Yes, Porsche is overhyped.
Last week, some of the local dealerships had some cars on display downtown. One was a Cayman S. The sticker price was around $68K, loaded. I thought that was one hell of a deal.
Exactly. Now, allow me a point - I have faithfully gone and test-driven about every BMW 2-door GT for many years now...starting with the old 2.8/3.0CS, then the 630 and 633 CS, later the M3, etc...mainly because of the continual praise they get in the magazines. And every time I ended up with either a Porsche or a Corvette. My problem was just exactly what Russian is feeling about his Porsche experience - they were great cars, but they felt like a cusom-made shotgun that was custom made for somebody else. In particular, that ape-hanger steering wheel location on the 6 series coupes...also, that weird center instrument dash on the Z8...and I don't even want to talk about the Bangle styling trend. Now, does that make them over-hyped? I guess I could take that attitude - just because they don't fit me. But I am not going to. A lot of people seem to love their BMW world and that is fine with me...and certainly it is not worth the trouble of a put-down thread. And that's my truthful word on the subject.
Yes, almost all new cars have Federally mandated noise restrictions, my box stock 550 does sound a little docile but hell thats what they make after market intakes and exaust for. Did both on my Boxster and now has that great snarl.
Some irony, yes. There is an awful lot of material in this thread; some controversial, some not, referring to the merits of Porsche. As I read, some of the folks got into the battle of the sexes, not pertinent to the discussion in my opinion. That was my reference. Sorry if you thought otherwise.
They do! Now, if I could just keep my wife away from them (she never gains an ounce and has cholesteral lower that an onion)...........................
Most of this reduces itself to preference for the marque. Sort of like arguing religion or in-laws. You can't do it. I've only ever owned one Porsche ('86 928). Gorgeous car. Lovely to drive. Horrible quality problems from radio to tires. Not the real thing that drove me away permanently. It was the attitude of the dealers who seemed to think everything had to be my fault. I got there on a trip from Central PA through Nova Scotia wherein I visited several dealers along the way regarding a problem with maintaining tire balance. By the time I returned, I sold the car and never went back. How do many of you owners feel about your dealers? Was this a "then" problem?
I don't think any "conclusive" statement can be made about (Porsche) dealers. From what I have heard, they vary WIDELY depending on where you live. We have two (and a half - lol) main dealers localling in our area, and they both work pretty hard to keep the customer happy in the service department. Salesmen can sometimes be a-holes, but I think that is a requirement to be a car salesman in the first place. lol (No insult intended to any salesmen on the board, of course ) As for this thread...I like talking Porsches, but obviously it won't be "the ****" for everyone. Some people are BMW people, others Ferrari, Aston, whatever. That is why there ARE so many marques. To say the brand doesn't do it for you, so it is over hyped is a bit silly. I can cite a dozen car reviews that say the boxster/cayman is the best thing since sliced bread. Who is right and who is wrong? All of us. Cheers
Porsche is as over-hyped as any other car in its segment or above. Look at the frenzy on the 599. $200k over MSRP is overhyped for near any car. I am not a big fan of Porsche. I think they a bit dull to drive and look at. I also have not heard a great sound from one. Also, I can't walk outside without tripping over like 100 911's. I fully admit they are great cars and often great values. Just not my cup of tea. I have friends that think the 911 is the ultimate in sports cars and laugh at the though of a Ferrari. To each their own, that is why there are so many brands to choose from.
Is Porsche's Triponic system like the F1 Paddle system of Ferrari. I have no problem with the paddle system.
A Porsche is a refined luxury sports car. It is very nimble to drive on the road, offering superb handling and sexy appeal. I love a Ferrari, any day would I love to own one. But a Porsche just has something on me. The sound, the looks and the build quality all exceed the offerings of a Ferrari. Using a Boxter as an example versus a 360 is like comparing apple's to oranges its not fair. The Boxter is meant for a young guy who doesn't have much money who wants to compensate for his small penis and pick up women," I drive a Porsche". Comparing the real thing, a 911 TT versus a 360 there is no comparison. Whether it be straight line or on the track.
"I also have not heard a great sound from one." no great sound? gues you have never heard a 2.4 or a 2.7 liter w/ a sport system! or...a full modded 930 under a bridge? i got on mine last night and it sounded like a space shuttle launch. it was insane!!!!! i could not contain my laughter.
You have 3 whole posts to your name, and the air of a troll about you, so why I am bothering to respond??? You obviously understand the "young guy with small penis" market, since your post reads like you are a card carrying member. I have been to lots of Boxster gatherings, and they rarely feature many young guys. It takes a little maturity to drive a Boxster because you have to be past caring what the "Porsche w/ Panties" crowd thinks in order to drive one. You have to be at the place which says "I drive the car because I love it for what it is, not because other people love it (and therefore me) for what it is." I have read at least 3 or 4 car mag articles which describe the Boxster as a purists sports car not only because it is such a great driver's car, but also BECAUSE you have to be a dedicated sports car person to get past the insecure-crowd's disdain. The TT, on the other hand, while a great car, is the ultimate in male enhancement and is more often purchased for the girl-attractor / impress-my-friends duties. Young guys don't need cars to attract girls. Old(er) guys do. Ask any Porsche salesman about who the typical turbo buyer is. NOT a hardcore driver. "Drivers" will own turbos, don't get me wrong, but they pick them up barely used after the glamour / country-club set has turned them in for the next flavor of the month. I am also guessing you have had neither a Boxster, nor a TT, nor a 360 on the road OR track... So speak about something you have a clue on. Porsche do not seem to be one of those topics.
While you are correct that enthusiasts do not comprise the market for NEW expensive cars (we have a strong value quotient), I assure you that most 911 Turbos now reside with car lovers (only the new 997 TT has a significant "poser" population). Like it or not, the Boxster has the well-deserved panties reputation, which started with the underpowered first models. They were way closer to the psuedo-sportscars like the S2000, Miata, SLK, & Z3 in performance than they should have been.......shame on Porsche.
Sorry but I used to own a S2000 and that car is one of the purest, most raw sports car you can buy. Out of the box it is probably the most benign handling car money can buy. There is nothing pseudo about a Honda S2000, it is an absolute blast to drive and structurally stiffer than 99.9% of the convertible sports cars available today. The tranny in a S2000 shifts like a rifle-bolt, they all come standard with LSD, they are literally front-mid-engine cars. I still can't believe Honda built it and yes it did get buzzy after a long drive (2.0 liter-240 bhp- 9000 rpm redline) but please don't talk about cars you obviously know nothing about! Ever drive a SLK55?
The S2000 and the Miata are both real (modern-day) sports cars. The MGB and the Lotus Elan were both real (previous-day) sports cars. Are you aware that the "panty-boxter" you just trashed had more power & performance than the top of the line Porsche 911S of the early 1970s? And therefore would pretty well put paid to a Dino 246? Have you ever seen the Mazda Miata racing series on Speed? They give you a better show than many F1 events. It does not require 300 hp to make a sports car. It is more about getting fun and efficiency from less rather than excess.
Pseudo-sports car? The TT is a heavy AWD GT cruiser that Porsche has done an excellent job of making reasonably agile. I think your definition of sports car is a bit skewed to power, which is traditionally NOT a dominating sports car criteria. Sure, they need to be reasonably quick, but that is usually due to lightness and agility rather than power. All the pseudo-sports cars you named are much purer incarnations of the concept than a TT. That being said, a TT is an awesome achievement of safety and ability in a car with astounding power. I have owned both and can tell you which is more satisfying to drive. At least for me. It wasn't the TT. I am sure most people think I am nuts, but what are you gonna do. lol
I drive a boxster and agree with the other guys on the board who do as well, it's just a different kind of car. I love it, blast to drive, could use more power, but handling is a ton of fun. Only thing im holding out for next is an AMV8. The boxter reminds me of my bike. I have a Ducati 749. When I ride with my buddies and thier 600/750 Japanese bikes, yes they are faster, power powerful and rev higher and some people love how they sound in comparison to the V twin, but I prefer everything about the Ducati. It's not the name, its the design, setup, the sound of the v twin thats so different. Can they beat me straight out? Pretty much always. But when it comes to turns and handling, they don't even come close. The same goes with the boxster, I couldnt hang straight out with my biddies m3, but he couldnt handle half as well in turns. I used to be a non porsche guy until I drove a 911S. Wonderful car. Been in Ferrari's before, also wonderful cars, very different from a Porsche. I personally loved the Aston Vantage. Again, very different car. Im with the other guys, to each his own. I'm just a car guy, if you have a 57 mustang, a carrera gt, or an MG midget, if its what you like, then its what you like. And the RUF 3600S is INSANITY
That all depends on your environment. A show of hands that have explored and reached the limits of your 911 TT or Boxter of any incarnation on local roads safely and routinely? Anyone? The capabilities of both those cars exceed the roads they are driven on. What you lose in handling and agility, you might seek to make up for with torque and power. You can't always drive sideways nor blast to the speed limit before the rest of traffic has pulled off, but having the option for both has a direct appeal to almost everyone.
Kinda funny I have a 63 & 65 MG Midget and a 67 Porsche 911S and a 1982 400I Ferrari. I can not chose one over the next any more than I can chose a best child. I really like them in what each has to offer. But to the topic of this thread a Porsche is a really refined and hot rodded street car. On the other hand even Ferrari's 400I "family car" is a race car modified for the street. Porsche races to sell cars, Ferrari sells cars to race. Comparing them is kinda of silly. If you do not get it and have a close mind this thread will not help. Image Unavailable, Please Login
We are talking definition of sports car, not what people enjoy driving. Historically, a "sports car" is a convertible like an MGB or that Fiat from "The Graduate", not hugely powerful cars. But that conversation would likely get semantically and pedantically boring, so lets just leave the subject where it lies. lol
