I think this thread was made for me. I have so much to say...

JamesShort wrote:
Reading the latest issue of GRM made me think long and hard about potential Pcar ownership. I mean literally, which year since 1964.5 did NOT have a relatively common and major powertrain/transmission issue? Whether it be warped heads, pulling head studs, the notoriously bad 915 transmission, dual mass flywheel problems, a/c, heat, rear main seals, intermediate shaft bearings, oiling concerns, dual distributor belts, master cylinders
Donnie Barnes wrote:
And to that GRM article, well, you can do that with EVERY car that's been available for more than 20 consecutive years. Doesn't mean they're bad, just means that over time they have problems. That's true of anything, really, especially cars that people drive the every loving piss out of.
I haven't seen the GRM article (quite subscribing years ago), but I totally agree with Donnie here. For the most part we are talking about looking at a number of cars that are quite old and still on the road. Yes you can find problems (and I personally wouldn't touch a low mileage early 996/986 with a 10 foot pole), but in general they are very well engineered and built cars. In addition to naming problems, I can name a number of years/models that have proven to be pretty bullet proof.
TomFreeman wrote:
RamVennam wrote:
What makes a cayman not a real porsche?
It isn't a 911 and it isn't air cooled.
Edit...and I say that will tongue firmly planted in cheek. I am _not_ one of those purists.
I always get a real kick out of the "It's not a real Porsche" discussions. Life used to be really tough for 914 owners. It's a Porsche, it's a VW, it's both, it's neither. We have a term for this. NARP = Not A Real Porsche. Nowadays with water cooled engines and the fact that VW owns Porsche, it's more of a moot point. All 356s and early 911s are in collectors hands, and that leaves the 914 and later air cooled 911 to now become the new "must have" cars if you are a Porsche fan. So it's fun to see my "NARP" 914 start to appreciate in value due to getting the respect it has always deserved.
steve remchak wrote:
the Cayman platform is said to handle better than a 911. which many believe is the reason Porsche doesn't give it more hp than it has.
To quote the Talking Heads... "Same as it ever was". If you look at just performance, Porsche has no problem building a better car than the 911. They did it with the 914 years ago and with the Boxster/Cayman more recently. These mid-engine cars have always been able to outperform the 911 when given the same engine. As they do today, Porsche always ensure that the 911 has the larger engine to ensure it's at the top of the heap.
JamesShort wrote:
I think Chucks link was for a GT3 RS LSD. Nothing was wrong with it other than it's weak ramp angles and pathetic friction discs

. Matt Monson rebuilt it for him pretty aggressively though

.
Wow! Interesting to see someone drop Matt Monson's name here. I didn't think many people would know who he is. I do mostly because I rebuild early 911/914 transmissions on the side.
Lastly regarding the Cayman. I am a 914 fan and I totally understand the love it/hate it view of the 914 styling, but I personally don't understand how people don't love the look of the Cayman. For me it has to be one of the best looking cars out there. And while I can't afford a new Porsche, I probably would much rather buy something like a Cayman S (or R) and build it up (Donnie style) vs. something like a 911 GT3 RS.
Richard
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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.comMoney can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.