Why doesn't Porsche make a smaller 911?
11-01-2020, 09:11 AM
#91
I bought a 993 in 1995 and drove it for eight years. I loved the car. But... it did 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds--about the same as today's Camry V-6. It didn't brake anywhere near as well as today's 992. It didn't have most of the 992's safety features. While it was fun to drive, it didn't have the grip and the steering of today's car. Nostalgia is a powerful thing, but I don't want to live in the past. The 992 is truly one of the world's greatest cars, and I don't want my enjoyment of it compromised by a fixation on what used to be state of the art.
The 992 has the best EPS of any car I've ever driven and the closest to a hydraulic feel that I've experienced. But, in the end, it's not really close.
That's part of the reason why 0-60 times and skidpad G-forces don't fully encapsulate the driving experience. How do you quantify feel? You can't.
When people talk about "soul" (which I think is a dumb term, but whatever) they aren't really talking about speed, or grip. They are talking about feel.
The problem is that most older cars nowadays aren't properly sorted and it takes a lot of time, money and expertise to get them that way. Driving an older car that isn't sorted is a miserable experience.
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detansinn (11-01-2020)
11-01-2020, 11:12 AM
#92
The 993 doesn't have the steering feel of today's car, it's true. The steering is way better. Driving these cars back to back on the same roads is eye opening.
The 992 has the best EPS of any car I've ever driven and the closest to a hydraulic feel that I've experienced. But, in the end, it's not really close.
That's part of the reason why 0-60 times and skidpad G-forces don't fully encapsulate the driving experience. How do you quantify feel? You can't.
When people talk about "soul" (which I think is a dumb term, but whatever) they aren't really talking about speed, or grip. They are talking about feel.
The problem is that most older cars nowadays aren't properly sorted and it takes a lot of time, money and expertise to get them that way. Driving an older car that isn't sorted is a miserable experience.
The 992 has the best EPS of any car I've ever driven and the closest to a hydraulic feel that I've experienced. But, in the end, it's not really close.
That's part of the reason why 0-60 times and skidpad G-forces don't fully encapsulate the driving experience. How do you quantify feel? You can't.
When people talk about "soul" (which I think is a dumb term, but whatever) they aren't really talking about speed, or grip. They are talking about feel.
The problem is that most older cars nowadays aren't properly sorted and it takes a lot of time, money and expertise to get them that way. Driving an older car that isn't sorted is a miserable experience.
Excellent perspective. My 993 has many of the same mods yours does, is perfectly sorted, and it is an amazing driving experience.
After reading the responses to this thread this morning, I took my car out for a spirited drive. The car just feels SO right on SO many different levels.
To the OP, who asked why Porsche doesn't make a smaller 911.... There was a time when Porsche DID make a smaller 911. The 993 is a point in the 911 evolution where the original recipe remained intact, but the car had been advanced to a point where it is comfortable and drivable even today.
The good news is you can still get one, and the cost of entry, while not cheap, is not all that bad. Spend 60k on a solid example (get the coupe), and figure that you will spend another 20k to get it perfectly sorted. That process should not be looked at as a burden, but rather a hobby, a passion for something you love. Join the PCA and frequent the 993 forum here on Rennlist. You will meet the nicest people. The ownership experience is very rewarding, and you will be amazed at how many people, young and old, recognize your car for the icon that it is.
Enjoy the drive!
Last edited by aircooledpurist; 11-01-2020 at 11:20 AM.
11-01-2020, 02:44 PM
#93
Rennlist Member
I don't necessarily want a smaller, less expensive 911 - just one that isn't so porky - which it is. Get back into the 3k lbs even range and it would be much more enjoyable to drive.
A base Carerra is ~3,400 lbs now, that's shameful IMO. I'd like to see just the basic tech needed - don't much care about PDCC, wet mode, sport chrono add ons, even 4 wheel steer,
big screens and on. Just give me a nice, light weight, powerful 911 that is fun to drive and toss around. Don't give me a compromised "T" - give me a T with the S engine and other
light weight options. I'm getting to the timeframe I'm normally thinking about a new 911 purchase - sadly there is not much in the lineup that is even moving me towards one now.
A base Carerra is ~3,400 lbs now, that's shameful IMO. I'd like to see just the basic tech needed - don't much care about PDCC, wet mode, sport chrono add ons, even 4 wheel steer,
big screens and on. Just give me a nice, light weight, powerful 911 that is fun to drive and toss around. Don't give me a compromised "T" - give me a T with the S engine and other
light weight options. I'm getting to the timeframe I'm normally thinking about a new 911 purchase - sadly there is not much in the lineup that is even moving me towards one now.
11-01-2020, 02:47 PM
#94
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Porsche should make a smaller 911 and call it an Alligator or Crocodile.
11-01-2020, 03:03 PM
#95
Last edited by Zanotti; 11-01-2020 at 03:04 PM.
11-01-2020, 03:42 PM
#96
The better question to me is why they don't make a smaller Panamera... go after the 3 series and c-class.
I would love a 4 door porsche sedan but the dang panamera is just too big.
I would love a 4 door porsche sedan but the dang panamera is just too big.
11-01-2020, 03:43 PM
#97
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AlexCeres (11-01-2020)
11-01-2020, 06:47 PM
#98
I agree about going after the 3 series and c-class. It doesn't have to look like a 4 door Carrera either. Light, balanced, reasonably priced, reasonably simple. There is definitely a strong market for a good, solid sports sedan.
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detansinn (11-01-2020)
11-01-2020, 07:56 PM
#100
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The Taycan is that car. Eventually, we’ll get the RWD version stateside.
11-01-2020, 09:29 PM
#101
Three Wheelin'
Let's see just the 911 line they have the base Carrera, The S, the GTS, the Turbo, the Turbo S, the GT2, the GT3, the Cab and the Targas, and just about all these models have the 2 wheel and 4wheel drive version and the Touring models. Plus all the manual and PDK drives. I'll say Porsche pretty much have all the flavors of the 911 covered.
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detansinn (11-01-2020)
11-02-2020, 01:59 AM
#103
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Soul is overrated.
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11-03-2020, 08:19 AM
#105
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