how hard do you drive?

[Brucelee]

Just to be clear, I have no problem with anyone using their Porsche as they see fit.

However, we should not be deluded on this point. When you hammer your car, there is a cost. And with a Porsche, this cost is likely to be substantial (try finding a $3000 create motor for you Boxster.)

It simply makes me laugh when folks say that driving at upper ends of the RPM spectrun is "good for the car." It may be good for you (and that is good) but is certainly is NOT good for the car.

The truth shall set you free.

[SD987]

"Try it for awhile and you'll notice how much smoother it drives and it will stop making all of those annoying clicking and sticky valve noises at idle. "
- deliriousga

I've noticed that too. Interestingly, I've also found that driving more spiritedly in the Box improves the fuel economy versus driving like an old lady.

"If clutches, tires, brake pads, ect are a major concern maybe an alternative automobile choice is in order"
-ssinkule

"by the way explain to him that Porsche are made in such small numbers compared to BMW that BMW is more like GM in the status symbol world."
-perfectlap

I couldn't agree with you two more. I think that when younger folks make the move into a "status" car, the BMW is the most popular and viable option. BMW has done a great job of attracting the "status" buyer by marketing: "the ultimate tanning machine" e30 convertible was the first upscale german convertible to be priced to this market...but just as big a ploy has been the 4yr/50K free-scheduled maintenance. If you've had to pay for an Inspection II you know that it's inline with scheduled maintenance on other pricey imports and by making it free for a time they've eliminated a huge concern of alot of young status buyers (can I afford to maintain this imported moneypit).

While of course I'd love to see Porsche and Mercedes have free scheduled maintenance, I personally perceive the drivers of a new model to have more "status" than a BMW owner because not only can they can afford the car but they aren't overly concerned with what it costs to keep it running.

[Perfectlap]

BMW has also done a great job at putting some NEW design approaches into their cars. The Bavarians are showing some leadership in being unafriaid to break new ground in automotive design. In the mean time Merc is growing 'plush stale' and totally losing the prospective sports car buyer. Kind of crazy when you consider the vast sums they spend on High end motorsports.
That Z4 coupe may have a crummy interior and can't hold a candle to the Boxster (let alone the Cayman) but is sure look NEW and futuristic.

[SD987]

I agree about the BMW designs. Plus they have cohesion in their published design approach. The pre-Bangle BMWs drew their inspiration from the stately elegance of oceanic sharks while the new designs are inspired by "flame". In the game of automotive rock-paper-scissors I have to think that "sharks" beat "flames", but at least their approach is cohesive. Merc seems to be intent on just modernizing what's worked for a long time and sticking that same AMG 5.5 engine in anything they want to label "sporty". IMHO, Audi has totally lost their way and are upstaged by their VW cousins.

I wonder what Porsche's design approach is? They mention a "night-time" design emphasis for the 987, but don't talk much about the day-time.

do not forget that mercedes had a good few cars in the worst 100 on top gear due to bad electrics, breakings, maintenance and poor service, for the cost it is unbelievable! Braking hard and late is usually better for the break pads(as long that it is not too late in that hairpin of course) they apparently don't wear the discs as much, it is imperative that a motor gets to temperature before applying too much throttle and that goes for any car, on the track i take my box to the red line every lap this is what this car is made for and it is the only way that you can realize what our cars can do and make you a safer driver on open road with better driving response and knowledge of your car limits

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by dbth

Why can't different people buy the same car (even a porsche) for different reasons?
Some people want to throw it around ,some people want to feel better about themselves , others want to reward themselves for success or whatever other reason.

The point is , if someone buys a Boxster for a reason other than yours , cheers for them and cheers for you and let everyone enjoy it in your own way.

What a great world we live in...

Agreed. I can't imagine anyone on this board faulting anyone else for buying one of these cars - regardless of reason.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by SD987

Merc seems to be intent on just modernizing what's worked for a long time and sticking that same AMG 5.5 engine in anything they want to label "sporty". IMHO, Audi has totally lost their way and are upstaged by their VW cousins.

I wonder what Porsche's design approach is? They mention a "night-time" design emphasis for the 987, but don't talk much about the day-time.

Actually, Porsche just evolves and modernizes their cars the the same way Merc does. Jeremy Clarkson says Porsche's engineers are some of the laziest engineers in the world when it comes to exterior design lol. Porsche doesn't take chances like BMW does regarding the exterior. Porsche is the only company I know of that can redesign nearly every body panel and end up with a car that looks so similar to it's predecessor(ie:987). Of course, when you get it almost perfect right out of the gate it can be hard to improve much.

I couldn't disagree more about Audi and VW. Audi has given their cars some balls finally and now they are a clear threat to BMW. They have won serveral sport sedan comparisons the last couple years and booted BMW from the top spot with there RS6, RS4, and S4 models. VW's image has declined the past few years and now they need Porsche's help bail them out of a financially bad situation because of it. They have definately gone down hill. They don't have one exciting car in there whole lineup in my opinion.

[blinkwatt]

Adam how about the R32?That is truely one amazing "pocket rocket".

[Adam]

lol, The R32 is a decent car I give you that....for a pocket rocket. Definately not a serious sports car though. Problem with that car is an EVO or STI can be had for for the same money and they blow it away in every performance aspect. No wonder VW is in such a sad state of financial affairs.....their most exciting car is a 30k pocket rocket that gets rocked by the competition.

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

It simply makes me laugh when folks say that driving at upper ends of the RPM spectrun is "good for the car." It may be good for you (and that is good) but is certainly is NOT good for the car.

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting you top it out all the time. Ours has seen the limiter one time and it was my screw up in shifting that got it there. 4K-4.5K is a good cruising range, but like Brucelee said, keeping it at the top all the time (5+K cruising) will wear the engine out faster. Those ranges are for quick shifting and not for cruising.

what about the latest volkswaggen design.......the veyron! straight from VW drawing boards, maybe this is a new turn for VW to give them a new lease of life and inprove their current line of models which is very dull alright.