Test drove a 981 today...

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Coffinhunter

Maybe it is because I own one, but I prefer the looks of the 986 over the 981.

986

Still a pretty timeless design. I never get tired of looking at 986's. The 987's and now the 981 are nice, but there is just something about the earlier models that draws me in. When people see it either in person or in a picture, they always comment "that's a beautiful car!"

[Dr.Strangepork]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Still a pretty timeless design. I never get tired of looking at 986's. The 987's and now the 981 are nice, but there is just something about the earlier models that draws me in. When people see it either in person or in a picture, they always comment "that's a beautiful car!"

It's really hard to believe that car came out in 1997. Back then, this is what its competition looked like:



Today, the SLK looks really dated to me, but not the Box.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Dr.Strangepork

It's really hard to believe that car came out in 1997. Back then, this is what its competition looked like:



Today, the SLK looks really dated to me, but not the Box.

I actually think the original SLK is similar to the 986 Box in the sense that it too is simpler, purer and cleaner than the fussy cars that have followed it.

The SLK isn't as nice a design as the 986, but I don't think it's as bad as you suggest.

Generally I think the 986 has aged well because it's such a clean, unadorned design. There's not a huge amount to date. Parts of the 987's design are very fussy and have dated badly.

The 981 is pretty fussy too, so I suspect it will date fairly quickly.

There are of course always exceptions. The original Z4 is a very busy design, but for me it's aging very, very well. Still looks exceptionally fresh - arguably looks fresher than it's rather bland successor.