Porsche Announces Sedan
(j/k)
09-19-2003, 08:54 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
Let's see a cheap, fast coupe that can kick the *** of all those other annoying good and cheap cars (scooby, Honda thing, RS, etc). Oh wait a moment; isn't that what they are planning with the Boxster coupe!
If they want to build a good, sports saloon then why not - it hasn't harmed BMW. It's either that or get swallowed up by a big player and end up as a re-shelled Lincoln (Jaguar), re-shelled Jaguar (Aston Martin), etc, etc.
Cheers,
David
If they want to build a good, sports saloon then why not - it hasn't harmed BMW. It's either that or get swallowed up by a big player and end up as a re-shelled Lincoln (Jaguar), re-shelled Jaguar (Aston Martin), etc, etc.
Cheers,
David
09-19-2003, 08:11 PM
#34
Banned
If they want to build a good, sports saloon then why not - it hasn't harmed BMW.
09-19-2003, 10:07 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
My turn: do Porsche people really think that a sports-car slotted below the Boxster would ruin the companies image? I would LOVE a smaller, stripped-out coupe or roadster powered by a mid-mounted (or rear-mounted) flat-4 version of the Boxster engine. This car would sell in large volume so it wouldn't need to be priced at $80K+ like the Cayenne is... if anything can ruin a companies image, it's producing an over-priced, steroid-induced, me-too SUV with poor styling and horrible resale values. Are you listening W.W.?
09-21-2003, 12:20 AM
#37
Burning Brakes
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Wow, since this thread got moved, it's really "perked up"! I can't possibly see how Porsche would retain respect if they built "normal" cars.
Hell, they lost a ton of it, when they stopped building true Sport Prototype Racers after the 962. The Boxster was a retro for the 550 days, and the Cheyenne is a plain bad decision by desperate management.
They really need to get back to the roots: Porsche - The best sports cars on Earth. I actually believed that when I decided to get one. I'd like to keep thinking it's true.- Ruf
Hell, they lost a ton of it, when they stopped building true Sport Prototype Racers after the 962. The Boxster was a retro for the 550 days, and the Cheyenne is a plain bad decision by desperate management.
They really need to get back to the roots: Porsche - The best sports cars on Earth. I actually believed that when I decided to get one. I'd like to keep thinking it's true.- Ruf
09-21-2003, 09:38 PM
#38
Nordschleife Master
Cheyenne??? That's funny...most people that don't own p-cars call it that in lieu of it's actual name "Cayenne", like the pepper not the Indian tribe... Whether you think production of that car was a mistake or not which has been discussed "Ad Nauseum", most people who understand 21st Century economics recognize the value of the Cayenne to bring significant revenues to a company that will only ensure continued development and availability of their refined sports cars. Besides, without the Cayenne, Porsche could eventually end up being owned by one of the big three in Detroit. What would you say about Porsche then???
09-22-2003, 06:03 PM
#40
Rennlist Member
I've seen this 4 door car before...and if I'm not very much mistaken, it was designed BEFORE the 996 was launched. It is about 10 years old. The article I read discussed how close it looked to the 996 model. I guess that's why we can all look at it and wonder if it is the 'next' Porsche.
10-03-2003, 06:28 PM
#41
Racer
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As a product marketing manager for a large corporation, I look at products as a set of features positioned in the marketplace. I believe Porsche needs to build an *enthusiast* car positioned aside the boxster, not one above or below it.
The key here is 'enthusiast'. Porsche lost this aspect of its products when it made its cars difficult/impossible to work on and modify by the DIY/lead user market. This started with the 993, and continued with the 996.
The early 70's 911s and 914s are the best examples of successful enthusiast cars from Porsche. When the market value on these cars came down, many ppl picked them up and turned them into race cars or modified them for the street. In addition to the bolt on performance parts that came out of Porsche's racing effort, lots of cars in the market meant shops/tuners where continuing to develop the cars, and offer bolt on upgrades.
The domestic and japanese automakers are capatilizing on this. The infiniti G35, Mitsu Evo, Dodge SRT-4, and others are all examples of cars geared towards the enthusiast crowd. The competition in the low end(30-40k) is just beginning to heat up. If Porsche doesn't respond, other corporations will have product offerings to pick up the slack.
One other thing, the Porsche brand equity will not be cheapened by a quality low-end product. If you're unsure, think about a Dodge Viper parket next to a 996, and answer these questions:
- Which ones is the low end car?
- Which one is the Dodge? Uh?
Sean
The key here is 'enthusiast'. Porsche lost this aspect of its products when it made its cars difficult/impossible to work on and modify by the DIY/lead user market. This started with the 993, and continued with the 996.
The early 70's 911s and 914s are the best examples of successful enthusiast cars from Porsche. When the market value on these cars came down, many ppl picked them up and turned them into race cars or modified them for the street. In addition to the bolt on performance parts that came out of Porsche's racing effort, lots of cars in the market meant shops/tuners where continuing to develop the cars, and offer bolt on upgrades.
The domestic and japanese automakers are capatilizing on this. The infiniti G35, Mitsu Evo, Dodge SRT-4, and others are all examples of cars geared towards the enthusiast crowd. The competition in the low end(30-40k) is just beginning to heat up. If Porsche doesn't respond, other corporations will have product offerings to pick up the slack.
One other thing, the Porsche brand equity will not be cheapened by a quality low-end product. If you're unsure, think about a Dodge Viper parket next to a 996, and answer these questions:
- Which ones is the low end car?
- Which one is the Dodge? Uh?
Sean
10-04-2003, 02:09 AM
#43
Three Wheelin'
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Geeze I don't see what all the hoopla is about. At one time Porsche used to make tractors. This didn't seem to hurt their image much. Guess what, Ferrari used to make tractors too. Besides who cares, I didn't buy mine for image or status. I recognized the 951 as unique one of a kind engineering compared to domestics. Available at a ridiculously low price. Besides I am not interested in any of the new stuff Porsche makes. Finally, car manufacturers are in the business to make biggest profit possible. Porsche is no exception. From what I've been reading lately they are taking short cuts here and there cutting back on quality even on their high end products just like their competitors.
10-05-2003, 02:20 AM
#45
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I know what would shut a lot of people up about the sedan :if they mounted a twin turbo charged version of the v10 engine out of the New carrera big huge brembos all round and a 6 speed sequential transaxle