Is the 992 a supercar?
12-01-2019, 09:58 AM
#1
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Is the 992 a supercar?
Jason Cammisa recently commented that, with the 992, the 911 is now a supercar. Other folks have been calling the 911 a supercar for a while, but is it?
Personally, I have typically used the following four criteria to establish "supercar"-ness.
So, let's apply my criteria to the 992...
What are your thoughts? Do you have any criteria that you personally use? Is the 992 a supercar?
Personally, I have typically used the following four criteria to establish "supercar"-ness.
- Limited and/or handbuilt production
- Liberal use of lightweight exotic materials (Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Magnesium)
- Distinct compromises in utility in the name of extreme performance
- Body and chassis are not derived from a base car that failed the above three criteria
- People often add cylinder count to this, but the Ford GT has a V6. So, that one really isn't relevant anymore.
- Everything is so stupid fast now, that 0-60 times are now also an irrelevant qualifier. I sure as heck wouldn't call a grocery-getter like a Tesla Model 3 a "supercar".
- By not being performance based, the above criteria should age very well -- across generations of supercars. #2 would likely have to be tweaked as to what's exotic will change over the decades. For example, aluminum hasn't been exotic for decades, but was exotic at one time.
So, let's apply my criteria to the 992...
- Limited and/or handbuilt production -- FAIL
- Liberal use of lightweight exotic materials (Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Magnesium) -- FAIL
- Distinct compromises in utility in the name of extreme performance -- FAIL
- Body and chassis are not derived from a base car that failed the above three criteria -- FAIL
What are your thoughts? Do you have any criteria that you personally use? Is the 992 a supercar?
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detansinn (12-01-2019)
12-01-2019, 10:09 AM
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Supercar, no.
Super car, yes.
Super car, yes.
12-01-2019, 10:10 AM
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12-01-2019, 10:48 AM
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No
is this 992 forum full of fools or dealers' ppl?
is this 992 forum full of fools or dealers' ppl?
12-01-2019, 10:49 AM
#7
In the Porsche family of passenger cars built in this century I look at the 918 and GT as being super cars. The 992 is an outstanding car, but it's not a super car. OTOH if 992 owners want to think of it as a super car, I certainly have no objections.
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12-01-2019, 10:52 AM
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918 and GT each satisfy the four supercar requirements that I put forth in my original post. 👍
12-01-2019, 11:05 AM
#9
12-01-2019, 11:09 AM
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No.
I'd add to be a super car you must have very limited dealerships located only in major metro areas. Add regular maintenance that is on a par with Aircraft ownership expense and trouble ( ask me how I know).
As I have pointed out to folks that love the idea of Ferrari, Lambo and others; it's a toy. It's not for travel. On the other hand you can use a Porsche that way. There are dealerships. With real parts departments and two massive parts distribution centers in the US. One of my best buds was parts manager at Dallas Ferrari dealership. When we would go to lunch I was in the parts depot. The bare essentials in that small area was amazing. When real spares were needed it was direct from Italy. Sloooooowly.
I'd add to be a super car you must have very limited dealerships located only in major metro areas. Add regular maintenance that is on a par with Aircraft ownership expense and trouble ( ask me how I know).
As I have pointed out to folks that love the idea of Ferrari, Lambo and others; it's a toy. It's not for travel. On the other hand you can use a Porsche that way. There are dealerships. With real parts departments and two massive parts distribution centers in the US. One of my best buds was parts manager at Dallas Ferrari dealership. When we would go to lunch I was in the parts depot. The bare essentials in that small area was amazing. When real spares were needed it was direct from Italy. Sloooooowly.
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detansinn (12-01-2019)
12-01-2019, 11:22 AM
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Dang brother, if you are so bothered by the banter here and don’t even like 992s, then who is the fool for hanging out here and getting uptight over people’s thoughts and opinions here?
911 has always had supercar performance coupled with everyday drive ability and cheap maintenance. In essence, it is the production number that keeps 911 from getting the supercar tag.
IMO, the use of GT, sports car and super car tags are a joke these days and mean about zilch, especially when insecure types start throwing around GT and sports car labels to try and convince others their car is better.
I do think 911s, esoeciallly the turbos and GT cars are supercars based on performance criteria but not exotics. But seriously, who gives two Fricks either way.
911 has always had supercar performance coupled with everyday drive ability and cheap maintenance. In essence, it is the production number that keeps 911 from getting the supercar tag.
IMO, the use of GT, sports car and super car tags are a joke these days and mean about zilch, especially when insecure types start throwing around GT and sports car labels to try and convince others their car is better.
I do think 911s, esoeciallly the turbos and GT cars are supercars based on performance criteria but not exotics. But seriously, who gives two Fricks either way.
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n4v4nod (12-01-2019)
12-01-2019, 11:39 AM
#12
Jason Cammisa recently commented that, with the 992, the 911 is now a supercar. Other folks have been calling the 911 a supercar for a while, but is it?
Personally, I have typically used the following four criteria to establish "supercar"-ness.
Personally, I have typically used the following four criteria to establish "supercar"-ness.
- Limited and/or handbuilt production
- Liberal use of lightweight exotic materials (Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Magnesium)
- Distinct compromises in utility in the name of extreme performance
- Body and chassis are not derived from a base car that failed the above three criteria
There is something about the ‘bedroom wall poster’ test too I think.
This most stringent of criteria excludes some cars that otherwise qualify on 1-4.
I feel some 911s win and keep boys hearts in a way some purported supercars do not.
Last edited by JHesketh; 12-01-2019 at 02:44 PM.
12-01-2019, 12:01 PM
#13
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detansinn (12-01-2019)
12-01-2019, 01:04 PM
#15
Believe there are lots of subjectivity to it and I'd argue that a Turbo S is a supercar. It checks all the boxes in terms of speed, power, performance, and price point so not all 911s can be lumped into a single category.