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Ok, i know you guys will think this is a cheap shot/Troll thing..........It is not!
I am honestly wondering where Porsche is to go with the Next Gen cars? I feel some what sorry for them, i mean their build q is very good (apart from crank seals), but this might not enough any more.
Porsche's run of good luck might now be over, the US is heading for a MEGA recession..............sales are falling badly and the death of the SUV cult will not help. The new Panna-5-door thing looks plug uglay & there is no shortage of cheaper cars JUST as fast & able (BMW 335i).
Here in Blighty, Ford has just dropped a bomb shell in the Focus RS........early reports say this thing is very close to a stock 911 in lap times on "De Ring". All this for £25k when a base 911 is £67k in the UK. On the other end of the scale The Nissan GTR is just £55k & anything short of a 911 Turbo won't have seen which way it went.
Even "LOTS OF TROUBLE USALLY SEROIUS" is about to show its 911 basher......The pack smell Blood......Porsche is in trouble. "Greens" attacking them, other car producers targeting (& hitting) them..........They must move the game on.
My question is simple, is it time for Porsche to build a "911 mid-engined car"?.........Is it time for Porsche to offer a Cayman Turbo?...........Should they go for Audi light weight build tech......or what?
Now you the idea of a small Ford Hatchback having 911 lap times was a joke........but not any more..........Do you think its a simple matter of adding more BHP?.............I feel its more complex than that?
i don't think it should only be in the BHP. if some one wants to go fast for the cheapest price, they'd buy a bike.
Porsche was never in that segment of the market dispite their orignial priciples of making sports cars that everyone could afford.
the problem of recession might hit top end cars more then main stream but everyone is in the same boat, not just porsche. and they are in a much better position to deal with this then most other makers.
also its easy to compare cars on paper with their stats, but what can't be easily compared is how a car makes you feel, porsche has the most satisfied customers, and all it boils down to when you buy a car like this is how satisfied you are.
Your understainding of the current US economic conditions, futures and Porsches sales strategies are incomplete and inaccurate. I work inside Automotive channels and sell many products that are used by car dealerships, so I have my finger squarely on the pulse of car dealership sales trends. Let me tell you what I'm seeing.
Ford, GM and Chrysler are hurting big time. They are struggling to simply get the car sold and they are all looking at greater than 30% sales losses from this time last year. So the a car like the new Ford focus that you're talking about may fall on deaf ears.
Honda and Toyota are seeing hot and cold sales. Why? Becayse they offer fuel efficient cars and hybrids. So they are doing 'OK'. Some flat, some with small deficits from last year, some with small gains.
Cars like Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, and up are selling incredibly well. In fact, my Porsche dealership just broke a sales record last month, in the middle of very difficult economic times.
So how is that possible? I'll tell you my thoughts. The wealthy are not feeling the squeeze of the current economic climate like the middle and lower class are. Let's face it, the currect economic struggles are being caused by inflation, gas prices and the unwinding of the credit mess. Upper class people are not effected by these things. They didn't borrow money with a ridiculously stupid mortgage and they make so much money that a 30% increase in gasoline cost and for a gallon of milk isn't going to make any difference. The cost of gas and milk is insignificant to them. They aren't living to the edge of their paychecks like the middle class.
Also, you need to realize that Porsche doesn't rely on the US market like they used to. The emerging markets like China and Russia are towing the line and Porsche has already taken US allocations and redirected them to those markets.
So, I hate to spread sunshine on your previously rained out parade, but all of your assumptions are dead wrong and Porsche doesn't need to do anything to keep their sales moving forward. They don't compete with Ford, never will. If someone wants a Focus instead, then they are welcome to buy one. Porsche won't miss that sale.
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Mega just has to come here bashing and trolling. The theme never changes. Totally one punch line told over and over and over until everyone knows what's coming by just seeing the name of the poster. I guess these are directed at new members who didn't get the "privilege" of the other 500+ similar posts. The motivation or thrill of this line of attack is a mystery to me. A very good example of "passive aggressive" behavior.
Mega recession for the US?,....we shall see, but I'm not betting on it. If it does happen, the fall-out will be world wide, not just here.
Cayennes still sell well, the Panamera?.....who knows right now. The 335i is not as fast or as able as the CS. You can mod both cars, but the 335 will never handle as good, brake as well, or be as much fun to drive. Also, it's not much to look at either.
911s will always be there and sell well,.....no matter what car de jour other makers come up with. Every "super" car the Japanese have come up with has gone by the wayside while the Porsche 911 continues on.
With direct injection coming, Porsche sports cars are actually one of the more "greener" choices out there. I hope the "greenies" go get the soccer mom in her 10mpg SUV toating one 5 year old around in it. That's where the USs problem lies, not with Porsche sports cars.
I don't care about 'ring times....I drive what I like, feel best in, and will hold together more than a few years,......for now, that's Porsche,....not Ford.
Hey, who the hell as a young boy or girl grows up dreaming of owning a.... wait for it.... FORD FOCUS????!!!!???
Plain and simple I am driving what I have been dreaming of my whole life, and IMHO once you buy a porsche why would you buy anything different?
+1... I grew up dreaming of owning a Mustang...after having a Mach I briefly I realized what a piece of **** it was and have been driving Porsches since 1970....
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Cold Croc
38 years of continuous Porsche ownership
Ride History
1966-1969 ---- 1961 Rambler Classic (Sorry)
1969-1970 ---- 1969 Mustang Mach I (Engine lasted 49K mi... swore I'd never buy another American car)
1970-1972 ---- 1964 356C - Rust Bucket
1972-1976 ---- 1972 914 - Ball Buster
1976-1977 ---- 1973 911T - Was I crazy?
1977-2007 ---- 1963 356SC To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 306K mi
2001-2003 ---- 1984 911 SC Targa - For my son
2000-2005 ---- 1997 Ferrari 355-F To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Brain Fart
2007- ???? ---- 2007 Cayman S To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
2008 ---------- 2008 Audi R8 - Delivery late spring '08
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Mike: I sense that you are old enough to know that Porsche has been a target for other makes for 4+ decades. And in that time period there have been some very successful lower cost alternatives that provided a similar if not exact experience like the Fairlady/240Z for example. Ultimately, these competitors or perceived competitors cause the leaders like Porsche to continue to refine their products and keep their customers satisfied.
Lotus makes great track cars that can be driven on the street. But, they are a boutique brand in the U.S. and even shuttered one of their most popular dealers in Southern California, the mecca of high end cars in North America. I think it's great that Lotus fulfills a unique niche. But, I don't think they will put a dent in 911 sales in America.
My question is simple, is it time for Porsche to build a "911 mid-engined car"?........
What is your definition of "911 mid-engined car"?
The Cayman shares the same front bulkhead (except GT3 which uses a C4 front bulkhead), same front inner fenders, same front axle, same engine block, same doors, same lower dash, same seats, etc as the 911..
i am quite suprised to hear sales of porsche is up, usually when there is unrest such as this even the upper class holds out of splashing out on an expensive car.
not supprised to hear porsche is moving more allocations to china, my cayman 2.7 costs 0.96 million RMB here all up. and demand was so great that i am on a 7 month waiting list.
Until 
