Cupholders - I don't get it

I still *cannot* get over the cup holders thing. Do people *really* want them so badly that cars without them don't sell as well in the US, and manufacturers end up having to add them to increase sales figures? I mean, seriously - would anyone genuinely use cup holders in a 996? With the lengths that Porsche enthusiasts go to to look after their pride and joy, I cannot believe that anyone wants to suspend a flimsy container of liquid high up in the cabin...

Do you think that the demand for the GT3 is going to drop because it doesnt have cupholders either? Hee Hee

I bet the AA would not approve of them as it would undo all the hard work they put into their members. I, on the other hand, don't drink & drive! (BTW AA is Alcohol Anonymous not The AA)

Putting that cupholder so way up is a potential sign of disaster. Imagine soda/coffe spilled all over the center conole. What a mess. Does the cupholder come standard? If it does I plan to remove if I plan to upgrade some day. Mike

I think PAG is evolving the 911 into a GT car in the form of the 996. With this in mind, they believe there are Porsche owners who will use these cars for highway cruising. Creature comforts then become one of the priorities. Hence, cupholders. We can only hope that the performance category will NEVER be compromised simply for comfortable highway cruising. Yes, 996flt6, the cupholders are standard. They are such small little suckers, I can't think of anything useful that would replace them.

Guys, If drink holders are the biggest topic, you need more excitement in your life. What about ash trays? I occasionally grab a coffee at Starbucks in the morning and there is nowhere to put it.I'd rather have a drinkholder than an ashtray.

I hate them! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> I know, Coop is kinda right but still, I hate them. They don't belong (and ashtray could go as well) into a sportscar any more than SUV belongs to a Porsche factory. Although, IMO, automatic tranny in a Porsche is even more stupid than a cupholder. Sorry, maybe I'm purist, but I can't help it, this is how I feel.

30% of global Porsche sales are tips <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

[quote]Originally posted by Bins: <strong>30% of global Porsche sales are tips <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote> Lots of stupid people out there <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> Don't get mad Bins, I know you're not stupid!

Well if you drive for most part alone in the car, I usually put my starbucks wedged between the left side passneger seat where the safety belt clips on. Works perfect for me. More the reason not to have anyone sit in your car- hope my wife not seeing what I typed. Mike

[quote]Originally posted by 996FLT6: <strong>...More the reason not to have anyone sit in your car- hope my wife not seeing what I typed...</strong><hr></blockquote> Be careful there Mike !

I don't like them also. but anyways who cares. ps:you have the choice use or not! <img src="graemlins/offtopic.gif" border="0" alt="[offtopic]" />

I have a caselogic vinyl case $10 Wallymart that sits just in front of the passenget seat and holds my large refill DunkinDonuts mug. Its easy to reach and doesn't spil even with spirited driving! BUT if it did spil it would only spill on the mat, so thats much better! <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

[quote]Originally posted by bilstein 996C4: <strong>...ps:you have the choice use or not! <img src="graemlins/offtopic.gif" border="0" alt="[offtopic]" /> ...</strong><hr></blockquote> Yep, but that's not the point, point is: they just don't belong in a sportscar! Porsche could have a freezer or flatscreen tv in the backseat & you'd have a choice to not to use it but they just don't belong in a there!

mr finn i respectfully disagree. many people like the cupholders. they are light and don't affect performance. they also hold a diet ginger ale can perfectly. a nice feature on a long trip,especially if it includes freeways. every trip does not involve windy mountain roads. not everyone is such a purist. at one time any car with roll up windows and functioning electrical system was not considered a sports car. the along came ferry porsche and his 356...

After driving my car from Minneapolis to Seattle w/no cupholder, I can say that I like them. The 996 is Grand Touring car right? In my Targa cans fit perfectly in the door pockets. I put a Bird armrest in my 996, mainly for the cupholder. IS THAT SO WRONG?!?!?! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

I know guys... I'm quite 'purist' when it coms to things like this but for me, every little bit of more comfort creatures (& weight) here and there that Porsche keeps adding is going to the wrong direction (911 shouldn't be a grand tourer, it should be a sportscar)... Yes, those 996 cupholders don't make any difference performance wise, but it's the principle to me, plust the fact that you see so many people drinking coffee, shaving, putting on a make-up etc. which is not something they should do while they are driving! Anyway, I understand that on a long trip etc. cupholder is a nice little comfort thing but for me, Porsche is a sportscar, period. So I'd like to take it w/out any of these things, lightweight & fast, rather that having a sunroof (my car has one btw, couldn't find w/out ), cupholders etc. but I know there are lot of people who don't think like that which is fine with me, I just hope that Porsche is not turning into a luxury sedan. However, that aftermarket armrest (that you install b/ween the seats) weights quite a bit & I think that's something you should't do (adding weight that is, I'm trying to lose it, me included! ) but, if you do, that's your 'problem' , I'll have my car w/out. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Flying Finn you are right on. I don't mind if people want A/C,power inflating and reclining seats,automatic car wash, Carnegy hall stereos, power windows, sunroofs, moonroofs, cruise controls, trip computers, espresso machines, motorized cup holders, satellite navigation and communication devices etc. built into their car, that's their choice. The problem is this stuff becomes standard equipment and those of us who like simple light cars-a SPORTSCAR not a Sporty car- do not have a choice. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Cupcar, That's exactly my point! I don't mind if guy next to me is driving that Porsche with all 'enchantments' that you mentioned but when those all are standard items, that makes me mad! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> J*O said: "...The 996 is Grand Touring car right?..." I agree & that's why I'm driving 993 (& 911) instead of 996, I like 993 (& older 911 Porsches) moe because of that reason, direction that 996 is going IMO! is wrong. Too many luxury/comfort items, too little real stuff! I have to say though, 2002 widebody is awesome looking car! If they only could offer a model w/out all that luxury crap, in a few years, I migh have one sitting next to my 993 & 911 in my garage.

I could see all these points for a track car, but I drive my car on the street. If I were to get a track car I'd get a stripped Turbo, C2, or probably a GT2 I guess, but I'm faster then 99.9% of the other cars on the road. I don't think my Bird armrest (maybe 2 lbs) is going to make a significant difference. Plus I weigh 165 lbs and my 996 out performs the 993 I do believe Porsche should cater to purists and offer them as options, that is their heritage. I also wish I hadn't got the Nav system, but I guess that's another topic. And the SUV thing well...

I wouldn't mind if PAG decides to make a race/lightweight version of the C4S or C2S(I'm dreaming) because trying to do it yourself takes $$$ and time. I know it'll probably costs more then a regular model C4S(ie 996tt vs gt2)but will save me alot of time making it that way : ). Regards. Mike

[quote]Originally posted by J*O: <strong>...I do believe Porsche should cater to purists and offer them as options, that is their heritage...</strong><hr></blockquote> I think this would keep us 'purists' quiet, or at least we would complain less, I'm sure there's always other topics, like you said... Porsche being the fastest car in the world is not the issue here (which GT2 pretty much is) there will always be supercars i.e. McLaren which will do that, although it wouldn't hurt! For me, the nimbleness (is that a word?) is the key thing, going fast through corners, handling almost like a go-kart, huge response etc. the "fun factor" some could say, "driver's car" others. My 911 is still more nimble and perhaps gives a bit more feedback that my 993 (and that 2.7's throttle responce is still unmatched even with todays GT2, or any other supercar), that's why I want to make it lighter & why I don't like 996 ( Porsches direction towards Touring car) as much. Don't get me wrong, I'd propably give couple of my left hand fingers if someone would give me the GT2!) Anyway, one thing is good, we all like Porsches here! If someone likes cupholders & comfortability (again, is that a word? Sorry for my bad english <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> ) more than Porsche being loud, light weight etc. is fine with me, you have plenty of choise for that, for me, I'm yelling after that lightweight model here! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />