Porsche vs Ferrari | FerrariChat

Porsche vs Ferrari

Discussion in '348/355' started by bkniep, Nov 18, 2009.

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  1. bkniep

    bkniep Karting

    Dec 31, 2008
    200
    St Louis, MO
    Full Name:
    Bill Kniep
    I added a Ferrari 355 Spider to the 993TT in the garage over the summer and after a few months of driving both back to back, I think I'm starting to get a handle on the Ferrari. I know there are people in both camps that are passionate and insistent that one is better than the other, but each car has great strengths and a few weaknesses. Frankly, now that i am fortunate enough to drive both, I can't imagine why people dismiss either one. These are two of the most charismatic, exciting and wonderful cars ever produced. If you can have a matched set, take the plunge.

    A few thoughts about the 2.

    Appearance: I think each of these cars represents an apex of physical beauty for the marques. They are the last generation not designed in a windtunnel and thus have character and are not characterized by the "sameness" of design that takes over when the tunnel holds such sway. I can't pick a winner here. The Ferrari is better in profile, the 911's best angle is behind or rear 3/4s. I can't pick here. I do get more friendly comments about the Ferrari, but people seem to love both these cars and I never have gotten a nasty comment about either. Interestingly, my wife, who isn't much of a car person vastly prefers the Porsche, because the Ferrari is "too square"

    Interior: Both are a little old school ergonomically. The Porsche comes from another era but is screwed together incredibly well. The Ferrari is showing more wear and tear in 19K miles than the Porsche in 45K. One doesn't buy either of these for the interiors. Edge nobody.

    Sound: It's a little unfair because the Porsche has Fabspeed and the Ferrari has stock, but damn, they make two of the prettiest noises in the world of cars. The Porsche is gritty, mechanical and barks pretty fiercely. The Ferrari howls like a lost soul in the Inferno. They are both gloriously loud and extroverted. Maybe a slight edge to the Ferrari for making the hairs on my neck stand all the way on end.

    Performance: In a straight line, the Turbo walks away from the Ferrari. Horsepower are similar, but the torque from the Turbos is just massive in the 911. In real world driving, the turbo feels much faster, lag is pretty minimal, but what lag there is is shown up by the Ferrari V8. You just need to rev the hell out of it to make it really go. I live in the city, and frankly, winding out a Ferrari to the redline is a good way to go to jail. The 911 can really fly with 3000 rpm, where the Ferrari doesn't even get close until 6000+. The Ferrari feels fast, the 911 still can run with most modern supercars. Edge 911

    Handling: Steering is a tossup. Ferrari is a little light but communicates very well, Porsche communicates a little too much with every road imperfection jouncing the wheel. If you let the wheel slip in your hands, the Porsche tracks straight, but it is a little disconcerting. The Ferrari seems a little numb in comparison to the Porsche, but fell of feel compared to almost anything else. The Ferrari is more composed and neutral. The Porsche is intimidating until you get your head around the slow turn in, set the nose, freight train through the apex with unshakeable grip process of going fast. If you like em chuckable, the Ferrari is for you. Edge Ferrari

    Fast Road Driving: I've had the 911 a lot longer and am used to the very specific driving style to get it to go well, but frankly, the Ferrari is much easier to drive quickly. It is so spectacularly neutral and very easy to take liberties in. The edge of grip is well defined and when it lets go, it is very neutral. The 911 is hard for me to drive quickly on the road because it's not always possible to brake in a straight line on a bendy country road and the push in the nose transitions pretty quickly to a squirmy rear if you are pressing on. Edge Ferrari

    Track: I can't take the Ferrari on the track with its lack of rollover protection, but the 911, which makes me cautious on the road, is the greatest precision tool I've ever driven on a track. I might have just as much fun in the Ferrari, but I'd lap myself if I was in the Porsche. Edge Porsche by a wide margin. (I'm extrapolating here, but once you've driven a well set up 911 on a track, you're hooked forever)

    Ownership Proposition. There is a lot of misinformation about how fragile 355s can become. However, if they do go wrong, the repair bills can be terrifying. Curiously, it seems like 993 TTs are now worth about 10-15% more than comparable 355s, perhaps because of the fears about maintenance costs. I've spent a few hundred dollars a year on basic maintenance each year + the usual expenses of tires/brakes/other consumables in the 911 and it has been flawless. Ferrari is too new to know much, but the costs will be significantly higher. I bought the Ferrari at an incredible price, so it may end up being the better deal long term. If you buy smart on either, they won't depreciate much further. Edge Porsche

    Conclusions: These two cars represent, in my mind, the perfect moment in time for great drivers cars. They are both plenty fast enough. The performance is fully modern in ways that a 930 Turbo or a 328 or Testarossa are not. They have modern levels of grip and, in the Porsche's case, can run with the latest models on a track and not give up too much ground. While they have fully modern performance, they are also the last generation of cars not to have the electronics to help you drive the car. No flappy paddles, no manettinos, etc. They are both incredibly sexy to look at and fun to drive. I respect the Porsche a little more and smile a little more in the Ferrari. Cliche? I guess there's a reason.

    Glad I have both.

    Bill
     
  2. sambomydog

    sambomydog Guest

    May 23, 2009
    1,380
    So what modern supercars can a 993 run with that a 355 cant?
     
  3. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,180
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Paolo
    Porsches are nice. But they are German.

    They dont have a soul!!!
     
  4. PKF355

    PKF355 Formula Junior

    Nov 12, 2003
    701
    sOCal
    Full Name:
    Patrick
    #4 PKF355, Nov 18, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Lack of soul? Porsches or German??

    Well, they don't need one when those twin turbos are pushing at full boost.

    I like my Ferrari's but no need to put others down.

    Edit: add pic...sometime I wish I didn't have to sell my 993Turbo... :(
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. BLAMPEE

    BLAMPEE Man Card Status: Never Issued

    Excellent write-up!

    PS...never been into Porsches. However, that is definitely on sexy a$$ on your white Porsche! Beautiful! :)
     
  6. coledoggy

    coledoggy Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2007
    2,185
    ole miss
    Full Name:
    todd
    great write up, i have been contemplating a 993 s, i love its lines. but i would rather have the 993 turbo power, just think it looks more classic without the tail.

    either way, truely beautiful cars!
     
  7. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
    4,425
    CT
    Full Name:
    Jay
    Sexy?? I'd call it bulbous...almost makes the California look beautiful!
     
  8. hacker-pschorr

    hacker-pschorr Formula Junior

    Sep 27, 2006
    584
    Land of Lambeau
    Funny, that's the line I use to explain why I hate Japanese cars.
     
  9. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,777
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Excellent write-up. In my opinion, the Ferrari is the more better looking car.
     
  10. coledoggy

    coledoggy Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2007
    2,185
    ole miss
    Full Name:
    todd
    gotta disagree with you on this one, the rear end of a wide body 911 is a beautiful thing!
     
  11. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2005
    3,524
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    Mr. Chupacabra
    Well...wait a second. I'm 1/4 German, do I have only 3/4 soul? :)

    Anyway, I don't know about a 993 T, but my Cayman S is fun as hell! Of course, after driving a 348 Challenge recently, I'm left wanting a rawer feel...

    I agree that the 993s are gorgeous, also. Beautiful car you have there!
     
  12. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,180
    Australia
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    Paolo
    didnt mean to offend
    i luv porsches as well
    i have had a few

    im not racist
    im a citizen of the world

    i dont want u to sell yr ferrari - ever
     
  13. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2005
    3,524
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    Mr. Chupacabra
    No worries!
     
  14. rbellezza

    rbellezza F1 Rookie

    Jun 18, 2008
    2,793
    Henderson, NV
    Full Name:
    Roberto Bellezza
    I have had a Porsche in the past, they are dream machines and I can't say anything bad about. But you see a lot's of them around which makes them less desirable. At the opposite side instead, Fcars are much more rare and so .... more desirable. If I could, I would have both.
     
  15. milby1

    milby1 Karting

    May 26, 2008
    191
    USA
    "The Ferrari howls like a lost soul in the Inferno."

    Great expression. Consider it stolen :^)
     
  16. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Probably nothing else from the '90s holds value like a 993 Turbo or Turbo S. I had a 993 cab, and the build quality was astonishing. I think I sold it for exactly what I had paid, maybe slightly more.

    So much more car than the 996 that came after.
     
  17. dlynes

    dlynes Formula 3

    Oct 16, 2004
    2,450
    Augusta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Dave
    oh geez...Japanese car and no soul huh?
     
  18. dlynes

    dlynes Formula 3

    Oct 16, 2004
    2,450
    Augusta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Dave
    +1
     
  19. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    Those 993 Turbos are my all-time fav P-cars ;-) Love the look of them and they obviously go like snot!
     
  20. ghardt

    ghardt Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    1,260
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    I like P cars. But most folks have no idea what a 993TT is. But, everyone knows a 355!
     
  21. mgv1

    mgv1 Formula Junior

    Feb 6, 2006
    496
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Mark V
    I loved my 355 but always read about how the car used extensive wind tunnel testing in development. I get the gist of it that both cars are not "jelly molds" but the 355 was the first downforce car from Ferrari with the rear spoiler (nolder) and undertray developed in the wind tunnel. See below.

    355: The design of the body took over 1800 hours of wind tunnel analysis.


    The shape incorporates all those ideas generated by experimentation and is aimed at maximising both aerodynamic efficiency and stability while meeting the technical requirements of performance. Having achieved an optimal Cd, research concentrated on optimising vertical loads on the wheels. This was done by analysing the factors effecting the front spoiler and rear bonnet to create an ideal shape. This stage also involved analysis of the underbody and the creation of a floor-pan shape that made the distribution of the aerodynamic load independent of ground clearance. In-depth analysis was devoted to internal airflows, and the air vents that cool the side radiators and the brakes were designed with great care. The result is a better flow of air to maintain an ideal temperature in all elements even in sports/race track conditions.
     
  22. sambomydog

    sambomydog Guest

    May 23, 2009
    1,380
    So this question is either being conveniently ignored, or its been over looked;)
     
  23. andrew911

    andrew911 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 8, 2003
    2,894
    Northern NJ
    +1 on the general thought. I've got a 26K mile 1993 cab that I'll be selling in the spring...it's my 3rd 911 and anything from the 993 back (1998 or earlier) is bank valut solid and wonderful, and reasonable to own as the depreciation is minimal and servicing is cheap (most years my maintence has been $80 oil change which I can't say will be the same for my 360 or any ferrari for that matter). I'm selling because I can't justify keeping a 360 and 911 (yes I can justify it to my self, believe me, I just can't to my wife :) )

    The 993TT, 964 turbo, and 930 turbo are and will always be classic porsches that will continue to be desired, along with their non-turbo counterparts that are a notch below the performance spectrum. The 911's do have a soul, just less boistroius than the Ferrari and a different experience.

    By the way, great write up Bill- I enjoyed reading it!

    -Andrew
     
  24. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    40,012
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    That's the first really good comparative write-up I've seen between Porsche and Ferrari. Thanks very much, it was an excellent read. :D

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  25. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    I personally find Porsches very boring.
    Ive owned 5 ferraris and probably 8 Porsches................

    0.02
     

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