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I was having a debate with a friend and he said a Carrera is always non turbo (except the new models that are coming out) and a turbo is always a 911 Turbo. I was always under the impression that even though you would never say 911 Carrera Turbo, it still wouldn't be incorrect to say so. Anyone care to elaborate?
+1. a porsche 911 turbo carrera will always be all of them.
e.g. a porsche 911. a carrera, and a turbo at that.
at least for now. soon they will be whatever badge designations they can manage to stuff onto the back of the car in an effort to make people feel more special.
think dr. suess and those with stars on thars vs those without.
IMO saying Porsche Carrera Turbo is like saying "BMW 328i M3", it makes no sense. The body syle is "996/997/991 911" etc.
If I heard Porsche Carrera Turbo, I would think you were talking about the newest carrera with turbochargers
I think your friend is right
. Hence why I said "even though you would never say it". Though to further elaborate on your point the m3 is just the performance variant of the 3 series. As the turbo is a turbo Carrera, no? So even though you would never say it, is it not a variant of the Carrera? I guess it boils down to this: Is 911 and Carrera synonymous?
I guess you could call it a Carrera Turbo but I would never actually say it that way. Especially since very shortly there will be turbocharged Carreras out and about. Those cars are turbo Carreras (or Carreras with turbos), what we have is a 911 Turbo...says so right on the manual..lol
. Hence why I said "even though you would never say it". Though to further elaborate on your point the m3 is just the performance variant of the 3 series. As the turbo is a turbo Carrera, no? So even though you would never say it, is it not a variant of the Carrera? I guess it boils down to this: Is 911 and Carrera synonymous?
Yes but the m3 isnt a variant of the 328i, its a variant of the 3 series. Just as the turbo isn't a variant of the carrera, its a variant of the 911. The targa is the same body style, but you don't say 911 carrera targa, just as there is no gt2. The similarities in the turbo and carrera is the body. However, the engine which is the main difference in the two has no relation. The turbo engine isn't even built off of the carrera engine. Carrera is the specific model, not a broader category.
my insurance paperwork also calls it a carrera. the technical term for this iteration is still and always will be a:
porsche 911 carrera turbo. whether you want to say all that sh*t or not is up to "you".
911 turbo works for me.
how we all deal with the fact that ALL 911's will soon be turbocharged will be another argument for another day. it's not going to make the OLD 911 carrera turbo's MORE special. or will they? this will be rendered moot by the fact they ( all 911's ) will all be turbocharged, and therefore mentioning it will be redundant, whereas it was once a distinction, well worth noting.
Originally Posted by TabooPc
Yes but the m3 isnt a variant of the 328i, its a variant of the 3 series. Just as the turbo isn't a variant of the carrera, its a variant of the 911. The targa is the same body style, but you don't say 911 carrera targa, just as there is no gt2. The similarities in the turbo and carrera is the body. However, the engine which is the main difference in the two has no relation. The turbo engine isn't even built off of the carrera engine. Carrera is the specific model, not a broader category.
very well put.
just because the car is a porsche 911 carrera turbo no one ever refers to it that way. but they DO say "911 turbo" to make the once important distinction known, whereas a n/a 911 ( for me anyway ) has always been just a "911", and still is. who says in passing conversation that they have a "turbo"? though it is/once was well worth noting, but now that distinction tends to be muddled, for example if/when someones points out that they say "i have a 911 C4S". they would(?) ( or should? ) just say they have a 911? or should they mention they have an awd car that has an "C4S" on the rear decklid? i don't know lol
it's the opposite of the reality i have noticed that no 911 owner ever refers to their car as a "PORSCH". ugh. women ( presumably that are not porsche owner/enthusiasts ) "tend" to do that ( ducking ) ha.
Last edited by '02996ttx50; Oct 19, 2015 at 05:25 AM.
I understand what TabooPc is saying and agree to a point. I would never refer to my M3 as a BMW 328i M3, but a major reason is the 328 refers to a specific engine configuration that does not apply to the M3.
I also understand 02996ttx50 point. The term Carrera refers to the base car and doesn't necessarily refer to an engine displacement/configuration.
Buuuuuutttttttt, ultimately the Carrera S came out and the Carrera designation did refer to the engine configurations (S and 4S vs. the plan Carrera).
^^ exactly. the good ( for the conversation ) news and ( bad news ) for those of us that happen to own old school and properly badged REAL 911 TURBO'S! )
is that with the arrival of 2016 ( or is it 2017?..who remembers the start date of such world altering milestone events? ) this all WILL be rendered moot in an even worse way than the fried egg headlamp did when 911 owners realized that they shared a ( "MINOR" ) degree of similarity in styling with the 996 carrerra and the the ( UGH/BLECH ) boxter.
there goes our "badging" bragging rights hah ( or lack thereof ) but NOT our accelerative prowess.
"no, they can't take that away from "us"" lol. ( sung to some 'ol sinatra tune )
I don't think I've ever actually heard anyone call it a 911 Carerra Turbo in person, lol... but you could certainly call it that. I've also never heard anyone call an M3 "3 series derived BMW M3" or "3SDBMWM3" for short lmao...usually I hear "M3" even though you could call it "3SDBMWM3" ... lol
Actually M3 is a great example because the M3 has now gone turbo as well. Not only that but now in some cases it's an M4 (I think??!!). Talk about confusing!! If I'm not mistaken all three series are now turbo.
Luckily the (996) Turbo, like the Turbo's that came before it has already proven itself many times over. In the olden times of the 996 Turbo if you had a Turbo there was NO confusion you had a car that was famous for kicking a** and taking names!!
When the new turbo Carreras hit the streets we shall see if the upcoming latest Turbo lives up to it's name.
I'm jumping in the Turbo now to head to the office, catch you guys later
Yup, I had an 08 535i and 09 135i (both n54's) and my wifey had a 335i n55 but recently with all the number changes 2 series, 4 series, gran sports, etc..I really have not been able to keep up.
. Hence why I said "even though you would never say it". 
Though to further elaborate on your point the m3 is just the performance variant of the 3 series. As the turbo is a turbo Carrera, no? So even though you would never say it, is it not a variant of the Carrera? I guess it boils down to this: Is 911 and Carrera synonymous?
