ADias

There's an add-on to do that and a few other things. I, for one, prefer it silent (stealthier).

Leader

The passenger's side window unique "UP" behavior on the 997 coupes is strange.
On Cabriolets, Caymans, Boxsters, Cayennes, and Panameras, the passenger's window is "one-touch up."
On 997 coupes, the window has to be at least half-way up before the switch will actually become "one-touch up."
It was this way on my 2006. It's still the same on my 2011.
While I suspect the reason is "safety," then why are all the other models truly "one touch?"
Anybody know?

simsgw

Seriously, now, no kidding: I don't want my Carrera to make chirpy noises like cheaper cars. It's like daytime headlights. I swore I'd cut the wires if I ever were forced by circumstances to buy a car with such an insulting feature. Porsche managed to make the running lights attractive and tolerable, but the daytime headlights are the stigmata of cheap cars. (And yes, I'm aware that some models of Porsche went that way for awhile and my apology to their owners is all it should be.)

Gary

Skibum

+1

simsgw

From one codger to another, you did start high school a little before me, but I might have made it to canes earlier. I do understand, I just hate to be patronized and luxo-spa features on a sports car feel like the designer is patronizing me: "Old buggers who can afford this car can't remember their lights any more." It's true I'm fading. My body is well past the stage of considering rock-hard suspension acceptable, so PASM was essential to enjoying the car as a daily driver. I like to humor myself by blaming the need for a default cushy ride on the road maintenance of these degenerate times. The truth is my time had come to consider a sedan if they hadn't invented bi-modal suspension Tony. (Good way to explain the design dichotomies by the way: bimodal marketing. I like it.)

The techno features like voice-to-text (which I hope we never get on P-cars) just draw the scorn usual from someone who designed such things and wants them kept in their place, which is not a performance car that should be taking up the driver's full attention at all times.

I fully realize the irony that I resent the geeky features that would be distracting if I had them (or had them turned on) while I also resent the features that save distraction, like automatic headlights. The difference is that operating tradition car systems is part of the whole "driving experience" to steal a modernism, and doing those things is no more distracting to me than shifting gears.

P.S. If I can find my false teeth, I'll tell you about the '34 Chevy that taught me to drive.

Gary

Marine Blue

The problem with adding features/options is weight as we all know. Weight is a detriment to acceleration and even worse for handling. Some will argue that added weight can be dealt with by increasing horsepower and adding even more electronics, like the Nissan GTR. Problem is that when you let the electronics do all the work you lose sight of what the car is suppose to be about which is fun. It becomes a dull electronic gizmo that performs well.

Mike in CA

My perspective is that as long as the manufacturer gives me a choice I don't resent if a car has a feature or not, within reason of course. Porsche doesn't force me to use DRL's so the fact that I have the option to not use them, which is the case most of the time, works for me, with the added utility of being able to turn them on as a more efficient alternative to headlights when circumstances are right. It's the same with Auto headlights; I'm not required to use them in my Cayenne but there are times when they are convenient. What does bug me is when a car comes with a feature like push button start or auto unlock when you touch the door handle, neither of which I care for, and which gives me no choice in how I operate my vehicle.

I don't have an intrinsic problem with Porsche making it easier for different types of customers to be satisfied with their cars by offering multiple features, as long as I can still "have it my way".

dak911

Gary
My final word....I learned on a 35 Chevy coupe...., Lake Mahopac upstate NY both of us were 15 at the time, my dad bought it for me, $100.... used the car 2 summers, overheating, lights failing, clutch slipping, rusting away...maybe at the time I had them most fun ever with that car....FREEDOM

FiatCoupe

I like the idea of auto headlights. It's a safety feature that doesn't distract from the driving experience and requires a minimal weight penalty for the light sensor. Unfortunately some people are too stupid to understand that just because you don't need them to see where you are going it's a good idea to help others see you.

My Jeep has another nice feature which is configurable and that's if you switch the wipers on the headlights automatically come on. Again if it's raining then it's probably a good idea to put your lights on as well.

I hate the chirp on lock. I don't remember cars in the UK having it. Probably something to do with the noise pollution laws. I noticed it first when I moved to Canada. Very irritating to be walking past a car and the owner arm it and the horn honks. Don't be so lazy, press the remote when you are next to the car and watch the lights flash or hear the doors lock rather than listen for the honk as you're walking away.

Mike in CA

No argument about whether the honk/chirp is annoying or not. But I don't get the logic of operating the remote next to the car; the horn is going to sound regardless of where the person is standing when the lock buttom is pushed, so the annoyance factor is there regardless.

Mumbles

Plenty of SUNSHINE, and I'd be happy.

utkinpol

its because you did not have to lock it at a grocery shop parking lot in a bright sunlight. without it i never knew if button got pressed or not and it was quite stupid to try a door to check if car got locked.
so this plebes 'chirp' is in fact quite useful.

i want to re-wire my fog lights to be powered from switchable power source so they would lit all the time while ignition is on, for driving in the tunnel (boston big dig) it is just a safety feature so people will see you. does anybody know if there is any wire there in the fog light assembly that has switchable power? i do not want to buy any additional 'black boxes' for that or get more wires from the battery.

FiatCoupe

What I meant was you can watch the lights flash or hear the locks without the need for an additional honk. The honk is only there for when you can't wait and are already walking away from the car.

Mike in CA

I get your point now......

pissedpuppy

buy a prius for gods sake - you're not worthy