simsgw

I've been invited to a test drive by our local dealer. He said current estimated arrival for their initial cars is ... November? Thought we weren't going to see any 991's until next calendar year. I'll go of course if he has one to drive.

Anyone else gotten an invite yet? Or is this raging optimism?

Gary

ADias

I think PCNA will have 991s galore, ready to test, at Rennsport Reunion in Monterey this October.

greenie

Heard April/May of 2012.

MJones

You heard right.
The 991 will be at Rennsport for test drives!

utkinpol

never heard of it here yet. check out this new 'electric' steering, you should have good hands for it.

alexb76

+1.

That is my #1 worry with 991!

alexb76

I am sure that's special promotion to hype 991 intro in 2012. Orders and regular test drives won't be available until end of Q1-2012.

JLHendrix

Its the number one reason BMW lost my business. I hope the 991 steering does not go the way of the new M3.

simsgw

You know I'll provide a report as soon as I get back home.

Probably be old news by then though. When and where is the Rennsport Reunion?

Gary

Bijan

Here is the manual 7 speed pattern in preparation
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/a...shift-pattern/

JW911

I received a call from my local dealer yesterday. He said the first 991 cars would be available in spring 2012. By the way, the 991 will be model year 2013. The 2012 997s are out right now.

Z356

http://www.porsche.com/usa/rennsport-reunion-iv/

Gary, I agree with JW911. No one in the know calls the 991 a MY2012...simply because it's not factual. Get with the program, please! z356

simsgw

I can't take model year designations too seriously, but I absolutely decline to call a car offered to me in 2011 by the title '2013'. If those in the know are right and the premier dealers do not start moving them until Spring of 2012, then it would only be outrageous to call them 2013's, not absolutely ridiculous. In which case, I'll play along.

Z356

That's the ticket. I knew you would fall in line. This is not our father's Oldsmobile era - that is for sure! Porsche today does strange things and, with the help of good lawyers, apparently gets away with it.

Let me tell you a story. My vintage 'Signal Yellow' MY1973 911 T was built in early July of 1972 on the first day of '73 911 production. It is #35. The last MY1973 911 was probably built in July of 1973. That was the old way at Porsche of building cars by the traditional Model Year. It dates back to the fifties, at least at Porsche.

In contrast, take a look at my new Model Year 2012 Boxster Spyder. It was built on July 18th, 2011. It was one of the LAST Spyders built for MY2012. The latter started back in late April/early May of 2011. Production of MY2012 Spyders ended (forever) in late July of 2011, a few days after mine was built. Supposedly, only 125 '12 Spyders were allocated to US dealers and most are already in the US, sold & delivered to their customers!

Similarly, MY2012 911's have been built since late Spring of 2011. They will continue to be built until the 991 starts production at Zuffenhausen shortly. In theory, they can also built both .2 997's and 991 simultaneously. So they could extend production on certain models -e.g. .2 997 Turbos or GTS- into 2012, depending on demand or certain market's needs! All MY2012 911s, Boxsters and Caymans will have an abbreviated production in their respective model year due to the introduction of new platforms. The 991 will debut at Frankfurt in two weeks; the Boxster probably at the Detroit Auto Show in January of 2012.

Apparently, for Porsche to call a certain model by a certain MY, their cars must meet DOT and EPA regulations anticipated for that MY year (e.g. 2013), as set in advance by the US Federal Government and the key state of California. If they are in compliance with those rules, they are apparently allowed to introduced the model year 'early' and call it, for example, a MY2013 - even if the first 991 gets here in December of 2011! Outrageous? Ridiculous? Perhaps. But this is our 'Brave New World' at Porsche. And other manufacturers do the same thing. This is the 'program' we are now all in. Thanks for playing along. z356

simsgw

Yep. That I tolerate -- with the occasional grimace.

Nope. My eyes burn at the sight of such Orwellian nonsense. I cannot speak such vile fallacies. You've convinced me though. From now on, no model years shall pass my lips. It shall be the "new Porsche", the "best Porsche", and the "old Porsches." Done. If I'm feeling cordial, the rest of the animals can be described as owning "old timey" or "traditional" Porsches. But only when I'm in a cheerful mood.

Gary, who did read they reconfigured the assembly line so no more of the best Porsches can be built now they've started on the new ones