Jan 1, 2007 3:47:12 PM
- Pink Panther
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Board: Porsche - 911 - 997
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GT3 is a close 2nd. 
Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
The one that looks *aesthetically* best it the one that looks most ideal.
E.g., a water honed and polished riverrock and the plain ol' Carerra teardrop shape: it doesn't get any better than that.
Variants of the above more freely accept the "form follows function" rule; each new function by definition degrades the overall form (degrades the Porsche 911 aesthetic).
Now if "looks the best" is based on a premise other than pure aesthetics then it's just a matter of which car best matches the individual owner's predilections.
Some owners have a penchant for aggressive kick-ass looks, some liked their transfromer toys when kids and are compelled by that early experience, some like the car to ooze masculinity, some even want the car to appear serious race-car functional.
Looking at a naked super model and a pail of water; the dehydrated dying guy will see the bucket of water as more beautiful. Relating this to Porsches: what "looks good" all depends, to some extent, on how influenced one is by the stresses imposed by one's own unresolved neurotic conflicts.
E.g., a water honed and polished riverrock and the plain ol' Carerra teardrop shape: it doesn't get any better than that.
Variants of the above more freely accept the "form follows function" rule; each new function by definition degrades the overall form (degrades the Porsche 911 aesthetic).
Now if "looks the best" is based on a premise other than pure aesthetics then it's just a matter of which car best matches the individual owner's predilections.
Some owners have a penchant for aggressive kick-ass looks, some liked their transfromer toys when kids and are compelled by that early experience, some like the car to ooze masculinity, some even want the car to appear serious race-car functional.
Looking at a naked super model and a pail of water; the dehydrated dying guy will see the bucket of water as more beautiful. Relating this to Porsches: what "looks good" all depends, to some extent, on how influenced one is by the stresses imposed by one's own unresolved neurotic conflicts.
Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Targa to me is the most classically refined. It's like a Chateau Margaux or a Bourgone...very expressive, but smooth and refined.
The Turbo is a brute like an Aussie Syrah, packing a mouth full of punch. The GT3 is a complex and austere wine like a Chateauneuf de Pape, but it clearly lacks classic lines over functionality.
The base C2s is like a Cali Cab, nice effort for the price but you seem em too much
Sorry about the vino references, I'm going nuts over these 05 Bordeaux future prices
The Turbo is a brute like an Aussie Syrah, packing a mouth full of punch. The GT3 is a complex and austere wine like a Chateauneuf de Pape, but it clearly lacks classic lines over functionality.
The base C2s is like a Cali Cab, nice effort for the price but you seem em too much
Sorry about the vino references, I'm going nuts over these 05 Bordeaux future prices
Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Quote:
Hurst said:
Targa to me is the most classically refined. It's like a Chateau Margaux or a Bourgone...very expressive, but smooth and refined.
The Turbo is a brute like an Aussie Syrah, packing a mouth full of punch. The GT3 is a complex and austere wine like a Chateauneuf de Pape, but it clearly lacks classic lines over functionality.
The base C2s is like a Cali Cab, nice effort for the price but you seem em too much
Sorry about the vino references, I'm going nuts over these 05 Bordeaux future prices
The Turbo is like an Haut-Brion, an acquired taste with its own personality. Of course, I'm biased too.
Jan 2, 2007 10:11:32 AM
- easy_rider911
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
I own a C2S (which is nonetheless IMO the perfect car for me) but I voted for the C4S. Why? Because the poll asked which variant LOOKS best. I love the hips of the C4S compared to the C2S but that's all.
As for the rest, I don't like the roof line of the Cab or its hunchback look (from the side when the roof is down). The TT IMO has overly 'fussy' styling (pimples on the front, scoops on the sides, ugly exhaust housing etc etc).
I don't like the front apron of the GT3 at all and the rear spoiler looks like a park bench IMO. I've become 'used to' it just because we see so many photos of it here on rennteam. I suppose it's also because the car overall looks so mean and business-like that one tends to gloss over the bits which one may not like.
The GT3 RS is one car I like because it's SO over the top that it just gets judged by a different yardstick. I don't think of it as a road car. I only think of it as a track car. On the road, in a colour like bright orange, it would look ridiculous here in the UK IMO with our dull, grey, wet weather.
But that's all concerning looks only. As soon as one starts talking about which car I would actually buy, it's a different story. There are so many other factors rather than merely looks.
The way I see it, it's a battle between 44mm wider hips of the C4S vs RWD of the C2S(but NB the 997 C2S is much wider than the 996 was). No contest. RWD wins every time for its driving characteristics.
When all is said and done, I still think the perfect 911 is a normally aspirated one: 997 C2S with X51, PCCBs and all the other extras one could want...e.g. -20mm, PSE, Sport Chrono etc etc...
As for the rest, I don't like the roof line of the Cab or its hunchback look (from the side when the roof is down). The TT IMO has overly 'fussy' styling (pimples on the front, scoops on the sides, ugly exhaust housing etc etc).
I don't like the front apron of the GT3 at all and the rear spoiler looks like a park bench IMO. I've become 'used to' it just because we see so many photos of it here on rennteam. I suppose it's also because the car overall looks so mean and business-like that one tends to gloss over the bits which one may not like.
The GT3 RS is one car I like because it's SO over the top that it just gets judged by a different yardstick. I don't think of it as a road car. I only think of it as a track car. On the road, in a colour like bright orange, it would look ridiculous here in the UK IMO with our dull, grey, wet weather.
But that's all concerning looks only. As soon as one starts talking about which car I would actually buy, it's a different story. There are so many other factors rather than merely looks.
The way I see it, it's a battle between 44mm wider hips of the C4S vs RWD of the C2S(but NB the 997 C2S is much wider than the 996 was). No contest. RWD wins every time for its driving characteristics.
When all is said and done, I still think the perfect 911 is a normally aspirated one: 997 C2S with X51, PCCBs and all the other extras one could want...e.g. -20mm, PSE, Sport Chrono etc etc...
Jan 2, 2007 10:40:14 AM
- Alex_997TT
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
For me the order is:
1. GT3 (although not that keen on the rear spoiler)
2. Carrera 2 or 4 Cab (with roof down)
3. Carrera 2 or 4 Coupe
4. Targa
5. Carrera 2 or 4 Cab (with the roof up)
6. Turbo Coupe (totally spoilt by the front bulging fog lights and the messy rear)
I think the C2 vs C4 is all down to what angle I look at the car from. The rear of the C4 wins, but from the front, the C2 looks more balanced. This is why I have them equal.
The ideal 911 for me would be the new 997 GT2 front-end with a C4 rear-end
1. GT3 (although not that keen on the rear spoiler)
2. Carrera 2 or 4 Cab (with roof down)
3. Carrera 2 or 4 Coupe
4. Targa
5. Carrera 2 or 4 Cab (with the roof up)
6. Turbo Coupe (totally spoilt by the front bulging fog lights and the messy rear)
I think the C2 vs C4 is all down to what angle I look at the car from. The rear of the C4 wins, but from the front, the C2 looks more balanced. This is why I have them equal.
The ideal 911 for me would be the new 997 GT2 front-end with a C4 rear-end
Jan 2, 2007 11:33:23 AM
- The Groom
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
This poll does not have enough options. To me, the best-looking 997 is the GT3 RS, followed by a black (or variations: basalt/atlas/midnight/dark green/dark olive) Targa.
However, the standard GT3 fails it because of the odd-shaped rear spoiler, while the stainless steel stripe does not work either on lighter-colored Targas.
However, the standard GT3 fails it because of the odd-shaped rear spoiler, while the stainless steel stripe does not work either on lighter-colored Targas.
Jan 2, 2007 11:52:52 AM
- Pink Panther
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Sorry I missed the RS off the list - duh.
My own take is that I want a more powerful 911. The X51 is overpriced with too small a power increase to make it worthwhile. I'd order a GT3 but don't like the look of the rear wing.
What I want is a GT3 that looks like a Carrera 4.
My own take is that I want a more powerful 911. The X51 is overpriced with too small a power increase to make it worthwhile. I'd order a GT3 but don't like the look of the rear wing.
What I want is a GT3 that looks like a Carrera 4.
Jan 2, 2007 11:57:50 AM
- easy_rider911
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
I love the way the Targa looks but sadly, it's a AWD car with no possibility of -20mm sports suspension. I would only buy a RWD with -20mm.
Also, I agree 100% with The Groom. IMO the silver stripe contrasts much better with darker colours (and this is pretty essential). More significantly still, lighter colours show the odd A pillar styling of the Targa. Darker colours (at least as dark as the glass roof panel) hide this styling flaw beautifully).
I saw a 996 Targa recently. I was surprised to see that the 996 Targa has the same A pillar design flaw. I'm surprised no one criticised this obvious error before.
Just my 2 cents though. It's all a question of taste - which necessarily has no right or wrong answers.
Also, I agree 100% with The Groom. IMO the silver stripe contrasts much better with darker colours (and this is pretty essential). More significantly still, lighter colours show the odd A pillar styling of the Targa. Darker colours (at least as dark as the glass roof panel) hide this styling flaw beautifully).
I saw a 996 Targa recently. I was surprised to see that the 996 Targa has the same A pillar design flaw. I'm surprised no one criticised this obvious error before.
Just my 2 cents though. It's all a question of taste - which necessarily has no right or wrong answers.
Jan 2, 2007 12:24:03 PM
- Alex_997TT
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Quote:
Pink Panther said:
Sorry I missed the RS off the list - duh.
My own take is that I want a more powerful 911. The X51 is overpriced with too small a power increase to make it worthwhile. I'd order a GT3 but don't like the look of the rear wing.
What I want is a GT3 that looks like a Carrera 4.
Facelift 997 C4S with powerkit?! Should be around the 400bhp mark I would guess...
Jan 2, 2007 1:21:03 PM
- Circe
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
If I might be permitted to interrupt the thread for just a moment, as some of you know I am new to Carrera ownership and owing to my advanced age and weight, admittedly, have very tired eyes. A lot of folks here feel the C4S's "hips" are attractive. If possible, would someone kindly help this neophyte by posting a picture of both the C2S and C4S next to each other so I can see what it's all about?
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Jan 2, 2007 3:11:22 PM
- easy_rider911
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Jan 2, 2007 6:30:26 PM
- MMD
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Quote:
easy_rider911 said:
When the C4S came out, there was a thread here on rennteam where someone superimposed a pic of the 997 C2S onto a pic of the 997 C4S to see the difference. Perhaps someone here would post a link to that thread?
MAybe these pictures?
Jan 2, 2007 10:20:07 PM
- 69bossnine
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Quote:
catdog said:
C2S is clean, well-proportioned and without unnecessary add-ons and silly styling additions. It wins hands-down.
Couldn't of said it better myself... Bingo....
Now if I could only get another 100-150 naturally-aspirated horsepower in my C2S body, then I'd be satisfied for life...
Jan 2, 2007 10:33:59 PM
- SoCal Alan
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Jan 3, 2007 5:35:08 AM
- Hollli82
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Re: Which 997 variant looks best?
Quote:
SoCal Alan said:Quote:
Circe said:
Thanks for the pictures. The duo directly above seem most illustrative.
Very difficult for me to tell a difference without that picture.
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has trouble with this "obvious" difference. It's about as obvious as those 5 mm spacers...
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