John H
New member
I may regret this, but anyone who knows me will know how fastidious I have been with this car http://www.arthurlea.com/cayman/index.htm
Cayman for sale, with warranty - Now Sold
- Thread starter John H
- Start date
John H
New member
Well, it won't be another Porsche. If you have read any of my Porsche Post articles you will know that I am getting very disenchanted with the direction that the whole performance car market is taking, including Porsche. Porsche's entry level model the 718 now boasts 300 bhp ... why? You simply cannot use this sort of poke on the road without endangering your licence these days. I buy my cars to use, not as jewellery to show off, and frankly I no longer understand the kit that people buy these days, unless it is as some sort of status symbol, and I'm not into that. My humble little MX5 has seen more use in recent years than my Cayman, and I have been saying for years that Porsche should go back to their roots and build something similar, but we get ever more powerful Cayennes and Macans instead. Sorry Porsche, but you and I are out of step, indeed I worry that Porsche have painted themselves into a corner. Life may be rosy and profitable at the moment, but the whole car industry is on the verge of a paradigm shift that Porsche don't have an answer for right now.JB 3.2 said:
Other opinions are available of course!
While I am sure this wont be a popular view I agree with you 100% John.
My modified 944 Turbo with 300+ bhp has sat in my garage for several years now as I don't see the point on getting it out. The only place one can exploit the performance of a Porsche in this day and age is on a track and how many take theirs there?
"Yes but the extra power gets me out of trouble." If this means you can speed away from a boy racer, with the advances in hot hatches, this mean you will both be going fast...very fast.
I honesty I have as much/more fun in my wifes Smart car. Now they have started putting proper gearboxes in them I am thinking the ultimate fun car might be a manual Smart fortwo Barabus. I'll admit that the new ones are dog ugly though, not that you can see the outside when you are behind the wheel.
My modified 944 Turbo with 300+ bhp has sat in my garage for several years now as I don't see the point on getting it out. The only place one can exploit the performance of a Porsche in this day and age is on a track and how many take theirs there?
"Yes but the extra power gets me out of trouble." If this means you can speed away from a boy racer, with the advances in hot hatches, this mean you will both be going fast...very fast.
I honesty I have as much/more fun in my wifes Smart car. Now they have started putting proper gearboxes in them I am thinking the ultimate fun car might be a manual Smart fortwo Barabus. I'll admit that the new ones are dog ugly though, not that you can see the outside when you are behind the wheel.
John H,
An interesting point of view and in many respects your comments are quite valid. The relentless progression of engine power and torque in all cars, not only Porsches, raises important questions of "real world" validity in these days of smart motorways, and average speed cameras.
My new 718 Cayman S has 350 bhp and 420Nm of torque. This provides more than adequate power for normal day-to-day road driving. On an intercity journey I am only using a small fraction of the available power, and to be honest, I could be completing the journey in exactly the same time as I would in, say, a Mazda MX5. However, and it's a big "however", what the Mazda and similar would not provide for me would be the precision road feel, handling dynamics, superb brakes, active suspension, and adjustable traction control programmes that come with a Sport Chrono specced Porsche.
I am fortunate to live in the Highlands. Away from the madness of the tourist season, I have easy access to some of the most thrilling driver's roads in Europe. The 718 CS as I have specced it, is the best experience a keen driver can enjoy on roads such as these when the tourist traffic has long gone. Using the easily accessible power delivery of the 718, the prodigious 420 Nm of torque comes on-stream from 1900 - 4500 rpm, I can have the time of my life without exceeding the 60 mph speed limit, by little more than the ubiquitous 10% plus 2 rule.
Those of you who know me, will know that I am a lifetime track day and motorsport exponent spanning more than 50 years. Over the last 5 years I have seen a huge increase in the numbers of Porsche Club owners who have taken their cars on track, many for the first time in their lives. Tuition is an essential element for first-timers, which I have been pleased to see most Porsche owners take advantage of. If you own a Porsche sports car, this is the only way to truly experience and enjoy the full performance of these wonderful machines. Everyone knows you cannot legally explore the performance dynamics of your Porsche on the public road. A PCGB track day is the best way to do this.
I'm sorry you are leaving the Porsche brand John. Whether or not it's permanent will remain to be seen.......
Brian
An interesting point of view and in many respects your comments are quite valid. The relentless progression of engine power and torque in all cars, not only Porsches, raises important questions of "real world" validity in these days of smart motorways, and average speed cameras.
My new 718 Cayman S has 350 bhp and 420Nm of torque. This provides more than adequate power for normal day-to-day road driving. On an intercity journey I am only using a small fraction of the available power, and to be honest, I could be completing the journey in exactly the same time as I would in, say, a Mazda MX5. However, and it's a big "however", what the Mazda and similar would not provide for me would be the precision road feel, handling dynamics, superb brakes, active suspension, and adjustable traction control programmes that come with a Sport Chrono specced Porsche.
I am fortunate to live in the Highlands. Away from the madness of the tourist season, I have easy access to some of the most thrilling driver's roads in Europe. The 718 CS as I have specced it, is the best experience a keen driver can enjoy on roads such as these when the tourist traffic has long gone. Using the easily accessible power delivery of the 718, the prodigious 420 Nm of torque comes on-stream from 1900 - 4500 rpm, I can have the time of my life without exceeding the 60 mph speed limit, by little more than the ubiquitous 10% plus 2 rule.
Those of you who know me, will know that I am a lifetime track day and motorsport exponent spanning more than 50 years. Over the last 5 years I have seen a huge increase in the numbers of Porsche Club owners who have taken their cars on track, many for the first time in their lives. Tuition is an essential element for first-timers, which I have been pleased to see most Porsche owners take advantage of. If you own a Porsche sports car, this is the only way to truly experience and enjoy the full performance of these wonderful machines. Everyone knows you cannot legally explore the performance dynamics of your Porsche on the public road. A PCGB track day is the best way to do this.
I'm sorry you are leaving the Porsche brand John. Whether or not it's permanent will remain to be seen.......
Brian
John,
Although I have to agree with your sentiments regarding the ever increasing trend towards more power, currently I can't see Porsche ever producing a small, light and nimble sportscar like the MX5, bearing in mind their position within Volkswagen-Audi Group. Back in 2014 VAG booked about $23,200 in operating profit, a margin of 18 percent, for every new Porsche sold. Granted, that's across the whole range - including the high selling SUVs - but Porsche could never make a decent profit on a relatively low volume small sportscar; even Volkswagen chickened out of producing one fairly recently.
Personally, although I find my CS to be a very good, comfortable and practical touring car I find it rather frustrating to drive much of the time, even though I live in a relatively rural area, so that's why I really enjoy taking it on the occasional trackday. In that repect I wholeheartedly agree with Brian's comments.
Who knows what the next 5-10 years hold, other than that we'll see increasing use of electric traction in sportscars? Best just to enjoy what we have now.
I too am sorry to hear that you're leaving the marque John. Many thanks for your contributions both on this forum and in PP and I hope that you find a car that meets your needs.
Jeff
Although I have to agree with your sentiments regarding the ever increasing trend towards more power, currently I can't see Porsche ever producing a small, light and nimble sportscar like the MX5, bearing in mind their position within Volkswagen-Audi Group. Back in 2014 VAG booked about $23,200 in operating profit, a margin of 18 percent, for every new Porsche sold. Granted, that's across the whole range - including the high selling SUVs - but Porsche could never make a decent profit on a relatively low volume small sportscar; even Volkswagen chickened out of producing one fairly recently.
Personally, although I find my CS to be a very good, comfortable and practical touring car I find it rather frustrating to drive much of the time, even though I live in a relatively rural area, so that's why I really enjoy taking it on the occasional trackday. In that repect I wholeheartedly agree with Brian's comments.
Who knows what the next 5-10 years hold, other than that we'll see increasing use of electric traction in sportscars? Best just to enjoy what we have now.
I too am sorry to hear that you're leaving the marque John. Many thanks for your contributions both on this forum and in PP and I hope that you find a car that meets your needs.
Jeff
John H
New member
Wow, thanks for all the comments guys, I'm quite taken aback.
Truth is I had five cars, they were all excellent examples, but to much hassle and I needed a change, so I am clearing the decks and starting again. The 924 and the Cayman are sold, and hopefully the MX5 will follow. I no longer see the point in massively fast cars for road use, so I have been looking to downsize to something either fun to drive or more comfortable. The new Mazda MX5 has been the leading contender, and I thought the RF version was the answer to my prayers, until I drove it properly, http://www.arthurlea.com/Stories/MX5RF/index.htm so it was back to the drawing board.
I have however just ordered a new Mercedes Benz SLC 180 Automatic. It has a surprisingly capable 1.6 turbo petrol engine, covers both the coupe and convertible roles, should be passably frugal, and more importantly it feels brisk enough to be amusing but doesn't goad me into going faster than I really ought to. It's a factory order, so I have a few months to wait. Time will tell if I have made the right decision, but my gut instinct tells me it is time for a change.
Watch this space I guess!
John H
PS ... Anyone wanna buy a really nice MX5?
Truth is I had five cars, they were all excellent examples, but to much hassle and I needed a change, so I am clearing the decks and starting again. The 924 and the Cayman are sold, and hopefully the MX5 will follow. I no longer see the point in massively fast cars for road use, so I have been looking to downsize to something either fun to drive or more comfortable. The new Mazda MX5 has been the leading contender, and I thought the RF version was the answer to my prayers, until I drove it properly, http://www.arthurlea.com/Stories/MX5RF/index.htm so it was back to the drawing board.
I have however just ordered a new Mercedes Benz SLC 180 Automatic. It has a surprisingly capable 1.6 turbo petrol engine, covers both the coupe and convertible roles, should be passably frugal, and more importantly it feels brisk enough to be amusing but doesn't goad me into going faster than I really ought to. It's a factory order, so I have a few months to wait. Time will tell if I have made the right decision, but my gut instinct tells me it is time for a change.
Watch this space I guess!
John H
PS ... Anyone wanna buy a really nice MX5?
BJ Innes said:
Now that is a good reason for having a Porsche (although note 10% + 2 is no longer a thing.) Living in Essex does not present such Nirvana nor the sight lines to enjoy a piece of road, should you actually find one, devoid of cars/speed cameras/lorries/motor bikes/horses/more horses/more motorbikes/speed traps/speed humps/speed restrictions and roadworks.
John H said:
A few years ago I thought that was a bad thing. These days I am starting to struggle to see an issue. Enjoy your new car John, even if you aren't aware that you have been in it. Just because you don't remember the journey doesn't mean you will enjoy the destination any less.And don't be a stranger to the forum as we always need a stayed and sensible view...particularly if you and I agree on stuff. ;-)
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