Test drove a 981 today...

[Dino944]

Originally Posted by mcomet

I drove the 981S... since the base is similar to my 03S definitely want a 981S. I really didn't get a good drive as it was sort of spur of the moment not much time and a fair bit of traffic. I plan to go back. I agree with the Audi comment. The interior felt really refined and posh... not that it's bad... but less of a raw or spartan feel to it.

My friend with a Boxster Spyder, thought the interior looks more upscale on the 981S. My issue is not about it looking more refined, but that the buttons, vents, etc, look like they are from Audi. Audi makes some good products, but I don't want an interior that looks like and makes me feel like I'm in an Audi. It wouldn't be enough to stop me from buying one if I got to that point, but I don't love how the interior looks.

[litespeedp]

You know Porsche has really been emphasizing large elaborate consoles of late in Boxster's and 911's.

When you think about it,they are not needed as both of the cars don't have front engine placement.

Room could be spared and the whole interior would be roomier.

Look at the pure 911.550A Spyders and 914's.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Dino944

My friend with a Boxster Spyder, thought the interior looks more upscale on the 981S. My issue is not about it looking more refined, but that the buttons, vents, etc, look like they are from Audi. Audi makes some good products, but I don't want an interior that looks like and makes me feel like I'm in an Audi. It wouldn't be enough to stop me from buying one if I got to that point, but I don't love how the interior looks.

Well, considering they're now fully and clearly owned by VAG, there's likely no escaping that. I'm waiting for them to drop their jack-of-all-trades 2.0T into a Porsche vehicle (likely the baby Boxster everyone keeps yapping about), and I'm sure if that's meant to land under the Boxster's price somewhere in the $30k-40k range, it's going to have some of the cheaper cars' stuff in it.

The thing that bugs me about the Cayenne, especially the lower end models, is that it's really just a VW Touareg with Porsche styling, badges, and and extra $30k tacked onto the price for that reason, while not necessarily being worth that increase. I don't think that will ever make sense for me, and very little is done to hide the origins of the car.

[southernstar]

Many of the switches and other parts on the original 986 were also sourced from VW and frankly, I find the quality of the switches (and the interior materials in general) in the 981 to be far superior. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me the 981 is a very attractive car. Yes, it loses the historical references to the original 550 Spyder that existed in the 986, but to my eye it is a beautifully executed, modern design for a mid-engined sports car. Not as unique, but certainly attractive.

Brad

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by southernstar

Many of the switches and other parts on the original 986 were also sourced from VW....

I'm finding that out. My first hint at that was when I was told my ignition switch was an Audi part. I was kind of surprised at first, but then I realized just how much of the car is VW-sourced here and there, and saw that throughout their history they've had no qualms about dipping into VW/Audi for hardware (914, 924, etc.). At least hopefully now if they about sourcing even more of the car from the other two brands, it doesn't do much to compromise the quality. If it improves it though, sweet!

[Perfectlap]

^ last I checked VW's ranking on reliability was pretty lacklustre. Unlike Porsche, they have many models that are daily drivers. Though priced similarly to Honda's and some nicer Toyotas and Nissans they were well behind those Japanese cars.
Porsche got a high ranking, right behind Lexus, but that's only because the surveys typically track only the first three years of ownership and other than the Cayenne most Pcars are not primary vehicles. If there's a lot of VW in the 981, I don't think that's a good thing.