Anyone else affronted....

... by Steve Pidcock's letter in the August edition of 911 & Porsche World (p28)? Seems that if you own a 996 or Boxster (which aren't worthy of the Porsche badge, apparently) then you can't possibly be a real driving enthusiast. What an arrogant, ignorant b*gg*r, and Yes - I would call him that to his face.

I don't buy the magazine anymore as I have switched to TOTAL 911 which I think is much better. Times move on and the man must be a total w*****r Who is Steve Piddock anyway ? Mark

I think the surname must have been a typo [ ] Suffice to say, no doubt what the letters pages will be full of in the next edition.[:'(]

They don't know what they are missing!! Fabulous car and by far the best Porsche I have owned and driven. I looked at 993's last year but they were just too old for me and did nothing for me compared to the 996 Cab I now have. Each to there own - but I'm very happy with modern Porsche's, even Cayenne's. As my wife says of the 'older' 911's - 'we don't want another stinker!!' (Gets his head down below the parapet!)

Yes I did .. its the old 'you're not driving a real 911 unless the windscreen mists up when it rains in the summer and you open the sun roof when you meant to open the window' syndrome. To be ignored I think. Yes the 996 is more civilised and a bit heavier than a few years ago but then so am I [ ] At least Porsche still offer a car that is raw and tricky to drive and not easy to live with but is a great drive (GT3) and something to scare the pants off you (GT2) and the ultimate GT and daily driver (996 Turbo Tiptronic) Each 911 has evolved to incorporate as much of the latest technology that Porsche can embrace (not as much as some of course) and to meet the demands of a more demanding customer And each 911 has its place on the road - its just that my SC seemed to interpret that as including the hedge [ ]

Personally I'd rather drive a modern car than a classic, at least if it's a regular drive. The 996 is lighter and more powerful than the 993 - and yet because it's better sorted it's somehow not so good....? I'm getting really fed up with the magazines talking down the value of 996s - hopefully as we're now into second generation watercooled and the 993s are starting to get seriously old, 996 starts to become the respectable secondhand buy.

I agree they have had a bit of a knocking by people who do not own one and i am sure have never owned one, my neigbour at work has a lovely 993 4s one of the last made his 9th 911, he has had this one from new and wants to keep it. He agrees that the 996 is a more modern car and respects the styling still in-corperates the old 911 features. I must say i get mxed up when seeing the back of a 997 thinking it could be a 996, clever design from Porsche not to make things to drastic between models but things move on. I think the 996 for modern day driving is a fanastic car, and a real drivers car i am no Jenson Button but worked in the motor trade for some years, drove loads of performance cars that i can not afford and think the 996 is all round fanastic. Phil.

I think there were some valid points in his letter, but I didn't agree with everything. I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of drivers of 996/986 machinery and later are not enthusiasts. Obviously you guys being here means that you are, and I don't believe that you can't be an enthusiast while driving a modern Porsche - everyone has their own tastes. I do agree with you all that the 996 gets a bashing - having never driven one I can't say for sure, but I imagine that it is a great car especially as an every day prospect (there is one for sale near me, I drive past it every day, and the seller is slowly dropping the price....hmmmm). The reason that the prices are still falling is not bad press however - just that there are more of them around and the fact that most aren't enthusiast owned means that they might not be as cherished as other Porsches, possibly. Anyway, I will get out of this forum area now, lest I should decide I want something more modern to use everyday.....[ ]

I keep thinking of something to say about this, but if i do i feel i will upset people i do not really wish to upset. The 996 is very good car, and like the 993 before it has taken a beating on 2nd sales when a new model come out. Unlike the 993 they are a lot more cars about, surplie demand etc. However to say its not a drivers car is total B*11ocks and concerning the 986 the man must be so far up is own 4rse, that he must think all 986 owners lowered the tone of the OPC. A real enthusiast car is 1970`s 911 or 912. Rant over, but i did not go into my views on the over priced 993 and cheap prices of the 964 (good car is all oil leaks are sorted !!)

I really disagree with the comment that you can not be an ethusiast if you drive a 996/986. I loved my 964 and 993's but with the amount of driving I do the 964 would not have been practical, and my 993 had racked up a lot of miles. My 996 is growing on me, and it can be fun and a challenge when pushed, so I still consider myself and enthusiast of the marque !! If I could afford to run another then I probably would have a 964 or 993 for the weekend, and 996 for my work commute, etc. but I cant !! People like him, just get stuck in the 'it can only be a 911 if its air cooled' what utter b******s Mark

I just view those sort of letters as flame mail. I love the aesthetics of the 993 but i couldnt live with one. My 996 is my daily drive including business miles, family trips, tescos etc. I just love driving it. Just couldnt live with the interior of a 993. And of course they are getting on a bit now and "feel" a bit dated. My car was borrowed by the police last year (x-ray'd it for drugs stash locations!) - trained police driver collected it and retuned it with a broad smile on his face. Said it was the best drivers car he'd ever had the pleasure to drive. Then he signed the form saying he kept to legal speeds LOL.