Randy M

I have a '98 C4S and with todays horsepower numbers I might as well be driving a Kia. That's an exaggeration of course but I'm just wondering about how the new 997 owners feel about this. At 350, on paper the S looks like it's down on power. Porsche was the pinnacle of performance for a long time but imo I feel that the beancounters are holding back their engineers from fully realizing their potential....

There are going to be alot of offerings on the market in the next two years. The Germans have the next M3 at 400 bph, the M5 at 500, the Audi RS4 at 420. U.S. has the Z06 and Viper at 500. The Mustang (don't laugh, it finished 1-2 last week in the Rolex) will have 400-450 when the Cobra is released. GM will not sit on the sidelines with Ford making all that money on the Mustang. They will no doubt be making a Camaro Z/28 to contend w/ it. The next Nissan Skyline is coming to the U.S. too.

I'm still a Porsche fan but I'd rather see them on top than merely a contender if they expect to keep charging the prices they do for their cars.

CO997

I love my car so I'm not really complaining but it would have been nice if the base 997 had AT LEAST as much as the S and the S was somewhere north of 400. Hopefully the 997 Turbo will be close to 500, there has already been a lot of discussion on this board about that.
Of course for me, with Porsche it's not just about hp.

Randy M

I suppose track times on the ring are more telling than any of this. It's hard not to get caught up with numbers when their is so much to choose from..

CO997

I agree about the numbers. It's all you hear and read about these days. Too many people are concerned with 0 to 60 times and HP in the car. Those are all fine but I got my car because I've always wanted one, love to drive, and could not find another car that made me smile as much as Porsche does. Whenever I walk into my garage or get behind the wheel I instantly feel better. It's more of a feeling to me, and quite frankly I could care less if someone thinks their car is better because it has more HP. I didn't buy my car to make others happy, I bought it because it makes ME happy. To each his own, get what you want and enjoy it.

OCBen

DITTO!

ed f

I've heard it said there's 3 things you can't have too much of: 1) money; 2) sex; 3) horsepower. I make no claim to having come anywhere close to 1 or 2, but I believe I have some experience with (3) having just moved a C5 Z06 Corvette. Sure, the 405 hp was nice, it was a rush putting your foot into the throttle and being pushed back into your seat, I'm not saying it got old, but it was by no means the entire car driving experience. The 'Vette was a great car with some positive attributes other than brute acceleration, but for me, at least it was no Porsche. And most of that time, the available horsepower was wasted for street use, one could only really enjoy it at the track.

Here's how I see it: Porsche has been making a great car for 50+ years. How many of those awesome classic/vintage Porsches would we love to own (I would certainly include the 993 on my list along with an awesomely wicked looking black 930 at my local dealership)? How many classic Ferraris could our 997's smoke, at least on paper? How many of these cars had 300+ h.p.? How many of them had 0 - 60 times that would exceed our 997's? Very few. Yet, we'd be proud to own these older P-cars.

I guess it's relative. Relative to the horsepower wars going on today, maybe the 997 could stand a few extra ponies, I'd be the last to argue with that. But relative to the cars that have gone before the 911 has always been a great car that just keeps getting better, more horsepower, better performance.

And I think we you look at the entire package, the 997 is arguable the best sports car out there. I know I'm happy with my decision to give up 80 h.p!

MoneyBiz

A 400 hp m3 still can't beat the S from 0-60.

Alan Smithee

You forgot to mention all of the Mercedes AMG models with ever escalating power.

Porsches have never been about horsepower or drag racing. Porsches became legendary as reliable, fun, fast, light, and relatively comfortable and practical sports cars. As such, the 997/997S is just fine with 325/355hp. Every one of the cars mentioned with more power will weigh 300 to 1,300lbs more than the 997. As a long time Porsche fan, I'll take less power with lighter weight any day of the week.

texas911

The Elise doesn't even have 200hp but it goes like heck.

rss997

I really have enjoyed learning how to drive a car properly since i got my 996...Most fools believe hp is everything and it is not.

Knowing how to drive a Porsche and appreciating all the handling and engineering is what it is all about to me. I could have purchased a vette or a dodge magnum etc. etc.

The 911 is a great car and always will be!

Alan Smithee

"The Elise doesn't even have 200hp but it goes like heck."

...which is why I have one coming next month...

JS

They will have a powerkit in time.

mooty

important things about cars:
1. learn to drive, not just holding onto the str wheel and pray (i suck, still trying to learn).
2. weight and hanlding.
3. torque.
4. hp.

you be surprised that a very very good spec miata driver can LAP a 997 with a mediocre driver.

alan, getting an elise ;-) good choice. what color?

Alan Smithee

Graphite w/black/grey cloth, sport pack, and hardtop.

Debating on whether to take delivery; they've raised the price $3k since I ordered it, and rumor is they've eliminated the forged alloy wheels that were part of the sport pack. I'm not happy with how Lotus is dealing with customers while holding our deposits.

Bill - Chicago

To answer the original question yes they held back. I am not trading in my 996 yet, not enough difference between the 2 models.

I agree 100% that it is not all about hp, but we are a small group of porsche enthusiasts. The average buyer will care and Porsche will have to up its game soon to maintain or increase its market share.