The new 911 s/Carerra, OT, but I need to vent Options

[Pat Garvey]

Ok, this is my 3000th post. I saved this one because of how Porsche has delivered us "stalwarts" to unneccesary and even "backwoods".

Those of us who own classic 911's and 914's do most of our own work. Why, because the cars are relatively simple. Buy some books & tools - you can do most anything.

About 10 years ago Porsche lost me. They became too complicated to handle for a mere bean counter.

Just recently, I read an article about a 30 year member of PCA who bought a Cayman S,took it to the PCA Parade, and didn't know how to make the engine compartment visible for concours judging (He f_ing won!). Of course it was brand new! Wow, what a devastating win!

My point is - Porsches have become too complicated. Am I a fogey - bet your ass!

I don't want 300 dollar oil changes & transmission complexities that are meant for the track. I want relative simplicity.

I'm pushing retirement (well, actually I retired 5 years ago). I envisioned a 914/6GT or a 911RS as my retirement present to myself. or, just maybe a GT2. They've all priced themselves to levels that I don't want to commit to. May still happen.

But, my biggest problem is that Porsche, in my opinion is NOT Porcshe anymore They want us to "lease" every 4-5 years . The current management does not care about the Porscephiles that made them successful. They are not much different than GM or Ford. Yes, Porsche makles an excellent car, but one that any idiot can drive well. Everything that made a Porsche a car to be mastered has been removed/replaced by electronics.

Porsche is way too concerned with making money ( I wouldn't bitch if I could only buy some stock) and taking control of VW (why?)

Shouldn't they me trying for another entry level Porsche? Say, something around $28K, that an idiot like me could maintain? Nope, they've sold us out!

Yep, I'm pissed!

Pat

ps: Happy 3000th post to me!

[turnaround89]

I don't have near the experience with cars that any of you have, but being 19 and owning 3 cars I have definitley come to like some more then others for certain reasons. The cars i own now are a 96 Grand Prix, 71 Vw Baja Bug, and my newest 72 914/4. I love the bug and the 914 for how well designed they are, nothing is overly complex and can be fixed with your average set of tools, i totally agree with the simplicity arguement, cars are getting extremely complex nowadays. Engineers seem to jam everything into the smallest space they can, and then when the average joe tries to work on the car, they need to buy a whole new tool set just to start the work. I hate driving my Grand Prix because certain things are done for you when you drive, like auto transmission, i want to control the shifts, not some computer. I have not once gotten out of my grand prix and said i want to get back in and keep driving. That happens everytime i get out of the 914 and the VW, they are great cars because they are what(i think) driving is all about. The two cars make driving an experience and adventure, while the Grand Prix makes it a boring task.

[PeeGreen 914]

I don't have near the experience with cars that any of you have, but being 19 and owning 3 cars I have definitley come to like some more then others for certain reasons. The cars i own now are a 96 Grand Prix, 71 Vw Baja Bug, and my newest 72 914/4. I love the bug and the 914 for how well designed they are, nothing is overly complex and can be fixed with your average set of tools, i totally agree with the simplicity arguement, cars are getting extremely complex nowadays. Engineers seem to jam everything into the smallest space they can, and then when the average joe tries to work on the car, they need to buy a whole new tool set just to start the work. I hate driving my Grand Prix because certain things are done for you when you drive, like auto transmission, i want to control the shifts, not some computer. I have not once gotten out of my grand prix and said i want to get back in and keep driving. That happens everytime i get out of the 914 and the VW, they are great cars because they are what(i think) driving is all about. The two cars make driving an experience and adventure, while the Grand Prix makes it a boring task.

I've got out of a few GT3s and wanted to get back in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)