I have to agree with Fanman on a lot of these points. Why should there be a X50 package on a $130K car? We already know that they can extract 30 more HP by simply raising the boost. There is NO additional cost. While we're at is exactly why does teh GT2 cost 80K more that a TT? They are actually removing parts and charging more.

The new Z06 just matched the GT2s time on the ring. That said, it IS a new model being compared to a car and chasis that are arguably 7 years old (at least).

I can not undestand why the 997 has a 3.6 and 3.8 option. Give us a break. Just put in the bigger pistons across the board. While you're at it, drop a TT engine in the Boxster. We all know it is a better design with more performance potential. Why hold it back? Isn't that what Porsche is all about?

Porsche seems more interested in brand management and upgrade nickels than providing good value and perfromance these days. They may continue to sell record numbers of cars, but risk turning a lot of us off with their "stategy".

"Everything we have learned so far" was a very cool slogan until we discovered that they had learned how to overcharge better than everything else.

 

all of your points are valid. there is one distinguishing factor that we business people like to humbly call "goodwill". Porsche has oodles of it, and chevy has very little of it.

The Vette is now and will forever be a "poor man's Porsche", or a "Plastic Pig" as my old Porsche mechanic called it.

Chevy designed the Z06 with the intention of beating the pants off of Porsche, not the other way around. That's pretty flattering when you stop and think about it.

As long a PAG doesn't rest on it's laurels, all should be well in the world.

 

Personally, I'd rather see Porsche come out with a very light, nimble car, rather than continually adding power to a hefty overstuffed car. There's no way to realiticallly win HP wars, but there is a way to compete with a light, fast, tossable sports car. You ever seen what the new Lotus' can do on track? Turn the 911 into even a 2500lb car, and you'll have some serious peformance advancement.

 

I agree with you 100%. I wish this would happen. do I ever think it will happen...no. They could adopt to an aluminium frame and save several hundred pounds. The Jaguar XJ series dropped over 400 lbs. from this change. With todays increasing safety requirements it seems all cars are going up in weight. If only Porsche would be progressive enough to look at aluminum. It does increase repair costs, but I think that is something all of us Porsche owners would gladly cope with for a 200 lb. weight decrease. 500 lbs. seems a bit unrealistic. Jaguar has successfully done this without raising cost of the car. Gotten substantial praise from the press for this change.

 

From someone who doesnt own a porsche (me) I have found that my tastes have changed over the last 10 years that I have been legally able to drive. I am 27 years old now and if you were to ask me when I was 17 thru 23 I would have wanted the Vette because of its HP. I find now that even though the 997S is more expensive and -170 HP I would still want it for its fit and finish. I'm not just talking the interior parts but everything. I see so many vettes on the street... even here in Germany and surprisingly I rarely see a Porsche turbo of any year model. Let cheap a$$ GM make their 500hp plastic flag ship. I wouldnt buy one even if it were 1000 hp.

Call me old but I think the refined nature and the fun factor of a p-car to be more intoxicating then just a 500hp sled could ever provide. If you want a new car with cheap horsepower... get the 400HP Pontiac GTO and supercharge or NOS the sumbeotch and still be under 1/2 the price of a new Porsche 997S. No thanks.

 

I agree with both sides of this argument. I believe that Porsche's are superior to many other sports cars in the market. However I do feel they have fallen behind in the HP department. The 997 turbo should have no less than 500 hp period. Then if they want to add S or GT2 or whatever above that fine.

Just my very humble opinion of course!

 

I too agree that Porsche is REALLY being stupid with the way they are handling the lineup. Sure, Porsche has brand equity NOW, but unless they work to maintain that, it will be lost.

Brand equity is something you earn. Porsche earned it from years of having superior sports cars. First off, Porsche needs to switch to aluminum IMMEDIATELY for all the models above $70K. If Corvette can offer a dry sump and aluminum body for $65K, I don't see why Porsche can't offer it at $100k or $150K.

All 911's should be aluminum and the top models (GT3, TT, GT2) should have a carbon fiber roof (to lower the center of gravity).

For all of you that believe the Corvette's and Mustang's don't count because they are American, well let me ask you one thing -what about the M3?

No one can say that BMW doesn't offer great fit and finish and that the M3 doesn't offer great handling (especially with the competition package). The new M3 will come in at 415hp for a starting price of about $50K (closer to $60K fully loaded). A few years ago the M3 was 240 hp now the new one will be 415hp while a $75K Porsche is 320hp (I mean what's the excuse when the M3 fly's by .... well sure he's faster, he'll beat me on the track, he has a great interior, he's got a great sound system, and his car is comfortable around town but it's a BMW and I'm driving a Porsche ....... see doesn't have the same bite as the whole "it's domestic" speech)

The magazines will ignore this and compare the Z06 to the Turbo and the E90 M3 to the 997S. However, I would love to see a comparison of the $55K M3 (when the new one arrives), the $65K Z06, and a $75-80K 997 non 'S'. If a major car mag did such a comparison, the base 997 would be flat out BLOWN AWAY in EVERY category. I can't imagine what arguments would be made after such a comparo considering no one would be able to pull the fit and finish card because of the inclusion of the M3.


Porsche is incredible with their mastery of suspension, balance, handling. All they need to do is take a little less cake by not dropping their price, just give us more car. Make it out of aluminum, give the TT 500+hp and give the base 997 400hp slotting the GT3 at about 460-480hp.

If they don't, you will see brand equity erode quickly as a slew of competitors arrives (NSX, Lexus LF-A, Esprit, Skyline, M3, Zo6, Blue Devil etc.)

Plus if Porsche does listen to me, just imagine a stock 480hp GT3 with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber roof I'll take one in white please

 

Porsche will do just fine. They always have. I don't see doom and gloom on the horizon for Porsche. I see alot of exciting options for all income levels and think we the consumer are going to benefit greatly by a glut of high end cars here in the next couple of years. Ferrari production numbers are going to be huge. Lambo is building more and more cars. This is an exciting time for high end stuff and I think what we will see is the once untouchable type of stuff which only the ultra rich once owned become reality for minor league players like me.