What was "lost" from the 986?

[JTP]

I can't say what was 'lost' from the 986, but I think alot was lost from driving in general.

Kurt, I never drove a 914/6 but I loved my 914/4! It wasn't fast, but I was living on Maui at the time so it had plenty of power for the roads there. It was a blast to drive, took a beating and never let me down.

My 2000 986S (no T/C) is the newest Porsche I've owned and love it, but compared to the old Porsches it's missing that "feel." I know modern cars with all the computer controlled throttles, transmissions, brakes, and differentials are superior in every way but is technology taking cars ahead into the future in the wrong direction? As an engineer I love all the advancements but we seem to be getting disconnected from the thrill that turned us into gearheads. Is being cushioned by a cloud of technology always a good thing? The Nissan GTR comes to mind, capable of making almost any driver look like a pro. Some cars should still be produced that still holds onto that old go-kart thrill of driving.

Are cars too safe, too easy to drive now? Seems like that's the way society of going now, safe cars, safe sex, safe war, don't spank your kids, don't yell at new recruits in Basic Training 'cuz you'll stress them out. Due to new safety standards and legislations we will never have exciting cars to drive anymore, cars that were just bare bones excitement unless you're lucky enough to save a classic car to drive. Sometimes a 50hp 356 can be more fun than a 2010 Carrera.

A good friend of mine is an ex-Navy pilot, used to be THE test pilot for the F14 Tomcat before delivery to the Navy. He told me in many ways he enjoys flying his ultralight, felt the thrill of being a pilot, over the F14!