Mega

I feel there is more to this than just the Us market, Porsche has missed the warning signs.......again. The Facelifted Boxster is very differacut to tell from the old model.......so why trade up?

Its a problem that i think Audi will have with the TT, how do you go better? Atlest Audi has a new V6 and that quite stunning Duel-clutch gearbox...........Porsche did next to nothing.

The real killer for them is that 250 bhp is just not that much any more. I could up the CTR to 220 no problem as any Seat,VW,Audi,Skoda Turbo owner can! Boxster covers 30-70 in 5.7 secs....but an CTR does it 5.8!

Fact is this, Porsche need to get radacal and they must up the Boxster BHP and reduce its weight........we hear a fixed head "Clubsport" is coming........no soon though.

As for F*cking about with that rebaged off road thing, was a VERY BAD IDEA indeed.........Very soon become yesterdays fad.
Mega.

Cupramax

Yeah but a CTR has got no cachet has it... I drive an LCR, it may have 270hp but it still aint a Porsche. You cant compare a hot hatch to a performance icon even if it is a lowly Boxster.

moses

porkers the most successful sportscar mate

Tractor

Plus the Cayenne isn't even out here yet, and although it looks like a monkey's ****, it makes all other off roaders look silly on road according to all tests I've read, plus its a Porsche, plus looks aren;t everything as every CTR owner will tell you . They'll sell loads.....

Stevie

EVO had the Cayenne Turbo doing a lap at Bedford as quick as an M3.

You have to admit, that is impressive.

Chris L

It is not so much that Porsche are in trouble - as many have said, they are probably the most successful car company in the world, but that doesn't mean they have the financial clout of their major competitors. Ferrari (part of Fiat), Lambo (part of Audi), Aston Martin / Jaguar (part of Ford) - seeing a pattern?

Porsche are independent. If they want to stay that way, they have to be clever about how they develop new vehicles. The Cayenne is great example of this. They can use the Porsche name to sell this at a premium. On a per unit basis, they probably make a lot more out of a Cayenne than they do out of many of the Boxster or 911 models. This provides the money needed to develop their 'proper' cars

Given their limited financial resources it is even more impressive that they still manage to produce what is widely accepted as the best sportscar in the world - the 911 Turbo - despite the best efforts of their competitors!

When you also consider they have been reinventing the 911 for close to 40 years - people still buy it!

Chris

Simon S3

If you try to order a Boxster S, 996 C4S or 996 turbo you`ll be looking at the thick end of a 6 month delivery wait.

Hardly the hallmark of a company in trouble is it?

I admit the Cayenne may be a gamble but it won`t kill the company if it goes wrong because VW shared the development costs.

clarence

I think the next 997 will have the PDK system (double clutch system), as they were the 1st to use it in their Gr.C racers.
There are a lot of technical co-operation between VAG & PAG. IMHO, Porsche owns the trademark 'Tiptronic', & VAG are the only ones apart from themselves who can use that name. Their association stretches back to the days of the Beetle, & the former boss of VAG (Piech) is a niece of Porsche.

merkin

Cayenne a gamble??

Have you got any idea how hugely succesful it is in the US?

its going to make up a huge % of sales next year

It was developed mainly with the US market in mind, and will give porsche the development capital they need to get on with building real sports cars.

CraigRA

Boxster s not quick enough!!, special order a RUF Boxster....

Simon S3

merkin,

I know the Cayenne Turbo has a waiting list in the US.
The Cayenne S is available from stock if you`re not too fussy about spec from a lot of US Porsche dealers.

By saying it was a gamble I was referring to the "Does Porsche need an SUV" argument. I know it`ll sell because Americans buy SUVs regardless. There was even a debate on CNN yesterday (I`m in America now) about SUV fuel consumption and the lack of effort Detroit is making to reduce it.

RB5#295

I totally agree. Well actually I think the chassis is just to good for the power the car has which makes it seem slow. That's why I said it wasn't my cup of tea, basically.

Fen

moses

yeah the boxtser s chasis is actually better than the carrera 2 and 4 996

Mega

Please don't get me wrong, i like the Boxster but like many people i feel it needs and could handle more power. I would love to see a lighter fixed head version with duel-clutch and the thick end of 300 BHP.

I feel that Porsche are worried that such a car would steal 911 sales. But "Others" are coming such as Honda with a Boxster priced NSX and Vauxhall Vx Coupe.

All i am saying is that the game is moving on and the Boxster should move with it.

BTW, The Best Car i ever drove was a 944 Turbo, Outstanding!
Mega

davyboy

I always thought you had good taste

camk

996 C4 Coupe. Drove home tonight 40 km's 28 Degrees and sun shining, windows and sunroof wide open , sounds right up, mix of engine in the back and stereo giving it big licks was shattering.

I'll be back for more thanks Ferdy. Head turning looks is just a further plus. Normal trip is 23 KM's, I took the long route............

I love my BMW523i and think its a fantastic mile guzzler but it just does not have the cachet. Porsche in trouble, unlikely, I'll buy another.

I asked my wife during the winter, fancy chopping in the Porsche and getting an Audi S6, she says who on Earth trades in a Porsche for an Audi, regardless of how quick it is. Thats a layman's opinion.

Its an icon, they still make a profit, they are expanding their product set. SAFE AS HOUSES.

Regards
Camk......

PS Of Course I''m Looking to swap it for a Toyota Soarer

Flyboy-F33

IMO Boxter has lots of development years ahead of it. Look at the 911, started off as a 2.0 ltr, then 2.2, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0, 3.2, 3.6 each time with more power and torque. It the way Porsche have always done it. Already the Boxter S is follwing that trend.

GG

davyboy

What do you mean............is the most profitable car manufacturer in the world in trouble?

[Edited by davyboy - 5/7/2003 9:22:33 PM]

RB5#295

The Boxster is the entry level car. Back in the mid - late 70's was the 924 significantly more powerful than comparable hot hatches (Mk1 Golf GTi)? No. Did it sell shedloads. Yes.

The Boxster (not my cup of tea, may I add) is a beautiful car to look at, it handles superbly, it has one of the best badges in the world, it's fantastically over-engineered, it's a roadster. How many reasons do you need to choose it over a VAG hot hatch? Why would Mr Boxster owner upgrade to the new model? His current one is going 'cos it's a company perk and it's 3 years old? He just wants a newer car and there's nothing else to compete? Glass rear window? The 911 didn't change significantly for the first 30 years (an personally I thunk it started to lose the plot when it did) and it is still the automotive icon.

Why do people bother to replace their car with anything else when power to weight has remained pretty constant since the mid 80's despite "250bhp being nothing specail any more"? Newer reg number / more toys / new warranty / don't want to drive a car that's past its prime when they can afford one that is younger and less used etc.

Sorry M8 but you're waaaaaay off the mark. Even if the Boxster did start to look underpowered it shares a huge number of parts with the 996. How long do you think it would take to get a Boxster Turbo 4 into production? I'd bet it's been built already at least in 2WD as a feasability study.

Fen

[Edited by RB5#295 - 5/8/2003 9:11:43 AM]

[Edited by RB5#295 - 5/8/2003 9:23:03 AM]

[Edited by RB5#295 - 5/8/2003 9:24:27 AM]