986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post

todd1ada · 09-02-2005, 10:05 AM

[QUOTE=Mark986]OK guys and gals her comes the big rant!

I have to agree with DeliriousGA regarding the 987 interior. I always thought that the 986 was supposed to be an homage to the speedsters of the past, namely the 550.

The little roadster that literally saved Porsche has been "refined" and homogenized into a car that for me has lost a little of its' edge. In the same way that Porsche decided to enter the SUV arena just because they couldn't give that market segment to BMW and the like, they have tried to make the Boxster more palatable to the everyman and everywoman to garner a few more sales (like they need it!). I will always appreciate a Porsche as a great driver's car, but IMHO the dash now looks like it belongs in a 1965 Ford Fairlane. It's just straight and flat with the exception of that ridiculous timer, that strikes me as more of an affectation than an integral part of a true sports car. I agree that the materials, fit and finish have improved, but the styling is dull! Just compare each panel of the interior to see what emotion it illicits from you. I really think the 986 evokes the feeling of a true roadster. These cars were not meant to be "plush", hell maybe not even comfortable!
Please don't think for one minute that I hate the 987, I'm just a tad disappointed in the direction Porsche has taken. I fell in love with the Boxster the first time I got behind the wheel and now I look at the details on the 987 (the headlights, the wheels, the taillights, the side intakes) and it leaves me kinda underwhelmed. Even though all the body panels are new, it stills looks like a 986.... but just not better. For example, I'm looking at the side intakes on the Caymen and they have a subtle curve that adds panache and flows into the lines of the rear quarter panel. The 987 vents look like they were designed with a straigtedge and just tacked on so they would be different from the "old" model. It feels like the bean counters are in control of the company and the next new model after the Caymen will be a reincarnation of the 924.

Don't flame me too hard guys, I didn't realize how I really felt about the direction Porsche was taking until I started writing this. I could go on for pages, but you get the idea. I'm going to go take my medicine now and I'll feel better in the morning. Long live the 986.[/QUOTE}

Mark986-- Couldn't agree with you more. The interior of the 986, to me, looks very european and sporty, whereas the 987 looks more standard Japanese-style a la Lexus, which I don't really like. Porsche should have simply upgrade the down-market plastics used in the 986 cockpit and it would have been perfect.

09-02-2005, 10:05 AM	#9
todd1ada Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: mass Posts: 14	[QUOTE=Mark986]OK guys and gals her comes the big rant! I have to agree with DeliriousGA regarding the 987 interior. I always thought that the 986 was supposed to be an homage to the speedsters of the past, namely the 550. The little roadster that literally saved Porsche has been "refined" and homogenized into a car that for me has lost a little of its' edge. In the same way that Porsche decided to enter the SUV arena just because they couldn't give that market segment to BMW and the like, they have tried to make the Boxster more palatable to the everyman and everywoman to garner a few more sales (like they need it!). I will always appreciate a Porsche as a great driver's car, but IMHO the dash now looks like it belongs in a 1965 Ford Fairlane. It's just straight and flat with the exception of that ridiculous timer, that strikes me as more of an affectation than an integral part of a true sports car. I agree that the materials, fit and finish have improved, but the styling is dull! Just compare each panel of the interior to see what emotion it illicits from you. I really think the 986 evokes the feeling of a true roadster. These cars were not meant to be "plush", hell maybe not even comfortable! Please don't think for one minute that I hate the 987, I'm just a tad disappointed in the direction Porsche has taken. I fell in love with the Boxster the first time I got behind the wheel and now I look at the details on the 987 (the headlights, the wheels, the taillights, the side intakes) and it leaves me kinda underwhelmed. Even though all the body panels are new, it stills looks like a 986.... but just not better. For example, I'm looking at the side intakes on the Caymen and they have a subtle curve that adds panache and flows into the lines of the rear quarter panel. The 987 vents look like they were designed with a straigtedge and just tacked on so they would be different from the "old" model. It feels like the bean counters are in control of the company and the next new model after the Caymen will be a reincarnation of the 924. Don't flame me too hard guys, I didn't realize how I really felt about the direction Porsche was taking until I started writing this. I could go on for pages, but you get the idea. I'm going to go take my medicine now and I'll feel better in the morning. Long live the 986.[/QUOTE} Mark986-- Couldn't agree with you more. The interior of the 986, to me, looks very european and sporty, whereas the 987 looks more standard Japanese-style a la Lexus, which I don't really like. Porsche should have simply upgrade the down-market plastics used in the 986 cockpit and it would have been perfect.