911 voted best sports car

Kelly Bell · Kelly Bell's Garage

on CNN this morning:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/08/30/cr_supercars/index.html

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Cool! There are two Porsche's in the top-3! Even after 50 years, Porsche's still score the top marks the way that they always have (inspite of our grousing that they've lost the magic). Specifically using...

1) Less weight
2) Smaller engines
3) A better engineered ride (as opposed to a stiffer ride)

to achieve an all around better car.

As an aside, I've had a '82 Nissan 300ZX for the last week as a loaner from a friend. While it reminds me of my old 944, the 944 was just as fast, handled loads better and was at least 200 lbs lighter and used a 15% smaller engine to achieve a marginally better car. Comparing the ZX to my '69E is even more dramatic. The 911 is faster, handles better, turns in sharper and feels more spacious and even has 2 back seats. This is inspite of a motor that is 30% smaller and a car that weighs 25% less then the ZX.

Do you see a theme...?

Zef · Zef's Garage

The story say all...no more comments...!!!

Danny_Ocean · 09-01-2006, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kelly Bell
911 voted best sports car.

I don't need a news poll to tell me what I (and the world) already knows!

RallyJon · 09-01-2006, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Do you see a theme...?

You bet! 993 C4, almost 3200lbs, a powerband that's pretty dull until 4500rpm, and midrange accelleration that's slower than many pickup trucks, not to mention slightly sporty Japanese sedans.

Oh wait, what was the point again?

JBO · 09-01-2006, 06:02 AM

That's a water cooled 997, far superior to the old air cooled dinoseurs most of us drive

It is nice to see Porsche doing well, and if I ever get rid of my SC my next one will probably be a X-50 Turbo 996. Though many purists initially complained, Porsche was right to switch to water cooling. Though stock they are not loud enough IMO, they can be made to sound good with an aftermarket exhaust.

Honkity Hank · 09-01-2006, 06:21 AM

I disagree with CR's criteria. I don't have acdess to that many cars to test but find it odd that the Elise is last when, in my opinion, it is clearly the closest thing to what I consider a sports car made today. Most of the cars do not even make my list of sports cars. Sporty yes, but not singularly sports.

Bill in OKC · 09-01-2006, 07:45 AM

Interesting point Honkity Hank. I think I agree. Many of today's sports cars are so crammed full of luxury that it seems like the sports aspect is an afterthought. It is ironic that a sports car would lose points because it is such a "pure" sports car LOL.

pwd72s · 09-01-2006, 07:55 AM

Hell, it's all relative. A long time Porsche buddy of mine is a 1958 speedster owner. He considers my '72 S to be a luxury GT car. This because I have a one speaker AM/FM radio and roll up windows.

Honkity Hank · 09-01-2006, 08:10 AM

I agree, it all depends on what level of Ludite-ness you rate at. I am in the 60's and maybe up to the pre-smog 70's for sports cars. Somewhere at the turn of the (20th) century for other stuff. But I am using a computer so not a complete Ludite.

911pcars · 09-01-2006, 09:19 AM

I saw an amusing video clip from the British show, Top Gear comparing a 911, BMW M-something and Aston Martin Vantage in a mountain time trial in pretty nasty weather. The 911 was outgunned by 100 HP in each case. The infamous Stig was the driver in all three and proved it isn't how much power you have but the advantage in using what you've got. Look for it at YouTube.com.

Sherwood

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RallyJon
You bet! 993 C4, almost 3200lbs, a powerband that's pretty dull until 4500rpm, and midrange accelleration that's slower than many pickup trucks, not to mention slightly sporty Japanese sedans.

Oh wait, what was the point again?

Just a distraction -- a brief detour in the company's product development timeline, preparation for the (non-sports-car) Cayenne product line.

RallyJon · 09-01-2006, 09:32 AM

LOL! Yeah, just a bit more ground clearance and a roof rack...

jkarolyi · 09:55 AM

This is consumer reports, guys. The folks that get their jollies from Toyota Corollas and Camrys and vacuum cleaners.

The water-cooled Porsches were designed by marketers to compete with the likes of BMW and Lexus for mass market sales. In this they are successful. Consumer Reports always recommends boring, perfect cars...is it any surprise they love water cooled Porsches?

I'd feel much better if they won a Top Gear contest...

ClubStuttgart · 09-01-2006, 12:03 PM

Has my vote also

911pcars · 09-01-2006, 12:46 PM

Found it:

Porsche vs BMW M6 vs AM Vantage

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_rvmNenqrxY

about 8min.

Sherwood

randywebb · 09-01-2006, 01:38 PM

Nice - and yet another confirmation of what has been clear since the early 1950's -- the engine is better in the rear than in the front.

The sheep were probably the highlight of the film.

jkarolyi · 09-01-2006, 03:03 PM

>Found it: Porsche vs BMW M6 vs AM Vantage

Well then, I guess I'm feeling better

Kelly Bell · Kelly Bell's Garage

Not only in the rear, but flat, so as to keep the center of gravity low. It has never failed to impress me how Porsche does this over and over. The battery is low, the engine is low, the driver sits low.......