"Shades of 1978"

[Porsche9]

Have any of you read the article "Shades of 1978" in the February Panomara magazine? Are you a Technologist or a Simplifier? I'm a Simplifier and my non-PASM 6 speed manual Boxster S fits my needs perfectly. Even though the Boxster is a better car in almost every way then my old SC I still miss how simple and visceral that car was compared to the Boxster. I just don't ever see myself owning a PDK Porsche or Porsche with all the drivers aids. While they often are superior numbers cars and the Technologist love them for me it is about the driving experience a Porsche offers. I hope Porsche will continue to offer drivers cars but right now I'm a little concerned with the direction Porsche is going.

Are you a Technologist or a Simplifier? Is your Boxster the best Porsche drivers car or will you one day go for a newer more technology laden Porsche?

[BIGJake111]

if i had the money i would move back rather than forward. 550 spyder all day.

[thstone]

Each car I buy is older than the one it replaces. That says it all.

[TeamOxford]

Depends on what rocks your boat.

I have yet to purchase a 21st Century automobile.

Just sayin'.................

TO

p.s anyone remember carburetors?

[Jake Raby]

I own both..

I drive the modern Porsches in bad weather or adverse conditions where real defrost is necessary.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

I own both..

I drive the modern Porsches in bad weather or adverse conditions where real defrost is necessary.

Assume you own other Porsches as I do not consider anything in your signature to be truly modern.

[j.fro]

My newest car is my 2000 Boxster (except for the wife's X3). Funny, for a DD, I think I'm a Simplifier - I get the "visceral, driver's experience" thing. However, for my autocross car, I wish I could put in a PDK with sport mode. I don't want PASM or any of the suspension stuff, just the PDK to do the shifting. That would leave me for the steering, gas, and brakes.

[Davev]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

Assume you own other Porsches as I do not consider anything in your signature to be truly modern.

You don't think we put everything we own in our signatures?

[dghii]

Actually, I just want my cars to run when I want then to. That would be cool!

[lkchris]

Lots of that technology is hard to live without once you've had it.

My 2001 Basic drives me nuts that I don't have outside temperature display and the OBC mod is high on my list.

OTOH, on my 2012 motorcycle the trip odometer is electronic and there are two of them, so I have to cycle a bit to select the one I want to zero and then I have to press and hold the button for a few seconds for it to happen. On my 2001 motorcycle, it's all mechancal and it takes less than a second to just press it to zero it.

[pothole]

What interests me is that, in the UK at least, for many goods there's a big market for high quality traditional products.

Example: Ovens - oil-fired Aga ovens like this are still very fashionable and the company bangs them out in big numbers and charges plenty for them:



Another example might be a Rolex Oyster-based watch. Very little change over the decade, ancient technology and sold in high volumes.

But somehow, not cars. OK, there are specialists like Morgan selling a small handful of more timeless designs that aren't weighed down by tech for the sake of it, but it's a tiny niche in rthe market.

So why aren't there a few sizeable companies making simpler, more timeless cars and doing well? It's perfectly possible. Even with current regulations, you can have a naturally aspirated sports car with hydraulically assisted steering, elegant styling, minimal bling, traditional values in terms of quality and engineering.

Instead, it's bling and turbo and paddles and shouty styling. Put simply, almost all new cars are unbearably naff / tacky and I just don't get it.

I get that most of them are. Most expensive ovens and watches and whatever are bling. But for most goods, there's also a healthy market for a tasteful alternative - and by that I mean a market for new goods. Yes people pay top dollar for classic cars. But they also pay top dollar for certain antiques. And yet you can buy new furniture that's tasteful. Buying a new car that's tasteful is near impossible.

[Davev]

Originally Posted by pothole

So why aren't there a few sizeable companies making simpler, more timeless cars and doing well? It's perfectly possible. Even with current regulations, you can have a naturally aspirated sports car with hydraulically assisted steering, elegant styling, minimal bling, traditional values in terms of quality and engineering.

While I agree it's possible (but unlikely in US because of burdensome regulations) the sizable companies are in it for the money- not for our desires. Otherwise they would would make 1950's style 550's, and they would be cheap due to depreciated manufacturing costs. HA- I wish...

Just try to buy a stripped down compact diesel truck in US. NOPE- not gonna happen...

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Davev

While I agree it's possible (but unlikely in US because of burdensome regulations) the sizable companies are in it for the money- not for our desires. Otherwise they would would make 1950's style 550's, and they would be cheap due to depreciated manufacturing costs. HA- I wish...

Just try to buy a stripped down compact diesel truck in US. NOPE- not gonna happen...

Sorry what? Car makers absolutely do meet our desires. That's how one car maker sells more cars than another. By more accurately gauging and meeting the desires of car buyers.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by pothole

Sorry what? Car makers absolutely do meet our desires. That's how one car maker sells more cars than another. By more accurately gauging and meeting the desires of car buyers.

True they do but for the enthusiast looking for something simple and truly engaging that is not the case . While there are many enthusiast on this forum there are not nearly enough for the typical manufacter to pay attention as there is no real money in it. Most car buyers want something to meet there everyday needs which generally does not include their car being engaging and perhaps visceral.

[black_box]

For me, the tech is great as long as it's controllable.

I've been injured very badly in a crash (I was hit broadside on a motorbike by a driver going too fast and lost control of a 4000 lb 90s sedan) and nearly lost my left leg. Not getting hurt again is a big priority, which is why I switched from Ducati to Porsche.

When I am out in the world, it's nice to have some aids to keep things from getting hairy. I am really happy to have PSM in my '08 Box S for the street. I've taken it out to big empty parking lot and tried to get it to lose control. It doesn't, even when cranking the wheel at 50 MPH, as long as the PSM is on. Turn if off and.... time for autocross!

Seriously though, give me all the stability related gizmos, please. Leave them on for the street and off on the track. I like fast cars, and have never come close to crashing one, but you never know what's going to happen when you roll the dice with other drivers and road conditions.

My $0.02...

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

True they do but for the enthusiast looking for something simple and truly engaging that is not the case . While there are many enthusiast on this forum there are not nearly enough for the typical manufacter to pay attention as there is no real money in it. Most car buyers want something to meet there everyday needs which generally does not include their car being engaging and perhaps visceral.

On the one hand, I agree.

On the other, how many oven enthusiasts are there? Surely most people want a modern oven that majors on convenience? And yet Aga still does a roaring trade in Luddite ovens.

Like I said, for many products there's a market for elegant, classic if perhaps less user friendly options. But somehow not cars.

[evan9eleven]

I love my 986 S and it suits my needs for a drop top modern car that still has some edge to it while having nice things like aircon. However, the raw noise and feeling of winding up my Dad's '86 Carrera make for a totally diferent experience altogether. That being said, I like modern comfy cars for my DDs, but long for somethng edgy on the weekend. The answer is therefore, both.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

Have any of you read the article "Shades of 1978" in the February Panomara magazine? Are you a Technologist or a Simplifier? I'm a Simplifier and my non-PASM 6 speed manual Boxster S fits my needs perfectly. Even though the Boxster is a better car in almost every way then my old SC I still miss how simple and visceral that car was compared to the Boxster. I just don't ever see myself owning a PDK Porsche or Porsche with all the drivers aids. While they often are superior numbers cars and the Technologist love them for me it is about the driving experience a Porsche offers. I hope Porsche will continue to offer drivers cars but right now I'm a little concerned with the direction Porsche is going.

Are you a Technologist or a Simplifier? Is your Boxster the best Porsche drivers car or will you one day go for a newer more technology laden Porsche?

Simplifier! Hate these new cars where you have to push 2 or more buttons to achieve 1 function. I love the simple interior in my 2000 "S". Also love it's front lights integrated into 1 unit, limiting further paint interruptions. Hate cars where you have to control everything from a central touch screen. Eliminate the middle man!