How Times have changed
 

I took a vacation to West Germany in the mid 1980's and the highlight of that trip was a visit to the Porsche factory.

Yesterday, my wife informed me that she'll be in Stuttgart on business next week. My immediate reaction was "cool, you should check out the Porsche factory!" Then I thought about it for a moment and realized that there was no longer a reason go!

JP

1987 Carrera Targa - 17K miles (they don't make them like this anymore)

good point,

from the plastic piece of schit 996 to the SUV, to the god only knows what next mini-van, truck, 4 door, pickup sellout,
is there really a reason to visit Porsche?

the 80s 911s were definitely very dinstinct in their own right....not the same anymore

As I'm sure the 356'ers probably said the same thing in the mid-1960's, when the new 911's came along.

I just don't see the current line of Porsche products being cherished, carefully maintained and discussed in forums such as this, twenty years from now. I see most of them ending up either being recycled or as land fill.

JP

1987 Carrera Targa - 17k miles

Yeah, who knows; they next thing you know they'll be building tractors :rolleyes:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/lol2.gif

are you guys kidding?

evolve or die...

EDIT:

so you're saying, if you had $250k you'd be driving your CIS pain in the arse SC?

puuuhleeease! you'd be rocking a gt2 or gt3 or 996 turbo. yes, maybe you'd have an SC in the stable, but your stallion would be a wasser coolah.

plastic? have you sat in the new anniversary edition porsche? i guarantee if you sit in one you'll fall in love with the leather on that steering wheel.

no hard feelings though, to each his own.

If I had $250K, I'd still be driving my 87' Carrera (or SC if I had one) and add a 73' RS Carrera, a 67' 911S, a 89' 930, 72' 914/6 and maybe a 356, if I had any leftover cash, to the stable.

JP

1987 - Carrera Targa - 17K miles

Yay, more lame and baseless 996 bashing posts.

Not at all, I'm just allergic to plastic.

JP

1987 Carrera Targa - 17K miles

I experienced this same evolution with the BMW motorcyle division. After riding airhead bikes since '68, they went and changed the design in 1994 to an oilcooled, fuel injected, ABS version. This is a great machine, but lacks the soul of the previous version Long-time older riders had a difficult time with this, but they eventually came around. BMW had to do this design change...it was the only way they could perpetuate a market for their bikes before airhead afficianados enter retirement homes. The older bikes also appeal to a young crowd and always will, just like Porsche.

Given an unlimited car budget, I'd probably keep the SC in the fleet, but there sure as hell would be a GT3 in there too!

I've done the museum visit, but didn't have time for a factory tour. Will do that another time, though.

I agree: I don't see any need to bash the 996. I don't personally like the look, but it is still a stunning car to drive, and most definitely a 'real' Porsche.

Ben

Steve , don't even get me started about the evolution of BMW bikes. My newest one is from 1941! ;-)

JP

1987 Carrera Targa - 17k miles

I'm sure it's a terrific car to drive, but to me that's just not enough to make it special. There's plenty of other great driving cars out there too. In my mind, the 996 just doesn't stand apart from the crowd, the way the old 911 did.

JP

How times have changed.

We (RHW & I) went to the Factory in the summer of ’74. Great tour through the 911 production factory and racing department. Got to hug Frau Baer. Some complementarily tickets for laps at Nurburgring (in our rental VW 1300). Invited to Weissach and given laps in hot 911s. Taken to the “Back Room”, sworn to secrecy, and shown the yet to be announced 928. I was asked how I thought the 928 would be received in the states. I was invited to crew on the factory team at the race that weekend. After the hot race day, the crew set me up with some beers – no one told me about 18% German beer.

Does the current management possibly not know what side the butter goes on? Perhaps we can enlighten them.

JP,
I see it as our responsibility from “nuts like us” to educate the next generation of Porsche owners. I felt the same as you are describing in the late ‘70s when the “gold chain set” appeared.

Ben,
Yes, I’d have a GT3-RSR for the track AND street. I’d find a way to have a legal plate.

Best,
Grady

Grady, they know! Porsche, just like every other car manufacturer is in business to make money. They really don't care about the few "nuts" left like us.

JP

1987 Carrera Targa - 17k miles

JP,
Porsche was almost desperate to make money in the mid ‘70s but they didn’t loose sight of their heritage. If Porsche doesn’t make money then we won’t have a Porsche. They welcomed 356 owners as they did me.

Write the Porsche Factory a personal letter and tell them what you think they are doing wrong and how to make it right.

I am going to make an effort to learn about and hotrod the new 911s. That doesn’t mean I am going to forsake my early 911 roots or 356s, or 718s, or 904s, or 935s. I’ll bet there is lots of GT3-RSR technology that is applicable to current 911s and older. I think they do care about the few nuts and if some don’t, they can be educated.

Best,
Grady

If I was Porsche I could careless about someone who isn't making me any money writing to tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Why do I wonder if 996/Cayenne criticism reeks with the same smell of complaints from 1, 2, 3... decades ago. Just a thought, time will tell -- stay tuned. ;)

who dat ? (surname curiosity)

BTW: so you guys think the GT3, RS and RSR, Carrera GT aren't worth seeing?
c'mon get a !#@%$ CLUE! :rolleyes:

Frau Baer (now retired) was THE person at Porsche Racing Parts at the factory. She spoke great English and knew every detail of Porsche race cars. You could order a part and she would say “You also need this, that and the other.” She would also find us the special deals.
For 18 years I had an open account with Porsche race department because I always paid my bills. When I quit the business and retired, Porsche sent me an unsolicited 4-figure check for “Accumulated Discounts.”

Charlie, I agree, time will tell.

Best,
Grady