Maybe there is a black cloud over my head, but I found the Porsche display at the auto show disappointing. I absolutely love my 02, but it does seem that the "barely evolutionary" body style is leading to a dead end. After seeing the display, I can't see why anybody with a 996 would upgrade to a 997. The same is true for Boxsters.
Are there enough new buyers to keep the sports car line vibrant? Or, is the SUV and sedan market the direction our company is taking?

My car is now 6 years old, and I had subconsciously felt that this interval was long enough to expect real advancement. I thought the 997ttcab looked fat and dated. I experienced zero buying urge.

The Nissan GTR looked like a nice daily driver (on all weather rubber), the Corvette ZR1 looked really great, the Cadillac CTS-V was very appealing, and the Audi R8 looked good (not great) to me. It seemed 6 inches too long behind the driver, even for a mid-engined car. (Anybody else think so, or is that just my black cloud?)
Are there lots of 996tt owners thinking, 'I gotta get ma a 997tt"?

 

I think so.

I have no reason at all to buy a 997 Turbo. I don't like the interior, I don't like the headlights, and there's nothing it offers in terms of performance that I don't already have in my 996 Turbo.

I think the Nissan GTR is butt ugly, and I don't care for Vetts at all. I can't think of any American car I would buy.

The only R8 I've seen in person was a black one in Paris...it was a great looking car!! And it sounded awesome.

 

I am compelled by the idea of the 997 GT2 being much less of a widow maker, as a result of PSM etc., vs the 996GT2. Would really like to see direct injection and that fancy clutch system part of the package though.

 

the 997 is totally retro to catch the 993 guys that found the 996 too evolved. Look at the 997 hips (rear fenders), headlights, and door panels...lifted right from the 993...But underneath is 90% 996 parts. I went to the autoshow in LA when the 996 was introduced and I swore i would never sell my 993. Well 8 years later i gave in a bought a 996TT. I miss my 993 but know the 996tt has so much more to offer.

 

How was the new Dodge Challenger? I think that might be about the onle American car of interest.

 

The new CTS-V was actually better, in my opinion. AS

 

The only thing I like better about the 997 are the new seats, but with all the motors etc for them they are quite likely VERY heavy.

 

I recently drove a 997 base carrera, 997 C2S cab and a 997 C4S coupe and ended up buying a 2004 C4S cab. I liked the 04 C4S the best!

 

I personally like the 997 Turbo and prefer it over the 996 Turbo.

The main reason why I haven't changed my 2005 996 Turbo for a 997 Turbo is due to the extra cost which I think is too much versus the extra that you get.

(Here in Australia this basically equates to an extra $120,000 USD).

 

I like the looks of the 997 Turbo better, but I can't afford one. The previous owner of my car took a $60,000 hit for 8800 miles of use. I'll probably buy the 997TT in a few years when they cost what I paid for my 996TT.

 

At least Porsche showed up at the Chicago AS. They bailed on the Detroit AS and had zero prescence. I was at the Omaha AS recently and Porsche had a display there, but none in Detroit...go figure. As for the Challenger, I have seen and driven it and like most of the LX peformance car line-up it is great low end power but far too much weight to be a real performance car....

 

Maybe my point and yours are related. Porsche has nothing new to show, and may feel that demonstrating that can't help. Ferrari doesn't show up, but I think that's because they are sold out.
I've been to the Chicago Auto Show about 40 times over the years (I'm 59), and can't remember the display looking so bland. There was no "need to have it" excitement.
I suspect when the new sedan comes out, there will be a huge promotion. At present and for the immediate future, it seems that the sports car is metaphorically taking the back seat.
Often you can tell what people think by watching what they do. Right now, what Porsche is doing says they are increasingly a "big car" company. VW and Audi may become the "small car" companies for a while.
I would not discount the possibility that the R8 may be the platform of the next generation 911, as the Toureg is the Porsche SUV. It raised the question to me, "Is Porsche moving away from it's rear-engined heritage?" I think that could be true. AS

 

All great points. I also feel that Porsche is now a "big" car company and is acting accordingly. Unfortunately the point you made about the R8 chassis underpinning future Porsche products may very well become reality. The heritage of the 911 will not win a head to head battle against "big" company profits. I hope we are both wrong. It is a moot point for me though as the current lineup is ho-hum to me and I foresee my 996TT in the garage for many years to come...

 

It may turn out to be a good thing for those of us that own these cars. They will increase in value as they will be perceived as the last "real" Porsches.{ Man, that sounds like a 993 forum statement.}

 

No GT1 based block ....bets???? (in the next turbo....rumors..rumors....).

Dry sump...may be going away for turbos...


I like my 996 more and more over the 997....and I had a 993. The 996 looks newer.

But, if I could afford a current 997....hmmmmm.

;-)