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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Perhaps out of boredom, having too much idle time, or maybe to settle a nagging issue once and for all, I made my attempt at some rather crude photoshopping:
First I deleted the droopy bottom, in anticipation that daytime versions of Aston Martin tailights would look nice also.
Not.
Next I connected the two tailights, thinking maybe the result would look like the old 911. Uh, no. Looks more like a later model Mitsubishi Eclipse to me, and a bad imitation too!
So then, I went back to the facelift design with a bar in the middle. ...Well, ok, but between all the hack jobs, I almost prefer the official facelifted version. How can this be??
First I deleted the droopy bottom, in anticipation that daytime versions of Aston Martin tailights would look nice also.
Not.
Next I connected the two tailights, thinking maybe the result would look like the old 911. Uh, no. Looks more like a later model Mitsubishi Eclipse to me, and a bad imitation too!
So then, I went back to the facelift design with a bar in the middle. ...Well, ok, but between all the hack jobs, I almost prefer the official facelifted version. How can this be??
Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
But what I like are the "original" 997 tailights themselves!
...Well, *even* better if I lowered the trunk shutline? Then all the seams flow together, similar to what the facelift is trying to accomplish. The last right-sided pic reminds me of the 964 and 993 -maybe even the 928??
Hmm. Perhaps, but not enough for me to care.
Conclusion: I like the original 997 tailight shape the best. ...What's your opinion?
...Well, *even* better if I lowered the trunk shutline? Then all the seams flow together, similar to what the facelift is trying to accomplish. The last right-sided pic reminds me of the 964 and 993 -maybe even the 928??
Hmm. Perhaps, but not enough for me to care.
Conclusion: I like the original 997 tailight shape the best. ...What's your opinion?
Who are they aiming at with this 
Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
The 911 appears to be a tad to stylish in my eyes, the previous generations always caused a lot of stir amongst enthusiasts and owners. Now the new one is a bit too slick, especially the rear end is, as already mentioned, a bit pointless and only refers to the distinct element that has started to appear on the facelifted Cayenne.
All this would not keep me off ordering such a car but it doesn't warm my heart as the 933's design does.
All this would not keep me off ordering such a car but it doesn't warm my heart as the 933's design does.
Jun 11, 2008 1:20:57 PM
- Silver Bullet
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Jun 11, 2008 1:23:51 PM
- 69bossnine
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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Quote:
DaveC said:
Overall the styling changes from mk I to mk II are minimal and discernable only to enthusiasts. The lighting design does not appear to substantially enhance or detract from the previous version.
My feelings as well... I see it as change for the sake of change, but there's no real "improvement", just a lateral move... Except (and I'm being objective, not hugging my 997.1 by any means) the tail is a step in the wrong direction... It's busier for no good reason, and doesn't make a unified statement.
The tail of my '05 997S is just right, and clean and slick. Everything ties-up nicely, including the lamps. It's smooth, it's simple, leaving the emphasis upon the ENTIRE CAR'S SHAPE and beauty. The tail doesn't distract, it compliments and is in-concert with the rest of the car. It's a whole design.
With the new tail, it's as if they don't trust the car's style as a whole, and they've gotta gimmick-up the rear.
I like the new front, but I don't find it any more or less appealing than the old.
So, in total, I suppose I give a thumbs-down on the 997.2 styling due to Porsche's Attention Deficit Disorder approach to the rear. The 997.1 is a cleaner design that speaks "clean sculpture" from nose-to-tail... Just glance up at the image atop this forum page... Clean, smooth, crisp, classy...
The new tail kinda junks-up what was a beautiful minimalist design.
Then again, I wouldn't want the job of updating the 997... They got it so right the first time, where the heck do you go from there??
Jun 11, 2008 1:31:04 PM
- 69bossnine
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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Yes, more rambling... It just occurred to me that what really got nailed with the 997.1 is TENSION... The car looks poised to pounce standing still... It looks like if you tossed a quarter at the car, it'd fire back at you with the velocity of a bullet...
The new rear blows that tension, blows the overall body design that looked so taut, so seamless, so tightly-wrapped.
The new rear blows that tension, blows the overall body design that looked so taut, so seamless, so tightly-wrapped.
Jun 11, 2008 1:47:06 PM
- cmaier
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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Quote:
69bossnine said:
Yes, more rambling... It just occurred to me that what really got nailed with the 997.1 is TENSION... The car looks poised to pounce standing still... It looks like if you tossed a quarter at the car, it'd fire back at you with the velocity of a bullet...
The new rear blows that tension, blows the overall body design that looked so taut, so seamless, so tightly-wrapped.
I agree. that is all...
Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Quote:
awai08 said:
Perhaps what has struck me as most peculiar has been the tailight revision. Why??
My us$.02:
When I first saw the new 997 I was aghast that Porsche would jump on the trendy pointy oval tail/head light band wagon. Remember that the Nissan just came out. Of _course_ that pointy-ness would be the first thing they'd "update" to create a buzz for the facelift.
Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
I thought over time I'd warm up to the new tailight design..
I still haven't.
Frankly, it "pulls down" the corners of the car and doesn't flow well with the rest of the design.
A 911 is about subtle compound curves and smooth humps. Sharp, angular lines that look like carry overs from a Japanese design just don't do it for me.
I still haven't.
Frankly, it "pulls down" the corners of the car and doesn't flow well with the rest of the design.
A 911 is about subtle compound curves and smooth humps. Sharp, angular lines that look like carry overs from a Japanese design just don't do it for me.
Jun 11, 2008 4:15:34 PM
- Modrocket_stereo
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Jun 11, 2008 4:29:17 PM
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Ron (Houston)
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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Quote:
reginos said:
After the new tail lights appeared, the mk1 lights already look too plain and unimaginative.
I personally like the rear lights it flows with the curves much better than the squarish shape of 997.1. Of course this a personal taste.
I didn't care for 997.1 tail lights but there are some that loved it.
Jun 11, 2008 7:14:40 PM
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Marwan Arakji
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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
lookinjg at the 996 MK1 versus the 996 MK2, porsche made more quality/significant changes... besides the introduction of a PDK, all that porsche did with the 997.2 was cosmetics, and heavy depreciation to 997.1 owners... thank God I sold mine 8 months ago...
Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Quote:
luwalira said:
I've already warmed up to the new tail lights:
Geez..., nice Car and Driver photo. This can't be an official _advertising_ photo! Looks like this guy is _p*ssed_ and coming after me! Does C&D not like Porsches? Is Car & Driver a little too amped up on the latest trend toward aggressive-looking cars (AND drivers
)?
What happened to the agreeable "Permagrin?" GEEEZ!
BTW, I think the Carrera now looks like a cute cross-eyed froggy. Nice work with those fog lamp placements! LOL.
Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
The FL just doesn't look quite as nice, clean/ purposeful. The rear lights are puzzling to me: again, they look a bit odd/awkward... just trying to be different, but ended up looking like something on a car from Asia ( not Porsche). I could be a little biased: I also very slightly prefer my 2006 Cayenne S styling to the new model.
Jun 11, 2008 7:55:30 PM
- 69bossnine
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Re: 997 Facelift styling discussion
Quote:
Nidge said:
i remember thinking what a good looking car when it first arrived and i still think so today.
You make a good point... When I first laid eyes on the new 997 in the pages of a car mag article, I was like, "perfect", and was off to the dealer...
With the 997.2 evolution, we're all sitting here having a discussion attempting to JUSTIFY the new styling changes...
If it was better, there'd be a stronger majority drawing that conclusion I'd think... Usually when I own a car, and a newer version is released, I'm saying to myself "dammit... Now I've gotta buy that...".
I've no inclination to abandon my '05... Not yet.
Jun 11, 2008 8:05:48 PM
- SVNSVN
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the 997.2 is more evolutif.....
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