bobporsche996

I thought I would get over it.. but everytime i'm at the dealership, the front end still reminds me of a wider vw bug.. am i alone in the fact that i can't get over this?

Riad

The 997 front end has really grown on me. When I first saw it I had the same impression, actually it was more of just being underwhelmed. The 996 C4S and Turbo front end just looks more aggressive and detailed.

However, after seeing many 997's I can't help but love the simplicity and clean lines.

Of course most people think the 997 styling should have come after the 993, with the 996 coming after the 997... seems like more of a progression.

You know, I haven't met a 911 I didn't like

Rob

perfectlap

my sentiments exactly, well halfway. The design should be progression. Considering how cool the 911 Turbo headlights are, the 997 lights are big step backwards. The 997 Boxster is also bad, they more Japanesey to me now than German.

Shark

Yeah, but retro is in....look at the Mustang, Thunderbird, Prowler, that hideous Chevy truck thing, PT Cruiser, etc.

I don't get it, they look horrible (the Mustang is the best one). Lazy design, kind of like all the F'in remakes Hollywood is doing

Sean

Ferdinand Porsche designed the Bug. The typical Porsche "face" (356,911) has usually been Bugish.

I've grown to like the GT1-derived headlights, but really prefer the more traditional 987/997 look. Same as it ever was . . .

programmatore

I really like the "lines" of the 997 but I hate the lights. I like the 996 light "cluster". It's neat and it works. The 997 lights -- while paying homage to the classic design -- is a step backwards. I think it is even worse for the 997 Turbo... the headlights are up top, the indicators and markers are on the air vents (for no good reason other than to differentiate it from the 997 and 997 S) and the fog lights are all the way in the bottom. In my opinion, it is a mess!

SRC4S

that chevy truck thing is called the HHR = Heritage High Roof

As for the 997, the same remark could be said when the first Porsche 356 rolled off the assembly line.... it too looked like a beetle. So, I guess we all have to accept it - our granfathers did

but i do agree with riad that somehow, the 996 front seems to be more of an evolution to the 997 front. But the classics are making a comeback. Likewise, in a decade or so, the 996 front end will probably return in some way or another.

perfectlap

an excellent point!
all those remakes, mustang, Thunderbird, Charger, NONE are better than the originals,
just watered down revisions. How will we have the next great Porsche design if we keep remaking the past? Leave the past where it belongs, behind you.

Nutbeem

If you like remakes, get aload of the new Camaro they're coming out with...

How the mighty have fallen...

delirium

what I would be concerned with the new turbo is hat thos lights on the bumper & vents will cost a lot more if they get broken in a very small fender bender.

toddel68

Apart from the front spoiler looking "caymanish" I really hate the big wing. I think the car would look best with no wing at all. Looks like a tribute to the U.S. market just like the Cayenne. I know you guys are into putting wings in your C2+4's but here in Europe you never see anybody doing this mod. The bigger the wing, the bigger the pimp inside.

Just my 2cts.
Thorsten

fast1

LOL Poor Porsche just can't get it right. They were criticized for the 993 design because it was too conservative and looked too similar to older models. Then they were criticized for the 996 design for departing too radically from the traditional Porsche 911 design model. And now finally they are criticized again for returning to their traditional front end design.

Personally I always liked the 996 front end, but all of my friends preferred the traditional 911 look. It also didn't help that the $80K+ 996 was confused by many with the $40K Boxster.

LVDell

Why the didn't use the CGT light cluster is beyond me. All the high end cars have really great projector light assemblies. And I have to agree, the Boxster/Cayman trapezoidal light housing is just not doing it for me. I can handle the 997 lights but not a big fan of the bumper lights (base model and S) and REALLY don't care for the Knight Rider LED's in the air intakes and the wart of a fog light. No thanks. As programatore said, the 996 (pre and pos facelift) have great assemblies, fully integrated.

Nicolaasdb

the 997 looks great ...never liked the huge headlights of the 996...got used to them, because I love the 911...but coming around and having round headlights again..best move they ever made...Jaguar had an overhaul in the 80tis...and it wasn't very successful, they also came back and made the car look almost like before with round headlights and the (sort of) triangle taillights, instead of the square head and taillights.