I dont know if you have seen the article on the 997 in this months issue but the Head Porsche guy (name?) discusses the differences between the new 997 and the 996 and 993. He says the reason for the headlights on the 996 were because he was directed to come up with a CHEAP assembly that housed all 5 lighting requirements that could be installed quickly on both assembly lines 986/996. With the company now reaping record profits he now has room to play with the lighting elements(997). I thought that was a bluntly honest thing to say.

 

And he also flat out denied that the 997 was modeled after the 993. Seems like everyone else in the automotive world is wrong.

Al

 

I read both of those comments and I just shook my head.

 

It's not BS, because I remeber that it was widely reported at the time that it was a cost-saving measure. But it has to be one of the biggest design mistakes Porsche ever made, for the reason Kim identifies. Penny wise, pound foolish. Anyone who can name a bigger mistake, go ahead.

But here's the real puzzler for me: how did the guys surveyed by Excellence rank the 996 - a 911 with Boxster headlights - as one of the top 10 Porsche designs, and not the 993?

 

Whatever the reason it's certainly a move in the right direction. I loved the looks of my 993 C4S but have to admit that I enjoyed the drive of the 996. When I sold the 993 last December I told myself that I would get another one.

Well, the 997 S has the looks I like and the performance/comforts I desire. I'm going to buy a new 997 S in the Fall of 2005 (hopefully bypassing the typical first year issues). This will be my first NEW Porsche and I'm excited!

 

Another reason (also noted in a secondary article in Excellence) is that the simplicity of the manufacturing design and installation also simplified the stealing of the light assemblies. Porsche is trying to manage that issue too.

 

I also think Porsche is being careful in its comments to not devalue the 996 any more than necessary. If they admit the obvious, that they made the 997 look more like the "classic" Porsche style, they are also acknowledging that the exterior of the 996 was a design mistake (or a cost short cut). I don't think they would want to hurt 996 sales any more than the obvious design change already does. I mean, if I owned a 996, I wouldn't want to hear that (even if it is true).

 

That is a very good point.

 

new porsche is a great experience. My first Porsche was a new one (2000 Boxster S) if I were you I would seriously consider the European delivery option. Cost 2k or so extra (for european insurance) but you pick up your car in Germany, drive around Europe for 2 weeks and then take it back to the Factory for the boat trip here. Those I know who have done it call it the best vacation they have ever taken. If I ever buy another new Porsche this is the way I will do it

Jon

 

No doubt about it I WILL do this if I like what Porsche produces in the 997. A GT3, RS, TTS or something like these would be pretty tasty in my book. I'd time it around Oktoberfest. Doesn't the factory take a break around this time?

 

I believe it was Haam Legaay, the head designer, that made that comment although the true designer of the 993 was British Tony Hatter.

The one comment that Haam made in the latest Evo however is quite true. He pointed out that pre-993, with the exception of the turbo models, 911s never had a coke-bottle shape that everyone criticized the 996 for not having. I guess it just shows how right the coke bottle look fits the 911 that people have assumed that 911s have always had that look.

There is also some truth in cost component of the 996. Only problem was that Porsche took the cost cutting a step too far resulting in a car that was literally 50% Boxster (apart from the bumper cover) costing twice as much.

 

Rezal is right. The absence of conspicuous fender flares was an attempt to go back to the cleaner pre-Turbo 911 and 356 body, a nice nod to great cars of the past. That's not what bothered me about the 996. But the move away from the round headlights, and the unbelievable decision to go to the common front end has never made sense.

 

Check his comments about 10 best Porsche designs and you can see how arrogant he is and how much BS comes out of his mouth.

 

Regarding the 993 not making the 10-best Design list - I completely discard that statement due to the NUMEROUS amount of comments I've heard over the years stating what an EXCEPTIONAL design my car has and that it's one of the sexiest of all time. Usually people ask me "What happened to the current model"?

 

About those 996 lights, I read (991 Porsche world or Flat6?)that there were obliged to have such a size because of the bi-xenon! Now the technique has improved, and they can fit the sytem in a smaller housing...

I would prefer such an explanation then just the economic one

JP