Faster and Cheaper than a 911

[limoncello]

Just passed a newstand at lunch and saw the "Automobile" magazine with the headline about "The new Boxster Coupe: Faster and Cheaper than a 911".
Boy, those guys will do anything to sell a magazine, huh? Porsche isn't going to like this. Or maybe they will

[eslai]

Well, they ARE going off of the factory driver's times around the 'ring, not their own testing...

[wombat7]

I've heard on many other forums that the Cayman has been beating the 997 around the ring. I'm just waiting to see what the Club Sport version it does...

[tqtran]

Why is everyone believing these rumors cooked up from magazines...

The truth "The word from Porsche AG at Parade was that there are no plans to ever build RS, CS, or turbo versions of the Boxster or Cayman. Such performance enhanced track/race versions will continue to be reserved for the flagship 911."

edit:
And yes, I have been told that a mid engine car will eventually lead the line but that is what the CGT is for. Not to burst anyones' bubble but you have to think about it from a Porsche marketing stand point. The Cayman can not be allowed to be faster than the 911(hence a 3.4 engine), or no one would buy a 911. The 911 can never be faster than the CGT or no one would buy a CGT(hence GT2 is not faster than CGT).

Also you have to look at the statistics of Porsche owners. Only a small percent of owners actually track their cars, cabs and SUVs are the best selling autos, and half auto produced are tips. Point being, most owners don't care how well it performs, just that its expensive and looks good at the country club parking lot.
Example: 911 GT3 was a great car at a great price but was a poor seller because many 911 Porsche owners wanted comfort (IE : SUV or CAB) not a harse riding GT3.

I am with you that its retarded that the Cayman isn't as quick as it should be but I understand why. DO you? Do you really? It all about making $$$ and preserving image.

[BuffaloBoxster]

Originally Posted by tqtran

Not to burst anyones' bubble but you have to think about it from a Porsche marketing stand point. The Cayman can not be allowed to be faster than the 911(hence a 3.4 engine), or no one would buy a 911. The 911 can never be faster than the CGT or no one would buy a CGT(hence GT2 is not faster than CGT).

I call bull****************. Just look at Ferrari. The F430 does 0-100km/hr in 4.0 seconds and tops out at over 315 kph. The 575M does 0-100kp/hr in 4.2 seconds and tops out at around 325 kph. I don't have any lap times but I'd wager the 430 would be faster around the race track than the 575, yet the 575 costs around 40,000 more. The difference is that the 575 is a "traditional" Ferrari - front-engine V12. The 911 is a "traditional" Porsche, rear-engine flat 6.

911 will always be Porsche's defining car, and people will buy them because they think Porsches should be rear engined cars, regardless of how the Boxster performs.

Besides, if the Boxster could perform at 911 levels, couldn't they just raise the price accordingly?

[eslai]

Originally Posted by wombat7

I'm just waiting to see what the Club Sport version it does...

The official word from the PCA magazine is that there won't be a club sport version of the Cayman.

I still say "who cares". There's no reason to get ruffled about it--if you have the money for a track car, you can always just drop a bigger motor in your Cayman or have someone supercharge it or something. Are people really as pissed off about the power differential as tqtran makes it sound?

[tqtran]

Originally Posted by eslai

Are people really as pissed off about the power differential as tqtran makes it sound?

YES!, Check out the other forums (rennlist and flat-6). You will see.


But for all you Caymen CS wanters, supposedly Ruf is planning on putting a 3.6 flat 6 into one

" Ruf’s plans for the Cayman. It’s said the 380HP GT3 engine is available for $27k. After Ruf-tuning (DME, intake, headers, exhaust, etc.), it will generate 450 naturally-aspirated HP. This powerplant will be mounted in a lightweight (2400 pounds?) Cayman.

Total price is unknown, but the rumored recipe--a 450HP mid-engined lightweight coupe"

[Brucelee]

The market will sort all this stuff out.

If the Cayman starts to eat sales from the 911 line, I know Porsche is smart enough to deal with it.

I supposed that their strategy is to increase total sales, not cannibalize what they already have.

Since Porsche has the highest gross margins in the industry, I believe they have worked this through in their own minds.

If the 911 guys are unhappy, they can buy a Cayman, just like you and me!

Too much time on their hands???????????