Is the 911 Still Sexy?
10-02-2013, 10:40 AM
#16
Racer
Thread Starter
So it sounds like an overwhelming 'yes' that the 991 is the sexiest iteration yet! While I agree that judging body style is a subjective matter, getting opinions from others is interesting and helpful (although I suspect that viewpoints here are skewed since we are in the 991 forum).
10-02-2013, 10:49 AM
#17
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+1. Let's be perfectly honest here. The 911 was never a sexy car. When I first saw the 911 in 1971, I sat in it and looked around and thought "this car is so plain". It was $7000 then (911T)- more than a Cadillac. Then I drove it. What a difference the drive made. The 911 became something I had to get.
Over the years, the performance and handling is what made the 911 somewhat sexy. Now if we're talking Ferrari, Lambo, etc, we're talking sexy.
I have to admit though, that the 991 is the most sexy 911 Porsche has ever made. As the car becomes lower and wider it is starting to approach the sexy stance that other exotics have that make for a "sexier" look.
Over the years, the performance and handling is what made the 911 somewhat sexy. Now if we're talking Ferrari, Lambo, etc, we're talking sexy.
I have to admit though, that the 991 is the most sexy 911 Porsche has ever made. As the car becomes lower and wider it is starting to approach the sexy stance that other exotics have that make for a "sexier" look.
10-02-2013, 11:09 AM
#18
Three Wheelin'
The other day on the freeway I happened to pass a 996, shortly followed by passing a 997, shortly followed by passing a 991. I was in the passenger seat and so got to observe with no distractions.
I like seeing the cars in use / in motion and think this is the best way to appreciated their aesthetics.
This happenstance series of sightings was a bit of relief for me, because the 991 did look very nice. I say relief because there are elements of the 997 that I prefer over the 991, but the overall sighting left me with the smile on my face that the 991 really is a fantastic looking car.
Now, I do think the headlights are too far apart / the nose is too wide. Yes, I know Mr. Mauer and team worked very hard to make sure it looks "super car" wide, but the 997 light spacing was more proportionate IMHO. I have posted before that the 991 from a dead-on angle looks closer to a 356 than an older 911, due to the nose lights' spacing. I appreciate my wider track handling, but think the design could have allowed for the wider track without pushing the headlights quite as far out in the corners.
Separately, this week I was driving a two hour trip with family and my wife was driving the 991, so I had plenty of time to glance at it from an outer-body experience, which was different than from the driver's seat. It is a damn nice looking car. I feel very fortunate to have it to enjoy, both aesthetics and handling.
I like seeing the cars in use / in motion and think this is the best way to appreciated their aesthetics.
This happenstance series of sightings was a bit of relief for me, because the 991 did look very nice. I say relief because there are elements of the 997 that I prefer over the 991, but the overall sighting left me with the smile on my face that the 991 really is a fantastic looking car.
Now, I do think the headlights are too far apart / the nose is too wide. Yes, I know Mr. Mauer and team worked very hard to make sure it looks "super car" wide, but the 997 light spacing was more proportionate IMHO. I have posted before that the 991 from a dead-on angle looks closer to a 356 than an older 911, due to the nose lights' spacing. I appreciate my wider track handling, but think the design could have allowed for the wider track without pushing the headlights quite as far out in the corners.
Separately, this week I was driving a two hour trip with family and my wife was driving the 991, so I had plenty of time to glance at it from an outer-body experience, which was different than from the driver's seat. It is a damn nice looking car. I feel very fortunate to have it to enjoy, both aesthetics and handling.
10-02-2013, 11:21 AM
#19
Drifting
10-02-2013, 11:37 AM
#20
Rennlist Member
++
I mentioned on another post, I think the 993 was the sexiest 911, than came the 996 which was what it was, they tried to get it back with the 997 and got it with the 991.
Lets put it this way. I miss my 993, but each day I drive the 991 I miss it less. Please look at the pictures of the new 991 TARGA, it is just beautifull.
I mentioned on another post, I think the 993 was the sexiest 911, than came the 996 which was what it was, they tried to get it back with the 997 and got it with the 991.
Lets put it this way. I miss my 993, but each day I drive the 991 I miss it less. Please look at the pictures of the new 991 TARGA, it is just beautifull.
10-02-2013, 11:42 AM
#21
Drifting
Before the 991 was released I never would have thought anything negative about the tail lights on the 997. Now that the narrow tail lights exist, I don't like the wider tail lights on the earlier generations.
10-02-2013, 12:03 PM
#22
991 is the best proportioned 911 of all .. thanks to its extended wheel base
the 911-50 is my favourite because of the wider rear and the replacement of red horizontal strip with chrome fins
the 911-50 is my favourite because of the wider rear and the replacement of red horizontal strip with chrome fins
10-02-2013, 01:07 PM
#23
Three Wheelin'
991 is also most aggressive sports car looking iteration of the stock carrera.
Hehehe, sorry to incite Key Left, forgot to clarify with 3 very important words.........all better now. : D
10-02-2013, 05:03 PM
#26
Instructor
Proportions are more harmonized and the key design elements of the 911 are much more enhanced on the 991 than on 996 and 997, just enough not to become a parody - I only wish the thing would be slightly smaller and lighter. And I definitely prefer the lines of the C4S.
10-02-2013, 05:46 PM
#27
Rennlist Member
Obviously this is all personal opinion, but in mine neither 993 nor the 991 are high points in 911 design.
To me the 1969-1972 (1973 bumperettes are ugly), 1978-1989, and 2005-2008 are the nicest exterior designs, followed by the 1989-1994. I have always thought the original's SWB to be awkward, the impact bumpers on the 1974-1977 narrow body to be awkward, the 993 to be too much a hodgepodge of old and new elements, the 996 to be a fail on all fronts, and the 2nd generation 997 not as pretty as the original. As for the 991, well, IMO it is a second attempt at the 928 - trying to take some of us where we did not want to go then, and still do not now, despite a rear engine and familiar silhouette - in order to appeal to a wider audience.
To me the 1969-1972 (1973 bumperettes are ugly), 1978-1989, and 2005-2008 are the nicest exterior designs, followed by the 1989-1994. I have always thought the original's SWB to be awkward, the impact bumpers on the 1974-1977 narrow body to be awkward, the 993 to be too much a hodgepodge of old and new elements, the 996 to be a fail on all fronts, and the 2nd generation 997 not as pretty as the original. As for the 991, well, IMO it is a second attempt at the 928 - trying to take some of us where we did not want to go then, and still do not now, despite a rear engine and familiar silhouette - in order to appeal to a wider audience.
10-02-2013, 06:42 PM
#30
Have you actually seen one of these yet? It looks fantastic. I can't wait to see a GT3 in person. However after having owned a 991S and now a Cayman R, I only wish it was a little closer to the 997 in overall size, say 9/10s of what it is. I really like the compactness of the Cayman's packaging by way of comparison.
But no question this is the best looking 911 since the 993.
But no question this is the best looking 911 since the 993.