Are Porsches Dull?
Discussion
I'm a complete car nut but there's always been a brand I've never liked... Porsche, not only they've been making the same car for almost 50 years they don't have the same passion as a Ferrari or a Lambo, and they are often attached to the mid life crisis cliche. When the 997 911 came out I thought, I kind of like this one and after reading every single review about it I really felt myself converted, all I had to do was to drive one so I did and all on a track (flat out): a 997 Turbo, a 997 GT3 RS and a Cayman. I secretly hoped to join the Porsche aficionado club all around the world... to my despair, all left me even more disappointed and made them dislike them even more that I did before. They are so rational with their precision (bulls
t) that they just left me even colder than I was, people sing its praises about the Cayman's balance but the lack of power and in my opinion dull fell just made me wonder if I was the one missing something, GT3RS is alive but requires too much effort for little reward and the Turbo well, only nice when the turbos kick in. A Ferrari (F430) has tons of charisma, soul and feel, so has a Lambo (LP 640 - brutal and yet handles so well) or even an R8 (gorgeous feel), even seating in those cars is an event itself. Yes I drove them all, (not rich but its called supercar driving experiences), I left them all with a big grin except the Porsches. Just like J.Clarksson they do what you tell them to do but theres no feel, no personality... feels dead! I guess thats why their interiors are usually grey.
Can you guys explain with everybody loves them?
t) that they just left me even colder than I was, people sing its praises about the Cayman's balance but the lack of power and in my opinion dull fell just made me wonder if I was the one missing something, GT3RS is alive but requires too much effort for little reward and the Turbo well, only nice when the turbos kick in. A Ferrari (F430) has tons of charisma, soul and feel, so has a Lambo (LP 640 - brutal and yet handles so well) or even an R8 (gorgeous feel), even seating in those cars is an event itself. Yes I drove them all, (not rich but its called supercar driving experiences), I left them all with a big grin except the Porsches. Just like J.Clarksson they do what you tell them to do but theres no feel, no personality... feels dead! I guess thats why their interiors are usually grey. Can you guys explain with everybody loves them?
Why do I fancy that girl and you think she's not worth a second look?
Once you get to the level of competence that performance cars are at nowadays, your choice will often come down to something personal, not something objective. Many people (including me) put a value on "being different" or "not following the herd". For me, a car choice must appeal emotionally as well as rationally. The Porsche may be the best rational choice but if it doesn't connect to me then I won't buy it. We're all different so different attributes appeal to different people. This is a brilliant facet of human nature - see the Bristol Fighter thread.
Once you get to the level of competence that performance cars are at nowadays, your choice will often come down to something personal, not something objective. Many people (including me) put a value on "being different" or "not following the herd". For me, a car choice must appeal emotionally as well as rationally. The Porsche may be the best rational choice but if it doesn't connect to me then I won't buy it. We're all different so different attributes appeal to different people. This is a brilliant facet of human nature - see the Bristol Fighter thread.
Some people like small, light sports cars. 996/997s aren't that. I like brutally fast GTs, which handle well and can be driven for hours with no impact on my back. I have a 928. They also win races. Not all Porsches are the same! You're welcome to come for a ride if you're in North London.
Well. evidently everybody does NOT love them. I have driven many of the cars you mentioned, (no Lambos). I think the R8 is a lovely car to drive for instance, and spent a few rewarding days with one. I have had a fair number of car others than Porsches, but, subjectively, I like the fun of thrashing a Porsche around a track, ( I have an RS), but just about any of them respond very well to being driven hard. I had a ball recently with a perfectly standard Cayman S on a track. I think they are not all that exciting unless they are driven quite hard, Under 5000 rpm the RS is not all that exciting. But its all a matter of taste. If the car does not work for you, there is no reason for you to like it. I personally find Aston Martins very boring despite having driven most of them,but some of my friends swear by them .
My personal experience with driving Porsche is the sense of connectedness and immediacy of the steering and a feeling of precision to the thing. There are certainly faster cars out there, but I am happy with the feel of the Porsche. Completely accept that they are not for everyone.
My personal experience with driving Porsche is the sense of connectedness and immediacy of the steering and a feeling of precision to the thing. There are certainly faster cars out there, but I am happy with the feel of the Porsche. Completely accept that they are not for everyone.
marclp said:
And then what? 'racing improves the breed' king of 'bullst' - sorry, Ferrari its been in F1, why isn't porsche?
Porsche have been in F1 both as a constructor and an engine supplier t' - sorry, Ferrari its been in F1, why isn't porsche? 
Porsche's racing has always tended to have some relation to its road car business with the racing versions of 911s being seen as an extension to the range rather than a silhouette with the same name, not suprising really as road car production is after all its primary reason for existing.Ferrari's involvement in F1 has little practical crossover into the road car business and hasn’t for many years with the possible exception of the F50 and the adoption of semi auto boxes (very aguable given the Mondial Valeo), The road car business was originally only there to finance the race cars, something that arguably only really changed following Enzo’s death.
Whilst it may be a cliché you really have to live with a 911 day in – day out to really get it, a 5min controlled experience won’t tell you anything
Different strokes for different folks.
On the plus side, Porsches are much more civil, cost much less to repair, and don't break as often. A large number of people run them as daily drivers. How many people do you know with a Murcielago as a daily driver?
As with anything, there are good sides and bad sides. I never got into the whole Porsche thing, though I do respect the Turbo very much.
On the plus side, Porsches are much more civil, cost much less to repair, and don't break as often. A large number of people run them as daily drivers. How many people do you know with a Murcielago as a daily driver?
As with anything, there are good sides and bad sides. I never got into the whole Porsche thing, though I do respect the Turbo very much.
I instruct on some experience days and the one car that tends to surprise the drivers the most is the 911. They often expect to be bored by it but end up with it as one of their favourites.
For sure it doesn't feel as special as a Lambo or Ferrari but given a choice of which car they would want to take home with them the list is typically R8 in first place, Porsche or Aston in joint second and then the Lambo and Ferrari. If they have driven a Porsche turbo then it would often be that in front of the Audi. Pretty impressive really as a lot of the Porsches are 996 models with a value around 1/4 of even the cheapest Lambo or R8.........
For sure it doesn't feel as special as a Lambo or Ferrari but given a choice of which car they would want to take home with them the list is typically R8 in first place, Porsche or Aston in joint second and then the Lambo and Ferrari. If they have driven a Porsche turbo then it would often be that in front of the Audi. Pretty impressive really as a lot of the Porsches are 996 models with a value around 1/4 of even the cheapest Lambo or R8.........
ExChrispy Porker said:
First 12 words sealed it for me. Sorry.
I can see what you're getting at, but here you are actually unitentially implying that a car enthusiast must hold some level of love and respect for ALL and ANY marque. I'm sincerely hoping you hold the likes of Hyundai and Kia in lower esteem than, say.....Porsche (just as an example, of course
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