I get more compliments on the Cayenne than I have ever received on my C2 996 with full aero. Every single time I stop at a convenience store or a gas station, I am peppered with questions, props and etc. It has almost got annoying in that I have places to be and things to see and don't fell like giving grand tours of my Cayenne. Its flattering though and I think is a very good sign as to how the Cayenne is being received in the USA.

 

Yeah, like someone is going to walk up and tell you how really, REALLY ugly it is.

The new RX330 is beautiful in comparison, and with the RX hybrid on the way Lexus is at least going in the right direction.

If Porsche wants to show it's engineering prowness then give us a 4000 lb vehicle that uses a hydraulically driven variable speed supercharger coupled with a low weight small 4 cyl to get the required HP.

Not saying the styling is ugly, just the engineering, weight, etc.

 

Ironically I was outside the Four Seasons in G-Town Sunday morning and both a Cayenne Turbo and Infiniti FX35 (if I have the number right) were both parked side by side (actually back to back) prominently in the front. Both black. The Porsche was kind of dirty (even had soda cans in the console) the Infiniti was not. I was hanging around for about 20 minutes waiting to meet someone.

I know it won't be popular to say here but the Infiniti got the lion's share of approvals (including mine) for looks (except for the 20 inch wheels and tires where the Porsche clearly was superior). More than one person said the front of the Porsche looked "weird".

Most people didn't know that Porsche made an SUV and weren't aware of the Infiniti either. But there was a a lot of interest in both vehicles as well as speculation on the price.

 

Kinda missed the point, but that is too be expected. Not really important anyway.

A girl at work as the FX35 and I don't like it that much. The interior looks more elegant, but the bubble roof thing looks too squatty to me. Exudes Japanese car maker. It definitely does not handle as well and its tow rating is very low. When I drive the Cayenne, it seem to get the attention right now in a parking lot full of S500 AMG, 996 convertible, my 996, E 430, LX 470, Lexus convertible, LS 430, X5 4.6, M5, FX35, Landcruisers, Escalades, some baby Mercedes, TT, A4s and etc. Parking attendants and car wash dudes are always all over the Cayenne when I drive it. I think it will do well, at least in my area.

Just wait till I stroll up in their in my new 996 TT here in about a month. I am counting my days.

 

Yep!

The attendant today told me that my truck is the talk of the garage and the block!

 

Doug H, we've gotten nothing but positive comments here. Lots of questions about how it drives, people wanting to take a look under the hood. I used to get the occasional comment on my 996, but not with the same frequency. Of course, there still quite uncommon to see on the road.

As for the FX3/45, I still can't really warm up to it. It looks a little to much like a jacked up Toyota Matrix.

 

I've never gotten more looks, stares, questions or positive comments about my TT from ANY car I have owned! People roll down there windows at lights to ask me what it is. At gas stations people walk up to the hood to see the make. I actually put a Porsche license plate frame on the rear to help people. The other day I'm at a light at a 3 lane intersection. I'm in the left and someone in the far right is screaming across the middle lane to ask what it is and what it costs. The guy in the middle lane had his window down so it was kind of embarassing. I just said "it's up there."

By the way, I think the front of the TT is its best view, at least until I put on the front license plate!

 

I know styling is subjective but let's see how long the FX45 & 35's styling lasts. The Porsche is much more timeless in my opinion.

Willard...I like your forward thinking but you have to remember that Porsche doesn't make vehicles to show their engineering prowess. They make vehicles that the public wants to buy. Do you honestly think that a mid-size SUV that weighs 4K lbs. would sell with a 4-cylinder? Besides HP doesn't get it done with acceleration or towing especially in a 4K lb. truck. It's all about the torque.

I too would like a "light" SUV with good power. Something that is more agile, say like a desert racer. However we're in the minority, and like it or not they're building what the masses want.

 

LanceK, there's a non-trivial engineering problem there. Due to its ride height, an SUV needs lots of mass down low to have a reasonably low CG to prevent roll-over. What you want is a light wagon with a variable ride-height suspension (jack it up when you need additional ground clearance). That would make more sense. Have you seen the 911s modified for rally racing? They're jacked up something like 8 inches.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by LanceK:
<strong>I know styling is subjective but let's see how long the FX45 & 35's styling lasts. The Porsche is much more timeless in my opinion.

IMHO, Porsche has only made one timeless model and we all know which one that is. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Willard...I like your forward thinking but you have to remember that Porsche doesn't make vehicles to show their engineering prowess.

Isn't that what put Porsche on the map?

They make vehicles that the public wants to buy.

That is certainly true now.

However we're in the minority, and like it or not they're building what the masses want.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Again, Unfortunately, that is the only way an independent can stay competitive and profitable.

 

Hmm... one timeless model. Must mean the 356 series....
Anyway, is it so wrong to sell what people want?? Porsche is building it's best lineup ever, and at decent price points! Heck, a well equipped Boxster is still less (MSRP) than a mid 90's 968 Cab! Look at the capabilities of the 996 series - from C2 to GT2 - what a family, and now the Cayenne - good off and on road!
Look - how many people would buy a cheap Porsche?? Very few. A stripped down Porsche?? Even fewer (look at the sales history - each time that's been tried, sales have been dismal, with NO Exceptions!!!!)
Let's face it - the Cayenne is a hoot to drive, looks like a Porsche, and most important, drives like a Porsche.... and now my wife actually wants one (sigh)....
J

 

With no exceptions? Look at the RS America.

Obviously you are a little hot about this and I really do not understand why. Another member stated that Porsche makes cars for the masses and I agreed. There is no doubt they continue to make great vehicles, including the Cayenne, but as I stated before, in order to be competitive and profitable, they can no longer make cars strictly for the enthusiast.

 

I almost bought an FX45 when I was too impatient to wait for the Cayenne.

I think the interior styling is quite elegant, except that some of the dash trim pieces looked and felt flimsy/cheesy.

I loved the way it drove. It has very taut handling, and the V8 is a jewel of an engine.

However, I hadn't yet driven the Cayenne at the time and the fact that the FX45 doesn't have enough room in back to fit my dog's crate made me pause...

I didn't actually want to drive the Cayenne, strangely enough, because I suspected that it would feel like a Porsche and therefore I'd have to have it. Well, I drove it, it felt great, and I never looked back at the FX45.

I was never sold on the FX45 exterior styling anyway. The Infiniti marketing info claims they were trying to achieve the look of a "bionic cheetah" whatever that is. Well.. I prefer both my cars and my crackers to not resemble animals, thank you.

 

No wonder I'm not in charge.

I would be building the current 911 line up (only it would look like the 993/997- absolutely no fried egg headlights), a four door wagon or shooting brake that would NOT be designed for off road work but would be capable of towing your race car to the track or boat to the water (sort of a super 540i/RS6 sportwagon with a little 928 thrown in), and a lighter, smaller Boxster in two trim levels at two different prices- the cheaper (but oh so delectable) "RS" track version and the SLK competitor currently offered.

So I guess I'd offer a bit for the masses but would primarily focus on the enthusiasts.

Dunno how long we'd stay in business but we'd sure have fun reviving the racing effort and sticking it to my ol' cousin "Pikey".

Oh well it's Friday.

 

Many good points here.

At first I thought it a little weird of Porsche making an SUV. But then again I was really taken back when I first saw pics of the X5! Funny how your eye gets used to things.

I agree Porsche must diversify to survive. If done properly it can still preserve it's heritage.

I find it ridiculous when these "purists" let their ignorance get in the way of well chosen progress that in the end will only help preserve the precious 911 line.

They'd be the first ones screaming "Porsche shoulda done this and Porsche shoulda done that" when they can't afford to keep pace on 911 development soly on those revenues.