In 1963 Porsche changed the world with the 911. It was rear-engined and it changed the sports car game forever. There have been 8 generations of the 911 being the original 911, then the 930, then the 964, 993,996,997,991, and the latest model being the 992. There are some people who say that each of these 911 generations is the same and there is no difference between them. They can’t be any more wrong. In fact, if you really look at each 911 generation in detail, you will see more differences than similarities. Each generation is more powerful than the last and they all have different improved technologies.
The thing is with the Porsche 911 is that they’ve all evolved over the years. In Porsches’ eyes, why would they want to change something when it’s already working well? They may as well just improve it because let’s face it changing it would be pointless. They believe if something works and it’s proven to be brilliant, it should not be changed unless of course, it needs to be due to the law or emissions. Companies like McLaren when they make a new generation of their car usually throw most of the previous design away no matter how good it was and then replace it with new technology.
The Porsche 911 is an evolution of perfection. It’s a car that has been tweaked over the years to become what we know of it today. All of these little changes over the years have accumulated huge changes in the long run. This is what enthusiasts want as these cars feel like they have history. A backbone. The current 2020 992 still has direct relations and similarities to the original 911 of 1963. How cool is that? There are not many cars on sale today that have a direct link with their elder predecessors.
The rear-engined design has always been kept despite its criticism at the start. It has worked really well. Hence why Porsche has kept it over the years despite its rivals being front-engined or mid-engined. This is really weird because not many rear-engined cars have worked very well. Cars such as the Czech-made Skoda Estelle were rear-engined and they were a menace to drive. The reason why is because the majority of the weight is in the back with little to no weight in the front. Now, why is this an issue?
We need weight in the front area of the car for it to handle properly. Otherwise, it can’t get the grip down. Now Porsche has always sorted this with the front steering, etc but in the early models, this was an issue. In the early 1960s, 911 cars were scary to drive. A world apart from the modern 992 models which are quite refined cars indeed.
The Ultimate Daily Sports Car
The 911 is a car you can use day in and day out. It has four seats (two if it’s a GT model) and it has a decently sized trunk. The interior of the latest 992 is very spacious and there is a lot of technology in and out. The build quality is sublime and the performance is insane. It is very much a car you can cruise in for miles and miles (unless it’s a GT model) yet it really handles well in the twists and turns.
The 911 has always been a classy car. A car people really respect. It holds its ground against its rivals, and it usually comes out as the fastest one. It’s by far an enthusiasts car and something that provides a lot of joy. It is a car mainly appreciated by a certain kind of person. Someone contemporary. Modern. Interested in technology. Most 911 owners have wanted a Porsche for a long time and yes they could have got a Corvette or a GTR, which are cheaper and sometimes faster. However, there is just something about owning a Porsche that is so attractive. What is that “something.” Is it the experience you get from owning one? The thrill? The speed? The enthusiast network? The customer service you get from them?
Most people love the history, pedigree, and culture of the 911. It’s not super classy like a Ferrari or as exotic as a Lamborghini. In the same way, then it’s not as outlandish as a Corvette or as crazy as a GTR. The 911 is a subtle car that is made for drivers. People who buy these do not want to make an impression on the road. What they want is a car that drives well whilst being comfortable. The Porsche 911 has never been a posers car despite it being featured in films such as the Bad Boys series.
The 911 starts at $97,400 which is quite a bit considering the new C8 Corvette starts at $59,995 and that’s a lot faster. However, it’s built nowhere near as well and the chassis isn’t as good as the much-proven 911. Neither is the engineering, interior, gearbox, or engine. On the track, a 911 could beat a C8. Yet the 911 can be used every day with ease and maintenance and reliability isn’t an issue. The same thing does cant be said about many other cars.
The Joy of Driving
The Porsche 911 is full of joy. It puts the joy back into driving. It’s a fun car and it proves that 0 to 60 times and horsepower do not matter in the real world. These cars are fast enough and they have enough power to be used. No horse is wasted in these cars. The 911 has always been e great car to drive and if you look at any top drivers’ car list you will find a 911 in there. At every track-day event, you will see a 911. These cars were made to be driven.
The 911 is the benchmark of what sports cars should be like. In fact, if you want a high-performance sports car your first thoughts are towards a Porsche 911. They’ve sold over a million of these things during its 57-year production run. One million enthusiasts have purchased a 911 not because they wanted to get from a to b but because they wanted a car that filled them with joy. If they wanted high pe[rformance figures they could have chosen something else like a GTR or a Corvette. But no. They chose the mostly slower and more expensive 911 because it brings them joy. It’s a dream car.
If you want a 911 go get one. Depreciation is tiny as these cars are always in demand. This means finance is so much easier and when it comes re-sell you don’t have to worry. Even high mileage cars still sell for a high amount of money on the second-hand market. Therefore, it’s a car whereby you don’t need to ever worry about the mileage when driving. Even cars with high-miles run as sweet as a nut. Its a car that is made for taking to that twisty road on a Sunday and having a good time, reminding you of how good life is.
Featured image credits via: roadandtrack.com