OT: What do you think of the new 370Z vs your boxster or a cayman?

[Samson]

Originally Posted by threpwood

Beetle is designed by his father and HIS SON produced the Porsche. So there you have it, father and son, close relationship, not a no good patent infringer.

So, because the two engineers are related, the 911 is no longer an evolution of the Beetle (which was your original point of contention)? Man, you are really lacking reading comprehension, aren't you?

Intellectual properties? I'm sorry, did the Europeans invent the circle? Again, borrowing design concepts (such as the Z3 and Boxster riding directly on the coat tails of the Miata) is a way of life. It is a good way of life. It gives the consumer choice and drives up the product quality.

If you want to start an intellectual property battle, go see our automotive friends in China. THAT is a blatant rip-off. BMW releasing their roadster because the Miata was successful is NOT... Porsche releasing the Cayenne because SUVs are popular is not... Lexus releasing the IS as a 3-series competitor is not. Geely releasing the Merrie 300 as a C-Class clone IS a rip-off.

Anyway, I've said my piece. If you want to learn something about the automotive design industry or the 911/Beetle/VW connection, I recommend picking up one of the many books that have been written on the subject. It'll help with both general reading skills and give you a pool of knowledge from which to draw.

[threpwood]

Originally Posted by Samson

So, because the two engineers are related, the 911 is no longer an evolution of the Beetle (which was your original point of contention)? Man, you are really lacking reading comprehension, aren't you?

Intellectual properties? I'm sorry, did the Europeans invent the circle? Again, borrowing design concepts (such as the Z3 and Boxster riding directly on the coat tails of the Miata) is a way of life. It is a good way of life. It gives the consumer choice and drives up the product quality.

If you want to start an intellectual property battle, go see our automotive friends in China. THAT is a blatant rip-off. BMW releasing their roadster because the Miata was successful is NOT... Porsche releasing the Cayenne because SUVs are popular is not... Lexus releasing the IS as a 3-series competitor is not. Geely releasing the Merrie 300 as a C-Class clone IS a rip-off.

Anyway, I've said my piece. If you want to learn something about the automotive design industry or the 911/Beetle/VW connection, I recommend picking up one of the many books that have been written on the subject. It'll help with both general reading skills and give you a pool of knowledge from which to draw.

Whatever man No need to settle to insults. It's clear you have your view and I have mine, so be it. Like I said, wait until someone grab your design alter it here and there and call it theirs. Must be a great feeling indeed!

[Samson]

Originally Posted by threpwood

Whatever man No need to settle to insults. It's clear you have your view and I have mine, so be it. Like I said, wait until someone grab your design alter it here and there and call it theirs. Must be a great feeling indeed!

No insult meant... sorry. But sure, we can drop it. Seriously though, read up on this stuff. As a car guy, it's really very interesting.

[RandallNeighbour]

holy schmoley!

[Brucelee]

Not to get to far into this hornet's nest but if you look at the evolution of styling from the original 240Z to the current 370Z, I think you would agree that alot has changed, either for the better or worse. That is simply a taste issue.

If you look at the same time period for the 911, I think you would agree that very little has changed styling wise.

To me, the 911 is a very boring car, styling wise. It is as if Porsche cannot come up with anything new, so they pretend that they found the design of a lifetime.

I like the styling of the new 370 in that it is fresh to my eye.

IMHO.

PS-On the engine side, I don't see any real innovation from either Porsche or Nisan.

I do like the BMW two stage turbos and the Euro diesel engines though!

[renzop]

If you ignore looks then buy the 370Z if you are a drag racer or don't have the cash for the P car. If you are a road racer then steal the money to buy the P car.

Looks are always subjective but I would say the Cayman is the best looking of the 3 by a wide margin. It's one of the best looking car in the world (IMHO). And, if its top only went down then I would own one.

[mylamb]

Check it out. This online mag has a fairly objective opinion on where the vehicles rank, and it's interesting that they wisely put a used Cayman S in the mix. Gives you an idea of what you'd get for roughly $35K.

http://www.drivers-republic.com/features/

[23109VC]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

holy schmoley!

yeah - holy schmoley maloney baloney.....

how about that 370Z???!!!??

i finally saw one on the road and thought it looked pretty cool. but I can't say that I would have any interest in buying one. given what they want for one - in the $30k ballpark - I'd be FAR more intersted in buying a low mileage used 987S...even if I had to kcik in a few grand more to get that car - that would be way more fun and a better bang for the buck.

you could probably get into a used cayman (base) for the 30k price point. which I htink would be classier and more fun than the Z.

i agree wiht a lot of the above posts that point out that something like hte Z is a great car on paper, but when you get in, drive it, and take in the "whole package" you are gettin ga better built classier car with teh Porsceh. specs only tell you so much.

the best example I can think of was while researching what car I wanted - i test drove the new EVO X. on paper the magazines talk about this car like it is the holy grail. i was expecting to be blow away - i was totally let down. quick, but not wicked fast. and it felt cheap and very NOT sporty. i then test drove, teh same day, a mazda RX8. spec wise - NOT nearly as fast as the EVO. fun to drive - the RX8 was TEN times more fun. it felt like a sports car. i seriouslyh almost bought a used RX8 instead of the boxster, but ultimately, i was looking for a third car - that was all about fun - and a drop top two seater just fit the bill. if i was looking for a somwehat practical sporty car - the rx8 would be a serious contender, despite it's lack of torque and crummy MPG.

the Z will probably sell welll - and I'd love to try one - but i kinda doubt I would buy one - ever.

[Lil bastard]

I have to say, I saw the 370Z at an auto show a few weeks back. Me and Mrs. sat inside and it's very roomy and comfortable. The interior was not too bad, not nearly as bad as the Mini with it's 'Gumball Machine' gauge and Revell® grade plastics.

I still wouldn't want one though, just brought the wife over to distract her from the E-class and S-class Mercs parked across the aisle from it... (don't actually think it worked though - predict an MB stablemate for her in the near future - But wadda ya gonna do?)

The one thing I did find disconcerting was the 997 TT Cab listed at $147K while the Audi R8 had a sticker of only $125K. The R8 has it all over the 997 Turbo IMHO.

[johnsimion]

I drove the 370Z last week. Drives really fast and handles well. Has no visibility at all on the sides, and darned little out the back. Terrible car to commute in -- I would be scared to merge onto the highway. The sides of the seat pressed into my 36" waistline, would be very uncomfortable in a long trip. Clutch seems grabby. The 370Z looks "OK" but not if you park your Boxster next to it. I had been thinking about trading the Boxster for it to eliminate my irrational fear of IMS failure and get a warranty. However, I just liked the Boxster better plus it's a convertible and has only 16K miles. The Boxster is already depreciated all to hell, so it's worth nothing in trade anyway. And, I got my wife to commit that if the engine does fail, I can buy a Raby engine with the problems hopefully solved for $11K. So from the statistics I've read, there's an 80% chance of "no problem," and if there is, I can spend $11K to fix it really well and that's still a lot cheaper than the 370Z that I didn't really even like.