I appreciate the responses, I can understand where you guy's are coming from and I apologize if I upset anyone with my choices.

BTW we have changed our color choice to Cobalt Blue when we found out that the Zenith Blue would delay production by 3 to 6 months!

Lance :) I definately have a link for you where you can learn everything you could ever want to know about home theater construction and equipment. It is called Audio Video Sciences Forum and here is a link: www.avsforum.com

I have a Seleco HT300 DLP projector that I feel is the very best DLP available right now and am projecting on a 129.5" diagonal Stewart Firehawk screen which was made just for DLP projectors.

I will restrain myself from any further discussion about home theater here but if you want any more help please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

<i>"Curt, just how many water cooled, rear engined cars are there....? "</i>

The engine location in the 996 was dictated by the marketing department, not the engineers - that you can bank on. The motor is now in the rear only to sell cars, not for any engineering reasons. In any case, the suspension has evolved to such an advanced level, that it really doesn't matter that the motor is in the rear. From all the test reports I've read, the car is perfectly neutral with no trace of a rear-weight bias. That's great from an engineering point of view. Unfortunately, it's quite boring from a driver's point of view. -- Curt

BTW: I can afford a 996. I elect not to ..... ;)

Point taken, Curt, and I respect your opinion, but I will also stand by my earlier statement that Porsche is an engineering company first and foremost, no nostalgia around there and never has been. They just keep refining this 1963 design until the point of today, where it might just be neutral handling. (Did not know this). As far as the "fun" of driving the old cars, it seems that every racer in history has played with the torsion bars, tire size, camber, etc. to try to get the car closer to neutral. The last thing you want at 150mph+ is "unique personality". 911s are great sports cars due to the engineering that makes rear weight-bias workable, (if a little too exiting at times), but w/o some serious suspension tuning, they are understeering pigs at speed.

Maybe I will concede that the rear engine design is something that people will not part with, (your marketing point), especially since I've driven a 1989 944 turbo S and have seen what they can do with a 50/50 balanced car. And it was SERIOUS fun on Mulholland Dr., you'll have to trust me on this. Like many others, however, I have a non-objective love for the aesthetics, (looks, sound, etc.), of 911s. That beautiful shape is not possible w/ engine anywhere else.

The point I tried to make before is that people have selective memory w/ Porsche company, they have catered to rich customers forever, marketing soft cars next to screamers, such as the current GT2. BTW, you will definitely not be going fast in one of those with "two fingers on the wheel" and hot coffee anywhere near your nuts. Not w/ rear engine, rear wheel drive, and close to double the power/weight ratio of a '73RS.

BTW also, I happen to love old Alfas, the older the better, but there is an example of a company that could not market sportscars to Americans and they are GONE from here. I love them for what they are, just like old 911s, but it does not detract me from liking 996s or new M3s. This I don't get. :cool:

Not really. Have you seen the engine grill of the 993 Carrera S? Where do you think they got that idea from?

<i>"BTW, you will definitely not be going fast in one of those (GT2) with "two fingers on the wheel" and hot coffee anywhere near your nuts."</i>

LOL! :D -- Curt

Glad you liked that, Curt. ;)

Zip, there is a small undercurrent to this whole thread. Jealousy. Yep, that's right. You see Scottsdale tells me you are living large. You are getting the car for your wife because it's her dream car (and that is very thoughtful of you to get your wife a nice car like a 996). And it IS an expensive car. You ask for some advice and you get some critisism with it. Why? While some of the board members may have more money than you, most don't. (Don't argue with this, guys, it's the law of averages).

So, rah, rah, aircooled and spartan is better because it is within reach of most. The 996 is not within reach for most. Hence you can do something some of us can't. Some here would have you buy a couple or three of earlier cars for the money you will spend. (Hey, that's not a bad idea thinking in terms of depreciation). But this is the new millennium, and Porsche builds luxury liners that go like stink. With COLD air for those 120 degree Scottsdale days of summer.

I'm not a bit surprised about the attitude of some board members. Each person has to protect his or her province. Zip, I don't think you're surprised either, I'm sure you have seen this movie before.

<i>"I'm not a bit surprised about the attitude of some board members."</i>

Perhaps questions regarding 996's would be better directed to (and received by) <a href="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=32">Pelican's 964/993/996 Technical Forum</a> rather than the 911 Forum? But since it was posted here, I assume Zip was interested in opinions from the 911 Forum members. Also, I think you're confusing "attitude" with honest opinion. Because some opinions differ from yours, doesn't mean somebody has an "attitude". :confused: -- Curt

I don't think it is jealousy at all. I think most members honestly believe their car is more enjoyable and looks better than a 996. I know I do. I have always wanted a turbo cab. That was the only car for me while I was growing up. A 996 may be more advanced and better in every way than my 88 turbo cab, but I wouldn't trade for the 996 unless you would let me sell it, buy my turbo cab back and pocket the extra cash. Does that make me jealous?

My dads friend has an old Vette that is worth 50k. He could sell it and buy a new one that is faster, better built... He doesn't do this because he would rather own an drive his 66. No jealousy in this case at all. He has always loved the convertable 427's.

Would you call ZIP jealous if he told a member who was thinking about selling his 996 and buying a new Ferrari that he didn't like the new Ferraris for some reason. Or is there a chance that Zip honestly likes the 996 over the Ferrari? I think you sell us a little short Zeke914.

I just said some members. Not all qualify. lukeh, cegerer, you don't. It takes exceptions to validate rules.

I didn't even express an opinion on the 996 vs. older 911.

I was simply informing zip that he could expect some attitude given the circumstances. And I knew I'd get flamed. This is a volitile topic.

<i>"And I knew I'd get flamed. This is a volitile topic."</i>

Milt, I hope you didn't take my reply as a flame. It wasn't intended as one. I really think this thread has been a worthwhile discussion (although it swerved off the original question somewhere around page 2!). Some good points have been made on both sides of the issue. -- Curt

ZIP, glad you decided to stick around. We're ALL a group of enthusiasts, also referred to as zealots, and that gives us a right to defend over beloved cars. (If that doesn't make us zealots, nothing will.) ;)
The only true Porsche is the one you own, everything else leaves something to be desired, too rustic, too heavy, rough ride, not enough power, no cup holder. Several on this board could afford any Porsche but have chosen particular models as "the best" for whatever reason.
And then the fun begins. My car would be improved if ... and down the slippery slope we go. Different wheels (jeez, didn't the best car have wheels? :) ), different suspension, exhaust, seats, radio, may be even the color, or possibly an engine transplant.
We are chasing the holy grail, making the best car, uh, perfect!
Forget the naysayers, air cooled versus water cooled, new car versus something 10, 20, 30 years old, as that is not your concern.
You want a new Porsche cabriolet for your wife to drive. You are not interested in doing track events or canyon carving, just a nice car. You have a lot of traffic then get the Tip. Have several small children around, including your own, then get the parking assist.
Get the car the way you want it the same as the enthusiasts get the car the way they want it.
Join PCA, there is even a 6 month trail membership. Go to a couple of local events. Try an autocross or a high performance driving clinic and learn car control skills with one of the instructors that are available (warning: it will be a week before the smile goes away). Go on a drive and dine and meet some new people and the only thing you'll have in common is that you drive a Porsche but it won't take long to find you have more in common than the car you drive.
I look forward to your next post when you ask about what kind of oil to use, what's the best wax, why the rear tires wear out twice as fast as the fronts, or where to get a roll bar as you need one to try a track event.
Your new car sounds like a winner.

Where the hell did orbmedia go? If he changed his ID, what did he change it to?
Sorry, just thought I'd addt his while I was thinking about it.

Well...I'll admit it! I am definitely jealous of anyone can order a brand new Porsche. I was in the Porsche Dealer near where I live getting some fuses for my ol' 88 and could not help but stick my head inside a new model with all black leather interior. I honestly thought it looked pretty cool. Don't get my wrong...I LOVE my Carrera and its quirks, but it would be nice to stroll into a dealer and start picking out colors...
Post pics when you get it Zip...can't wait to see it.
Later,

I think it is about time for this to go off-topic. Blah-Blah-Blah Your jeoulous, I'm not. Blah-Blah- Blah - I hate new cars.

It is getting old. Just my opinion.

Jeb
79 930

Zip - congrats on your new car order. I drooled over two 996's at the last autocross I attended (one a sweeeeet twin turbo). There was a guy with tricked out 914 that posted the quickest time, and he had a layer of dirt over his entire body after the run. I will refer to him from this point forward as an enthusiast (or maybe a purist). He had a **** eating grin and black marks around each eye where his goggles were.

I wonder how many who offered their unsolicited opinions have actually driven a new 911? (current internal factory designation as 996). My guess is few.

Would I trade my 964 (1990) 911 for a brand new 996 Targa? You bet, in a New York minute... Would I trade a completely stock speedster (60's circa) for one? No, probably not.

Very cool you are getting the car you want. 20 years from now you are going to be on some video board touting the benefits of the 996 as the last true 911!

Funny stuff vern.

Uh, Jeremy? The last 356 Speedster year was 1958. But I get your point. Would I trade my '72S for a new 996? Nope...because to my mind, the old S can't be replaced...plus, I can't stand the look of the 996! I could sell a 996 for more than I'd get for my S, but, so what? Money is money...and I want to keep my car.

My bad! See Zip - you can have a 911 and still not have your all your Porsche history correct. Hope they don’t come in the middle of the night and take my car away. Of course some will argue that the 964 isn’t a true 911 either, it has creature comforts such as working AC and quiet interior… oh, and a wonderful 3.6 engine. I got my PCA sticker and the 4,000-page manual on proper Porsche etiquette but I've only gotten to page 498.

Page 1000 is the marques history.

Repeat after me….

1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,
1958 is the last year of the speedster,

Well, the speedster reappeared in '89 (possibly as early as '88) and '93. Not a 356 variant, but called a speedster nonetheless.

Back to the books Jeremy! ;)

"The last 356 Speedster year was 1958." That's what I said. Sheesh! Is this flamer night? Jeremy? What's the problem?