what do you think of this Porsche? (pic)

Do you think that in 20 years people will be inspired by this car and talk about it just like we talk now about our 911s?

Or do you think it will be very rare and expensive, just like the 959 was (and is)?

I don't like it, it reminds me of one of those insidious Boxsters. It will never be regarded as highly among Porschephiles as the 959. The godlike 959 was the progenitor of all of our modern air-cooled Porsche cars.

But, it may grow on me. Give it time. I'm starting to like the GT-3R.

I thought the 959 was water cooled?

It may never be highly regarded among us old guys. But today's 16-year-olds are looking at that car and assuring its classic status as we speak.

I was 16 when the 959 became well-known. I think the same thing will happen for the Carrera GT.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9
The Porsche Owners Gallery

I thought the 959 had water-cooled heads only, it's been a while since I read that, but the new 911 turbo motor is based on a similar design I think I read somewhere. I'm pretty sure they based the design directly on the VW Type IV motor in my 912E.
Just kidding.

Yes the 959 has a water cooling system for the heads only. But so what, it still has JUGS!

The 959 had an air blower fan that gave it the wonderful aircooled sound. I love the 959. Why did Porsche move away from aircooled cylinders and water cooled tops

The Carrera GT...well...erhm...I'm not really sure. It will be rare and expensive in 16 years, but same godlike status as the 959...? I don't think so. I guess time will tell.

That, IMHO, is one THE most gorgeous cars ever sculpted, and I would gladly plunk down several hundred grand for one (provided, of course, those pesky Lotto numbers ever come up for me.) The way the rear fenders bulge and wrap around the wheels, the 911-esque sweeping cut of the doors and the twin bulges of the engine cover over the intakes-historical Porsche design details abound, and work together to create a purposeful, graceful, yet menacing appearance. That, and the fact that it's a GUARANTEED chick magnet doesn't hurt a bit....

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Clay McGuill '66 912, '97 Jeep Cherokee www.geocities.com/the912guy

I saw this new car at the Detroit auto show. Just Awesome! I wish I had a couple hundred grand laying around that was burning a hole in my pocket!

Huey581
96' 911 Cab

You should all bow to the greatness of this car.

i'm with clay... i love the carrera gt. did anyone see the road testing footage of the carrera gt on the show 'motorvision' the other night on speedvision? i think it was on sunday night at 7pm, est.

wow!!!!!! cool stuff.

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Adam Nitti
ajnitti@mindspring.com
www.adamnitti.com
'85 911 Carrera Coupe
'89 Jeep Cherokee (very, very tired...)

I was at the LA Auto Show and it was the highlight of my day, and so far the highlight of this year. The car is not only beautiful, but has amazing technology and engineering, far superior to any other Porsche, including the 959, which I still love. And on top of that it has amazing power. I'm sure that this is going to be a well respected and admired Porsche for years to come after its produced. Oh how I wish I had $350000, but for now I'm going to have to stick with my wounderful 912!

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe

The Carrera GT has made me rethink why I like Ferraris. With it on the market, who needs that Italian trash!

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet

It's a very good looking car, but something occured to me the other day when I saw a picture of it in a magazine...it's styling greatly resembles that of the new Toyota MR2! It certainly looks better than the MR2, but think about it....isn't there a similarity there?

Bill

I completely agree. I posted just that thought a month or two ago. I saw the GT at the British Motor Show last year and it did nothing for me. It was much bigger than I expected and I don't see anthing particularly new/innovative in the styling, nor does is have any lines I would describe as particularly classic. It may have some historic touches, but I am afraid they pass right over my head.

Way too similar to the MR2 for my liking.

Love it! But can't compare it to my 911. Not the same car. My 911 will always have a spot. But you can't argue with progress. This is a great car.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

Mikkel...

Porsche moved from air cooling to water cooling because of noise. the cars could not be sold in Switzerland (and other Alpine countries) with the amount of noise the engine made. also you can develop more horsepower with water cooling than you can with air cooling. this is the reason the 962 GTPs had air-cooled engines... IMSA knew that if they were allowed to run water cooled heads there would be an incredibly unfair advantage. talk to anyone with a 962 and they will tell you they can get 250+ more horsepower with the water-cooled than with the air cooled motors.

the 959 was water cooled. it used a variation of the 956 engine. water-cooled heads? umm, yeah, that constitutes being water-cooled. my 924 has water cooled heads, so does my VW Scirocco 16V... and so does the Porsche 935, and 936.

i watched Motorvision last night and they had a little report on the Carrera GT. they put it this way:

the weight of a VW Golf GTI... but with a mid-mounted V10 developing about 600 horsepower. carbon fibre everywhere and the most powerful brakes ever fit to a Porsche.

SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

obin

[This message has been edited by Obin Robinson (edited 02-07-2001).]

I quite agree with the positive comments. There were only 17? Abarth Carreras ever produced and it was still captivating and still possesses timeless beauty. There are many other cars possessing those qualities, Ferrari GTO, XKSS, 550,and others -- Cars which are engineering masterpieces which the average enthusiast will never have a chance to own, but still inspire passion. Only time will tell if the Carrera GT is that good.

Alan
83SC
Formerly 57 Carrera Speedster (another one)

Would they please just race the damn thing and blow all those other makes off the track? Seeing that would make up for my never being able to afford one.

If this is the car I think it is, there will only be a select few sold. Top end is like 240, the headers become cherry red at 6000 rpm. Speedvision did a report on it on Sunday. A most unique vehicle.

Steve