i'm just back from a 2000 mile ride from Fla to Montreal in a 911 convert. it's a 2004 model, great car that belongs to a friend of mine that leaves it at his condo. I have a couple of observations to make comparing the 2 cars. I know.... a 120K can$ vs a 40K can$ is not fair but i'll do it anyway.

Power : 325 hp vs 238 ... no contest!! The power is there at any rpm and seems will never end. But driving my 8 the minute i got out of the 911 showed me we still have a pretty good power pack.

transmission : Also a big + for the 911, smoother, easier to engage, and precise. I find my 8 to be hard to get in gear at time. The clutch is a bit heavier and grabs higher on the 911 but no big deal

One thing i felt right away stepping back in my 8 was how much lighter it felt vs the 911. just a feeling maybe...

The engine on the 911 has a great low roar that is pleasant to hear, no comparison possible on the 2 engines since the 8 has that great "turbo" sound almost.

There's not much room in the 911, i found the front seats less roomy then the 8 and there's basically no back seat so....

The dashboard on the 911 is not that great, nothing catches the eye and the tan color was not the greatest.(but a black interior is out of the question in a convertible)

I don't know the fuel mileage we had riding at 80 to 90 MPH but i figure it's better then the 8 at that speed... maybe close to the 8 in city driving. (ain't that bad for the 8 or what... :-) )

all in all i would NOT pay that much for a car although i would take it anytime as a gift ;-)

M

PS: forgot to talk about the noise level, of course with the top down it's noisier, with the top up? I think it's comparable, with the tires being about as noisy on the 8 as it is on the 911, no more no less. And i think the ride is MAYBE a bit smoother on the 911 surprisingly, they've softened it up a bit since i rode a 01 carrera 4 years ago.

 

Whenever I look at comparing my car (RX-8) to the more expensive competition, I have to look at it from a "is it x amount of money better?" standpoint. In other words, comparing a Porsche to the RX-8, of course the Porsche is going to be better in most categories, but is it $80k better? I doubt it. It makes me feel better to think I have one of the best "bang for the buck" values around :-D

 

i agree completely. I didn't have more fun driving the 911 ... we do have a heck of a car for the 40K can$ we paid

 

A 911 is a 911 though--As soon as I can afford one I'm getting it.

 

Wait for the Cayman S model......
Cheaper than 911, mid-engine layout, better perfromance too.....

hehehe

 

Ahh yes--the 911 is quicker in a straight line but that Cayman is more rigid and better for the auto X. Looks good too.

 

$35k buys a nice 911 that will outperform the RX-8 if you're looking for the moniker...

 

Don't bring logic and rational thinking to a car debate! they aren't welcome :p

I would gladly pay 80 grand more for a GT3.

 

1. Not looking for just the moniker--but a 911 is my coup de gras sports car.
2. Ironically I was just pricing some nice used 996s--but I'm in no position right now (financially) or by age (I'm 23) to be trying to get into a 911 right now. My dad has been talking about a 996 and my step brother has an order down on a 997 Convertible that should be delivered in August. So I'll have to live vicariously through them.

 

The 8 is just a more interesting car than a 911. I also think the 911 is getting more boring looking as it ages, they were much cooler looking cars 20+ years ago than they are now. I think they are starting to lose some of their character, they should have kept the whale tail, upright headlight cowls, etc.

I will give the older 911's the "classic sports car" design award however. I don't think I would want one though and if you dumped the price difference into the 8 it would probably perform much better anyway.

 

I was just thinking the same thing yesterday when I saw an '87. They flattened out the sides on the new cars and made that long, drawn out nose with layed-back headlights. I also don't like the big giant plastic bumpercaps with the funny body seams. Even the body seams on the old 911's were a nice part of the design.

I know the 8 has some big plastic bumper caps, but they blend in better, and they aren't attached to a $70,000 car.