[Cloud9...68]

I know, it's not the 968 per se that almost sent Porsche into bankruptcy - their manufacturing techniques were woefully inefficient, raising the prices of their cars to the point where they couldn't compete with comparable offerings, primarily from Japan. But I suspect the 968 will always be somehow associated with some of Porsche's darkest days, and the Boxster (along with the Cayenne) will always be viewed as its savior. Not fair, perhaps, but guilt by association seldom is.



But this is all speculative (although speculation can be fun, especially on the internet, where predictions can be check for accuracy down the road). Who knows what Porsche has planned for the future? I for one would like to see a continuation of (return to?) cars that are as involving as the 968, regardless of their layout.

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[Ryan]

Somehow I don't think "involving" is where Porsche is headed for the most part. The new 911 Turbo is an automatic only. I know the thing shifts faster than a manual, but how is it more involving? With all the PASM and what not, all you have to do is press on the big pedal and hold on to your cell phone. The art of driving a car well is becoming obsolete because of electronics and various helpers built into cars these days. Why do you think cars weigh so much?



Will Porsche come out with a sports car with no power windows, seats, roof etc? I wish they would, but not likely. I think we just need to keep our old cars and make them better and enjoy the way it used to be. Even our cars have too much power crap on them, but at least they are "involving".

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[Cloud9...68]

I agree. And it's not just Porsche. I got kind of excited about the new Alfa Romeo C4, because its initial weight estimates were something like 2200 pounds. But as I read more and more articles about it, the weight estimates kept creeping up on the US version - the latest is that it will weight about what a Cayman does! And with a lot less power. It doesn't seem like there's any turning back the trend toward automatic transmissions, tons of power accessories, electronic "aids", creature comforts galore, etc. That's why I say the "sweet spot" in terms of sports car/GT production is somewhere from the mid '90s to the mid 2000's - before that, the manufacturers were still struggling to figure out the emissions control stuff, and chassis' just weren't as capable, either, and after that, cars have just gone too "high tech" for my taste.

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[jfrahm]

[quote name='wildcat' timestamp='1394664309' post='155930']

I've pulled the instrument / vent facade out and I don't see any obstruction. Thanks for the input.



[/quote]



It's not an obstruction but a crumbled insulation strip that causes a big air leak up there, and thus less air to the feet.

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[94SilverCab]

Regarding interior lay-out...I never really got the door lock and mirror buttons placed on the console. Parking brake location is questionable (though sporty I suppose).



Why couldn't they integrate the wind screen the way my 1988 Rx-7 did instead of making it an add on for $400 (think I answered my own question)?



Jay

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[wildcat]

I think there's general agreement on that... here anyway. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[wildcat]

Whoops that last post was intended for the end of page 1... still learning... but to follow at the end of page 2, the console thing is not all that critical to me, those buttons aren't frequently used and are out of the way... but I did kind of wonder why the door lock lights red when engaged, instead of red when not... a matter of perspective I guess...

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[flash]

jay - i'm with you. that's why i moved them to where they belong, along with the window switches

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[wildcat]

Well maybe one day I'll get around to it, that's rather a major undertaking for the effort or is there a secret harness in the door panel I don't know about with the wires ready for a couple of switches? I had to replace a door lever and a door handle and that was enough for me. For now more pressing issues continue to preoccupy my "restoration"...

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[Bulti]

[quote name='94SilverCab' timestamp='1394741468' post='155949']Parking brake location is questionable (though sporty I suppose).

[/quote]



I guess the transaxle lay-out has got something to do with that.

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[wildcat]

FWIW The Volvo P-1800 has the same hand brake arrangement.

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[MCL968]

[quote name='wildcat' timestamp='1394811150' post='155967']

FWIW The Volvo P-1800 has the same hand brake arrangement.

[/quote]



Yes it did, which is why I felt a certain affinity for the 968 when I first tried one. To the Germans credit, the handle does not stick up so far that it catches your thigh when you enter and exit the cab. The 968 feels a little like what I wanted my 68 P1800 to be, but even with a pumped up 2 liter and tons of suspension mods, it was not nearly as fast or as stable in the turns as the 968. Interestingly, the owners of both quirky vehicles are equally committed and interested in their respective vehicles. Also interestingly, both vehicles have found SBC motors in them as their owners try to make their power to weight ratios approach the absurd.

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[wildcat]

The 968 does share with the P-1800, Mercedes made components: the Tiptronic on the 968 and the engine on the P-1800 (the original a 1.8 from the SL-180). I find the 968 powerful enough for a convertible, the convertible nature changes the equation for me. The "need for speed" is muted. But I wouldn't mind an F-355 with a T-top... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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