like the GT3RS and 918 then thats fine with me.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Edited by Zumbruk on Wednesday 12th December 17:53