I don't understand this,..this comparison of Mercedes vs. Porsche that I keep incessantly reading about in these forums. I almost bought a CLK 55 coupe before I bought my '01 911 c-2 coupe-( THANK GOD I DIDN'T,especially after I drove one at my P-car/Mercedes/Land Rover/Jag. dealer)I also drove a friend of mine's 2000 CLK 55 and he talked tirelessly about "how fast and fun it was, faster than a 911". -PURE CRAP!My biz. partner has a CLK 430 conv. -nice car, NOT fast, NOT fun to drive compared to 911 -I've driven many a (water cooled and air cooled) 911.I'm the biggest 0-60/horsepower junkie on these posts; no doubt you seen a few of them,and what these guys are saying is correct: There may be a few cars that can beat them off the line([not for long] and most certainly won't win in a top speed contest) but in the twisties a P-car will murder them.Good luck -Blustem

 

By the way, after much intensive research(no joke), and owning an '01 911, I think that Porshe is very conservative about it's performance #'s, ( I think many of you will agree), while many other companies inflate thier #'s. My brother has a 2001 C-5 'vette(stock)and if it is faster than my slightly modified 911 I can't tell and neither can he.I have beaten 2 'vettes at the stoplight in the last year(not by much -but I won)I've also been beat by a couple of 'vettes -I'm not a good shifter. When I was 14/15 my bro. and I had a street legal '74 Ford pickup w/heavily modified 460(I, of course, blew the engine) that would smoke most normally aspirated Benzes and P-cars today. How would it do on a track or on twisty roads? Not too well. Please excuse my lengthy ramblings -Blustem

 

Funny thing...I cannot offer any comparisions on the Mercs, however, I can offer this- I got out of my 928 for a 993 Cab, which incidently, I agree and don't care what the flat six population has to say because I am member in both catagories (Porsche V8 and F6), the 928 was a fabulous Porsche and a blast to drive. When I ditched the 928 to get into a 993 Cabriolet I went positively NUTS in the cabrio and could not wait to get back into a Porsche coupe.

Your gonna give up some priviledges, like tracking it- if you do,(unless you are willing to cut up the back of your cab to put in a roll bar). The weight and power of a cab definately can be a distraction for a former 928 driver as it relates to acceleration and overall fun, in other words, you may have to get used to going a bit slower by comarision to the 928's torque and power (IMHO).

Speaking of two differnet cars I don't think anybody has mentioned here the leap you are about to take between just those two Porsche models and then to add the weight of a cab to the equation. If some of the things that made you like the 928 are no issue I can assure you then the 911 Cab is still a blast to drive but the habits of the car are different and my be thrilling in the beginning (especially with the top down) but I suspect the thrill will erode after a few months (atleast it did for me and I could not wait to get out of my 993 Cab).

Now, my 996 C4 coupe (with the extra weight included) is pure excitement and a closer all around to the thrill I got in my 928.


just my .996 and .928 cents <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Funny thing...I cannot offer any comparisions on the Mercs, however, I can offer this- I got out of my 928 for a 993 Cab, which incidently, I agree and don't care what the flat six population has to say because I am member in both catagories (Porsche V8 and F6), the 928 was a fabulous Porsche and a blast to drive. When I ditched the 928 to get into a 993 Cabriolet I went positively NUTS in the cabrio and could not wait to get back into a Porsche coupe.

Your gonna give up some priviledges, like tracking it- if you do,(unless you are willing to cut up the back of your cab to put in a roll bar). The weight and power of a cab definately can be a distraction for a former 928 driver as it relates to acceleration and overall fun, in other words, you may have to get used to going a bit slower by comarision to the 928's torque and power (IMHO).

Speaking of two differnet cars I don't think anybody has mentioned here the leap you are about to take between just those two Porsche models and then to add the weight of a cab to the equation. If some of the things that made you like the 928 are no issue I can assure you then the 911 Cab is still lots of fun and as any Porsche is to drive but the habits of these two cars are so radiacally different. The cabriolet may be thrilling in the beginning (especially with the top down) but I suspect for a former 928 driver the thrill will erode after a few months (at least it did for me and I could not wait to get out of my 993 Cab).

Now, my 996 C4 coupe (with the extra weight included) is pure excitement and a closer all around to the thrill I got in my 928.


just my .996 and .928 cents <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

[quote]Originally posted by CarreraFour:
<strong> snip
Your gonna give up some priviledges, like tracking it- if you do,(unless you are willing to cut up the back of your cab to put in a roll bar). The weight and power of a cab definately can be a distraction for a former 928 driver as it relates to acceleration and overall fun, in other words, you may have to get used to going a bit slower by comarision to the 928's torque and power (IMHO).

just my .996 and .928 cents <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

I show the 996 cab at 2,900 lbs. The 928 was around 3,500, so I am losing approx 600 pounds (not trivial), and I also losing approx 35 hp and 70 lb/ft of torque from my modified 1988 S4. While I do agree the cars drive very differently I do not have any plans to track the car. To me, top down driving is what I crave the most. As a former motorcyclist who doesnt want that risk anymore with 2 young kids at home, a cab is the closest I will I come.

I really enjoyed the 928, especially its torque (close to 330 lb/ft) but found myself wishing for a ragtop on those nice sunny days, especially since the P car is not my daily driver

 

[quote]Originally posted by Art_Z:
<strong>

I show the 996 cab at 2,900 lbs. The 928 was around 3,500...</strong><hr></blockquote>


Hmmmm, somebody correct me if I am wrong (Loren are you out there) but I think the 996 Cab is closer to 3300 lbs. I am certain that the Cabriolet weights more than the C2.

Does anybody have the actual vehicle weights of the 996 C2, Cabriolet and, C4?

 

[quote]Originally posted by CarreraFour:
<strong>


Hmmmm, somebody correct me if I am wrong (Loren are you out there) but I think the 996 Cab is closer to 3300 lbs. I am certain that the Cabriolet weights more than the C2.

Does anybody have the actual vehicle weights of the 996 C2, Cabriolet and, C4?</strong><hr></blockquote>

You are prob right. I got my #s from Edmunds.

 

I just would never compare a Porsche to Mercedes. Even an M3 is a bit of a stretch.

I bought a Porsche 996 because I love the car, as much as one can love a car. I think the lines are classic, but still are modern. The sound of the engine is special, so that when you hear another Porsche go by, you automatically look up to see what it is. Every morning when I see my 996, I run my hand along the front fender, look down at those wheels, and know the car has one purpose--to go fast, very fast. When I bought the car, I knew that there were compromises. I did not expect that I would carry but one other passenger. I did not expect to carry a months worth of luggage to the airport. I did not expect to have the perfect stereo. I got what I wanted, a racing machine, made just civilized to commute to the office.

All other cars just compromise. Any Merc, and I've owned a CL-class, is just too soft. It isolates you from the road, so it makes the drive comfortable, but not fun.

A BMW does the best job of combining comfort and road feel. But an M3 is a coupe, with compromises to driving. The E39 M5, probably one of the greatest cars every designed and built, is a Sedan, though stealthy, not very seductive.

So, when I see another 911 or 356, I lust for it, because I know it was built for one purpose. Speed.

I do not bash BMW (I've happily owned many) or Merc (it has it's market).

Just how many of you, after a drive in your Porsches, have huge dumb looking grins on your face? The passion is there, and it's rare in any other car.

So Art. You chose wisely. Your dumb grin is probably growing already.