Better engineering is not always better
11-02-2017, 09:48 PM
#1
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Better engineering is not always better
The car that was intended to end the 911.
Really interesting article:
https://petrolicious.com/articles/92...o-kill-the-911
Really interesting article:
https://petrolicious.com/articles/92...o-kill-the-911
11-02-2017, 10:00 PM
#2
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That article seems to support that the 928 was not engineered better:
"If it weren’t for a seven-foot timing belt and other ridiculously indulgent engineering touches, the V8 cruiser might’ve actually been somewhat reliable, thus avoiding the reputation it later gained for catastrophic engine failures. If you’ve ever wondered why you can pick up a once $100k example for less than the cost of a down payment on a new Kia, wonder no more."
"If it weren’t for a seven-foot timing belt and other ridiculously indulgent engineering touches, the V8 cruiser might’ve actually been somewhat reliable, thus avoiding the reputation it later gained for catastrophic engine failures. If you’ve ever wondered why you can pick up a once $100k example for less than the cost of a down payment on a new Kia, wonder no more."
11-02-2017, 10:04 PM
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That article seems to support that the 928 was not engineered better:
"If it weren’t for a seven-foot timing belt and other ridiculously indulgent engineering touches, the V8 cruiser might’ve actually been somewhat reliable, thus avoiding the reputation it later gained for catastrophic engine failures. If you’ve ever wondered why you can pick up a once $100k example for less than the cost of a down payment on a new Kia, wonder no more."
"If it weren’t for a seven-foot timing belt and other ridiculously indulgent engineering touches, the V8 cruiser might’ve actually been somewhat reliable, thus avoiding the reputation it later gained for catastrophic engine failures. If you’ve ever wondered why you can pick up a once $100k example for less than the cost of a down payment on a new Kia, wonder no more."
11-02-2017, 11:06 PM
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I didn't read the article or get past the first three words of your post.....but being around a bit I know what the discussion is going to be about. It's about the left brain vs right brain argument.
I am a life long nuclear engineer and my wife is an artsy fartsy english lit person. We don't see eye to eye most of the time but we appreciate each others different perspectives. If I was to design a car, the engine would be in the middle. Not the front and certainly not the back. That is why the F1 and Lemans cars are all mid-engine. That is why the last 911 to win Le Mans was a mid-engine 911 in 1998 and why Porsche wanted to go back and produce a mid-engine 911RSR.
On the right side of the brain, I appreciate the nostalgia of the 911 but the left hand side also appreciates the handling of my Boxster.
I agree that life is a compromise between engineering and the emotional aspects of life. That is why I love to drive my NA Boxster on the back roads over my turbo 911. Sad but true.
I have both of my boys hooked on Porsches and cars. (they are both in college in STEM programs). Future customers. Hopefully Porsche will keep ICE engines around for them. The 911 is going no where. It is Porsche's soul and why they exist.
I am a life long nuclear engineer and my wife is an artsy fartsy english lit person. We don't see eye to eye most of the time but we appreciate each others different perspectives. If I was to design a car, the engine would be in the middle. Not the front and certainly not the back. That is why the F1 and Lemans cars are all mid-engine. That is why the last 911 to win Le Mans was a mid-engine 911 in 1998 and why Porsche wanted to go back and produce a mid-engine 911RSR.
On the right side of the brain, I appreciate the nostalgia of the 911 but the left hand side also appreciates the handling of my Boxster.
I agree that life is a compromise between engineering and the emotional aspects of life. That is why I love to drive my NA Boxster on the back roads over my turbo 911. Sad but true.
I have both of my boys hooked on Porsches and cars. (they are both in college in STEM programs). Future customers. Hopefully Porsche will keep ICE engines around for them. The 911 is going no where. It is Porsche's soul and why they exist.
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11-02-2017, 11:07 PM
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11-02-2017, 11:25 PM
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!@#$ing God 
Incorrect facts. Conclusions drawn from 27th-hand sources. Much conjecture. And things we will never know because they have been taken to the grave.<sigh>
Yeah, this has never, ever, been discussed on the 928 forum.
IB4TM.
And if it doesn't get moved I'll invite the 928 crew over here.
Incorrect facts. Conclusions drawn from 27th-hand sources. Much conjecture. And things we will never know because they have been taken to the grave.<sigh>
Yeah, this has never, ever, been discussed on the 928 forum.
IB4TM.
And if it doesn't get moved I'll invite the 928 crew over here.
11-03-2017, 12:38 AM
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11-03-2017, 01:43 AM
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I’ve been a Porsche follower since I was a kid. I was in my early twenties when the 928 came out. The first image I saw of it was on the cover of Car and Driver and I was gobsmacked. I couldn’t take my eyes off it to open the magazine for some minutes. At least once a year I think about buying one. In spite of that, I’m happy it didn’t replace the 911.
11-03-2017, 05:08 AM
#14
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Most of the first couple years went out the door to pretty carefully selected customers. I'll say from memory that they were going for about $30k out the door. Not much on the options list for US cars -- they were all loaded up already. Colors (so long as it was already in regional US stock). gearbox choices, a pretty short list really unless you wanted to order and wait. Exclusive market and exclusive car.
At the same time, US safety and emissions standards made for 911 dogs. Studs pulled out of engine cases. Thermal reactors led to burned valves and pistons. Closed intake systems exploded. Trying to manage CO and NOx in the air-cooled cars was virtually impossible. BTDT x2, then gave up for almost ten years before my next used early-eighties 911. The late '70's weren't particularly stellar days for 911 cars, and not that many actually sold. Good thing the cheap 924 was there to save the company. A lot of folks seem to "remember" those times with their rose-colored glasses filtering memories that they more likely read about than experienced.
At the same time, US safety and emissions standards made for 911 dogs. Studs pulled out of engine cases. Thermal reactors led to burned valves and pistons. Closed intake systems exploded. Trying to manage CO and NOx in the air-cooled cars was virtually impossible. BTDT x2, then gave up for almost ten years before my next used early-eighties 911. The late '70's weren't particularly stellar days for 911 cars, and not that many actually sold. Good thing the cheap 924 was there to save the company. A lot of folks seem to "remember" those times with their rose-colored glasses filtering memories that they more likely read about than experienced.
11-03-2017, 08:46 AM
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I’ve been a Porsche follower since I was a kid. I was in my early twenties when the 928 came out. The first image I saw of it was on the cover of Car and Driver and I was gobsmacked. I couldn’t take my eyes off it to open the magazine for some minutes. At least once a year I think about buying one. In spite of that, I’m happy it didn’t replace the 911.