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Author
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Topic: Porsche Boxster - Did it really screw Porsche?
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***PHRO2eN***
Member Posts: 72
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 10, 2001 05:17 PM
   
Guys I hear there are many complaints from Porsche fans that Boxster was the car that signaled company's downfall ... People say the top year of Porsche was 1997 ... then it all started to crash ... Is it really Boxster's fault??? Because u can't say everything is fine when a very questionable car the Cayenne is set to roll off ... Showing that Boxster was only the beginning ... and a MINIVAN ??? well thats just totally f@#$@% UP!!!! What u think??? ------------------
* * * PHRO2eN * * * IP: Logged |
Slacker-DNA-
Member Posts: 186
From: Honolulu, HI, US
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted February 10, 2001 06:44 PM
Fall of Porsche? Complete BS man...Porsche has merely changed their approach to the market. The Boxster was created to attract people that couldn't shell out the money for Porsche's other models. Is the Boxster a bad car? Hell no. It merely attracts a different audience while they put their prototypes to the test. Is the Cayenne a bad car? Well...under the hood....I'm inclined to say no. But looking at that thing...eugh... Porsche ain't going under, they're just broadening the horizon by delving into other markets. In this case, the Roadster and Luxury SUV markets. ------------------
Slacker~DNA~
slacker@phwack.net
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TwinTurbo9
Member Posts: 69
From: Glenview, IL, USA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted February 10, 2001 07:24 PM
I don't care if they change, the 996 Turbo still looks amazing. I spent like 15 minutes just staring at it today at the Chicaho Auto Show.------------------
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IAIA
Member Posts: 153
From:
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted February 10, 2001 08:18 PM
I don't think it did. I mean there cars are better than ever right? The Boxter is just like if you want a nice Roadster but don't want to shell out $80,000 for a 911 Convertible [they make those right?] when your never gonna need all that performance anyway.------------------
IAIA: The International Automotive Image Archive
http://www.geocities.com/crxzero IP: Logged |
Rosruc
Member Posts: 1693
From:
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 10, 2001 09:07 PM
Before that, the cheap Porsche were the 968 and 944. To me the Boxter is just a replacement for the 968.IP: Logged |
frictionx
Moderator Posts: 5306
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted February 11, 2001 12:04 AM
i dont think that the Boxter is the culprit of porsche ''fall'' , in fact thanks to the Boxters , the the market for Porsche has become bigger and the Boxters at least has been sold like hot-cakes , in fact many people like a lot the Boxter albeit i cant find it better than the current 911 nor the old one(993),
THE onlt thing that really makes me sad is the rumors of a MINIVAN, that´s a different story, and i hope it wouldny happen, the Cayenne ?????
its a move i quite dont like for Porsche, it supposed to be a the best SUV in handling department today but i felt it gonna be overpriced for its category(X5 4.4 and ML55), so only time can decide if its a rival for the succesful ML and X classes from BMW and Merc , it also affect the image of Porshce of brand that its main reason its build sport car without comprises(like Ferrari), lets see what happen????------------------
There´s no substitute for efficiently engineered cubic inches(or centimeters) IP: Logged |
kingfisher
Member Posts: 2532
From: Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 11, 2001 02:57 PM
I'm not certain what is meant by the phrase "downfall of Porsche".From a strictly financial point of view, their sales and popularity have never been greater. From an engineering perspective, their cars have never demonstrated such technological prowess (though an argument could be made for the late 1980s, what with the 959). However, the reference to Porsche screwing itself is probably in terms of its reputation amongst purists and enthusiasts. Well, listen: Porsche devotees howled, ranted, and squirmed when the 924 was introduced in the late 1970s. No - before - when they brought out the 914! Now, it's therefore nothing earth-shaking for Porsche to produce a sub-911 model. If the car is as mediocre as the 914, THAT sullies the company's image. Fortunately, the Boxster is a very good car. So, no, the Boxster didn't mortally wound Porsche. Indeed, I'm glad they finally got that market segment right. Ah, but the Cayenne ... this is a much more radical departure, isn't it? I definitely share everyone's seeming apprehension about Porsche building an SUV. Sounds totally out of character. But I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now. Sounds like the engineering's correct, and although the styling may be questionable (we haven't truly seen it yet, of course), many people said the 928 was ugly, once too. We'll see. Its success won't rest or fall on its onroad ability (we know Porsche can do that well) but whether it's good off-road. If it's useless there, well, what's the point? Porsche already makes some fine road cars. What worries me is whether it'll be too close to its sister vehicle from VW. We've been through this before, when they joined up to produce the aforesaid 914. Let's hope there's significant differences between the Porsche and the VW. As for a minivan ... I haven't heard a thing, and genuinely doubt it'll happen. If the Cayenne's a hit, maybe they'll do some sort of crossover vehicle, but not a minivan. ------------------
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***PHRO2eN***
Member Posts: 72
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 11, 2001 03:03 PM
Don't get me wrong ... I like Boxster especially the S a lot ... though it may seems like this was the point where Porsche decided to go the other way ... Though again the 996 turbo, GT2, Carrera GT are all here to show that Porsche is on top of its game ... though again the Cayenne is well u decide ... ------------------
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ASiegel993
Moderator Posts: 331
From:
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted February 12, 2001 09:56 PM
Porsche still produces some sweet cars, but they've lost their soul. Ever since the power left the Porsche family, the management has gone to broad market appeal and lost everything that once was porsche. Look at the new 996, is that a Porsche? HELL NO! Water-cooled, c'mon! Old 911s are notorious for their tail-swinging handling. Now Porsche has gone and taken all traces of the old Porsches out and even put in a little (gulp) understeer. Although financially Porsche has not gone under and is far from it, they have gone through a downfall as a historic company. Has anybody read some of the articles about the new Turbo? They're always talkin bout how easy it is to drive. That is not what a Porsche Turbo is about. What really disgusts me is they've cut their LeMans funding for the Cayenne. I want Ferry to go back and take control. Or, even Ferdinand Piech could take control (he is, after all, Ferry's nephew, as well as the race-department head in the 70's. Those were the golden ages of Porsche racing, especially the 917/30. Wouldn't you like to see Porsche go back to its roots?)------------------
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gtsr
Member Posts: 1819
From: Australia
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 13, 2001 05:40 AM
Gentlemen(and ladies), the Boxster is the car that SAVED Porsche.
It needed a car that those who couldnt yet afford a full-house 911, but who may be able to in the future. The Boxster is an awesome vehicle, and this would stay in the minds of all owners. So, when they make even more money, and are looking to upgrade, they naturally pick up the 911 range.
Ferrari needs no such "feeder" car, as it is already embedded into the brains of the RICH, and if you cant afford one, they probably dont want you looking at them anyway.------------------
  www.hsv.com.au IP: Logged |
kingfisher
Member Posts: 2532
From: Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 13, 2001 10:01 PM
Quite right. Porsche would probably be a division of Hyundai or some other megacorporation were it not for the Boxster.(Incidentally, Ferrari doesn't bother with a downmarket model because their rich clientele is so loyal, but because Fiat Group pays the bills). I just read an interesting quote from the president of Porsche's American arm. He said that the primary reason Porsche was building the Cayenne was so the company would "have the volume to remain independent." ------------------
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frictionx
Moderator Posts: 5306
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted February 13, 2001 10:59 PM
here´s the dilemma for Porsche:
what´s more important?????
to be independent and starting making suv and minivans for the masses or to be part of a big company that pays the bills and can backup you with the greens , in case soemthing isnt working.
Look Aston Martin , Ferrari , Lamborghini , are all part of bigger corporations, probably if they were independent they wouldnt be able to produce such exotic and not exactly easy to sell expensive cars like the Vanqish, the Diablo , etc.Today´s marketplace is too competitive for a marque not to be commercial, so if Porsche needs to be part of say the VW group or BMW or something to keep making exotic , exclusive and rare sport cars , lets do it. ------------------
There´s no substitute for efficiently engineered cubic inches(or centimeters) IP: Logged |
gtsr
Member Posts: 1819
From: Australia
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 14, 2001 04:07 AM
i reckon that they are doing fine.
Why get sucked up by a big corporation when you can plod along making world class automobiles all by yourself???------------------
www.hsv.com.au IP: Logged |
P!R@N@
Moderator Posts: 1632
From: Jax, FL
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted February 14, 2001 01:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by IAIA:
I don't think it did. I mean there cars are better than ever right? The Boxter is just like if you want a nice Roadster but don't want to shell out $80,000 for a 911 Convertible [they make those right?] when your never gonna need all that performance anyway.
Also there is the 914 as mentioned and the 924. They still are top end sports cars, just at a smaller budget. Now minivans, thats another issue, leave that to the new VW one and ask for more financial support from VW if ur losing money. I dont believe an SUV fits porsche but I love it anyway. Also, the porsche family has done some good things (just check out my sig and go to www.porsche-design.com), awesome golf clubs and 1500+ $ watches. ------------------
Porsche lover down to the golf clubs.
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Innotech
Member Posts: 232
From: Lafayette, Louisiana USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted February 15, 2001 06:23 AM
You will not like what you see below!!!! Yes it is a real prototype,spied in Stuttgart http://porsche.theautobahn.com/models/prototype/varrera/varrera_f.jpg ------------------
Koenigsegg CC vs. Mclaren F1. Has the ultimate supercar met its match? IP: Logged | |
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