My review of x51
06-04-2006, 03:14 AM
#16
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I have the X-51. I like the X-51. I drove the base 997, the Carrera S, the C4S (997) and a 996 turbo S prior to buying my car.
Sure, its expensive and outrageously priced like every other Porsche option ($675 for a CD changer, $8k for PCCB's...please!!!!) If you are considering a turbo or GT3, you will feel the X-51 is too expensive. If you want the fastest rear wheel drive that can be driven as daily driver, $16.9k will get you there. Last time I checked, there weren't too many of these languishing on dealer lots so there must be quite a few other folks who feel the same way.
Sure, its expensive and outrageously priced like every other Porsche option ($675 for a CD changer, $8k for PCCB's...please!!!!) If you are considering a turbo or GT3, you will feel the X-51 is too expensive. If you want the fastest rear wheel drive that can be driven as daily driver, $16.9k will get you there. Last time I checked, there weren't too many of these languishing on dealer lots so there must be quite a few other folks who feel the same way.
06-04-2006, 11:55 AM
#17
Originally Posted by Holli82
I have the X-51. I like the X-51. I drove the base 997, the Carrera S, the C4S (997) and a 996 turbo S prior to buying my car.
Sure, its expensive and outrageously priced like every other Porsche option ($675 for a CD changer, $8k for PCCB's...please!!!!) If you are considering a turbo or GT3, you will feel the X-51 is too expensive. If you want the fastest rear wheel drive that can be driven as daily driver, $16.9k will get you there. Last time I checked, there weren't too many of these languishing on dealer lots so there must be quite a few other folks who feel the same way.
Sure, its expensive and outrageously priced like every other Porsche option ($675 for a CD changer, $8k for PCCB's...please!!!!) If you are considering a turbo or GT3, you will feel the X-51 is too expensive. If you want the fastest rear wheel drive that can be driven as daily driver, $16.9k will get you there. Last time I checked, there weren't too many of these languishing on dealer lots so there must be quite a few other folks who feel the same way.
Holli82 - You have hit the nail on the head as far as my motivation is concerned. I wanted a top power rear drive 911 that I can commute 500 miles a week in. If the GT3 came with rear seats and a different wing option, that would have been a consideration but I'm concerned about it as a daily driver.
Instead, I ordered an Atlas Grey 997S with X51, PCCB, heated sport seats, full leather, sports chrono plus, and badge delete. Including the dealer discount, the total is $108k.
Some would argue that is in Turbo territory but, really it's not. A Turbo is going to cost at least $14k more without PCCB. It also brings a few things I really DON'T want:
- All wheel drive (no thank you!)
- ~300lbs more weight (that's one fat German in the passenger seat)
- Turbo Sound (like a vacuum cleaner on steroids)
I'm also very much into personalizing my vehicles. The 997S will receive a few items upon arrival including H&R springs, very special wheels, tinted windows, clear bra, and after break-in, an EVO lightweight flywheel. By the time all those mods are complete, I will be nearer the price of a new Turbo. But, I'd much rather have a highly individulalized X51, PCCB, lowered 997S than a stock Turbo.
For me, an X51 997S is the highest performance, purest 911 for daily driving. That's exactly what I'm looking for and I'll have it in a little more than a month which is sooner than I'd ever see a Turbo.
I have not seen a single new X51 for sale on a dealer lot (we searched the entire U.S. inventory) and no used ones either. Seems like the high price has made these cars pretty desirable and exclusive, for now at least.
MC
06-04-2006, 12:00 PM
#18
Originally Posted by H20NOO
Seems like the high price has made these cars pretty desirable and exclusive, for now at least.
MC
MC
MC
06-08-2006, 12:29 AM
#19
Originally Posted by AeroSmith
Is the X51 a great value? NO. Does it absolutely kick ***? YES.
I've driven them without the X51 and I've been driving my 2006 X51 rocket since October (5,700 miles now). The responsiveness of the X51 is incredible. Low end torque is substantially greater than in the regular C2S and frankly that makes for an even easier car to drive around town. The sound of the low end exhaust burble is downright V8-like. Yes, I'll say it, the X51 PSE sounds better than the non-X51 PSE. Look, you can talk value all you want but the fact of the matter is if I was buying for value I would have bought a Toyota or a Lexus and the X51 gives me a 100% factory tuned car. I've modded cars in the past, SAABs and AUDIs, and something was always not quite perfect about whatever the mod was. I've been down the rechipping route: NEVER AGAIN. It'll be pure factory performance for me from here on out. Life is too short. Cars should be perfect from the factory.
No the X51 isn't cheap but it rages like no other daily drivable NA car Porsche sells. That's its niche. And I'm its niche buyer.
I've driven them without the X51 and I've been driving my 2006 X51 rocket since October (5,700 miles now). The responsiveness of the X51 is incredible. Low end torque is substantially greater than in the regular C2S and frankly that makes for an even easier car to drive around town. The sound of the low end exhaust burble is downright V8-like. Yes, I'll say it, the X51 PSE sounds better than the non-X51 PSE. Look, you can talk value all you want but the fact of the matter is if I was buying for value I would have bought a Toyota or a Lexus and the X51 gives me a 100% factory tuned car. I've modded cars in the past, SAABs and AUDIs, and something was always not quite perfect about whatever the mod was. I've been down the rechipping route: NEVER AGAIN. It'll be pure factory performance for me from here on out. Life is too short. Cars should be perfect from the factory.
No the X51 isn't cheap but it rages like no other daily drivable NA car Porsche sells. That's its niche. And I'm its niche buyer.
06-08-2006, 09:48 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by AeroSmith
AWD in Florida? Blech!
Other than that, I totally support your viewpoint.
06-08-2006, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Rick in Colorado
Not to hijack this thread, but the AWD is probably more effective in Florida (in the rain) than in a northern state (in the snow). I had a 996 C4 and unless you switched to dedicated winter tires, it's absolutely useless in the snow. My wife drives an Audi TT Quattro and same thing. Bottom line: performance tires, no matter how many driven wheels, equals no go in snow. My winter performance vehicle is a Grand Cherokee with the Hemi.
Other than that, I totally support your viewpoint.
Other than that, I totally support your viewpoint.
I agree! AWD is very useful down here in the rain.
06-08-2006, 03:15 PM
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How about a GT3 with retrofitted rear seats and a regular 997s spiler instead of the GT3's wing?
Certainly unique. Anyway, I'm just speculating. Mixing the Turbo and GT-3 into the discussion is rather pointless unless you can drive them back to back with a 997S X-51
Certainly unique. Anyway, I'm just speculating. Mixing the Turbo and GT-3 into the discussion is rather pointless unless you can drive them back to back with a 997S X-51
06-08-2006, 04:01 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Pieter Paul
How about a GT3 with retrofitted rear seats and a regular 997s spiler instead of the GT3's wing?
Certainly unique. Anyway, I'm just speculating. Mixing the Turbo and GT-3 into the discussion is rather pointless unless you can drive them back to back with a 997S X-51
Certainly unique. Anyway, I'm just speculating. Mixing the Turbo and GT-3 into the discussion is rather pointless unless you can drive them back to back with a 997S X-51
One is a GT with good track potential. The other is a track car with limited GT potential.
