I want to ask the hardcore Porsche guys here a question:
Porsche and 911 in particular are considered the pinnacle of automotive engineering excellence. But is there something you miss from other cars you have owned or driven? Is there a car brand that does something a little better? For e.g. steering feel of a Lotus or transmission shifts of a Ferrari or something like that?
I will leave out the obvious: I know Porsche is not known for luxury of a Rolls Royce/Bentley… So :)
“better” exhaust in what sense? Sound? Or are they leaving performance on the table?
The civility is a very subjective issue, I think it comes down to preferring German restraint to Italian high drama (the VAG Lambos make a fascinating fusion thereof.) I remember when the Audi R8 came out people were dinging it as being “boring” and I couldn’t imagine a car that pretty taking a turn at 100mph with all the effort of going to get the groceries being considered boring.
Honestly, as unpopular as I will sound right now, I feel this whole Italians doing the “drama” thing and whatever some car fans call “soulful” or “emotional” and calling Germans “boring” is a bit too exaggerated. Yeah, even as a die-hard Porsche person, I harbor love towards the Ferrari V12, but to outright call a Porsche or any relative German sports car “boring” or “soulless” is an overused trope, be it in exhaust sound, design, etc. IMHO. Personally, anyone who calls an R8 (particularly the OG) boring is just talking out of their rear end.
Regarding sound, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt towards anything turbo as Turbocharged engines aren’t known for sound. However, engines like the N/A 4.0L Flat 6 (even those in the RSR cup cars), certain V8s (older GTS models and even the 918), the older race car engines like the Flat 8 and 12, V10, etc. are all some incredibly special engines created by Porsche. The driving experience is also unique and special in its own regard.
For Design, Porsche has always preferred being understated. I personally find that an appealing quality to Porsche at a time when many folks prefer Italian exotics for the brand name and flexing the status alone.