.... oh good grief! After all, round headlights are such an integral and frequently used approach in modern automotive design

The interior of the new model (997) should have a nicer feel to it as part of the usual evolution of any vehicle. Although even the 997 interior falls short of some competitors. But then you don't buy a Porsche for its interior or its headlights rather for its performance and in that regard, perhaps surprisingly, the 997.1 did not deliver sufficiently compelling numbers to upgrade. Now, the 997.2 appears to have stepped up the performance/technology metrics substantially ... but then again, I just don't like those tail lights

 

That's exactly how I feel.

Sure the 997.2 is better, heres to hoping that Porsches statement that the next gen 911 will have a 10% wieght reduction.
I hope from a design and look point of view they slim down bloated look on the backside by reducing the hieght of the engine compartment and fix those tail lights or at least go back to the 997.1 tail light shape with leds.

 

I kink of think this is in the range of "as good as they get"

 

+1.... I believe Porsche went back to their roots with the 996 design... reflecting on the early 70's 911... narrow body, very sleek, maximum aero dynamics.

 

Well,

after I followed the discussion and owning a 993 convertible and a 996 turbo, I want to add my thoughts:

* The 993 is an animal, especially the turbo. For my personal taste, the engine (especially the sound) and the dashboard are all time classics, the car looks just gorgeous. The build quality is fantastic. You feel the road. It's driving.
* The 996 is - compared to the 993 - a much more modern car. If you drive 500 miles you will notice the difference. No need to visit an orthopedic clinic. The 996 is a car which gives you a safer feeling when you are driving 160+ (or 250 km/h +). I can just talk about the turbo, for my opinion it's a great car.
* The 997 is the next generation - great cars, they are 996 SP1 with round headlights and - according to my local Porsche dealer - with the same oily problems (except turbos). And the turbo is still using the 5 gears automatic transmission. I would wait for the new gearbox - DSG - especially if I would by a 997 turbo.

If you go for the interior - materials, styling etc. - get a Italian car (Maserati, Ferrari etc.)
If you go for build quality - get a Mercedes S500 from the W140 series
If you go for an unbeatable price/performance ratio get a 996 turbo

 

personally, I like my headlights.....like a lot better than the old style

also, my good freind has a C4 993 - he loves my car and admits it would blow his doors off

 

The Boxster and 996 bailed porsche out of near financial ruin.

 

I've tended to stay out of these inter-breed discussions because they always seem to degrade, but it good to see reasonable responses to an ignorant opinion on the other board.

It's interesting about the comment on water cooling and headlights. The comments are spot on. I must admit these were two issues I had with the 996 when it first came out; but not because of what you might think. It wasn't that I didn't ike the headlight look, it was that I had always been able to tell a 911 was coming up on me at night two ways without ever seeing the actual car; one the sound of the engine and two, the look of the headlights in the rear mirror. I thought that the 911 should remain uniquely identifyable and I had a problem not being able to tell the difference between it and a boxster until it passed me. I'm not saying that opinion was correct, it was just my opinion, nothing more.

On the issue of water cooling, I admit I was flat wrong. Granted, I still like the air cooled engine sound but I learned (as mentioned earlier) the real engineering reason for the change was to meet emissions and to allow power levels to continue to rise in a platform where air cooled heads alone would not suffice. Once I understood the reason, I had no problem with the issue of water cooling, and still don't.

Personally, I think the negativity has gone on much longer than I ever thought it would. I thought it would end up in good natured ribbing with mutual respect the way the SC and Carrera guys do, but after 10 years it's still going strong. Really too bad; it's not worth the energy spent.

I'll just say I respect the marquee and leave it at that. Now I'll go back to my garage and fix some oil leaks on my SC (kidding).

 

I quite agree!

 

+1. The responses on this thread have been very level-headed. I wonder if the new 4-door, front-engine Porsche will now be the lightning rod for ridicule from other forums. Personally, I can't wait to see/drive a Panamera in person.

 

Posted a pic of his watch next to his car? What a deuche!

Anyway, F*** those 997 guys. Bunch of watch wearing pansies.

 

If you guys feel miffed about the slights from the 997, imagine what a Boxster owner goes through when miffed by a Carrera owner.

Glass houses and all that stuff.....

 

A friend of mine drives a Boxster and I'd never make fun of him or it. He's a pretty good stylist and I'd hate for my wife to have to find another salon.

Kidding, kidding... A lot of guys at the local PCA have Boxsters and there' really a lot of fun!

 

hahahahha... Dude, IIRC... that watch thread you posted... If you go through it, Im not in there. Wouldnt do that to one our own (but maybe I did, now Im not so sure). FYI, here is my DD...
Marathon SAR, Gov issue for the Search & Rescue Operations (Canadian and US).

 

Wearing the same watch today instead of a Breitling.