Putt-Putt

Just want to reply to this, even though it's old. I've owned two hondas. 2002 S2000 and my current 2003 NSX. Porsche has only just surpassed Honda's interior build quality with the 997 IMO. The doors on my NSX close with a thunk like the 993 even though they're twice as large, oh and there's no window frame. By the way, the NSX is an early 90's design. I've driven a 997. Fantastic, but not as much fun as an NSX, IMO. My last Porsche was a 99 996.

Sean

"who owns these cars for more than 6-10 years"???

Me too. I buy instead of leasing, and typically keep my cars for a long time. I don't mind paying more for a Porsche, but expect the quality to be worth it!

With each year since the 986/996 introduction, Porsche has drifted farther and farther from its roots. We're seeing the effects of Wiedieking killing the factory racing program. Porsche is choosing higher profits over higher quality, and is loaded the cars with electronic gadgetry. (Imagine the service issues on these cars when the techno stuff starts to fail.)

One thing I've noticed is that Porsche DOES respond to criticism. They got hammered over the cheap 986/996 interior, so they made changes. That's why it's imperative that enthusiasts speak out about the lack of a dry sump, concerns about PASM, etc.

If enthusiasts don't demand more from Porsche, who will?

rss997

Good points SEAN.....

Billy Bob Dibble

You guys are the biggest bunch of whiners.

1. For the people trying to make the 997S a gt3...HELLO...there will be a 997 gt3. The 997s is not a track car it is a street car that you can track. If you want a gt3, then get one.

2. For the people who think yester year were the glory days of porsche: The older cars ARE slower less safe and generally poorer quality. Think of all the whining if the 997s did 0-60 in 5.2 lol.

3. For the people that like the chevy go buy it and start posting on the corvette board. If people here wanted a corvette, guess what, they all could afford it.

Sean

Is it whining to expect Porsche to field a factory racing team?

Is it whining to expect Porsches to be equipped with Porsche engines? (The base Cayenne is not. Next up is a Toyota-powered hybrid!)

Is it whining to expect all Porsches to be track-capable? (Remember when they used to say "every Porsche ever built is a race car?")

Is it whining to expect a 911 to outperform a Corvette?

If so, then I guess I'm a whiner.

I love much of what Porsche has done with the 997. The exterior changes are beautiful (headlights are more in keeping with tradition) and the interior quality is much better. If people hadn't voiced their opinions on these issues then PAG would've had no reason to change. Porsche is pretty good about responding to what consumers want. We've just got to let them know!

pcar964

Uh, that's my point Billy Bob - the 997s is a car you CANNOT track. I doubt you'll see many 997s out on the track once the warranty is up, I know first hand because tracking my Boxster S resulted in numerous (LARGE) repair bills that thankfully were still covered under warranty - you would NEVER catch me on the track in a Boxster S, or any other newer Porsche short of a GT3, out of warranty.

Just what the hell are you buying a Porsche for, anyway? Either you buy it for the engineering and performance, or you buy it for the name so you can impress other people. I have a sneaking suspicion those of you who make excuses for these wet-sump street cuisers, are simply poseurs and that's why you don't care. Then I have to ask, what are poseurs doing on an enthusiast's website posting their opinions, shouldn't you be out cruising the boulevard with your mocha frappuccino in the convenient cupholder in your 997, with your black leather gloves on to protect your freshly done manicure?

pcar964

Has the whole world gone completely mad?

Billy Bob Dibble

Porsche is a car company they sell cars.

They sell:

1. Boxsters - targeted at people that want the porsche badge, but can't afford 911s
2. Cayenne - targeted at people that want a sporty handling SUV and the porche badge
3. 911 C2/C4/C4S - targeted at people that want a sports car
4. 911 GT3 - targeted at people that want a track car

Get a clue and stop whining. If you want a track car, get a gt3. Christ next thing you know people will be complaining that the Cayenne isn't dry sump...OMG no!!

Sean

Porsche is a car company they sell cars.

Actually, Porsche now sells more SUVs than cars.

Billy Bob Dibble

Browse to google and type the following:

define:sport utility vehicle

Sean

I tried Googling your suggested and related searches, and the results were mixed.

Apparently, the Federal Government defines the Cayenne as a truck. While it sounds absurd to call Porsche "a truck company," they build more Cayennes than any other model.

There's room for common ground (and differences of opinion) on these topics without the sort of name-calling seen on elementary school playgrounds.

We all want Porsche to build great sports cars. We just may have different expectations with regard to those cars (and SUVs).

Billy Bob Dibble

There is only one result.

sport utility: a high-performance four-wheel drive car built on a truck chassis
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn

Sean

Thanks for clarifying. We now understand that the Excursion, Yukon, and Hummer are "cars."

Billy Bob Dibble

No. We now understand that a SUV is a type of car and that SUV's are made by car manufactures.

riotgear

Has the whole world gone completely mad?

No, just you.