If you don't hold a large voting block of Porsche stock...you can only vote with your next auto purchase.
In the mean time:
1. Enjoy the future benefits that Cayenne motor MAY bring to the 911 enthusiast's.
2. Is there something wrong with the evolution of Porsche?
3. 911's are not the only sports oriented car on the planet, right? Bounce back to the 60's.
Remember MG, & Triumph? LAME AS THEY WERE... THEY WERE STILL SPORTS CARS! Couldn't beat a 64/65 Falcon with a 200 CI V6, or a Monza Corvair ANYWHERE. Short lived engines, bad electrics. body and chassis rot at the first sign of salt on the road, and where do I get those Whitworth spanners again?
The 911 is a fine sports car, has been here for a while and guess what? To get where it is today, it had to evolve?
4.I don't know a lot of people who are wringing their hands let alone slitting thier wrists over the introduction of a NEW PORSCHE LINE. Point of fact is the people I know can't wait to see them on the road. We may not be in the income bracket that buys BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche Suv's but we can appreciate them for what they are... a product... just like your 911, and my 928.
Let the car have it's day in the sun.
As far as being a purist you elected to hang that title on your own head ...step back once in awhile and you will probably notice there are many more enthusiasts than purists.
5. NOWHERE has PORSCHE said 'IT' will 'save the company'. Financials are strong, and even with expansion they have a healthy war chest.
6. Didn't I just see a post where a 911 'someone' wanted to swap engines with a Cayenne, already.
7. Give me enough money and I 'll guarantee you that you won't have to look at the fleet of Cayenne's I would buy

 

1. I think if they'd build this motor to 911 instead of a truck where the motor is would've bee much better idea?
2. Evolution is good, but not all evolution. You know, there is good and then there is bad evolution as well. I really can't see what good is in evolution where sportscar and LeMans racer company quits racing, and starts building trucks?
3. So? 911 had to evolve, how is 911 evolving with Porsche putting money & time to this truck? I can't see 911 evolution in Cayenne?
4. We should apperciate everything Porsche builds, just because it's Porsche? How about lawnmover or maybe a minivan?
5. OH YES IS HAS, many times. Certain Mr. S. has said it propably 100 times, others as well. In his last interview (in either 911 Porsche world or Excellence) he said that "...because of Cayenne, Porsche enthusiasts can keep their beloved 911's..."
6. I'm sure you did, so? (see 1.)
7. I'm sorry, I won't.

 

I once worked an auto show back in 1991 in NYC for Dodge. They were introducing the Intrepid sedan and also had a Dodge Viper coupe on display. They hadn't at that point decided to build it but the crowds that gathered around that car convinced the powers that be to build the sucker. Anyway, that is besides the point. One particular day an older gentleman in a baseball cap approached me with a few questions about the Intrepid. They were vague questions that he had counter answers to and soon enough he drew me over to the aging Dodge Dynasty they had on display. He then proceeded to start arguing with me for he was in love with this old, outdated, square brick of a car. He was blaming me for the companies decision to discontinue the car. I told the guy he was arguing with the wrong person and quickly walked away.

Finn, you kind of remind me of that guy.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth baby.

 

A responce to Mr. Struthers,

[quote]1. Enjoy the future benefits that Cayenne motor MAY bring to the 911 enthusiast's.<hr></blockquote>
Future benefits, you mean like dropping out of competitive racing for at least another 2 seasons?
[quote]2. Is there something wrong with the evolution of Porsche? <hr></blockquote>
How is this an evolution? Seems to be this is only a risky sales strategy. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />
[quote]3. 911's are not the only sports oriented car on the planet, right? Bounce back to the 60's.
Remember MG, & Triumph? LAME AS THEY WERE... THEY WERE STILL SPORTS CARS!...The911 is a fine sports car, has been here for a while and guess what? To get where it is today, it had to evolve?<hr></blockquote>
Not sure I get the point. How does building an SUV evolve the sports car heritage of Porsche? They aren't even going to race the damn thing - while VW will. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
[quote]4.I don't know a lot of people who are wringing their hands let alone slitting thier wrists over the introduction of a NEW PORSCHE LINE. Point of fact is the people I know can't wait to see them on the road. We may not be in the income bracket that buys BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche Suv's but we can appreciate them for what they are... a product... just like your 911, and my 928.
Let the car have it's day in the sun.
As far as being a purist you elected to hang that title on your own head ...step back once in awhile and you will probably notice there are many more enthusiasts than purists.<hr></blockquote>
My biggest bitch is that it is way to late (the Explorer came out in 1991, the Pepper-fish arrives in 2004), and it so stink'in ugly! Sorry, but it's going to get its day-in-the-sun and for the Pepper-fish that means one stink'in catfish laying dead on the banks of the over-fished and polluted SUV pond.
[quote]5. NOWHERE has PORSCHE said 'IT' will 'save the company'. Financials are strong, and even with expansion they have a healthy war chest.<hr></blockquote>
WRONG, this is a huge bet on the part Fearless Freddie. Read the speech from Penn, and articles from Auto or Car. They've bet the ranch on this thing. <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
[quote]6. Didn't I just see a post where a 911 'someone' wanted to swap engines with a Cayenne, already.<hr></blockquote>
Good luck craming the V8 into that opening... <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
[quote]7. Give me enough money and I 'll guarantee you that you won't have to look at the fleet of Cayenne's I would buy<hr></blockquote>
Even with unlimited funds, the Chilli-pepper would never make it onto the list of my must haves...

Bottom line...the late-to-party, especially ugly, hugely expensive, non-racing Pepper fish is the ultimate poseur Porsche.

Have a great week... <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

[quote]Originally posted by LastV8:
<strong>I once worked an auto show back in 1991 in NYC for Dodge. They were introducing the Intrepid sedan and also had a Dodge Viper coupe on display. They hadn't at that point decided to build it but the crowds that gathered around that car convinced the powers that be to build the sucker. Anyway, that is besides the point. One particular day an older gentleman in a baseball cap approached me with a few questions about the Intrepid. They were vague questions that he had counter answers to and soon enough he drew me over to the aging Dodge Dynasty they had on display. He then proceeded to start arguing with me for he was in love with this old, outdated, square brick of a car. He was blaming me for the companies decision to discontinue the car. I told the guy he was arguing with the wrong person and quickly walked away.

Finn, you kind of remind me of that guy.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth baby.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Come on V8!

I ain't old gentelman and I don't wear a baseball cap!

To me what he was arguing about seems to be quite different than what I'm arguing...

He wanted a car copany to continue to build a square brick, I don't want a sportscar company to build a square brick...

Another come on:

Porsche <img src="graemlins/r.gif" border="0" alt="[king]" /> - Dodge. <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" />

Comparing them is like comparing me to an old gentleman, won't work...

 

Actually I had no idea of your age...really I was comparing the attitudes. The guy just could not let it go.

I'm no fan of SUV's from any manufacturer and I can understand being somewhat disturbed that Porsche is adding to their ranks. That said, it's a done deal man. It's been built and much like the gay cousin everyone has it is coming out. They will be purchased and they will be on the road and they will be fast. At this point all the bitching being done is just pissing into the wind.

Sorry to insult you on the age thing Finn, that wasn't my intent. <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

 

And it's more a minivan than an SUV or station wagon!

 

No problem V8, I wasn't insulted at all. And I ain't THAT young either. I'm not old, just older...

About that letting it go... Why can't you just let me talk about this?

I think I've let it go already, but when I see someone praising this thing or saying it's good that this beloved sportscar company of ours is building a truck, there's something that needs to be said.

 

LOL while I wouldn't exactly praise this thing if I still lived in Vermont I could see buying one and setting it up for the snowy season.

What may annoy me is the same thing that annoys me with BWM X5 owners. If you want to go that fast down the road you should've bought the 7 series.

 

Well, I'll praise it - when I drive it & if it "meets or exceeds my specs". While I respect & celebrate Porsche's past, I hold no illusions about its future. Nor do I find it satisfying to berate them - the market will handle that - the positive feedback route is more effective. I'm just glad they continue to turn out fine sports cars that I might own. As to SUVs vs. 7 Series, c'mon, they're quite distinct devices...if I ever own an off-road vehicle, I'll take all the performance I can get, thanks. Everyone expresses support for freedom-of-choice except when it comes to someone else's taste.

 

I agree. IF the Cayenne is amazing off-road and sporty on the street, IF it out-classes the X5, IF it is part G500 and part Sedan, then maybe I'll love it. Otherwise...

 

My apologies Kevin, a clarification is in order. I don't necessarily find anything wrong with all the performance one can get in an SUV. Though the 7 series and an SUV are two distinct devices you do indeed notice that buyers use them for the same thing don't you? Getting in them by themselves and going fast. However given the state of driver education and training in the US I don't exactly find it comforting that the manufacturers are putting more and more power into these things. Sure they're handling better than ever but the average driver still can't take advantage of the capabilities in any given sports car or sports sedan. Now they've been given more metal and top heavy weight with which to do damage.

Sure the same could be said for 200mph supercars BUT not everyone makes those or can afford them so encounters with them are few and far between. By the time one makes it to the end of their block however, you can pass a Caddy Escalade, two X5's and a hybrid pick up SUV thingy with 22 inch rims. All trying to outaccelerate everything else and take corners at high speed.

A year or so back I spent the better part of a month pushing a large SUV with a V8 around. Sure it had gobs of power and decent enough brakes, nevertheless I noticed that my driving habits adjusted for the extra mass. I slowed the f**k down. Having said all that, I don't want to take away anyones freedom of choice. I too would also take all the performance I can get in an SUV.

 

Last, no apology needed because I took no offence. These C threads have been a great means to raise many other issues, all in good fun w/ a little education thrown in (occasionally).

I guess here in Alabama we aren't flush w/ Escalades (yet), but over-muscled Pony cars, hi-power trucks & low-rider rice rockets w/ dub wheels are all the rage. None of it is particularly safe, especially when you throw in "the next Dale Earnhardt" at the wheel. Yee-Ha!

On the other hand, in High School my friends & I drove around in Road Runners, Cuda 340s, Charger's, Boss Mustangs & all manner of ill-handling, under-braked conveyances - NASCAR & TransAM engine donors. I'm just glad to be here...

So, since I can't do anything about the population, the traffic, the driver training or the decisions made by automakers, I'm going to select whatever apppeals to me, no matter why it exists or however it is used (or misused) by others. And sometimes, in some places, a SUV having "sporting performance dynamics" may be just the ticket - even if it has a Porsche badge. We shall see. Cheers!

 

Deanger, From what I read in Pano it will be all that. The X5 does nothing for me, the ride stinks, the interior space is less than a 525 wagon. It is a nice styling exercise, otherwise I could do without it. The pepperfish will be as fast or faster and I suspect somewhat more utilitarian. It will also be offered with some off-road prowess. It certainly is no G-Class Benz (love mine!) but it will tow 7700 lbs (quickly) and has several features that will make it easily as competant off road as an ML and way more so than an X5 or all-road Q.

I guess I see it as the best in its class. More adept at more things than anybody elses offering. Just as the 911 is one of the finest in its class I think Porsche did a great job on the pepperfish.

That said, even as a "watercooler", my favorite P-car is the 993 series. To me, they were the last of the great Porsches. Of course when I see the GT2 I am confident that Porsche has NOT lost its way. I do think it is an evolution, some good, some not so good, none of it bad, so far