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alin2 said:
Yeah, I realize that people tend to bit*h more on the 'net. But, there are also more true enthusiats on really good boards like rennteam and rennlist. I have to say it's a bit diassapointing that, THUS FAR, there are 50% of owners having at least some problems. Ugghh. And, 20% with severe problems??!!.
Of course, there are only 16 responses so far...
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RC said:
Ask a Lexus/Toyota driver how he is driving, ask a BMW or Porsche driver how he is driving. I guess this makes a difference too. If I don't push a car really hard, it might not brake down. I had a Toyota Celica 4WD Turbo many years ago, the first model. There was a little trick how to raise boost pressure by turning a stupid screw in the engine compartment only (unbelievable!) and adjustment was pretty easy, just below the mark where the engine electronics entered the emergency mode. What can I say, I added around 40 HP more with this trick (I found it myself, believe it or not but I was used to such things from my former Lancia Integrale where you had to move a screw up and down only too ) according to dyno tests done for comparison and the engine was still pretty reliable, over 20000 km without a single problem. But the brakes (discs, pads and even the brake calipers) were finished after a few thousand kms and although Toyota sent two engineers(!) to my dealer to modify my car (they added racing cooling ducts for the brake system, new discs, pads and calipers and gave me new wheels with better cooling capabilities for free which looked very nice because they were BBS racing rims). But soon the suspension started to give up (after 20000 km) and other weird things happened and they took back my car.
They found out about the screw but surprisingly, Toyota Germany still wanted to have the car, so I gave it to them. Japanese cars might be nice but I actually like only their off-roaders like the Landcruiser.
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VKSF said:
Do a similar poll on S-Class, 7-Series, 5-Series, E-Class, Cayenne, X5, etc buyers and I would predict that the 997 results early in a new model cycle will compare favorably. Gotta go to the Lexus/Toyota buyer poll before one realizes how weak most German cars are in reliability...but which driving enthusiast wants a Lexus/Toyota?
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alin2 said:
...have all experienced after washing their cars? Is the "central control module" located in a place subject to moisture? Also, they all seem to have problems with the central control module, steering angle sensor, and front hood latch. Hmm. Any thoughts?
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Skip said:
I've owned several "first year" cars, but none have had anything like the problems I've had with my 997 S. For example, from most recent:
'05 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited - Brand new model. I've had this for almost the same amount of time as the 997 S, using it as a daily driver, with no problems. This car has a turbo, AWD, and lots of electronics, yet somehow Subaru managed to build a trouble-free car for 1/3 the price.
'03 GMC Sierra 2500HD - First year for this model, with a turbo-diesel, lots of "convenience" electronics, 4WD, etc. No problems after 19000 miles in one year, mostly towing Porsche race cars in an enclosed trailer all over the USA.
'03 Subaru WRX Wagon - This was a new model, and like the Outback has turbo, AWD, etc. I drove the hell out of this car on a daily basis, at a drag strip, on a road course, on the ice, etc., with no problems.
'01 BMW X5 3.0 - A brand new model, and I had one of the first ones. No major problems, and the BMW dealer was prompt with all service, including replacing an oil-fill cap that I lost for free.
'98 ('99?) Toyota Land Cruiser - This was the new V8 model, with all new design. Not a single problem in the three years that I owned it.
'97 ('98) Dodge Durango - This was the first year that they made this SUV, and it was from a "cheap" American brand. Although I didn't like it, it never let me down like the 997 has.
The one exception to this is:
'03 GMC Sierra Denali (pickup) - While towing my 993 racecar to an event the front differential burned out due to some sort of leak. I pressed the OnStar button and GM sent a flatbed to tow the truck to a dealer, who fixed it promptly at no cost. I used it for thousands of miles afterwards with no problems. This truck had AWD, 4-wheel steering, stability systems, etc. GM did exactly what I expect from a car manufacturer when one of their vehicles has a problem.
I've also owned other GM and Ford products that never had problems like I've experienced with the 997. At most these cars required one trip to the dealer to fix a problem. I fully accept that a car will have problems at times, but I do not believe that it is ever acceptable to have a problem that can't seemingly be fixed!
I'm sorry if some of you are distressed by my "dissing" of Porsche, but it's not without good cause. I currently own 4 Porsches, including the 997 S, a Boxster, a 996 GT3 Cup, and a 993 racecar. I've also owned a 993 C4S and a 928 S4, and it's amazing that the latter, which is known for having electrical gremlins, was never a problem like the 997 S has been. I've been as patient as anyone could possibly be with Porsche given the problems with this car, in fact most people would say that I've gone well beyond the "call of duty" for the marque. Again, if any of you think that I should just "be patient" or should expect this kind of problem from a car like this, you're nuts.
The fact is that there are problems with the 997, and Porsche isn't doing what it should to fix them. As someone who truly loves these cars, I am very disappointed and saddened by this experience.
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RC said:Quote:
alin2 said:
Yeah, I realize that people tend to bit*h more on the 'net. But, there are also more true enthusiats on really good boards like rennteam and rennlist. I have to say it's a bit diassapointing that, THUS FAR, there are 50% of owners having at least some problems. Ugghh. And, 20% with severe problems??!!.
Of course, there are only 16 responses so far...
Anonymous polls...
Just for the book: we can check who voted for "severe problems", so please no BS guys.
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alin2 said:
Here's a question...
How much do you think auto manufacturers figure in for warranty repairs per car? I read somewhere the average is between $600-$1200 per car with Lexus leading the way at less than $100/car. The cynical side of me thinks that maybe Porsche realizing the incredible profit per vehicle will allow for a larger amount of warranty per vehicle. Of course, I guess you can't put a price tag on customer dissatisfaction...I'm pretty sure that Porsche has figured this stuff ALL out.
Of course, what do I know? I'm not a businessman, just a simple doctor...
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alin2 said:
How much do you think auto manufacturers figure in for warranty repairs per car? ... The cynical side of me thinks that maybe Porsche realizing the incredible profit per vehicle ....
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vtrader said:Quote:
alin2 said:
...have all experienced after washing their cars? Is the "central control module" located in a place subject to moisture? Also, they all seem to have problems with the central control module, steering angle sensor, and front hood latch. Hmm. Any thoughts?
I did notice that the top of the compartment between the trunk and the windshield does collect alot of water when you wash the car. I believe this is where the battery is. I did not open the area to see if any water penetrated the area but maybe they had some water penetrate this area.
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pnoble said:
More than once after thinking I had locked the car I returned to find that I hadn't, and my concern, GG, is that someone might, finding it unlocked, prefer to try to drive it away rather than just look at it!!!
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SrfCity said:
I asked this before BUT NO RESPONSE. Is there a way to leave the car permanently in Sport mode without having to hit the button each time?
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pnoble said:
PS: A random question: is it possible to program the car to beep when you remote lock it? I couldn't find mention of this, but without the beep, I find myself manually checking to make sure it is locked, which is annoying, since especially in bright sunlight the quick flash of the side lights is easy to miss.
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SrfCity said:
While the car doesn't beep you can hear the doors lock and you watch for the lights to flash. It just takes getting used to.
I asked this before BUT NO RESPONSE. Is there a way to leave the car permanently in Sport mode without having to hit the button each time?