I just bought a 2014 Audi SQ5 this weekend for my wife, its a heck of a rocketship for an SUV and very nicely appointed. Since its a cousin to Porsche, I have decided that the cars we drive and buy really are lacking when it comes to basic equipment that is on the car, and that Porsche really guns it to us all on the options. Granted, its a great driving, and good looking car - but COME ON....the 991 should have all the stuff you get on a $ 59K Audi should be standard on a $ 114K Porsche and its not even close. My MSRP car of $ 114K shouldn't be a penny over $ 70K as its equipped (yes, I pulled that number outta my ****). Things like this should be in the 991 without paying a dime extra - in my opinion, and we all know they are not. I get all this in the Audi but have to pay over and above the $ 114K price for them in the Porsche.....grrrrrr....

* Power seats
* Power Folding Mirrors
* XM and HD Radio along with a premium Bang & Olfsen stereo
* Heated Seats
* Control buttons on the steering wheel
* Keyless entry
* Leather dash and Door panels
* Self-dimming mirrors
* Back Up Camera
* Hood Liner (they should put this in the car to prevent dents)
* Google Plus (Wi=Fi via SIMM card)
* Some kind of inflatable spare tire
* Adaptive headlights (dynamic)
* Separate switch buttons for the rear windows on the Cab, and rear windows that vent open on the Coupe

I know, I know...as long as we enthusiasts will continue to pay for them, they're going to keep dinging us. But as least we should KNOW they are putting the screws to us and tell them we don't like it. And for those that say 'Go buy another brand' - this is my 5th Porsche so yes, I'm still drinking the Kool-Aid, but it's a bit more bitter in the taste than it used to be.

 

So if they made all that standard and priced it at 114k would that make you feel better. I would rather have options so I don't have to take all the stuff that someone decided to make standard.

What if I don't want folding mirrors. If standard I would get them anyway.

Next thing we need is PDK as standard so won't have these PDK vs manual discussions. Ha Ha.

 

Completely agree, but the Audi is also a rip-off if you look at it that way. I have an Audi A6 Avant that costs CHF121k ($135k) over here. 40% of the price is for option. My previous Audi (an SQ5) was the same price than this A6. Most of those options you get as standard on a $60k Kia SUV for example. You pay for the premium brand.

However... The 911 in particular is just too expensive for what you get IMO. And then I'm not even talking about the huge price differences between US market and European market. A 911 Turbo S is $40k MORE expensive than a Ferrari 458 here in Switzerland. Why? No one knows, but probably just because they can....

Like you say... As long as enthusiasts keep paying these prices they are gonna ask it and even raise prices for options. The same applies to brands like Ferrari or Aston Martin or Lamborghini.

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I can get all that stuff in a Hyundai for tens of thousands less than the Audi. Plus automatic cruise control, lane departure warnings, all-around bird's eye camera view, etc. The market is getting flatter and high technology is becoming standard. Are the Audi or Porsche (or any other high-end car) differentiated sufficiently to justify their prices?

 

Drive a Kia, Audi and Porsche back to back and you will understand. I too am disappointed that Porsche does not include some basic technology (even as an option), but who buys a 911 for the gizmo's???

 

my 13' S6 also came standard with a bunch of things that I had to buy in my cayenne s. on the audi, I only have about $7k worth of added options. on the cayenne I told myself to stop checking boxes once I passed the $20k mark and there was still so many more things I wanted.

 

I'm continually amused at the expectations that are expressed.. That something should be standard or not, or that the cost should be $X, or that there should be 50 more horse power etc..

The fact of the matter is that what is offered as standard and at a particular price point for any product is what the market will support.. If Porsche could get $1M for a base 991 with nothing on it they surely would.. It isn't about fairness or what should... it is about what the market will support..

So when I hear the use of the term "ripoff" which seems to show up periodically by frustrated individuals because they aren't getting all they feel they should.. I think the use of that term is unfair.. Instead the use of terms like "overpriced" or lack of value for the price is what should be said... Ripoff implies deception or unfairness.. which there is none of as described

The real issue is that the 991's are really more expensive than everyone thinks because the lack of options.. So get over the fact that you are going to add 20 to 30K over the MSRP of the model, which is the real price.. So a typical 911S is really going to cost $130k.. That should be the comparison point against other cars. Not *****ing about what "should" be included in the basic car.. And from there you can decide if there is enough value to warrant the cost..

If you want value go buy a Toyota or KIA or other mass market box with wheels and 3 options.. past that it is always going to be subjective as to if it is worth it and up to the individual.. My parents still drive a 1990's Buick and can't understand why I'd pay so much money for a Porsche..

 

^This is spot on. What is 'base' and 'options' is just a matter of positioning and perception.

 

I've driven plenty of pedestrian cars. For four times the price, a 911 should have the gizmos, nay, better gizmos AND drive dramatically better.

I bought mine used but it had a bunch of options checked, most of which I was looking for, and I'm perfectly happy with that.

 

I like the prices high. It keeps the fools with their C63s, M3s, TT's out of the league and out of the club as you see one on every corner.


BTW. BMW and Audi drivers are the most A-hole drivers out there. But that is just my opinion.

 

Thank you...

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If you want to buy the best of a lot of things it is a bit pointless to think of them in terms of relative value. Designer jeans are not a better value then Costco jeans. Rolex watches are not a better value then a Timex. This list could go on and on.

I would add that if a Porsche was a rip off and overpriced by 40,000 plus dollars then so many people would not be buying them. Even if you forget the status premium you are paying with a Porsche tell me what car can compare to a 911 that costs $70K. I like some things due to their status but I would argue there is no other car that is as nice to drive both on and off the track as a Porsche 991 for anywhere near the price. If there were I would be driving it.

 

You nailed it. And the same can be said for different brands of watches.

 

Amen, it's about driving, not about bird's eye view cameras or lane departure warnings.

 

This is not new news. I bought my P car with eyes wide open. If I wanted mid level performance with more bells and whistles I would have bought a BMW or similar.