Mark in Baltimore

Hi, Cameron,

Eloquently answered but, under your premise, if a current car does not share any parts, layout or lineage be damned, with the original, then it is no longer the same model? Seriously? Again, this does not allow for any evolution, a parameter that is absolutely de riguer for any product to last more than a few life cycles. Marketing 101. Perhaps we are differing in how we are forming our logic.

If the 928 lasted to 2004 and was still a front-engined, V8 powered, rear transaxled 2+2, with a long nose and rear hatch, according to your logic, since it didn't, theoretically, share a single part with the original, it would no longer be a 928, even if the internal code were, say, 971. I would still call it a 928, no matter what the arcane company designation, because it is still what it was, despite the different and required tooling needed for market survival. I would venture a guess that you would proudly call it a 928 and would take issue with anyone who used your rationale to try and convince you that it was anything other than a 928.

I do agree that a tip 996 is more GT than sports car, but I also think it's important to note that Porsche has spent considerable efforts developing the 996 GT3 RS and RSR, and want the 911/996, not the Boxster nor the Cayenne, to represent the marque in international competition. This is the same philosophy that Porsche infused the original 911 of the '60's, '70's and '80's.

Cameron

Mark,

What I have said twice is that today's 911's are called that for marketing purposes. I am not saying that they are not 911s. I have said twice that they are called that for marketing purposes, not because of their resemblence to the original (aside from engine placement and styling cues). Yes, to maintain the lineage.

What I have also said is that I see such fundamental differences in the members of the 911 family that I think each model/version needs to be discussed based upon what it is and what it was designed to do. Some are more GT, some are pure sport. Each by design and the design intent has changed over time.

Re the 996. Yes, Porsche does want the 911/996 to represent the marque in international competition, same as in the days of the 928. For this reason, they have to be careful about putting competitive power into the 986. With the mid engine platform and some serious development, they might beat out the one car that the company has been making for 40 years - the famous 911! Now, however, with the other mid engine supercar in the mix, it will be interesting to see what they have planned for the race car circuit.

My friend is interested in a Cayenne. We were at the dealership today. Who would have thought that Porsche would be making SUV's. If the marketeers had called that one a 911, that would have been something!

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT

tdatk944+S4

Ya had to make me post this ...

Drewster67

I can't believe it - The 928 is still on Top after all this time.

Or should I say - I CAN believe it.

aircooler

This is my 4th Porsche.

I'm keeping it.

When I get my 93-95 928 GTS, I'm dropping a Murph S-charger in it, and will wash it even more.



I'm not putting down any other Porsche. I wave, or honk to them all (even the 986's that never wave back), but it is definitely my favorite.

Mike

SharkSkin

Can you post a legible version?

epbrown01

I'd be willing to agree with Mark's premise: once the car has "evolved" to a certain point, it's no longer the same car. I'd say the 911 stopped when Porsche themselves created the 964 designation. The '66 and '89 versions of the 911 had a much more distinct lineage than the even the '90 and '04 cars.

As for "Best Porsche Ever" title going to the 911, Cameron has a point. Porsche has always seen the 911 as where their bread is buttered and held back performance on other cars in their line-up so that the 911 always comes out on top. It happened with the 928, the 944, the 968, and it happens even now with the 986. Every car they've made since hasn't had to compensate for the flawed layout that the 911 has, and so the design has had more performance potential than the 911 given the right engine and suspension - and every time, Porsche has denied them the horsepower or suspension components to keep the 911 on top.

Emanuel

MetalSolid

Looks like some cheating going on here...

SharkSkin

worf928

Less FUD. More prose.

cobalt

Just figured I would add my $.02 worth since I have owned and enjoyed 911's 914's and a 928.

I will always be very fond of the 928. When working properly it is a fantastic auto. Great lines nicely balanced, with all the creature comforts. I always considered it to be one of the best driving cars comfort wise. (My 74 Jag XJ6 was a bit better and the 740iL is not too far behind) The problem I had with my car was it became a maintanence nightmare. (even more so then the Jag if that is possible) Electrical problems, expensive clutch, water pump etc. This was on a car with only 40k original miles. One thing I can say is it handled fairly well and with some expense it handled well. A sports car in the true sense, never. I miss my 928 and would take a GTS manual for a second porsche in a second (if I could find one at a reasonable price) Then again I miss my 914, my SC racer, my stock SC, along with all the other project cars I don't list.

These are all great cars in their own right. Some I prefer more so over others but I never met a Porsche I didn't like.

My current favorite is sitting in the Garage.

Nicole

Anthony: Not sure what you mean by "reasonable price". Look on ebay - there is a silver '93 GTS manual with 11k miles right now...

Doug Hillary

Hi,
another slant perhaps

I drove my first Porsche in 1967 and worked on them then a little too (in Copenhagen DK (Hi Erik). I worked with/for VW, owning a few including a very "hot" Type 3 and a Kharmann Ghia etc. and even though being an aircooled engine/rear drive fan, I never fell in love with the 911 or its offshoots

I fell in love with the 928 on first visual contact about 1982 or so vowing to own one sometime later. I am now happily on my second one having covered something like 50kkms (30k miles) all told - a great experience

I have owned about 90 cars in the last 50 years from new Alfa's and Benzes (230SL and many saloons) and BMWs to Fords and Holdens, Toyotas, Nissaans, Pajeros, Subarus and etc. I have covered about 80kkms (50k miles) in my vehicles every year for the last couple of decades

Over the last decade I have sat in and driven all sorts of 911s but never been enthused enough to buy one. I will never buy one now after owning my 928's

I have been tempted to buy a new Boxter during the last three years but the Forum here has disuaded me. If I had the money I would buy a new 9 series convertible but there are a wonderful range of vehicles around now in Australia

I like the 928 for its "involvement" of me as an owner. At 65 it is so easy to buy a sanitised car (and money is not too much of a concern) - and so easy to become a bored motorist. I'm not - thanks to my S4

Regards

cobalt

Thanks Nicole,

Haven't seen a manual GTS for sale in a while and the last one had 28k miles and would not sell for less than $50k. Too much money for a car with high maintainance costs. My turbo is relatively cheap to maintain in comparison. Then again I am basing my opinions on my experience with my 1980 5.0 liter. I have heard that the mechanical issues and electrical nightmares got somewhat resolved over time.

Doug Hillary

Hi Anthony,
I am intrigued - a 1980 5 litre?

Anthony, I doubt if the running costs of a 928 are greater than a "comparable specification" 911. Or any other European car of a similar age, speed reading and performance for that matter

Regards