[Cloud9...68]

I had to go to the dealer today to pick up a $7.00 o-ring, and they had a pair of red 2013 911s, a coupe and a cab, on the showroom floor. I know not everyone likes 911s, but to my eye, this car is absolutely stunning from every angle. If money were no object, I wouldn't get a Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc. - too flashy, and they draw way too much attention. I like the way the 911, while still looking very expensive, is more subtle, plus it's very driveable, and halfway practical (kind of like a 968 in that way). Plus, Motor Trend unanimously (among their 7 testers, including Randy Probst, iirc) picked it as the world's best "driver's car" by a stunning margin - none of the other cars were in the same galaxy. Amazing what Porsche has done with a car whose engine is in the "wrong" place.

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[DaveN]

You just need to buy a few more 7.00 o-rings and you'll pay for a new 991 in no time <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='DaveN' timestamp='1357326267' post='137040']

You just need to buy a few more 7.00 o-rings and you'll pay for a new 991 in no time <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

[/quote]

You're not too far off base - Pelican sells the same o-ring for about $1.50, so assuming the wholesale cost of the o-ring is a buck, Porsche made $5.50 off me. I think the price of the 911 in Motor Trend's test was something like $112K (I remember when a 911S cost about 12 grand...), that's only 20,364 o-rings.

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[mbardeen]

Which leads to the question -- how many O-rings in the new 911?

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[blau]

I really wish they had just bit the bullet and pushed the engine forward for the 991. Forget the rear-engine purists. Doing that would have given them a new performance platform, and maybe then they would have been able to stop crippling the Cayman/Boxsters with less powerful engines.



Porsche is in it to sell cars, otherwise there would be no Cayenne, no Panamera.



I did hear that they're planning a new mid-engine 8 cylinder "entry level" supercar to compete with the 458 / MP4-12C / Gallardo. Should be interesting...for people who are in that market.

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[tamathumper]

Pretty sure that got shelved.

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[flash]

blau - you beat me to it. until they move the engine forward, i have less than zero interest



bring back the 928. i was told by a VP at porsche when the panamera first came out that they were working on a 2 door version, but it looks like that is also shelved.

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[DaveN]

Yes the 2 door coupe is a ways off. Sadly, they are working on the new Panamera Station Wagon! To the Californians delight there will probably be a surf board rack and a 15,000 Woody option ;-) Dude!

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[Cloud9...68]

But what's amazing to me about the 911 is that despite the less-than-optimal engine location (and they did move it forward a few inches in the 991), the car's real-world performance is nothing short of phenomenal. The Cayman was my dream Porsche until I read the Motor Trend test - it really seems like Porsche continues to put their A team on the 911.



The 928? Seriously? Always hated that car - too big and bloated, and downright ugly (very subjective, I realize).

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[Langley968]

I have also seen a 991 at the local dealer and it is stunning for looks!

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[craigawoodman]

A new 991 costs around $300k here in Australia with a USD:AUD exchange rate of $1.05 - so go figure why we are getting screwed over.



The depreciation is just too severe to ever consider a new Porsche (of any variety). Within 3 to 5 years, they have all lost around 50% of their new asking price.



I have to also admit - the new 911 looks great.

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[tamathumper]

It's not so much that they put their "A" team on the 911 platform - they continue to purposely cripple the other platforms so they won't cannibalize their "flagship" sales. It makes sense from a marketing perspective if you're a "product excellence" marketer, but it continually frustrates those who are left just below the entry fee for the flagship product.

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[Rap]

I went to the tech event at Easton last year and the event was primarily an ad for the new 991. Don't get me wrong, it was very interesting and well done. It's pretty amazing what they've done to and with the car. Wish I could afford one. I think it might look nice in my garage! Can you imagine a 911 flanked by two 968's. now there is some contrast. By the way, anyone going to this years tech event?

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[flash]

station wagon - oh great - ironically i saw a ferrari station wagon a few days ago. fugly.



it bothers me that the cars that used to be the sporty supercars are getting so huge now. they weigh a lot more and are physically larger. this goes in the opposite direction of what such a car should do.



where is my cobra? i want my 2300lb 425hp monster. i don't want any back seats, or any of that nonsense. if i want to take people around, i'll have a car to do that. my toy is not one of them.



as for the 928, i was referring to the platform, not the aesthetics. i also feel it fell short in looks, but i thought they were on a great direction. it got better by the time they got to the end, and i think thy could have really had something if they had gone a bit farther.



if the 911 gets any bigger, they might as well just let citroen do it.

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[Cloud9...68]

Yeah, I agree on the size and weight of newer cars. Although I believe the new 911 actually weighs a smidge less than the previous model due to the use of some lighter weight materials, but don't quote me on that. Definitely agree on the Cobra. And here's something that's over the horizon that looks like it will be a real hoot:



https://www.factoryfive.com/kits/project-818/



An 1800 lb mid-engined roadster with a Subaru turbo flat 4 (thus a very low center of gravity). My machinist tells me 425-450 reliable horsepower is easily attainable from these engines. Nice looking, too, and (relatively) cheap.

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[ds968]

not sure if anyone has this program ( transforms car photos into the "smurf version" of themselves - as in this smorsche GT picyure below -) but if you take a photo of the fugly, bloated Panamera and compress it, it'll probably look wexactly like the 991. That was my very first thought when I saw the 991 )

   

I have always disliked the looks of 911 body style and the 991 IMO, is actually one of the ugliest of the bunch. I've seen several up close now and YUK ! I think even the 993 is better looking, or the 996 Turbo or certainly the GT2/GT3 series ( actually I'd almost go as far as admitting I like the GT3 RS ) , but with very few exceptions to my eye the 911 platform still looks like a pregnant frog, or an upside down bathtub , or a larger VW bug. Different strokes, LOL.. But amazing performance, and I'm sure it's an incredible car in every other respect.. That said, to the earlier rear engine vs front engine bias references : if you were to design a sports car or a GT or for that matter any type of car ( other than a SUV.. ) where is the ideal location of the engine and why ? What are all the considerations that come into play ; pros and cons ? Just curious ..

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[flash]

i've always thought the 911 looked like the vw bug. why? because it was derived from it of course. they took a good idea, created a budget racer, and then somehow lost sight of the premise. every year the car gets more bloated with frills and creature comforts.



bring back the spartan no frills racer. no airbags. no heated seats. no power anything. that's what the concept of the 911 was all about.



while i'm sure that the father of 2 kids wants to have his toy, and still be able to take the kids to school, making a 911 do it is just wrong. i get that there is a market for that, but why abandon the other market in the process? i think they should have gone leaner and meaner with the 911, and then developed an entirely different car for the dad's

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[tamathumper]

They did - it's called a Cayenne.

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[flash]

lol - see, i think they almost got there with the cayman, but they still have too many frills in it. stripped down, and with the 911 motor, that would be a fun car. then, they could have the panamera, in a 2 door and 4 door version for dad.



the cayenne is for mom.



of course then the 911 becomes superfluous, which is not likely to happen, so...................we're back to ham and eggs

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[craigawoodman]

Flash - no airbags, air con, etc - it is called the 911 GT3 Cup - they are as cheap as chips over here with the new 991 version due for release next year for Porsche Cup races. If you really want it even hairer - then go the 911 GT3 RSR - all factory available.



The cost to run one however is prohibitive. 40 hours on a gearbox and 80 hours on an engine prior to rebuild.



For a weight saving effort - have a look at the new Range Rover - it is not a Victoria's Secret model - but to lose 400kg is a big improvement that cascades into all dynamic areas. Fully aluminium chassis and body.

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