*But that was always in an air conditioned convention centre.*

If I design a door that can’t be easily opened without reading a manual, I have not only failed as an engineer, but have not exactly acquitted myself well as a thinking human being.

Something people who aren’t from Texas may not understand is just how murderously hot that car probably was. I don’t know what time this event took place, but if it happened at noon or later, it might have been over 110 degrees in the car. Given worst-case conditions — elderly driver, quiet parking lot, hot summer…

They are such different cars, you might as well compare the price of a really nice surgical instrument to the price of a really nice chain saw.

He’s too busy driving to talk to Himself.

Not a 911 guy so I can’t really say. But in general the GT2 and GT3 cars are aimed at track junkies. More power, fewer toys, stiffer suspension, no back seats, more rough edges.

The only reason to buy a 997 over a new 981 Cayman at the same price would be if you’ve always wanted a 911 and know you won’t be happy with anything else. At this level of play it’s important to account for the intangibles.

Going to guess it’s a 997-era 911GT3. Hopefully someone will correct me if I’m wrong. It’s not a 991 because the rearview mirror isn’t attached to the door skin. Looks too new to be a 996. And I can’t see a GT2 turbo intake, although it might be there.

The 968 was a few cars ago. Very early production (‘92 was the first year), but then it was basically a 944S3, which should have been very well debugged by then. I had it for about 10 years and it was just fine, once the stupid stuff got fixed. Lots of oil and P/S fluid leaks, shredded balance-shaft belts, broken door…

Then again, 996s haven’t been made for, what, 10 years now? Current Porsches have nothing in common with the 986/996 generation.

And then what happened?

There have been a few specific trouble spots, some of them really troublesome, but overall the cars have held up well compared to their peers from other manufacturers.

The 996 wasn’t a POS, it was just cost-reduced to the point of absurdity. Small matter of the company going bankrupt otherwise. The 993s actually had more mechanical issues.

It sounds like something a devout religious person might force themselves to say instead of “Christ!”, when in need of an expletive.

Who knows, she might surprise you.

All of which applies to other luxury marques if it applies at all.

How does that explain Mercedes, BMW, and all those other cars that are “better taken care of than a Corolla?”

I could have written this post, except that my ‘92 968 was very troublesome, with tons of early-quality issues that were frustrating to work through.

You’re not wrong or insane — it’s just a matter of mismatched expectations. Porsche doesn’t try to play the style game, for better or worse. That’s why you have to be an aficionado to tell the difference between a brand-new 911 and a 20-year old one.

It should be an older one, or a newer one. The 991s are very nicely appointed, inside and out, compared to the 997. Some people have actually complained that they’re too un-Spartan to be a proper sports car.