The 928 had a dogleg 1st gear, IIRC.

I *could* own a new 996 if I really wanted to. If I really, really wanted to I could probably swing a Turbo. I have better things to spend (save) the money on. Wife, kids in the future, and many other hobbies. Like not having debt.

The Morgan factory motto..;)

So I guess my question really was: is a Porsche that produces SUV's (i don't even want to think whats next, sport sedans? pick up trucks? http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/...oilet_claw.gif ) better than no Porsche at all? I almost would prefer Porsche to go chapter 11 clutching its racing heritage than become a production car company. I mean, is Porsche really Porsche when it doesnt compete in Le Mans? (Chevy is currently more comitted to racing than Porsche for god sakes)

If i could have any Porsche right now for free, without paying any taxes, I'd take a 73 911 over a 2003 911 without thinking twice. I do like the GT3, but thats only because it reminds me of pre 1997 Porsche.

>>The Cayenne proved itself yet again as the growth engine for Porsche. 1,446 units of the sporty off-road vehicle were delivered.<<

1446 cars a month equals 17,532 a year. If I remember correctly Porsche expected to or needed to sell 25,000 a year. They are short by 31% which is pretty signifigant.

911 sales are down as not many people in our society can afford a $75,000 to $180,000 toy.

The Boxster while a great car performance wise can be beaten by any of the current Japenese Hyper Sedans (WRX STi or Evo8) and they cost almost half of the boxster and offer more room to boot.

I have had the time to find sales figures for either of the cars but I suspect it is higher than the Cayenne. I know the Touareg is out selling the Cayenne easily. In my area I have seen maybe 20 Cayennes and a boatload of the VW's. For a point of reference we have pretty high dollar cars running around my area. Some of the most notable Enzo, Maclaren F1, 959, GT2 and GT3's, F50's

So in short the Cayenne maybe helping by adding 17,000 cars a year or maybe it is hurting as it took resources away to develop a new sports car and or racing, maybe it hurt as it drove some potential 996 / 986 buyers away.

Do you not think a small light sports car from Porsche that cost in the 25 to 35 thousand range would not out sale the Cayenne?

I Can't understand it? Why don't they?

- The 911 RS
- light weight.
- 2.7-3.2
- 915
- Simple interior with VDO gauges.
- Targa with a solid removable top. Leak Proof
- Good Recaro seats
- Electric AC. No load on the compression.

30,000$. out the door

If Ferry was here he would say its a go.



Benson :cool:

I don't believe Porsche was ever in the economical sports car business. The 356 Speedster was probably the closest in concept to that idea but even the Speedster was expensive for what it was compared to its competition.

1) Porsche has NOTHING to prove, Chevy does.

2) Chapter 11? Are you serious!??! That has to be one of the most ass backward comments I've heard a Porsche enthusiast say.

3) Yes Porsche made the Pepperwagon. Yes it is water cooled. Yes a Turbo V8 costs over $120k. But guess what, it goes from zero to sixty in under six seconds and will keep you planted in the back of your heated leather seat until you reach 165mph. Porsche broke out of their mold and made the best performing SUV EVER. That makes me proud, not hateful. Chevy and ford have been making trucks/SUVs for years and Porsche just kicked them in the balls.

HAH! The pepperwagon would even out perform most of the cars owned by the members of this board. My SC sure as hell won't go 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.

4) Does age come into play here? (Not antogonizing)

I have a feeling that 'age' is coming into play in this discussion. It may be that some of you long time loyal Porsche enthusiast cannot handle the change you have seen over the years?

lol

1) In racing you never have nothing to prove. that is the principle that helped Porsche win Le Mans 17 times

3) ANY car that costs $120 grand better do 0-60 in less than 6 seconds.

4) im only 22. if you are accusing me of not being an enthusiast for long, you are correct.

I thought older generation wouldn't take to the newer model Porsches as much as the younger generation.

There goes my theory. :rolleyes:

EDIT: Porsche won Le Mans 16 times ;) .

http://content3.us.porsche.com/prod/motorsport/History.nsf/usaenglish/rennsiege

<i>"I don't believe Porsche was ever in the economical sports car business. "</i>

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1078619708.jpg


A $30K Porsche???? Is that what we want ...... to turn Porsche into an ecomomy sportscar company competing with Mazda and Subaru and Toyota??????? Porsches have never been economical and have never been built as value leaders. When new, they have <u>always</u> been out-of-reach for the average person. But they have generally been on the forefront of technology. I don't see much that has changed in a general sense.

I thought for sure they would enter the Cayenne in the Dakar (for marketing if nothing else). They didn't even do that!:confused:

And didn't GM enter the Hummer H2? Talk about confidence.....

Agreed!

Unfortunately, the pencil pushers running the company are not risk-takers. They run their probability numbers and determine that the odds are against Porsche winning these days.

Guess what: THE ODDS OF WINNING WERE NEVER IN PORSCHE'S FAVOR! (Well, until the 917's...hehe) I believe that is one of the biggest appeals of Porsche's racing heritage: they were the underdogs, the 'impossible winners.' They were the Davids the slew the Goliaths.

Seems that Porsche management has lost sight of this! Their idea is: if we don't risk racing, we won't loose.

A sad day indeed.
-Zoltan.

Zoltan, you may have stumbled into something there ..... Porsche is now the 'Goliath'. Anything short of outright overall wins is completely unacceptable to them, their customers and their fans. That's a tough standard to live up to. -- Curt

From an economical standpoint, Porsche is still the David, IMO.

-Z.

Their new logo in the cneter of the Porsche crest should be a bean counter, or a cost benefit analysis chart.
Somewhat on topic i went to the dallas auto show this past weekend and i sat in/looked at the new Boxster S. To me, it was the most impressive car at the show. They still make great cars, its just not the same. Its like when a band breaks up and then gets back together with 3/4 new members: they may be good but its not the same band

The new GT3RS and GT3 are very smaart cars..
They will oneday find the Race track again.