911rudy

I just read an article comparing three cars, '08 'vette, Pcar turbo and a Nissan GT-R twin turbo. Prices are vette $80K, GT-R $72K, Pcar $135K. The GT ran away with the show. Lap times, G force it took first, acceleration was about even with all three. An all around impressive car for the money. One of the testers said that if money was no object he would pick the Pcar! Interesting.

iamchappy

I was surprised that the GTR weighed in around 3900 lbs, what a pig yet it still is able move and handle with 480hp, the turbo at 3700 is a pig also compared to the Vette at 3100. What ever happened to power to weight ratios, apparently that theory no longer applies.

DonE

Wow - almost half the price of a Porsche. It would be tough to justify the Porsche price just for the name.

DDD

You are missing the debate over at Pelican on the exact same issue. Pretty good thread overall.

nathanUK '81 930 G50

We had one on PCGB forum too.

Cajun

The rumor is that the GT-R is making more power than they are letting on.

911rudy

the project manager said that it was capable of much more HP.

Guns951

Porsche will run its own race as always, however it would be nice if they offered lighter weight versions with same or higher hp/tq in future to ensure the Crest doesn't just turn into another status symbol. Maybe this will wake Porsche up.

DDD

I could be wrong, but I think Porsche is in for a rude awakening. Their sales have dropped off a cliff here in America in the last couple months, with recession fears. All of a sudden, their product line no longer appeals based on value or performance compared to stiff competition.

They made a lot of money in the process of diluting their product image. The question is who actually remains loyal when the economic times get tough. The soccer mommies and Audi daddies? Or the hardcore enthusiast who has been virtually ignored for over a decade?

I no longer even read comparisions in magazines with Porsche. I already know that General Motors cars, Japanese cars, Italian cars and even Audi (puke) are better value or performance. At least according to the people who have a career and professional reputation in testing automobiles.

This may be trivial, but the worst part is losing bragging rights. NOBODY fears or respects Porsche anymore. Nobody. The king has been dethroned.

F350Lawman

Porsche is now quickly becoming the car for the guy who has $$ and wants everyone to know it...period. Not too many buyers who really care about performance or true sportscar feel for the road.

They typical buyer is more show than go, and so is the car he or she seeks. They want heated seats, navigation, six disk changer, power everything, computer controlled everything, carpets as thick as my living room rug, plush mats, carbon fiber, brushed aluminum trim, flashy rims, etc and Porsche gives it to them at about 3700lbs. If the car drives and handles well, they'll take that too..but it's way down on the list for these buyers.

Performance in most porsche models is still very good, but the cars feel like they were designed more for a nice ride to the office or a long ride on the highway than a blast through some tight corners.

Give me brand new 997TT today and I'd beat it to death over the weekend and then sell it on Monday. With the proceeds I'd accomplish everything I have planned to my 930 and keep the change.

I am at one of the biggest auto auctions in the country every week, I see 2 year old Turbos go for 70k -75k all the time. These cars drop like rocks because they have nothing special to offer, they're just another ride, so when they get a few miles or a new model comes out with 5 more ponies...bye-bye.

I think the CaymenS is the only Porsche car I might consider if I were in the market for a new sportscar. If I am going to get dusted by Z06s and GTR's at least I have the 75K I saved by buying the Caymen and not the Turbo Come to think of it if I put a fraction of that cash into the CaymenS I'd have one great handling and fast car that weighs under 3000lbs. The other benefit is that I see many fewer Caymens than I do Boxters, Carreras and Turbos.

DDD

It is funny how many of us have dreams of modifiying Caymans. Once they are dirt cheap in a couple years, you will see a lot of us old school enthusiasts snatching those things up, tearing out all the crap that you listed above, slapping some real tires on them and putting a real engine in and making some lightweight rockets.

Looking forward to it. Doing what Porsche refuses to do for marketing/profit considerations.

nathanUK '81 930 G50

It's a pity the Cayman doesn't look like a 911. The side view is just far away from the 911.

A PCGB member who has lightly modded his Cayman has said he passes GT3's in the twisties.

DDD

I think you could make a Cayman look downright mean with the right bodywork.

911addict

New supercars cost a lot (even the Nissan, although more reasonable). Our turbos are a fraction of the cost to get into. Even with some mods and maintenance, I suspect ours are more affordable over the longe term to run.

To me, a new Porsche is not the driving occasion it used to be, or even the drama to look at.

I agree most new buyers want 'fashion & frills'. Our cars have 'class & thrills'

911rudy

There have been some articles of Caymans being modified and the results are awsome. Unfortunately the price has also been awsome. You guys are right in that the Cayman may be the car to grab in a couple of years and do a performance make over. That could be Porsche's new marque for the "Little" guy. The boxter doesn't seem to posses the ability to mod very easy since you can't get to the engine.