Why did the 911 outlive the 928, 924/944/968? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Why did the 911 outlive the 928, 924/944/968?

Discussion in 'Porsche' started by Bullfighter, May 23, 2023.

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  1. LARRYH

    LARRYH F1 Veteran
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    Jun 3, 2011
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    Why the 911 keeps surviving . for one it defines Porsche . They are rock solid reliable and fun to drive . They are still available with a manual and are an iconic shape.
     
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  2. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    This is an interesting story about the ad campaign I showed above... Chiat/Day did some of the best advertising work ever, and they created that campaign for Porsche.

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advertising-how-turn-phrase-almost-cost-chiatday-porsche-goldman/

     
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  3. audi_328

    audi_328 Formula 3
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    In 1988 or so, not long after I discovered cars, I had a doctor uncle who had a 911 cabriolet. He gave me a ride one time and remarked after, wait til next year I'm going to get a 928 S4! I remember wondering why he didn't want to keep the 911? The 928 was a Porsche so it was great (if a little strange looking) and the S4 was the new flagship model, but even as a kid I lusted after 911s. I drew them, built models of them, etc., was obsessed with getting one someday.
     
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  4. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I remember how weird it seemed when the 924 and 928 came out. Like the universe was out of balance.
     
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  5. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

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    This ad sums up the 911 experience for me.



    T
     
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  6. Pawilly

    Pawilly Formula Junior
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  7. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    "This effort was a culmination of multiple work-sessions and meetings at Porsche in Weisssach and Zuffenhausen. Including interviews with Helmuth Bott - head of R&D, Tony Lapine - head designer, and Professor Ferry Porsche."

    So much more exciting than to write about the hours/days/weeks spent in my office in Reno Nevada (!) working out those concepts and details....../:(
     
  8. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    This. I had mine out yesterday after several weeks of not driving. No battery tender. Turn key, starts right up, idles rock steady, engine running cool in traffic at 90 degrees ambient temp. A/c blew cold. Not bad for a 30 year-old sports car.


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  9. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    What were your jobs at Porsche?

     
  10. jjmalez

    jjmalez F1 Veteran
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    My wife and my 95 968 Cabriolet.

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  11. peterp

    peterp F1 Veteran

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    Porsche had actually planned to end the 911 model after that 928 came out, but the customers wouldn't have it (https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a37778048/the-death-and-rebirth-of-the-porsche-911/)

    To me, it's been enduring because nothing drives like a 911 -- the rear-engine and all the other characteristics are just unique and you aren't going to get that feel in any other car. The purest version of that for me was the late 60's/early 70's 911e model, but all of the 911's before and after have a bit of that feel.

    I think it has also helped a bit that, despite being an uncompromising sports car, it's a very practical design where the rear seats can be used in a pinch (humans, guitars, golf bags). The fact that it has rear seats has made owning a 911 practical at times when I couldn't have owned if it didn't have those frosted mini-seats in the back. I think it's driving feel that's kept the 911 alive, but I also think those tiny rear seats are responsible for more sales than most people realize.
     
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  12. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I may be in the minority but I prefer the cabriolet for looks and sense of occasion. I drove a white one - darker colors are better.


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  13. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Good article. I had always thought of the cabriolet as a desperate attempt to stimulate sales and go up market.

    And I was right, apparently….


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  14. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    I just bought a 944 turbo. I've never driven one! I don't think I'll get it for about 10 days. Kinda excited.
     
  15. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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  16. zygomatic

    zygomatic F1 Rookie
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    And there is a special pleasure that comes with driving a 911 quickly. I suppose it is similar to any learned and slightly awkward skill. It feels amazing when you get it right.
     
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  17. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

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    The first time you think you're going too fast into a curve and then you use the pendulum effect of that rear engine to not bin it...magic!

    T
     
  18. MacNugget

    MacNugget Formula Junior
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    Floor it and steer like hell!
     
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  19. max930

    max930 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Me in 1989 or 90 cleaning my dads 1988 928S4............... The BMW in the picture is a rarer car. It is the all wheel drive 325ix.

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  20. Fritz Ficke

    Fritz Ficke Formula 3
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    Porsche made a sports car that was never duplicated with an air-cooled rear engine lay out that gave a unique driving experience.
    Front engine water cooled layout can be experienced by a lo0t of other car companies.
    After 1989 the '911' was a marketing gimmick and they were in house known by, 964 , 993 , etc.
     
  21. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    All true. Although I think applying the Carrera name to all 911s was the marketing move… the 964 and 993 were significant advances but kept the same recipe and essential design. They’re all 911s.


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