Who thinks the latest range of Porsches are poor.....
Discussion
Me! I don't think Porsche are making what I call a sports car anymore. I've driven both the 981 & 991 and I'm not impressed with the large size, the electronic handbrake, the electric steering and the strong bias towards automatic gearboxes. If I want a car like that I'd by a Jag.
I’m sad as pre-launch I wanted to like & buy one :-(
I’m sad as pre-launch I wanted to like & buy one :-(
Having been away from the Porsche brand since my Full spec aerokitted 996 Turbo X50 days I have to say the current 981 Boxster and 991 look and drive spot on.
Got a call out of the blue from my local OPC at the beginning of the year re the new 991 GT3, went down and had a look at and drive of the new models and was so impressed with the improvements made I placed an order for a new GT3.
You've got to move with the times and the PDK box is unbelievable. What a fantastic piece of engineering !
That said I'm not a fan of electric handbrakes
Got a call out of the blue from my local OPC at the beginning of the year re the new 991 GT3, went down and had a look at and drive of the new models and was so impressed with the improvements made I placed an order for a new GT3.
You've got to move with the times and the PDK box is unbelievable. What a fantastic piece of engineering !
That said I'm not a fan of electric handbrakes
Edited by GRBF430F1 on Friday 16th August 20:57
They just don't feel like sports cars to me, and the steering is really bad, you only notice when you get back in your own car and it feels great.
I have been holding out for the new Cayman and it just did not do it for me at all.
If I wanted a car like that I would go back to Audi.
Sports cars are a hard sell though and a smaller market.
I have been holding out for the new Cayman and it just did not do it for me at all.
If I wanted a car like that I would go back to Audi.
Sports cars are a hard sell though and a smaller market.
I think that they are very well crafted vehicles but for me at least I was drawn to the Porsche marque because they produced cars that allowed the driver to develop and hone his driving skills. That is what separated them from the competition which placed emphasis on developing electrical systems to enhance performance at the detriment of driver envolcement and driving reward.
For me it is a great shame that Porsche have gone this way. On saying that, it was the only option open to them if they were to compete. If you throw a lot of power into a brilliant chassis, you get a few happy decent drivers and a lot of unhappy bad ones.
For me it is a great shame that Porsche have gone this way. On saying that, it was the only option open to them if they were to compete. If you throw a lot of power into a brilliant chassis, you get a few happy decent drivers and a lot of unhappy bad ones.
The new cars don't have me running to the garage in the same way the 987/997 series did. Very cool cars just missing that X factor for me at the moment. Will never forget seeing the 997 turbo s for the first time in the showroom in 2010, they had to mop up my drool.
Having said that 2009 for Porsche was the pinnacle year for me but they always get it right in the end and I have high hopes for the future.
Current Low points - 'luxobarge' approach to interior design, the 991 sunroof and rear end design disaster. Continual Blinkered view on not creating a gt4 cayman/ cayman rs/ cayman cup
Highpoints - Don't know how anyone can level criticism at the new caymans styling, it is one of Porsches prettiest watercooled creations and for the first time, better looking than the 911 !
For me, at the moment porsche are most interesting with the likes of the cayenne, panny, macan ... their more ordinary transport cars. I think these are some of the best real world cars on offer today. As an everyday generalist smoke i would also put the 991 in that category too. I don't however look to porsche for weekend drivers toys, special cars as it were .... my interest in them for that role rests in firmly the 1990's.
I think their range is immensely strong though, possibly better than any other marque with a car for almost anyone and all highly accomplished modern offerings in their own right; its just my view of the company has altered slightly as they've become more mainstream. I think for something special though that is actually made present day, something more unique and bespoke, you need to be looking elsewhere. That said, tne pitfalls of modern technology, too much power and grip will probably still apply.
I think their range is immensely strong though, possibly better than any other marque with a car for almost anyone and all highly accomplished modern offerings in their own right; its just my view of the company has altered slightly as they've become more mainstream. I think for something special though that is actually made present day, something more unique and bespoke, you need to be looking elsewhere. That said, tne pitfalls of modern technology, too much power and grip will probably still apply.
They are amazingly capable cars combining the usability of an Audi with the performance of a Ferrari. However (and I don't care what Porsche or the press say), electric PAS is awful and PDK on a GT3 is just plain WRONG. And don't get me started on synthesised engine noises or stop/start systems! However, the electric handbrake I can tolerate.
But then someone did accuse me of being a flat-earther the other day...
But then someone did accuse me of being a flat-earther the other day...
Was passing Porsche Leeds this morning so thought I'd pop in to have a look at a new cayman as I've only seen them in pictures. I must say they look absolutely stunning, easily the best looking car in the showroom IMO. Would love to have a drive and see what they are like compared to my 2007 cayman S.
I'm very happy indeed with my manual 981S. Definitely a "proper" sports car and IMO probably one of the best on sale today at any price. I have the good fortune to be able to own any car I like and I decided that £50k spent on one of these was just about perfect. A £200k Ferrari would be fundamentally similar although a bigger pain to live with - and auto only.
Having said that, whoever specified the electric parking brake for these cars should be taken out and shot! Without it, the car would be 99% perfect as opposed to only 95%.
Having said that, whoever specified the electric parking brake for these cars should be taken out and shot! Without it, the car would be 99% perfect as opposed to only 95%.
Carl_Docklands said:
Don't know how anyone can level criticism at the new caymans styling, it is one of Porsches prettiest watercooled creations and for the first time, better looking than the 911 !
That's the thing...I look at my Cayman 981, and simply do not hanker for any other car....it must be love! Not like me. usually I always want what I can't afford!!In my opinion these latest Porsches, plus the new Jag and Corvette, present a huge headache for anyone else who aspires to be in the sportscar business. The cars are just so darned good for £50k - £80k.
The heyday of the "independent sportscar builders" was when the big manufacturers weren't in the game. It's all changed now. They have a similar problem if they try to go up market and smack straight into some stunning product from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren at £180k.
I really want to see a successful Lotus back in the game but it's hard to see an empty "niche" among this lot.
The heyday of the "independent sportscar builders" was when the big manufacturers weren't in the game. It's all changed now. They have a similar problem if they try to go up market and smack straight into some stunning product from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren at £180k.
I really want to see a successful Lotus back in the game but it's hard to see an empty "niche" among this lot.
Ozzie Osmond said:
In my opinion these latest Porsches, plus the new Jag and Corvette, present a huge headache for anyone else who aspires to be in the sportscar business. The cars are just so darned good for £50k - £80k.
The heyday of the "independent sportscar builders" was when the big manufacturers weren't in the game. It's all changed now. They have a similar problem if they try to go up market and smack straight into some stunning product from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren at £180k.
I really want to see a successful Lotus back in the game but it's hard to see an empty "niche" among this lot.
I agree with all of that.The heyday of the "independent sportscar builders" was when the big manufacturers weren't in the game. It's all changed now. They have a similar problem if they try to go up market and smack straight into some stunning product from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren at £180k.
I really want to see a successful Lotus back in the game but it's hard to see an empty "niche" among this lot.
I fear that the guy who has just bought TVR is going to have to pull a small miracle out of the bag to achieve anything more than a handful of sales.
Gouldian said:
I'm with you Ozzie all the way. Cancelled order for 458 Spyder as too much attention/worry and the 981 "S" manual is as Chris Harris said, all you need in a sports car and, in my view every bit as good looking as the Ferrari!!!!
But mr Harris has never owned a 981 and drives about in a Ferrari lolGassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff