911 Porsche 911. The best car ever made?

[Kowalski]

Well, I'm not sure about you folks, but I reckon the 911 is quite simply the best car ever created.

It's so perfect, that in nearly 45 years of life, Porsche only did bother changing the air-cooled engine to a water cooled engine and the 996 had the most hideously shaped headlights since the Ford "Froggy" Scorpio.

The 911, however, never ever had a "bad" version. At each evolution, the 911 just got better and better.

The current 997 iteration is highly reguarded as the best 911 since the 993.

Anyone agree with me?

 

[Zonda]

Well, actually.

After the 2.7RS it just got worse and worse and it took quite a long time untill they could match the performance and handling of it.
Caused by new laws and regulations though, not that Porsche actually got worse.

And it's definitely one of the best cars ever.

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

One of the best ever made. Precision steering, feedback, handling, power, and even comfort good on the 997 CarreraS.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

I agree with many people that the Porsche 911 is one of the best (if not the best) sports car ever made, taking into account its' longevity and history.

However, here is a thought: would the 911 be even better if it had a mid-engine layout all along? In other words, is a rear engine layout better in anyway over a mid-engine layout??......I doubt it....

Another way of thinking about this is this: If Porsche poured all their know-how, expertise, and most important a more powerful engine into the current Cayman, would it eclipse the 911?......I think many people think it would......

Would love to hear what the Porsche fans hear think about this.

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

The Cayman would probably be better. Imagine a GT2 engine transplanted into a Cayman Chassis, with upgraded suspension and what not. Still, the 911 is an icon.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Diferent strokes for diferent folks.

People initially bought the 911 because it was a quirky driver's car from Porsche.

For some it was the best thing ever, for others the worse (4 wheel death trap from Germany, widow maker, sado-masochist german car, etc)

Now the 911 has many flavour so please anyone from hard-core sado-masochists with GT2 to user-friendly 110 year old great-grandmas car with the 997 Turbo.

Some will spit on the Turbo calling it compromised and prosti***d , while other won't touch a GT2 for anything in the world.

So its relative.

 

[SDNR]

The 911 must be the most obsessively refined car of all time ....it just continues to evolve and get better.

But also the Boxster (and the 944 Turbo from over a decade ago) are brilliant cars. Porsche really is an incredible institution.

 

[dOmInIX]

I definately agree. 911 today is a measure by which other producers make their cars, it has great image, it is recognizable, high quality car.

Now the 911 has many flavour so please anyone from hard-core sado-masochists with GT2 to user-friendly 110 year old great-grandmas car with the 997 Turbo.

I hope that refers to easiness of driving the 997 Turbo, because I think a car that accelerates 0-60 in 3,7 sec, and has a top speed of over 300 km/h isn't really great-grandmas car. It is a fact. Now, if you think 480 hp isn't enough for 997 Turbo - that's your problem, but please be fair and say what's right.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I definately agree. 911 today is a measure by which other producers make their cars, it has great image, it is recognizable, high quality car.



I hope that refers to easiness of driving the 997 Turbo, because I think a car that accelerates 0-60 in 3,7 sec, and has a top speed of over 300 km/h isn't really great-grandmas car. It is a fact. Now, if you think 480 hp isn't enough for 997 Turbo - that's your problem, but please be fair and say what's right.

User friendliness.
But I still belive it needs more power. The Turbos S should take care of that.

 

[Mr. M]

I think that while Porsche has retained the 911 and has attained great success with it, I think Porsche needs new flavour really soon. Many people I have spoken to avoid Porsche because of the 911's design - timeless it may be, it looks similar from the Boxster all the way to the Turbo. Also, they don't like the 'old' design - I must admit that upon my first encounter with the 911, I thought that it was an old car.

However, I understand those who think that the 911 is the greatest sports car in the world... It simply is. But it's time to retire it and make a successor - the next greatest sports car in the world, IMO.

 

[SDNR]

Many people I have spoken to avoid Porsche because of the 911's design

...and those people will never be real Porsche people because they don't understand the ethos of the marque.

In spite of the fact that many tossers do buy Porsches ...they are also connoisseurs cars ....you don't just buy a sports car when you buy a Porsche, you are also buying heritage, passion, and destiny.

I'm sorry if this all sounds like Jedi-like mumbo jumbo ...but I really believe it to be true ....Porsche is a culture and an institution. I can't imagine they are going to radically change much about their magnificent cars any time soon James ......but who knows what the future holds.

 

[FasterHigherBetter]

Porsche could make other cars that would be more modern, powerful and fast, but the 911 will last longer.
It is the best car ever made.

 

[Mr. M]

Porsche could make other cars that would be more modern, powerful and fast, but the 911 will last longer.
It is the best car ever made.

I love Porsche and its cars, especially the 997 Turbo, but I can't help but wonder if our German car bias have had a hand in influencing our statements (not directing this at you, FasterHigherBetter, but at German car fans in general, including myself)...

So, Rob, Porsches do not appeal to the mainstream buyer who doesn't know about its history, heritage, passion or destiny? I must wonder now then, how many Porsche buyers are real Porsche people...

 

[SDNR]

Well ......I kind've just typed that throw-away comment very quickly without giving it much thought ....but I think many people do start out liking Porsches for the style and image ....but find themselves becoming more passionate and interested in the culture of the marque. The 911 seduces most people sooner or later.

 

[arthurz]

The porsche 911 is one of the more pervasive lies ever told.

It's just wrong, it's not the truth. The most contemporary ilustration is the cayman. Cheaper, lighter, and neutered so as not to expose this truth. The physics are just undeniable, mid engine reduces the polar moment of inertia, along with so many other quanitifable benefits. Who would make the argument for rear engine. And please don't launch into a comparision with other manufacturers, we are talking about starting from the purest of principles, not the profit motive, and then moving outward. Regardless of financial success. As a sports car judged against physics it is a pointless though perfectly executed exercise.

 

[Porsche Guy]

IHowever, here is a thought: would the 911 be even better if it had a mid-engine layout all along? In other words, is a rear engine layout better in anyway over a mid-engine layout??......I doubt it....

Would love to hear what the Porsche fans hear think about this.

Rear engine layout is better for straight line acceleration and braking. More weight over the rear tires increase traction for acceleration and during braking it keeps the nose from diving.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Rear engine layout is better for straight line acceleration and braking. More weight over the rear tires increase traction for acceleration and during braking it keeps the nose from diving.

In the days of TC and other numerous electronic aids, super fast fancy semi-automatic transmissions, active suspension and movable aerodynamics ?!

Besides even the rear engined 911's engine was pushed twards the middle ...

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Rear engine layout is better for straight line acceleration and braking. More weight over the rear tires increase traction for acceleration and during braking it keeps the nose from diving.

You're correct about straighline acceleration and braking. But what happens when you turn? A rear engine car will tend to yaw (pivot) around its centre of mass, which means a higher tendency to overtseer for a tail heavy 911. Now, Porsche has done an amazing job of minimimzing this tendency by designing a fancy suspension system along with electronic aids, but a mid-engine Cayman will no doubt have a more natural tendency to pivot just behind the driver, which makes the driver feel the more in control when cornering at the limit around a corner.

 

[Porsche Guy]

In the days of TC and other numerous electronic aids, super fast fancy semi-automatic transmissions, active suspension and movable aerodynamics ?!

Fancy electronics can't overcome physics. Manufacturers agree. They put warning signs all over the place. I don't know what you're getting at with "super fast fancy semi-automatic transmissions, active suspension and movable aerodynamics". These are features that any car can have. All I'm talking about is engine layout.

Besides even the rear engined 911's engine was pushed twards the middle ...

Show me.

You're correct about straighline acceleration and braking. But what happens when you turn? A rear engine car will tend to yaw (pivot) around its centre of mass, which means a higher tendency to overtseer for a tail heavy 911. Now, Porsche has done an amazing job of minimimzing this tendency by designing a fancy suspension system along with electronic aids, but a mid-engine Cayman will no doubt have a more natural tendency to pivot just behind the driver, which makes the driver feel the more in control when cornering at the limit around a corner.

I never said it was better around the bends. Remember you said -> " In other words, is a rear engine layout better in anyway over a mid-engine layout??......I doubt it...." Don't go changing the game on me. Also, have you ever driven a 911? I've driven a 996 Turbo on numerous occasions and it has very little trouble negotiating turns.

 

[donau]

....but I think many people do start out liking Porsches for the style and image ....but find themselves becoming more passionate and interested in the culture of the marque. The 911 seduces most people sooner or later.

Very true, it is a highly addictive car.