Porsche #3 in 2002 Luxury Cab Comparison Test

Edmunds compares four 2002 cars: MB SL500, Lexus SC430, Porsche 911, and Jaguar XKR. <a href="http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/63936/article.html" target="_blank">http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/63936/article.html</a>

First, I'm new to the list so Hi!! In review, under "Top 10 Features" they have the 911 cab as having no rollover protection. I'm pretty sure this is wrong! I ended up ordering a 2002 C2, not the cab, but I'm pretty sure there are 2 automatic rollbars that will pop up just behind the the back seats if the computer detects a possible rollover. Cheers!

Well my 2001 C2 Cab has automatic roll bars that popup when needed. As I recall the manual stated that the roll bars pop up when the vehicle tilts to an extreme angle or leaves the ground (as in jumping the crest of a hill). The manual has a whole section on how to reset the roll bars, so I can't imagine they missed this one. Then again like many users they probably didn't read the manual.

All great cars. I'm sort of disappointed the Porsche didn't fare better, but as far as cabs go, can't say I disagree with them. Obviously, it's all a question of priorities. IMHO, a cab is more about looking cool, a joy ride under the sun than it is about performance. Before I get the cab owners in a huff, let me hasten to add that there is absolutely nothing wrong in having your cake and eat it too. The Edmunds reviewers obviously believe comfort, convenience, and a grand touring nature are higher priorities. Even on that, the reviewers were not thorough, as evidenced by the above posts.

If you look at the "Fun to Drive Category" you'll see we are in agreement with Edmunds. To me, that is the most important category. Climate control system? Gimme' decent a/c and I'm fine. And this is found in almost every vehicle today.

If I wanted a luxury car I wouldn't look at Porsche. I don't want a luxury car. Quotes from the review: If wood trim and the latest gadgets are features you can do without, however, then the 911's precise handling and impressive power might be enough to make it your drop-top of choice. Nearly every editor agreed that if you're looking for the most performance possible, the 911 is tops in this class. No other car in the test spoke, or should I say screamed, to me as much as the Carrera. the 911 is for serious drivers � the level of road feel from the driver seat and the steering wheel is unparalleled in this group. Keep your hands on the wheel, and you'll know exactly what kind of road conditions the 18-inch P Zeros have encountered. Tear into a corner, and the suspension doesn't need any sort of active body control technology to keep the car flat. I don't think I've ever felt more involved in the driving experience. If this is your priority, too, then the 911 can certainly accommodate. Schmuck quote has to be: But out in the real world, where the vast majority of these overpriced status symbols are driven, they make little sense. How, for instance, can any sane person push a vehicle with most of its weight hanging over the rear wheels to the limit, where a Porsche can instantaneously bite its driver back for a split-second of inattention? Isn't the point of buying a sports car to have fun? Fun, to me, is not picturing myself hurtling down a mountainside embankment because I braked too hard into a turn and swapped ends when the Pirellis decided they'd had enough abuse and packed up to go home. Look, if you want a Porsche, you're gonna buy a Porsche, no matter what I say. Enjoy. Keep that life insurance policy premium paid up; you might need it.

To me a sports car means soft top, fun to drive and performance. Since I live in Florida I couldn't imagine owning anything other than a cab. As for "looking cool"...any Porsche looks cool. Sure you can get a Porsche with more performance than the cab, but I can't imagine where I'd use it (unless I was into racing). I have no complaints about performance of my 01 cab, but I plan to add a few easy enhancements (Motorsport airbox, B&M short shifter, etc.), just for the hell of it and to make it a bit different from a stock model. I get a thrill out of my cab everytime I drive it (and that's on a daily basis). There isn't another car (within reason) that I can imagine owning that would do it for me like a Porsche. I looked at the Jaguar XKR, a beautiful car, but way too tight for the driver (I'm 6'5") and doesn't come close to the Porsche driving experience. A cab owner....not in a huff, but smiling

The excerpt that Jim posted demonstrates that the reviewers do not know what they are talking about. The thing about swapping ends was true for uninitiated drivers with non-PSM, rear drive cars, but is not the case today. Also, most reviewers do not read the manuals and therefore often do not understand how systems are supposed to be operated. This tends to be especially true in MB's, Porsches and BMWs that require a bit of owner's manual review.

I don't really think Porsche belongs in the luxury cab category to begin with. Did any of you guys buy your 996 because you liked the interior? I think the 996 cab belongs in the sporty, most-fun-to-drive category, then try running the test again. I think the 996 would do much better in the sporty cab category. Oh ya, run the comparison again with real test drivers who don't freak out when they feel a bump in the road!

[quote]Originally posted by ckl93: <strong>I don't really think Porsche belongs in the luxury cab category to begin with. Did any of you guys buy your 996 because you liked the interior? I think the 996 cab belongs in the sporty, most-fun-to-drive category, then try running the test again. I think the 996 would do much better in the sporty cab category. Oh ya, run the comparison again with real test drivers who don't freak out when they feel a bump in the road!</strong><hr></blockquote> Even the reviewers agree with you. Read the review itself. Or better yet, look at Jim's quotes. "If wood trim and the latest gadgets are features you can do without, however, then the 911's precise handling and impressive power might be enough to make it your drop-top of choice". "the 911 is for serious drivers � the level of road feel from the driver seat and the steering wheel is unparalleled in this group. Keep your hands on the wheel, and you'll know exactly what kind of road conditions the 18-inch P Zeros have encountered. Tear into a corner, and the suspension doesn't need any sort of active body control technology to keep the car flat. I don't think I've ever felt more involved in the driving experience. If this is your priority, too, then the 911 can certainly accommodate." Happy now? I am. If I was reading that review, and I wanted to buy a performance car, the review would make me buy the Porsche. I can always add the wood trim (actually, it would probably be carbon-fibre, a non-luxury item, heh-heh-heh). There is no substitute!!

Edmund's?!?!?!?! This guy should be drawn & quartered: Senior Editor Chris Wardlaw says: Forgive me, purists, but I have never understood the appeal of a Porsche 911, less so since the debut of the Boxster in 1998. I'm certain that when piloted by a skilled driver on a smooth race course, a Porsche is an enthusiast's dream. Even a skeptic like me has enjoyed a fast lap or two on the ragged edge in one of these German sports cars. But out in the real world, where the vast majority of these overpriced status symbols are driven, they make little sense. How, for instance, can any sane person push a vehicle with most of its weight hanging over the rear wheels to the limit, where a Porsche can instantaneously bite its driver back for a split-second of inattention? Isn't the point of buying a sports car to have fun? Fun, to me, is not picturing myself hurtling down a mountainside embankment because I braked too hard into a turn and swapped ends when the Pirellis decided they'd had enough abuse and packed up to go home. Look, if you want a Porsche, you're gonna buy a Porsche, no matter what I say. Enjoy. Keep that life insurance policy premium paid up; you might need it. <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" /> If this clown doesn't understand that a 996 w/PSM is probably the safest of the cars tested for high performance driving, he is doeing a disservice to any poor soul who gives any credence to his assinine comments. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

I believe in the first amendment but guys like that are simply added incentive for capital punishment.

All the reviewers have pen*s envy!

I can't believe anyone cares what a self-admitted biased reviewer at Edmunds thinks about anything. They should stick to improving their pricing guides instead of demonstrating their lack of credibility.

Trackman said: [quote]If this clown doesn't understand that a 996 w/PSM is probably the safest of the cars tested for high performance driving, he is doeing a disservice to any poor soul who gives any credence to his assinine comments. <hr></blockquote> I'm completely agree with you, this car's Journalist amateur is talking bul**** ! <img src="graemlins/icon501.gif" border="0" alt="[icon501]" /> <img src="graemlins/icon501.gif" border="0" alt="[icon501]" />

What we are seeing here is the disconnect between the enthusiasts that participate on this board and Porsche's current marketing focus! <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" /> Porsche's marketing folks have input into what tests they participate in and the positioning of those tests. The fact that Porsche is participating in a comparison versus MB, Jaguar, and Lexus is because Porsche wants to appeal to folks that are considering those cars. That is a very different audience than the folks here. I realize that some of you have the above marquees in addition to your 911s but doubt that you consider the cars interchangeable.

[quote]Originally posted by Rohan Nath: <strong>What we are seeing here is the disconnect between the enthusiasts that participate on this board and Porsche's current marketing focus! <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" /> Porsche's marketing folks have input into what tests they participate in and the positioning of those tests. The fact that Porsche is participating in a comparison versus MB, Jaguar, and Lexus is because Porsche wants to appeal to folks that are considering those cars. That is a very different audience than the folks here. I realize that some of you have the above marquees in addition to your 911s but doubt that you consider the cars interchangeable.</strong><hr></blockquote> Pretty smart reply. I mean what would you compare it to, the Corvette, Viper, NSX cars? I don't think Porsche wants any part of that comparison It's really a lose-lose situation there. The 911 isn't a raw no holds bar sportscar the Corvette and Viper are. I think it is the right comparison because the 911 stands out as a refined performance car. The Lexus doesn't impress me at all