Whut's a po boy to do?

"and trust me you are kidding yourself if you think it needs bigger brakes you are kidding yourself"


I know that and I agree. What I said, and what I'm saying, is that Porsche ALWAYS adds more than just horsepower when they upgrade a car. ALWAYS. To bring the Caymen up to 911 standards, especially cooling and rigidity, they would seriously alter the car. The bigger motor (or turbocharger or supercharger) would need (according to Porsche, who over-engineers everything) bigger radiators, more airflow (oops, there goes the enclosed motor and here comes vents and slats), and since that would make it heavier, then larger brakes (not my idea, but look at the past examples where added horsepower led to larger brakes), then larger roll bars and springs, then, then, then. And you are up to the weight of a 911. The Caymen is a cheaper, lighter-weight, better handling (inherently, not necessarily practically) sports car that is not burdened by the packaging compromises a small backseat demands. The Caymen could be altered to compete in all ways with the 911. But it doesn't have to because there is already a 911, highly refined, tamed and ready for delivery. Of course, it costs a little more. And the 911 could be modified to mid-engine status by moving the rear wheels back, pulling the motor forward a little, and eliminating the back seat. But they don't need to — they already have a Caymen that fills the bill. Why pull for either car to encroach on the other's territory? Aftermarket tuners put the 911 engine in the Caymen to satisfy your dream. They have some packaging compromises because of the height of the engine, but nothing a little cutting and pasting won't correct. And it doesn't hurt to run a little hotter, after all the warranty is void if it is modified. Porsche just builds two different cars for you to choose from. And they give a 4-year warranty. Take your pick and your chances if you decide to modify them.

 

Ahh I see. Ya in that case no arguement. If they eke out 1hp outta there they do have a habit of making eveything else that much better to work with that 1hp.

I dunno maybe its my driving style but the 911 is good fun, but even if I try to get serious its too tailhappy for my liking. Then again I never drove any with the spoiler, so maybe tht makes a difference. But I do like the cayman, its a great mid engine car.

 

But I have to tell you, after having read all of this,

I have concluded, after laying my hard-earned money down on several occasions, that pound-per-pound, dollar-per-dollar, Porsche makes a better sports car than Ferrari.

Now, before you flame me, demand that I be kicked off this board, insist I have my balls cut off, or otherwise debased, please allow me to redeem myself. Namely, I can't stand Porsche people. Lord knows, I have tried. But who gives a flying you-know-what about the alloys used in a thinga-ma-job, or whether waxing your car twice a week is enough?

While I understand the importance of safety, have you ever been to a PCA track day? No wonder the krauts lost the war. Geeze Louise, whatever happened to having fun? I've never forget the driver's meeting at one FCA event, "Can we pass on the straight?" "Sure." "Can we pass on the corners?" "Sure, why not?" In other words, if you got the dough to play, it is assumed you know what you're doing. Imagine that.

And drinking, don't get me started. Porsche types will nurse a beer until the hops start growing again. Going to a FCA or a F-Chat bash is a whole another story. Man, da thangs I used to do, I can't do no mo.

So, what should I do? Should I duct tape a F355 body to a GT3? How about if I put a Stradale stripe on my "85 911?? Or what if I hook up a sound system that blasts the sounds of a Ferrari F1 car as it blows fire while upshifting?

Your thoughts?

Brand confused in South Carolina, Jeff

 

Is that a joke?? Have you looked at how many "what type of wax should I use" "How should I wash my car" "what type of oil should I use" type threads there are on this board???

Cars excite each person differently. Some People here say that Porsche or BMW or MB are boring and have no style, but the owners of those cars, that love those makes feel differently. . . . It's embarassing, as a Ferrari owner how brand-centric some folks on this board are being.

Also, when you (not you in particular) call another type of car enthusiast a "snob" you're making you'reself into the same type of snob. Very hypocritical..... Not everyone falls into that generalization... (Porsche owners are snobs etc)
Think if you were to generalize the traits of a few in a certain a race, gender, color, etc... not too cool...

 

+1

 

Have to agree as well. I don't think there is anything wrong with being passionate about something, but its like anything else. I don't, for example, see how you can be a Philadelphia Eagles fan and not at least be able to acknowledge the Colts as a good football team. I am a diehard Ferrari guy and have some good friends who are Porsche guys. The only difference between us is the car we pull up in. There are Ferrari owners who are absurdly obsessive about their cars (and I am one of them) and there are those that drive them hard and put them away wet--same goes for Porsches, etc.

I thoroughly enjoy threads like this. The Porsche vs. Ferrari rivalry has gone on for decades and the banter is usually good natured and fun. Heck, I never miss an opportunity to tell my friend his 993 is the nicest sewing machine I have ever seen, and he never misses an opportunity to feign surprise that my Mondial actually runs. The reason for the rivalry, I believe, is that Ferrari and Porsche are two sides to the same coin. I just like the side with the prancing horse on it

 

Well said, Mr. Z.

 

Some very funny posts here...

Owned a Porsche ( please.. it's Porshaaa :0), but not Ferrari, but I have driven both on the track and been a passenger in many as well. Sure, the P. offers great performance for less money. The interior of the Cayman is nicely executed too for example. Porsches are generally bulletproof too.

Ahh, but where is the SOUL, the art, the beauty of it. Open the hood, rev the engine. Feel the balance, the position. What was the quote about the 930? You can't make a race car out of pig, but you can make an awfully fast pig... Porsche has a phenomenal racing history. Oh, wait, so does Ferrari.

There is a lot more there. There is more to the Ferrari than just the performance. You know, a Yamaha offers better performance than my Ducati, and a lot less expensively. Not giving up the Duck anytime soon. Ridden both, the Y. is impressive, faster too. Still not a Duck.

Same thing applies here.
Keep the rubber side down..

 

I have to laugh at this thread, and I have quite a few times. I could care less what nameplate is on the car, if the car is exciting to drive and gives me the thrill I want, that is fine for me. I have owned a lot of cars (over 130 in the last 10 years), including 2 360's a 575, and a 430, and yes they were great cars, and yes I am a Ferrari fan, but both the supercharged 997S and the RWD Gallardo I now own are as good, and in some cases better cars than any of the Ferrari's I owned or have driven. Granted both cars are no longer stock (and the 997S has over 100K in mods), and pretty every car I have ever owned has been altered in one way or another, so perhaps my opinion is based on that fact. I am a carnut, whether it be a covette, a honda, or a ford, if they can make a great drivers car, then I say go for it. I can see there are a few real car lovers on here, but I also see that there are those who say things "it's a Ferrari", like that is supposed to mean something, well to me it means you are a Ferrari fan, not a car fan, and if that works for you fine, but there are plenty of other great cars out there, open your mind.

 

+100000000000000000000000000
Well put sir. By RWD gallardo do you mean a heffner modified 800ttrwd? or the new balboni? Or neither?

 

It is just a 04 car that has been made into RWD, I respect Jason, and he does great work, but a 800+ hp car does not do much for someone who lives in the area I live.

 

What do you mean? You just removed the front diff and driveshaft? PICS plz even though this probably isn't the thread. I sure hope you enjoy that beauty.

 

I take no offense,You have have your beliefs and I have mine.

The difference is that there is physical proof of what I worship. It is irrefutable that Ferrari existed. It's not based on a 2000 year old book that's taken to be a true record of actual events without any other evidence to support it.

I generally find it disturbing, pathetic and sad that people are killed in the name of a God that cannot be proved to have ever existed. If there is only one God, why does He allow other religions and for people to be killed because of religion?. If there is only one God, Where was He before the writing of the Bible?.

You find My belief in Ferrari disturbing and pathetic because it's not something you can understand. That's the problem with religions, despite what they preach, they are usually intolarant of others believes, sometimes to extremes. At the end of the day, I bear no grudges or ill feeling towards others (even Porshe drivers!). Make fun of Ferrari and I'm not going to wish you dead or want to harm you. I don't feel or think that others should think as I do or understand it, but I do have a right to believe in what I wish, and not be dictated to by others.

I hope anybody reading this post is not offended by what I have written here as that is not My intention, but I do believe that people are entitled to their own believes, providing they do not harm others.

( I shall endeavour to keep Religion out of future posts and I apologise for going off topic with this reply).

 

Should our distant descendants be viewing this thread in the far off future,For the record, it was exactly 6:54 PM on Black Friday when one man came and began a new religion based on Ferrari.


It is also official--The wheels have completely come off this thread. Rather than try and save it...let's turn it into a repository for the truly bizarre.

Let me begin,

I once saw a two headed chicken...Or maybe the second head was just stapled on...I don't know, it was a long time ago...

 

Joe, I keep thinking we should be saying hail to something right now, how about hail to all the great drivers cars that have ever been made.

 

AMEN

 

Good analysis

 

**
This is a Ferrari Forum first and an open car forum second. I prefer to focus on why I am here. I am a car nut first and a Ferrari Fan second. Ferrari means perfection and being a car nut means - I can justify my nut issue.

 

This is definitely true. Having said that, and at the risk of sounding hypocritical, whenever I drive a Ferrari there does seem to be that little 'magic' factor. It's weird and irrational, but nonetheless to me and no doubt many others on this forum, it exists.

A lot of the posts in this thread are quite amusing. There was a post somewhere saying a 997 PDK Turbo is neck and neck as fast as a stock 430...right...

The turbo is a great car for what it is; a perfectly viable daily driver. It's insanely fast and comfortable. The GT3 is ridiculously fun to drive. Sure, the rear engine layout takes some getting used to and isn't for everyone, but it presents challenges of its own.

The truth is, both companies make some great cars. Of course one can have his/her own opinions, and passionate debate is always fun. However, why fans of one marque feel the need to bash the other is beyond me and frankly, seems immature.

 

Crank dat Soulja boy?.

 

Ditto that Doug +1.

I'm a car nut first too. I love ferraris, particularly the good ole' nuts and bolts ones from the 70s and 80s before major electronic gizmos. The styling and engineering is elegant and tough to match. I have multiple ferraris, porsche, etc. along with some more far out vehicles, some exotic, some quite basic but unique and interesting. There's something really fun about a Citroen 2CV or a Fiat 600 or an Alfa Giulia.

In my experience the true "car guys" are not so wedded to any one brand, and don't worship any brand god, they appreciate variety, engineering style, and the history and unique approach of different makers. And, most know which end is which of a wrench. Personally, I think it's tough to say you're a "car guy" if you can't do your own mechanicals because you have little/no mechanical skill.

The ferrari "wine-and-cheese" and "which-polish-is-best" crowd is definitely not for me, but that's just my personal bias. Ferrari track days are fun but it seems like there's a whole lotta slow moving 355/360/430s out there being driven by dentists who don't have much nerve with testing their car's performance limits. The Alfa crowd is a lot of fun - it's more about the collegiality and fun of it all than being slaves to the brand/originality or babying the car. The Porsche crowd is generally highly organized (a good thing in most cases) with good track days, although the p-car originality thing can be taken too far. There are a few specialty automotive groups who are impressively capable and highly collegial, and I enjoy the interaction immensely with those guys.

I've been blasted once or twice on this forum for mentioning thoughts/insights into other car makes - apparently some here aren't interested in anything non-ferrari - so I'll keep quiet. But, back to the premise you mentioned - some guys are car nuts first, and ferrari fans second....and for some it's the reverse.

 

Cliff,
Thats a great post - yup, car guys are car guys, doesn't matter what car. I've loved Italian cars(and British cars and German cars and French cars and, often, American cars)since I was a teenager, & that was the best part of 40 years ago. It has nothing to do with the cost of the car, it is all about the fun involved. Much as I love my 456, you know what was the best fun car I've ever owned? - A Fiat 850 coupe - at 200rpm over the red line in top gear (which might, just might, have been 100 mph), I felt like Jackie Ickx in the P4 on the straight at Le Mans, on the way to a win sitting in front of an engine doing a million RPM.

Fun times, sometimes I think we take it all a bit seriously!

 

Now that's something I can relate to. I've owned a couple of Fiat X1/9's which felt like that. At 50mph it felt like you were doing 90 and they loved to rev!.

My initial response to the original post was along similar lines as that quoted above. To say that Porsche makes a better sports car because it is cheaper/faster than a Ferrari is to not understand what it is that makes Ferrari so special.

 

Well said Dave.

I have a Porsche Race car because it was only $20k and there are tons of parts available, AND there's a Porsche mechanic within 10 minutes of my house. For racing, there's lots of mechanic-ing that has to be done and when I can't do it, he's the man.
I thought very seriously about a challenge car, but it just came down to the mechanic side of it. My nearest one(ferrari) is 2.5hours away and if anything went wrong with it, I would be screwed, whereas the Porsche(in most cases), I can just fix myself. The Porsche gets driven full gas or full brake all the time and the paint is chipped up and it doesn't get washed much and who cares if it gets a scratch....

Ferrari is my barbie doll and porn star all in one. I shine my Barbie Doll and don't let anyone touch her in the garage. When I get behind the wheel though....she's my Porn star. Light the inferno baby...

H

 

As a 993 owner, I've drunk deeply of the Porsche kool-aid and yet, and yet - there is something so irrationally extravagantly decadent about Ferrari, it's irresistible.

I've hung out and driven with both camps. While there are more similarities than differences, there ARE differences. On average, Ferrari guys seem to have made a bigger splash in the pool and act accordingly. I admire and respect that.

Although I'll never sell my 993 willingly, when I can afford a Ferrari and its attendant maintenance schedule, I'll get one.