What's Up With Porsche?

[kaferboy]

Is the newest 911 a better or worse car for it?

I haven't driven one, so can't say, but I have read reviews and it seems the latest incarnation is awesome.

So - so what if they need to make a living out of it? If it was your business (and they were YOUR employees' mortgages relying on YOUR paycheck) would you just say, ah, if I can't build what I want I'll let the company fold? Not saying they would fold without these other cars, but hey....

[BeerBurner]

I'll be honest, when I first heard that Porsche was coming out with an SUV, I was quite disappointed. I remembered reading about when they were designing the 911 they passed up on a 4-seater version because they wanted to stay a true sports car company and not start competing directly with BMW and Mercedes.

But then I thought about it. Porsche is in the business to make money, and people are going to line up out the door to spend $80k on an SUV that Porsche didn't even bear the total development costs of. I can't fault them for that. Hell, I'd do it!

At this point, so long as these new non-sports car models still perform as a Porsche "should", I'm happy.

BB.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by Ed Bighi
I wonder if some guy driving a Ferrari gives a flying fuch about Ferrari belonging to FIAT as he passes through 7,000 rpm and hears that music coming from the exhaust. Go as ask that guy, or anyone like him in another Ferrari, if it matters one bit that there is a parent company.

True, but what about MG, Austin Martin, Jaguar, TVR, Alfa Romeo......

The history of small niche automakers is typically a tumultuous one. Look at many of the above marques, and think about how often they have lost their way.

Porsche is about being the best. For years, it was about being the best sports cars. Now, they build the best SUV and hopefully, the best sedan. They do so while continually improving the 911, introducing new sports cars, and building world-beating race cars. This is business. This is evolution. This is why Porsche still exists today.

People need to ****** get over it. They are a business. They exist to make money. The pinnacle of sports car evolution was not your '83 911SC, I'm pretty certain that any model in Porsche's line-up is vastly superior. Even that damned SUV.

[futuresoptions]

Okay, Okay, I am over it....... I feel much better now! LOL

[porschenut]

Originally posted by the
.....at the time the Cayenne came out, Porsche was the most profitable car company in the world.

A common mistake. Not picking on you "the", but Porsche has NEVER been the most profitable car company in the world.

They are the most profitable independent car company in the world, quite a different distinction. There are many more profitable car companies than Porsche. Toyota, for one.

[teenerted1]

i wonder how many current Lamborghini model owners have a clue that they started out in the FARM IMPLEMENT business?

what would all you guys say if JOHN DEER started making sports cars?

how much profit is there really in parts for a 30+ old 914/911/356 etc? how long do you guys expect Porsche to actually make parts for something that wasn't designed to last that long for the average consumer? most people buy a new car every 5yrs, so it is not in the mfg's interest to keep making parts till infinity. come on guys use a little common sense here.

be glad that someone like PELICAN'S BBS is here to spout off on and support this free forum by making a profit selling you parts for your obsolete old air cooled cars?

i love my old Porsche and hope to keep it running for many years. but don't expect to be able to find new parts for it forever. I am glad we have such a strong community that can be a great source for those NLA parts out there.

Porsche make a profit selling new products not keeping the old ones running, that is the job for the aftermarket retailers.

[Racerbvd]

Boy, some people just don't have a clue when it comes to Porsche

Porsche and offroad go way back, the ultimate SUV, the King Tiger Tank,



Then what about farm tractors???

Then there is the 1st Porsche SUV for the public, Porsche Typ 597 "Jagdwagen!!







1954, Porsche used the Type 542. to develop a modern four-door. sedan with an integral body-frame.



So when whining about Porsche heritage, it helps to actually know it.

Who can forget the baddest Lambo of the day???

[Super_Dave_D]

Byron - The first picture is a Russian T-34(R). The Tiger I or II wasn’t actually built by Porsche - his designs lost out to Henschel. BUT Porsche did have some great vehicles in WWII like the Kubelwagon, Shwimmwagon (sp) and the military beetle. Most of his chassis from the Tiger programs were turned into limited production tank hunting variants (Elephant - Jagdtiger) both of which did not fair too well.

[nostatic]

good god...it isn't 1967 or 1977...it is 2007.

How long are they supposed to make replacement parts? 50 years? That's why god created Brazil.

As for the Cayenne and Panamerica...they also make the Cayman. Seriously great car. And the 997. And 997 GT3 RS.

Quit whining and break out your checkbook. Or be happy with your 30 year old iron (I know I am). But to insist that the company somehow "get back to its roots" is ridiculous. Trees are made to grow. And some of the fruit (LMP2 anyone?) is wicked fast.

[Spin City]

Originally posted by 1911Guy
and this is technical because.......

Hey buddy, you're playin' in the Off Topics sand box. You want "technical" how's about you go here:

Porsche 911 Technical Forum

[thrown_hammer]

Originally posted by Spin City
Hey buddy, you're playin' in the Off Topics sand box. You want "technical" how's about you go here:

Porsche 911 Technical Forum

I have a feeling this thread started in the tech forum and was moved. Just a hunch.

[Spin City]

Ahhh. Touche.

[futuresoptions]

Just got my Porsche coffee mug, will place it next to my John Deere and "Gulp" Nascar mugs........

[hytem]

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
I don't pay any attention to authoritative Porsche commentators who can't even spell Boxster.

Steve--I traded my SC for an 03 Boxster. Fabulous car. You should write an article on driving a Boxster vs an SC. The gearbox, by the way, is from Audi. Don't miss the 915.

[hytem]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
From what basis do you make this statement? The overall quality of the cars before 1990 was not that good. One only has to think about 1974-77 magnesium cases, and broken head studs to come up with a few examples. The modern cars are pretty well built, when compared to the early ones...

-Wayne

Yeah, but when you open and close the door of an SC, you get the feeling of a machine--not a car. And that sheet metal has some heft to it. Still like that analog dash and the sound of the engine turning over. And the superb handling and brakes--on a 25 year old car! The downside: the 915 gearbox, the CIS, the heating/cooling system--and oil leaks which ultimately can be traced to inadequate oil cooling/cooling of the oil.

[hytem]

Originally posted by Super_Dave_D
Byron - The first picture is a Russian T-34(R). The Tiger I or II wasn’t actually built by Porsche - his designs lost out to Henschel. BUT Porsche did have some great vehicles in WWII like the Kubelwagon, Shwimmwagon (sp) and the military beetle. Most of his chassis from the Tiger programs were turned into limited production tank hunting variants (Elephant - Jagdtiger) both of which did not fair too well.

Porsche built the "Ferdinand" tank destroyer. Like a big Tiger tank with fixed turret. There are pics on p.32-33 of Ludvigsen's original book.

[futuresoptions]

Porsche also used to build cars with passion.....

[Racerbvd]

I've driven boxsters, in fact I was at the US introduction, I still prefer my old SC

[on-ramp]

the last true sports car that Porsche produced was in 1989. everything was junk after that year.

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by on-ramp
the last true sports car that Porsche produced was in 1989. everything was junk after that year.

A friend who is the crew chief of a famous Race team (who is also a long time dealer mechanic) once told me.

When the 964 came out, man, that is a lot of plastic, then when the 993 came out, man there is even more plastic, then the 996 came out, he said, "I sure miss the 964"

I feel he said it best, I even went back from a 964 to a 88 to get the soul back