Sales success does not equal style (Porsche)

[zama]

I was prompted to start this thread after reading the one about the Ferrari FF. Let me start by saying I am a big Porsche fan have owned 3 including my current 968CS and looking against my better judgement to buy my wife a 996 Targa 3.6L (I am trying to talk her into a quality Porsche a 993 Targa, i.e. one that does not go bang as the motor explodes). While we can debate for hours on whether Porsche lost its quality and mojo between 1997 and 2010, the purpose of this thread is about styling. And I realise it may offend some viewers if so look away NOW.

I fell in love with Porsche's not just because of their racing pedigree and robust quality but because they genuinely looked good. Link below is of an original 928, they are timeless, my 968CS last of the line I feel is the same. Haam Laggay and Tony Lapine designers of the time were amazing. Today we have the Cayenne, Cayman and Panamera, depending on your taste and I don't mean to offend 3 genuinely average external designs no matter how good the mechanicals are under the skin (nobody says about Lambo nice performance pity about the lid).

I think Porsche, at least in design have grown lazy off the runaway success of the Boxster. For me it is with real Irony, that in the years Porsche faced its lowest point and went close to going out the back door in a recession was when it made its single best products. I.e. Circa 1993-1996. The range included the mighty 993 911 in all its forms (base 2 wheel drive manual an amazing car through to the air cooled first Twin Turbo), not to mention my own beloved 968CS and late series 928's. All over the world these cars and climbing in value, as enthusiasts realise they were best of the breed, while Boxsters and modern 911's go backwards.

Even the once untouchable 911 in its latest incarnation with drive by wire steering recently was rolled in EVO magazine in the UK by the now 5??? year old base model Audi R8 (a great car no doubt) in a mega test.

Hopefully this thread pulls out some healthy comments from the Porsche fans. Remember the spirit of the thread is about design. So I do look forward to those who can share for me the design excellence of the Double ended ferry (known as the Cayman) or better still the Cayenne a car that i feel wears Hannibal Lector's face mask with pride, and as for the Panamera, well words fail me only to say the designer of it and the new Bentley SUV must have been close friends in crayon class. All of these cars no doubt are very fast and reliable (996's explosions aside).

If I appear bias and like a disco diva who believes music reached its peek in 1975, then so be it, I wish the Porsche world was 1994 all over again!!!!! at 41 I am now old enough to be a stick in the mud.

Before you ask, I think BMW also make ugly cars today vs the E34 M30 3 series etc, I don't care much for Ferrari after the 355, Merc is OK and Lambo / Maser still show how it should be done, Aston as well (all be it they put the same sketch through a xerox and hit shrink or grow to invent each new model). The success of each brand shows style no longer is that critical it seems in buying decisions as all are doing well.

OK I will be quiet now. Scanning to get my pic ran across my photos from the old Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, so tagged a favourite from there as well. I think if memory serves me correct this was the evolved 1974 RSR that dominated group 5 and even ran in top 10 at Le Mans, in the classic Martini colouring over silver. Can i have one please!!!

http://www.classicandperformancecar....re.php?id=2304