997 lines vs. 996 lines vs. 993 lines!!
11-25-2009, 10:17 PM
#61
Three Wheelin'
LOL - just like they call the current cars 911s now they're going to start calling them 993s. I wouldn't put it past the marketing guys to do that either.
Just a question...why does it say Carrera on the engine lid but virtually no one, marketing guys included, call the cars Carreras?
Just a question...why does it say Carrera on the engine lid but virtually no one, marketing guys included, call the cars Carreras?
11-26-2009, 04:08 AM
#62
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
LOL - just like they call the current cars 911s now they're going to start calling them 993s. I wouldn't put it past the marketing guys to do that either.
Just a question...why does it say Carrera on the engine lid but virtually no one, marketing guys included, call the cars Carreras?
Just a question...why does it say Carrera on the engine lid but virtually no one, marketing guys included, call the cars Carreras?
The Carrera name on the decklid is all driven by marketing. For many years Porsche complied with typical European car naming convention--using numbers, e.g., 911, 912, 914, 500SL, 504, 300SEL, etc. Porsche began adopting American naming schemes mostly when they introduced the Boxster--you really don't call them a 986 or 987 in public because no one would know what you were talking about, which is similar to a Carrera GT. No one calls them a 980, and no one calls a Cayenne a 955, nor a Panamera a 970. If you can't clearly identify your car to (1) another Porsche enthusiast or a (2) non-Porsche person within about 2 seconds you've already lost them.
Porsche has long considered the "911" a cash cow and as such, is wise to simply call it a 911 or a "New 911" in marketing material. Today's cars are so far removed from the 2.0 litre 901 of 1963-4 that they are "911s" in name only--and in the rear engine hanging off the rear concept.
11-26-2009, 01:19 PM
#64
Porsche has long considered the "911" a cash cow and as such, is wise to simply call it a 911 or a "New 911" in marketing material. Today's cars are so far removed from the 2.0 litre 901 of 1963-4 that they are "911s" in name only--and in the rear engine hanging off the rear concept.
I use 996 the same way I used to use E36 or L322: to identify my car to fellow enthusiasts. To lay people, it's a 911 because that's what they understand.
11-27-2009, 01:47 AM
#65
Three Wheelin'
Don't agree. By calling the cars Carreras you would at least narrow it down to those cars built since 1984. Less confusing than 911 which goes all the way back to 1965.
I guess I was asking the question rhetorically. I well know why no one refers to the cars as Carreras, and that's because it's even more offensive than calling them all 911s.
I for one was livid back in 1984 when they plonked the sacred Carrera name on the back of a normal 911. Last I understood, the Carrera name was reserved for the Renn cars. I suspect even the guys at Porsche feel a bit stupid referring to a plushy cabriolets etc by the Carrera name, and that's why nobody uses it.
When the GT3 was introduced it would have been obvious to call it the Carrera, but !nnnooo! - they couldn't because they sold the name out 15 years earlier for who knows what reason and they ended up having to name this otherwise brilliant new sports car after a generic racing class instead of a historic string of victories.
I know it is a pain in the **** for non enthusiasts to keep track of Porsche model designations. I have a hard time remembering which 5 series BMW is which too, and it took me a while to figure out that my own Audi is a B5-A6. So yeah I understand the reason for calling them 911s, but why did they have to ruin the Carrera name and why do they keep on doing it?
Uugh - sorry for the rant - carry on.
I guess I was asking the question rhetorically. I well know why no one refers to the cars as Carreras, and that's because it's even more offensive than calling them all 911s.
I for one was livid back in 1984 when they plonked the sacred Carrera name on the back of a normal 911. Last I understood, the Carrera name was reserved for the Renn cars. I suspect even the guys at Porsche feel a bit stupid referring to a plushy cabriolets etc by the Carrera name, and that's why nobody uses it.
When the GT3 was introduced it would have been obvious to call it the Carrera, but !nnnooo! - they couldn't because they sold the name out 15 years earlier for who knows what reason and they ended up having to name this otherwise brilliant new sports car after a generic racing class instead of a historic string of victories.
I know it is a pain in the **** for non enthusiasts to keep track of Porsche model designations. I have a hard time remembering which 5 series BMW is which too, and it took me a while to figure out that my own Audi is a B5-A6. So yeah I understand the reason for calling them 911s, but why did they have to ruin the Carrera name and why do they keep on doing it?
Uugh - sorry for the rant - carry on.
It's easier just calling them a 911. Generally, the term "997" is used for today's cars to differentiate them from the "996" cars. It's extremely vague to refer to these cars as a "Carrera" as that can mean everything from a 356 to a 1984 3.2 litre Carrera, to a 964, 993, 996, 997, and soon, a 991.
The Carrera name on the decklid is all driven by marketing. For many years Porsche complied with typical European car naming convention--using numbers, e.g., 911, 912, 914, 500SL, 504, 300SEL, etc. Porsche began adopting American naming schemes mostly when they introduced the Boxster--you really don't call them a 986 or 987 in public because no one would know what you were talking about, which is similar to a Carrera GT. No one calls them a 980, and no one calls a Cayenne a 955, nor a Panamera a 970. If you can't clearly identify your car to (1) another Porsche enthusiast or a (2) non-Porsche person within about 2 seconds you've already lost them.
Porsche has long considered the "911" a cash cow and as such, is wise to simply call it a 911 or a "New 911" in marketing material. Today's cars are so far removed from the 2.0 litre 901 of 1963-4 that they are "911s" in name only--and in the rear engine hanging off the rear concept.
The Carrera name on the decklid is all driven by marketing. For many years Porsche complied with typical European car naming convention--using numbers, e.g., 911, 912, 914, 500SL, 504, 300SEL, etc. Porsche began adopting American naming schemes mostly when they introduced the Boxster--you really don't call them a 986 or 987 in public because no one would know what you were talking about, which is similar to a Carrera GT. No one calls them a 980, and no one calls a Cayenne a 955, nor a Panamera a 970. If you can't clearly identify your car to (1) another Porsche enthusiast or a (2) non-Porsche person within about 2 seconds you've already lost them.
Porsche has long considered the "911" a cash cow and as such, is wise to simply call it a 911 or a "New 911" in marketing material. Today's cars are so far removed from the 2.0 litre 901 of 1963-4 that they are "911s" in name only--and in the rear engine hanging off the rear concept.
11-29-2009, 01:39 AM
#67
Racer
11-29-2009, 09:51 AM
#68
Ever say to you buddy "wow, she's great" and he returns with a "meh, she doesn't do much for me" and you just can't believe it!!?? This is sort of how this goes. When I got my 996 a couple of years ago I was actually a bit unsure of the styling - being a traditionalist somewhat - but when I see the reflection in the shop windows when I drive by, oh my! That ' washed stone' profile is absolutely gorgeous! Now I still like all the older models but the 996 has really grabbed me.
Headlights? I really don't see the big deal. Honestly I don't!!
but what a car!
Headlights? I really don't see the big deal. Honestly I don't!!
but what a car!
11-29-2009, 06:20 PM
#69
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
There is no big deal. Enjoy your fine cars and think nothing of this crap. We're all still very fortunate to be driving ANY Porsche--it beats the alternative!
