The Porsche Kool-Aid
05-03-2016, 02:00 PM
#61
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Don't know why post would be considered trolling - I think OP has legitimate concern. I know that when I spec'd my car, I was concerned at how much I was spending as I continued to tick the boxes. I wound up unticking a bunch. I know others have voiced concerns/surprise over the cost of some options ($1700 for leather air vents - really?). OP seems to have the means, he's just expressing his surprise over how quickly and easily costs can skyrocket.
I have played with the configurator enough to agree with him on certain points. Can I afford $150K for a new 911 configured with everything I desire? Yes. Is it good value for my money? Probably not. Maybe get a base S with a couple of necessary options (for me - sport chrono, PSE) and invest the other $40K and still be driving a nice 911 for a second vehicle.
Black satin wheels - $1800, 14 way seats - $1400, heated steering wheel $600, etc. You keep checking boxes and it keeps adding up! It can become a frustrating mental game to balance performance with comfort and value. It's fun, though!
Last edited by JonDUnning; 05-03-2016 at 02:01 PM. Reason: words
05-03-2016, 02:08 PM
#62
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It's amazing to me that we would let a troll cause some second thoughts on the purchase of a Porsche. If value is defined by what we are paying when we sign on the dotted line a lot fewer of us would buy these cars. Its the value over time, owning a piece of a great marque, the total driving experience and the somewhat exclusivity of this type of brand (and I know its not ultra exclusive). Its also what driving this car does to you that makes driving other cars pedestrian.
Of course ma Vette is more PERCEIVED value. But how many of those do you see driving down the road and I think they are great cars, now. But somehow I don't think I would get the same feeling. If this doesn't do it for you then it is time to look elsewhere but for me I'm not going to second guess because they are a profitable company.
Of course ma Vette is more PERCEIVED value. But how many of those do you see driving down the road and I think they are great cars, now. But somehow I don't think I would get the same feeling. If this doesn't do it for you then it is time to look elsewhere but for me I'm not going to second guess because they are a profitable company.
This is how we justify paying more, and Porsche profits. I am not attacking the cars themselves, nor people who own them, merely the cynical marketing strategy Porsche employs for profit, with money coming out of our pockets. I only started this thread to vent frustration at this and maybe start an interesting discussion, if that is trolling, so be it.
By the way you mentioned "what driving this car does to you that makes other cars pedestrian?" I am curious as to what the car does "to" you?
05-03-2016, 02:09 PM
#63
Rennlist Member
"The last Porsche I owned was a 997 Carrera 4S Cab, and it was the most disappointing car I have ever owned."
Why would you buy from Porsche again if this were the case? I sure wouldn't!
Troll.
Why would you buy from Porsche again if this were the case? I sure wouldn't!
Troll.
05-03-2016, 02:14 PM
#64
Rennlist Member
05-03-2016, 02:18 PM
#65
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It's been 6 years and I thought time to revisit the brand with different expectations.
05-03-2016, 03:18 PM
#67
Burning Brakes
The Porsche marketing strategy is like most marketing strategies these days. Get the consumer emotionally invested in a product. Look at every car commercial on TV! Part of the game. What got me to order a new 911 was not the marketing, but the test drive. Ripping around curves and the car was so planted. Sold. Other selling points for me were the beauty of the car and the two seats in the back. I have been stoked about buying and riding a lot of very fast motorcycles, but at age 59 this is the first car I have ever been remotely excited about buying.
05-03-2016, 03:58 PM
#68
Then why are you buying the C4S? Because you can't get a car that offers everything you're getting in that car out there for that money. Or you'd be buying it, right? Or are you telling us that you're buying an inferior car to something else and paying more for it just for kicks?
05-03-2016, 04:02 PM
#69
What? Where are you going to put a hockey bag in a C4S that you can't put in an R8? Have you looked in the frunk? I have to use a coaches bag and break apart my hockey gear and stow it in numerous places to make it work.
05-03-2016, 04:07 PM
#70
Marketing, schmarketing. These are great cars, expensive, but worth every penny. Show me a better car in all aspects than a $130,000 C2S on the road right now, and please don't say Corvette. I don't care what it's lap times are or how fast it is, it doesn't offer anywhere near the driving experience of a Carrera, nor is it basically a rolling piece of art. Honestly, as a full package, I'm surprised that Porsches aren't even more expensive. And I could give a rat's *** about the history, the brand, etc. The current generation of 991s and 981s are amazing cars and I feel lucky to drive one every day.
05-03-2016, 04:08 PM
#71
Burning Brakes
If you didn't like the Cab, the Targa is basically a cab with a hard top. If you are looking for a driving experience, you should redo the car. Get a C4S coupe with Sport PASM, the sport package(RWS, SC, PSE). The sports package will save you $1,800.00 on the options in Canada. I'm assuming Hoggs Hollow is in Toronto. That coupe won't have the show but is the best DD for your purpose. A non S Targa won't do it for you. The sport package will make you feel better about option pricing, you save $1,800.00.
05-03-2016, 04:35 PM
#72
Marketing, schmarketing. These are great cars, expensive, but worth every penny. Show me a better car in all aspects than a $130,000 C2S on the road right now, and please don't say Corvette. I don't care what it's lap times are or how fast it is, it doesn't offer anywhere near the driving experience of a Carrera, nor is it basically a rolling piece of art. Honestly, as a full package, I'm surprised that Porsches aren't even more expensive. And I could give a rat's *** about the history, the brand, etc. The current generation of 991s and 981s are amazing cars and I feel lucky to drive one every day.
Carrera for $92,360 (C2, 7MT, Sport steering wheel, Bose), Euro delivery, 2 days on the Nordschleife (in a rental) and $20K in cash.
Not really disagreeing; just some love for the C2.
05-03-2016, 05:42 PM
#73
All this boils down to is self-control. Yes, Porsche AG has a clever marginal pricing strategy; no doubt someone has modeled the price elasticity of demand for ever option (revealed preference theory).
This strategy makes the company very profitable for a car manufacturer w/ margins around 19%+ (and don't get me started on the EBIT margins Porsche was making when sourcing the Touareg platform for the Cayenne!)
No-one is holding the buyer's feet to the proverbial fire and I for one spent about $20k more than I originally intended. It's easy to dive down that rabbit hole of options to make that 911 'your 911'.
One course of action then is to do what RichAA ^^ and others do and strictly limit one's choices.
Last, research shows that experiences, memories, make one ultimately more happy than 'stuff'. My enjoyment will come from driving long after I have forgotten being gouged for the headrest crest or black model designation.
This strategy makes the company very profitable for a car manufacturer w/ margins around 19%+ (and don't get me started on the EBIT margins Porsche was making when sourcing the Touareg platform for the Cayenne!)
No-one is holding the buyer's feet to the proverbial fire and I for one spent about $20k more than I originally intended. It's easy to dive down that rabbit hole of options to make that 911 'your 911'.
One course of action then is to do what RichAA ^^ and others do and strictly limit one's choices.
Last, research shows that experiences, memories, make one ultimately more happy than 'stuff'. My enjoyment will come from driving long after I have forgotten being gouged for the headrest crest or black model designation.
05-03-2016, 07:36 PM
#75
I totally agree with you STG. I have driven many different things, but I like what I am driving now the very best.
I was just in it today getting some chicken for lunch and was like man. This car is so refined and perfect! The total driving experience. I have rules though in my car. Like not eating fried chicken on the mouse fur seats!
I was just in it today getting some chicken for lunch and was like man. This car is so refined and perfect! The total driving experience. I have rules though in my car. Like not eating fried chicken on the mouse fur seats!
