porsche_logo.png

Porsches are timeless, elegant, and overpriced. Occasionally, there are hot lesbians named after them too (see picture). portia-de-rossi-picture-1.jpgportia-de-rossi-picture-1.jpgAutomotive and marketing experts, along with hardcore Porsche fans, (pronounced “PORSH-uh”) agree that the lofty prices porsche charges don’t always make sense, especially on cars that are undoubtedly underpowered for their price, until you get into talking Turbo or GT. I mean the Cayman S I bought was $69k and change. I had to pay extra for the most basic of stupid stuff like a steering wheel and automatic climate control. Simple features that come on any $60,000 passenger car, Exige and Atom excluded, are all extra for a Porsche. Sadly, that’s true for every Porsche until you get to six figures, where they’ll throw in some freebees since they’ve already milked you raw by then. There is of course the annoyance that Porsche is now making 15 versions of the 911.

  1. 911 Carrera
  2. 911 Carrera S
  3. 911 Carrera Cabriolet
  4. 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
  5. 911 Carrera 4
  6. 911 Carrera 4S
  7. 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
  8. 911 Carrers 4S Cabriolet
  9. 911 Targa 4
  10. 911 Targa 4S
  11. 911 Turbo
  12. 911 Turbo Cabriolet
  13. 911 GT3
  14. 911 GT3 RS
  15. 911 GT2

 2008-gt2-front.jpg

After all the nickel and dimming, you’re left with a car that gets smoked by a Corvette costing 10 g’s less or barely win a white-knuckle drag race with a Z (nearly 2/5ths of what you paid for your S class)     

cayman.jpg

350z.jpg

vette.bmp
Cayman S Nissan 350Z Corvette
Weight 3100 lbs 3340 lbs 3299 lbs
Length 172.1 in 169.8 in 174.6
Width 70.9 71.5 in 72.6
Height 51.5 52.1 in 49.0
Power 295 bhp 306 bhp 436 bhp
Torque 428 lb-ft 251 lb-ft 268 lb-ft
Braking 70-0 147 ft 169 ft 161 ft
Road holding .96g .93g .95g
0 to 60 5.1 seconds 5.2 seconds 4.0 seconds
¼ Mile 13.4 seconds at 105 mph 13.7 seconds at 104mph 12.4 seconds at 116 mph
Top Speed 171 mph, mfr’s claim 155 mph 190 mph
Base Price $65,000 $28,525 $56,890

HOWEVER, the Porsche is always fun. Always fresh. Always exciting. The mid engine layout and light-weight design keep the nimble chassis poised to change direction. It’s like you’re driving a go-kart covered in leather.

It looks great today, and unlike the other two, it will still look good 5 years or 50 years from now.

Of the 3 Porsche’s I’ve known the Cayman is the most fun. The faster Porsches, like a ‘96 Turbo are like weapons. Very mechanical, very purposeful, and very cold. It’s fast as hell and awesome to drive, but it feels like it could split your head open on a wet road with too much throttle. Of course that’s the fun, but daily danger looses its appeal.

I’d say a Boxster is as fun, but too many chicks drive them and most men won’t admit it’s cool. It’s a German Miata.

There are cars that are as fast or faster for less money, but Porsche charges what they do, because they can. No other company offers such sophisticated and engaging cars that remain fun and useful every single day. Combined with the classic brand they have created, Porsche will continue to provide the best car for those that are willing to close their eyes when they hand over their wallet and ignore the bean counter in their head. Think ear muffs.

Next Porsche??? The Porsche Panamera due to debut in 2009

Panamera