I think the notion is that Porsche did not crash test sunroofless cars and thus they are not DOT approved.

 

The crash certification issue is well known. I think he's trying to say, let's not blame Porsche, let's blame the DOT. What I'm saying is Porsche are solely to blame -- not the DOT. The cost to crash test a few extra cars wouldn't even amount to Wiedeking's monthly income.

 

I´m not sure whether crash testing really costs that little or not, but the fact is, that they should test the vehicles one-by-one with and without the sunroof. On a limited-run model, such as the GT2/3, this probably just isn´t worth it. If Porsche thought it were profitable, you can believe me they would do it. Not defending them or anything, just stating what I believe are the facts.

 

You're probably right... What it does illustrate though, is Porsche's shortsightedness not only with their misguided concern for quarterly figures but the selling out of their brand name and heritage. Porsche spend a lot of money on marketing, no better & cheaper marketing than making your most hardcore customers happy.

 

 

No kidding. What next, a Tiptronic Cabriolet version of the GT2?

IMO, Porsche started selling out long ago with TT Cabs and Tips. If they were truly concerned about keeping their sporting image rather than making a bundle of money they would have never made Cayennes, etc. But thats another story.

That said, the Cayenne bailed Porsche's *** out financially. Since the Cayenne is such a profit center for Porsche, whaddaya say they borrow some $$$ from the Cayenne money hopper and get the DOT testing done for a sunroof delete for the 997 body/chassis to keep the purists happy?

Finally, kudos to Chevrolet for NOT selling out and offering an automatic, convertible version of the Z06. At least Chevy "gets it" in one area.

 

I guess I'm glad they sold out...As a daily driver in LA I never would have bought a TT without tip...I don't see how that ruins their "sporty" image, you can still buy stick if you want.

 

Let me put it in the most PC way, they sold out because before the 996, any old granny could not drive a Turbo.

Now, any old granny can get in a tippy 996 Turbo and floor it.

And BTW, I and many others that I know drive the GT2 and stick Turbos to work in LA, it is not a big deal. Actually, my wife drives the GT2 to work from time to time, in downtown LA stop and go traffic. The Turbo/GT2 have so much torque that you can basically leave it in 1st or 2nd and just time your distance between you and the car in front of you and not have to push in the clutch that often.

 

The funny thing is Chevy is in dire financial shape, yet the fact that they came out with the Z06 was such a darling move in the automotive enthusiast move that they still could not make enought of them. Yes, even after they raised the price by a few grand on the Z06.

Now, you say the poseur truck bailed Porsche out. So what? They turned around and gave all the enthusiasts the finger by cutting a hole on every single 997 GT3 on sale for the U.S.

It would have been better if Porsche had been bought. Look at Ferrari, Fiat, FIAT, or all car companies owns them. Where is the Ferrari SUV? The Ferrari sedan, the Ferrari tippy magic tronic Enzo?

That's what I thought. Oh, and BTW. The sequential gearbox in the Enzo has no automatic mode, while Porsche no doubt when the PDK comes out, will have some stupid automatic mode built in.

Wide King has totally and completely buried that real Porche a long time ago. I won't be surprised to find the 997 GT2 with powered cupholders as well.

 

the picture of the silver Gt2 was photoshoped!!

 

Having an automatic mode for the PDK is well, why not just put in a tippy magic tronic on the GT2 and call it a day?

Really, how lazy can one get? The PDK is opening and closing the clutch for the driver, and one can't be bothered to flick the little peddle a few times? Why get a car that is loud and stiff with crap radio for crusing? Turbo is a much better boulevard cruiser.

And see my explanation about the demise of the Turbo in above posts, which, after having had the GT2 for two months now, died a terrible death when AWD and tippy magic tronic and PSM were put in the Turbo that used to require some skill and respect to operate one in good health, read, the 964 Turbo and all prior iterations.

The GT2 should have been the Turbo that the 993/6/7 never were.

And no, if PAG is going to stick a mandatory hole on the roof to satisfy the blingers and save some dough on certification, I don't care how much HP it has. Why bother taking out sound deadening, putting in ceramic rotors, and many other extreme weight saving measure and then put in 70 pounds of dead weight so that the GT2 can look bling bling cruising down Sunset with the PDK in full auto mode.

What a horrible fate that Wide King has destined the 997 GT2 to suffer.

 

The crash testing story is fictitious. If you believe that you are buying into their weak excuse at blaming our automotive regulations. Porsche simply does not want to bother with offering that option in a larger market like the US where most people will probably opt for the sunroof anyway.
My dealer thinks it is out of spite. I'm not sure I agree with that, but then again PCNA is a joke, and I'd probably be bitter toward the US market for that reason alone.

 

Gee, guesss I'm an "old Granny" because I don't want to deal with a stick in traffic? great. Here's the thing, buy want you want, I'll do the same. The Lambos and the Bugatti have full-on automatic as well...or buy stick. I'm not gonna say there aren't times where I wish I didn't have tip, because there are. But if I want to drive my stage 5 TT down sunset with a latte in my right hand blaring Abba greatest hits, so be it. Who cares? I didn't buy this car to prove what a man I am, I just like it.

 

How do you know this?

 

PSM? If GT2 have sunroof , PSM, Tip ...and so on, what's the meaning the GT2 exist? Just a faster RWD TT!