View Poll Results: Preferred size of 911's
911's should be BIGGER
9
6.62%
911's are about the right size now
70
51.47%
911's should be smaller
57
41.91%
Voters: 136. You may not vote on this poll
911 size preference
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,386
Likes: 442
From: Southwest
The first reason these cars grew (it started with the 993 rear hips) was performance - bigger engines, bigger wheels. When the 996 came out they widened the rest of the car in response to perceived marketing needs (cabin comfort). The 997 again for performance reasons has wider tracks.
Do I like the nimbler, smaller classic 11s? Yes, but the modern 911 is faster, safer, and we all know it's more comfortable. It still is a 911 with a reasonably short wheelbase and the engine hanging out the tail. The future 991 will start diverging from that though, with a much longer wheelbase.
Do I like the nimbler, smaller classic 11s? Yes, but the modern 911 is faster, safer, and we all know it's more comfortable. It still is a 911 with a reasonably short wheelbase and the engine hanging out the tail. The future 991 will start diverging from that though, with a much longer wheelbase.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Here's something I haven't seen addressed regarding the new longer-wheelbase 911...
With the overall length not increasing much, but the wheelbase getting longer, is the new 911 still considered a rear-engine car? Is there any chance the engine is going to be pushed up in front of the rear axle?
With the overall length not increasing much, but the wheelbase getting longer, is the new 911 still considered a rear-engine car? Is there any chance the engine is going to be pushed up in front of the rear axle?
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,386
Likes: 442
From: Southwest
Here's something I haven't seen addressed regarding the new longer-wheelbase 911...
With the overall length not increasing much, but the wheelbase getting longer, is the new 911 still considered a rear-engine car? Is there any chance the engine is going to be pushed up in front of the rear axle?
With the overall length not increasing much, but the wheelbase getting longer, is the new 911 still considered a rear-engine car? Is there any chance the engine is going to be pushed up in front of the rear axle?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 137
From: Greater Seattle area
As much as I love my Carrera 3.2's visceral, nimble feel compared to the heavy insulated feel of the newer P-cars, my wife certainly feels more secure when I go out in the 997.2 given it's safety features. The size is just about right or perhaps could be slightly smaller.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
But then again, one of the other defining characteristics of the car was it being air/oil-cooled, and they did eventually go water-cooled. Okay, I can accept that change. But making the 911 anything other than a rear-engined car? Never.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,386
Likes: 442
From: Southwest
That it is. The 911 all-in-the-rear layout defines its driving dynamics. The 991 will be less 911 and a mid-engine version will cease to be a 911 - it will just 'look' like one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
The 997 may be safer that its predecessors, but it is not safer compared to the general population of cars based on size only. Most cars have grown along with our *****. So, we stand the same chance of survival against a Ford pick-up now as we did in the past-not much. Like others, I would like to stay where we are in terms of size and look for more weight savings.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 44
From: Sturgeon Falls
I would not mind the Carrera a little bigger....actually wider. My biggest gripe with the Carrera is the steering wheel does not extend out nearly far enough for proper arm postion when the seat is all the way back.
I am 6'5" tall so the seat (Sport Seats Manual) is all the way back and my knees are still at the bottom of the steering wheel touching the wheel. I do not even begin to properly fit in the Sport Bucket Seats that accept a 6 point harness and these are the seats I really want and need. Believe it or not I have more leg room and the steering wheel position is better in my 2009 Mini Cooper S! I wish the seat would go a little lower and the steering wheel would extend out towards me another 3-5"'s...PORSCHE are you listening? This is the 1st Porsche (997 style) that I can even fit in due to my height.
I am 6'5" tall so the seat (Sport Seats Manual) is all the way back and my knees are still at the bottom of the steering wheel touching the wheel. I do not even begin to properly fit in the Sport Bucket Seats that accept a 6 point harness and these are the seats I really want and need. Believe it or not I have more leg room and the steering wheel position is better in my 2009 Mini Cooper S! I wish the seat would go a little lower and the steering wheel would extend out towards me another 3-5"'s...PORSCHE are you listening? This is the 1st Porsche (997 style) that I can even fit in due to my height.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
They are the size they need to be... the answer is not available from your 3 choices.
The size is dictated by the needs to have the car fit a person, plus the additional constraints put on it by safety and emissions improvements and through the needed handling effects all that may induce.
That said, I do want a car I don't feel like I'm shoehorned into - so my head doesn't rub the roof liner and my elbows feel cramped and I need to squeeze my knees under the steering column or do a 5 point entry to get into the car.
Its fine the way it is and I'm sure the 1980's era and before cars were good for their time.
The size is dictated by the needs to have the car fit a person, plus the additional constraints put on it by safety and emissions improvements and through the needed handling effects all that may induce.
That said, I do want a car I don't feel like I'm shoehorned into - so my head doesn't rub the roof liner and my elbows feel cramped and I need to squeeze my knees under the steering column or do a 5 point entry to get into the car.
Its fine the way it is and I'm sure the 1980's era and before cars were good for their time.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,362
Likes: 198
From: Tampa
Being 6'5" tall and loving sports cars sucks...I should have played more football!
