918 Revisited
May 5, 2011 | 01:24 PM
#61
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 601
From: Dallas
I would tend to believe that each 997 costs LESS for Porsche to produce today than 2 years ago when the 997.2 was launched. But I would also comment that Porsche has been managing a tighter supply of units in order to manage inventory (and thus value & incentives).
I don't think the current production costs are higher, but Porsche is certainly working to create added value by launching special editions: GTS, GTS Cab, Speedster, Sport Classic, 911 Black, 911 Black Cab, GT3 RS 4.0, GT2 RS. And you can expand that list when you include the Spyder and Cayman R. And will there be additional models such as the 'Silver Edition'?
While it may feel like a never-ending string of Special Editions, the point is to maintain sales through to the new product launch, especially when the new product hasn't been officially announced, but is well known to the target market (such as with the 991).
I get it, and it doesn't diminish my passion for my GTS. It's MY Porsche. It it's own way, it's special. I may really want a 991 when they come, or I may choose to keep this one for a LONG TIME (which is the promise I made to the wife when I got it
). I could care less about the other Special Editions...all I care about is enjoying my 911.Now as for the 918...without picking the right 6 numbers on my lottery ticket, not a problem for me to deal with. Even if I did have that lucky ticket, I wouldn't buy one. Would be more interested in the 961, RS 4.0 or even 993 Turbo before the 918.
May 5, 2011 | 01:34 PM
#62
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,846
Price happened.
This is my take on the situation:
Car prices (pre 2008 crash) were $300-400++ for exotic cars. Super elite cars were in the 700++ range.
Post 2008- 200++ is the "new" $400. Meaning, it's MORE social ably acceptable to spend $299k versus $460 or 505k on a car. Post crash buyers/collectors are being more savvy with their money. What ever their reasoning is; it's also reflected in the price points of cars.
$600(ish) was the 'anticipated' assumed price point. While excessive IMHO; it seemed to be a threshold that buyers would tolerate. Things quickly spiraled due to the lack of (this is my OWN personal opinion) follow up and more importantly, getting potential clients NEAR the car - from Porsche. Clients today (post 2008) want to spend the money. But you better make them feel important. They need that extra reassurance that they're money spent is justified. Give them one reason to bounce, and they will- with out hesitation. Gone are the days of a lot of people with money, SPENDING money- just for exclusivity- beyond a certain price point.
I mean, look at McLaren. They're doing a bang up job of making the clients (or potential) clients feel the love. Constant contact. keeping them updated about the car. making appointments to see/drive the car. ect. If they can do it- Porsche SHOULD be doing that with this car.
You can't just drop a price and expect to 'sell' the car because it's a Porsche. That's unacceptable. And it highlights a weakness. The good news is - if Porsche really wanted to- they'd do something really special to bring potential clients closer to the car. The car needs a 4 Star event to wet peoples appetites to get excited about something this expensive.
Not to mention, Porsche still does not have the same draw as a typical Ferrari owner would approach the car. Ferrari guys are, in general- more flashy. Head to toes in Ferrari collateral. They'd buy an Enzo simple because it's the "Halo Ferrari".
Porsche people, in general approach the sport with a much more logical mentality.
Porsche, needs to really appeal to that logic. Or this project will fail, miserably.
these are my personal opinions.
This is my take on the situation:
Car prices (pre 2008 crash) were $300-400++ for exotic cars. Super elite cars were in the 700++ range.
Post 2008- 200++ is the "new" $400. Meaning, it's MORE social ably acceptable to spend $299k versus $460 or 505k on a car. Post crash buyers/collectors are being more savvy with their money. What ever their reasoning is; it's also reflected in the price points of cars.
$600(ish) was the 'anticipated' assumed price point. While excessive IMHO; it seemed to be a threshold that buyers would tolerate. Things quickly spiraled due to the lack of (this is my OWN personal opinion) follow up and more importantly, getting potential clients NEAR the car - from Porsche. Clients today (post 2008) want to spend the money. But you better make them feel important. They need that extra reassurance that they're money spent is justified. Give them one reason to bounce, and they will- with out hesitation. Gone are the days of a lot of people with money, SPENDING money- just for exclusivity- beyond a certain price point.
I mean, look at McLaren. They're doing a bang up job of making the clients (or potential) clients feel the love. Constant contact. keeping them updated about the car. making appointments to see/drive the car. ect. If they can do it- Porsche SHOULD be doing that with this car.
You can't just drop a price and expect to 'sell' the car because it's a Porsche. That's unacceptable. And it highlights a weakness. The good news is - if Porsche really wanted to- they'd do something really special to bring potential clients closer to the car. The car needs a 4 Star event to wet peoples appetites to get excited about something this expensive.
Not to mention, Porsche still does not have the same draw as a typical Ferrari owner would approach the car. Ferrari guys are, in general- more flashy. Head to toes in Ferrari collateral. They'd buy an Enzo simple because it's the "Halo Ferrari".
Porsche people, in general approach the sport with a much more logical mentality.
Porsche, needs to really appeal to that logic. Or this project will fail, miserably.
these are my personal opinions.
Wonder if they'll continue to move forward.
May 5, 2011 | 02:05 PM
#63
Teamspeed's Howitzer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,273
What I would do?
Pull out all the stops. Do a product / client session like NEVER before. Go ALL out. Literally blow potential clients minds so much that peole are like 'I gotta have this F'ing car!!'
That's I would do. It would yeild huge positive PR for Porsche. And I *think* escalate them to a status in the car building community- never before attained by Porsche.
Porsche builds a World Super Exotic.
but wtf do I know. I'm just a grunt.
May 5, 2011 | 03:29 PM
#64
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 779
From: Washington State
If it's all about the PR, then perhaps Porsche should just treat potential clients to a week of all-you-can-eat hookers & blow in Las Vegas. Sure, it would help sell cars, but...
The fact of the matter remains: here is Porsche's Halo car - their latest & greatest product, still years away from getting in your hands - and it will more than likely get powned by a lowely first model year stock Nissan GTR on any given racetrack.
Here is a potential conversation between a Porsche 918 Hybrid driver/owner and his passenger after a few hotlaps at VIR circa May 5, 2015.
Passenger:
Damn dude...that stock GTR just owned you the last couple of laps. Were you using the "Kers" at all, or were you really even trying?
Driver:
A little. Doesn't matter anyway. I got 32 mpg combined last week on a trip to DC, droppin' panties the whole way, bet he can't say that.
The fact of the matter remains: here is Porsche's Halo car - their latest & greatest product, still years away from getting in your hands - and it will more than likely get powned by a lowely first model year stock Nissan GTR on any given racetrack.
Here is a potential conversation between a Porsche 918 Hybrid driver/owner and his passenger after a few hotlaps at VIR circa May 5, 2015.
Passenger:
Damn dude...that stock GTR just owned you the last couple of laps. Were you using the "Kers" at all, or were you really even trying?
Driver:
A little. Doesn't matter anyway. I got 32 mpg combined last week on a trip to DC, droppin' panties the whole way, bet he can't say that.
May 5, 2011 | 03:32 PM
#65
Teamspeed's Howitzer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,273
Only an idiot would compare a nissan to a halo car (from any auto maker). It's not the point of the halo car nor was it the point of the nissan gtr.
Get over it. that's last years news....and anyone who buys anything in that level of price point isn't JUST buying it for 'how fast you can walk your buddis IROC' for crying out loud.
Get over it. that's last years news....and anyone who buys anything in that level of price point isn't JUST buying it for 'how fast you can walk your buddis IROC' for crying out loud.
Last edited by STOPPIE; May 5, 2011 at 03:33 PM.
May 5, 2011 | 04:16 PM
#66
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,846
Again, just my opinion. I put them in the "mass manufacturer" class because of the numbers they pump out, versus being more of an exotic builder like the Italian brands. I remember growing up seeing a Porsche used to be rare, but now I see them much more frequently than I would've ever thought.
Hopefully they pull something out of the bag and renew interest in the car for their own good, otherwise there will be lots of egg on their face. I am sure they'll do something.
May 5, 2011 | 06:30 PM
#68
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 779
From: Washington State
Only an idiot would compare a nissan to a halo car (from any auto maker). It's not the point of the halo car nor was it the point of the nissan gtr.
Get over it. that's last years news....and anyone who buys anything in that level of price point isn't JUST buying it for 'how fast you can walk your buddis IROC' for crying out loud.
Get over it. that's last years news....and anyone who buys anything in that level of price point isn't JUST buying it for 'how fast you can walk your buddis IROC' for crying out loud.
May 5, 2011 | 06:49 PM
#69
Teamspeed's Howitzer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,273
I tried to edit it afterwards when I realized I came off too harsh; I don't neccessarily think you're an idiot; however it's silly if you think someone who spends that sort of $ on a car would have the thought process "well, a GTR did X,Y and Z."
When you're at that level; those are NOT the conversations you're having as a basis of justification of the car. You're thinking, used CGT and a 458, or an Enzo, or 599GTO and a GT2RS or CGT and a 599GTO-
most likely, you have any or all of the above in your stable if you're seriously considering the 918. Including a GT3RS or something else tasty from Porsche. Maybe even a GTR as a DD. Who knows.
See what I'm saying?
When you're at that level; those are NOT the conversations you're having as a basis of justification of the car. You're thinking, used CGT and a 458, or an Enzo, or 599GTO and a GT2RS or CGT and a 599GTO-
most likely, you have any or all of the above in your stable if you're seriously considering the 918. Including a GT3RS or something else tasty from Porsche. Maybe even a GTR as a DD. Who knows.
See what I'm saying?
