Attn: Cayenne & Targa Haters .....

[cegerer]

I think everyone should do a title search on their 911. Find out who exactly bought it new, for instance. I'll bet a high, high percentage were 'non-enthusiast' doctors, attorneys, etc. who didn't know a T from an S except for the price tag. New Porsches were big coin then, and are big coin today. Not much has changed in that regard.

The Gray Wolf was an exception - purchased by a college professor who made OK money. He told me it was a major struggle to make the downpayment and monthly strokes, but he HAD to have one. If he had been a wealthy non-enthusiast gynecologist, I think I'd enjoy my car just the same. -- Curt

[Brillo]

Originally posted by Don Z.
You know, I have to admit I'm a little baffled by this "Hate the Cayenne" thesis... Let me tell you why.

I'm with you Don.

I have a '99 LR Discovery II, when it's time to replace it I will seriously consider the Cayenne for many of the same reasons you mentioned. Towing, dog and off road are highest for me and can run in PCA events with it.

[Randy Webb]

'non-enthusiast' drivers aka yuppies are an important component in the Pooschey food chain. They buy the cars new, never stress them, maintain them at the Dealer, and keep the wax bright until a new fad comes along. These cars are then available at much lower prices to people who will appreciate them for what they are -- namely, us.

[CamB]

You know... a Porsche SUV would give me everything I need, and give me a manufacturer that I understand and can work with... I can't afford a new one... maybe in three to five years, there'll be some used ones out there. How much was that V-6 model going to sell for?

Don

By all means buy one - I think many of the detractors on the Board (me very much included) dislike the dilution of the Porsche brand, the fact that instead of top level motorsport we get an SUV, and because by and large the target market is a bunch of soccor moms or their male equivalent who want an SUV because its "big and safe" and "I have such great visibility sitting up here".

It actually looks like you NEED an SUV. It might as well be a good one.

[CarreraS2]

Originally posted by cegerer
I think everyone should do a title search on their 911. Find out who exactly bought it new, for instance. I'll bet a high, high percentage were 'non-enthusiast' doctors, attorneys, etc. who didn't know a T from an S except for the price tag. New Porsches were big coin then, and are big coin today. Not much has changed in that regard.

-- Curt

I guess the big difference is while enthusiasts may not have been able to afford new Porsches back then, we all still lusted after them. Had posters of them on our walls, read the magazine articles on them over and over, etc.

And, we promptly bought them as soon as they became price-available!

And, now we insanely dump tons of money into our now-practically-antique-911s to keep them on the road forever.

I think it will be a very different story with the Cayenne. I don't see a year 2025 version of "101 Projects for Your Cayenne" coming out in the future.

[cegerer]

Good points Brian. Although I'm not so sure that teenage boys today aren't lusting after the Cayenne. SUV's are all they know. Most have Hummer posters on their walls - not sports cars. And they know all about the Cayenne. I asked my 14-year old daughter to ask the boys in her class if they knew of the Cayenne. They all did. One even brought in some kind of Cayenne magazine and knew all the specs, performance stats, etc. Maybe a sad commentary, maybe not .......

OTOH, I'm 45 and like to listen to Kid Rock sometimes -- Curt

[Texas Turbo]

Originally posted by JackOlsen
Well, in its defense, the Targa treatment doesn't ruin the lines of the B, C, or D pillars, such that they are. The 'Audi Station Wagon' lines are unbroken.

Jack, come on now. There is NOTHING wrong with Audi Station Wagons! Seriously, this thing is a great car for daily driving and you can actually take it pretty far off road, I would rather have this over a pepper wagon all day long ~ yes I have driven both.



Unfortunately Audi is going to replace the allroad with an SUV so I am starting to seriously consider a pepper wagon for a replacement, but that is still a few years away. FWIW I like that Porsche has decided to follow the SUV trend. I mean look at what they have been able to do with the racing program since it was introduced!

[targa911S]

There are "Targa Haters" out there? What the hell is there to hate? It's like hating sex outdoors!

[jazzbass]

Originally posted by cegerer
I think everyone should do a title search on their 911. Find out who exactly bought it new, for instance. I'll bet a high, high percentage were 'non-enthusiast' doctors, attorneys, etc. who didn't know a T from an S except for the price tag. New Porsches were big coin then, and are big coin today. Not much has changed in that regard.

and

Originally posted by Randy Webb
'non-enthusiast' drivers aka yuppies are an important component in the Pooschey food chain. They buy the cars new, never stress them, maintain them at the Dealer, and keep the wax bright until a new fad comes along. These cars are then available at much lower prices to people who will appreciate them for what they are -- namely, us.

What these guys said. Important points to remember in the next round of Boxster/996/Cayenne bashing. Next time you see some guy who doesn't even make eye contact when you flash your lights and has a cell phone surgically attached to his ear just say "Thanks" for taking the hit on depreciation and allowing you to buy his car for 1/3 of what he paid for it. Present company on the Boxster and 996 BBS excepted, of course .

[GSpreeman]

Now, if we could just get some fender flares on that puppy, toss on a whale tail...

[Randy Webb]

"1. There are "Targa Haters" out there? 2. What the hell is there to hate? 3. It's like hating sex outdoors!"

1. I hear there are. I only react with nausea and disgust, not hatred.
2. It is "butt-ugly" (according to numerous Rennlist posts. I agree but only when the top is on. It looks quite nice with the top off. There is also the flexy-flyer problem...
3. Biting insects, sand,...

[Don Z.]

You know, I've been thinking a little more about this, and it reminds me of a book I read when I was 16.

I don't remember the name of the book, but it was written in about 1967 or so, I think it was published by HP Books, and if I recall correctly, was subtitled something like "The incompetent American driver and how he got that way". It was definitely an answer to another book, written by of all things a lawyer who hadn't had a driver's license since the 1940s and subtitled his book "The designed in dangers of the American Automobile". Come to think of it, if that car was unsafe at any speed, why am I not dead yet? But I digress.

In any case... there was a line in that book that seared itself into my memory... twenty years later, I can still quote it:

"It is not Detroit's job to educate the stupid, it is their job to fulfill the ill-conceived demands upon the marketplace..."

If a soccer mom wants an SUV instead of a minivan, of any make... who am I to judge. Do you think Bill Gates will be rallying that 959?

Big surprise... Porsche Cars AG is in business to make money. Who would have thought?

[cegerer]

"It is not Detroit's job to educate the stupid, it is there job to fulfill their ill-conceived demands upon the marketplace..."

LOL! You need to post more often Don.

Randy: I know what you're saying, but I'm having a tough time calling this 'butt-ugly'.

[Randy Webb]

The clor is beautiful! Is that gemini Blue? If I squint and push on the side of my eyeball, I can make it look like a coupe....

Got any pics with the roof out?

[Jack Olsen]

There is no arguing that this:


Click for a full-size version.

- is about as beautiful as a 911 gets, and would be a blast to drive in nice weather.

Although I'd still like it just a little bit more, if it was a coupe.

[Bobboloo]

The early Targa with the silver band is a classic! I still don't see how Chris parted with that car. It's beautiful.

I was a diehard Coupe guy for years but the Targa really grew on me. So much so that I'm selling my Coupe and the Targa will be my only P car. Ideally it would be great to keep both but it's too time consuming having two P cars for a DIY'er.

P.S. I have to admit I'm still not sold on the look with the top on.

[Jack Olsen]

Jack, come on now. There is NOTHING wrong with Audi Station Wagons!

Actually, I think that's the best part of the Cayenne's design.

It's the Carrera snout I can't get used to.

But you don't buy an SUV for the way it looks, just like you don't buy a hammer for the way it looks. It's a tool. You get the SUV to haul stuff and pull stuff, and I suppose the Cayenne does this better than most.

[kstar]

Jack said:

"You get the SUV to haul stuff and pull stuff, and I suppose the Cayenne does this better than most."

Jack, I sense some softening re your Cayenne position!

Lots of room for the pups . . . and cupholders built in!

BTW, congrats on BB2; truly an amazing car. It embodies many qualities that I would like to have in my next project.

BR,

Kurt

[Jack Olsen]

I'm growing old, I suppose.

Actually, my problem with the Cayenne isn't with the truck, per se. It's a great SUV, I'm sure. My problem has been with Porsche's decision to make a great SUV, and the associated brand dilution, resource dilution, racing energy dilution, etc.

But now it's here, so I'll get used to it.

And thanks for the compliment on BB2. But as I understand some of your thinking for your next project, it'll have at least twice the power and much more headroom -- a topless BB2 on steroids.

[Supergranule]

i still remember the day i was told porsche was gonna make an suv. oh how i laughed. what a funny joke. maybe ferarri will come out with one to compete with porsche. hahaha...then i read it in a magazine. NOOO! it can't be! why why why would porsche make an suv? seriously, come on. porsche makes sports cars, it would never never ever make an suv. *sigh*
the cayenne may be great, but to enthusiasts like me its just not right.