Hypocrisy of the automotive press
dear Sir,
First, let me say how much I enjoy your magazine and the enthusiastic articles on new and old
911s. My complaint is with the automotive press in general, especially here in the US. I get so frustrated with all the 996 bashing concerning the headlights. I never read about anyone disparaging the look of GT1S. Same with the 915 transmission. Never do you read about a journalist bemoaning the 915 transmission in a 1973 RS or S. It’s the same shop-worn, sanctimonious and hypocritical cliches when it comes to the PDK transmission not being as ‘visceral’ as a manual. Again, I see no one complaining about the new GT2 RS, Porsche’s most extreme 911 ever, and the fact it only comes with a PDK. Stephen Gies the 996 always has and perhaps always will divide opinion among enthusiasts, regardless of whether it shares headlights with a Le Manswinning race car or not. the same goes for the other instances you highlight, regarding porsche’s most extreme 911 ever, the Gt2 rs, being pdk only, or the 2.7 carrera rs with 915 transmission. However, if we all liked the same things, the world would be a boring place. there are many positives to be taken from each situation highlighted: the 996’s divisive nature has kept the car affordable, allowing more enthusiasts to enter the market. the
Gt2 rs being pdk-only has allowed purists to get on with buying manual cars while the turbocharged rennsport in question is scurried away into collections. We can only encourage you to use total 911, along with other sources, to broaden your knowledge of porsche to make an informed decision on any opinion you may hold. It’s all part of the fun, right?