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beautiful, stunning, evolution baeauty. Where other sports car companies have to design their cars in relation to market requirements. The 911 iwas, is and will always be the yardstick for others to follow. Brilliant. I can't wait to pick mine up in less than 3 months now....and counting.

Lucky, lucky you!.  I do hope you can switch off the daytime running lighs though.

Here in Sweden they are obbligatory....I d on't know the stats on how many accidents they prevent.

SpecB:

I do hope you can switch off the daytime running lighs though.

Is this new version still called 997, considering the 997 was a heavily facelifted version of the 996 which was the 1st version of what is currently the 2nd gen 911? Either the way, it the new model looks superb!

Only mild disappointment for me is that the Carrera S hasn't hit the magic 400 Bhp mark to challenge the lowered powered version of its rivals, namely R8 and Vantage. I still reckon the superior chassis of the 911 would make it quicker around most tracks though, even with less power!

Didn't realise you were in Sweden - that's fair enough if all cars have to have them.  In the UK we are not used to them and to have a car with super bright LED's drive up behind you is distracting (certainly for me in any case.)

It has taken me nearly 30 years to really appreciate the 911, can't explain why but now I love it. Would I buy one if I was in a position to do so?.......

No, while appreciate what it stands for and the development that has gone into making it a worthy handling car in the modern age, I would go for something like an Aston.

Got to hand it to Porsche though for not giving up on the rear engined theme, although they did give up on the air cooled engine.

Jon Hardcastle:

I would go for something like an Aston.

I can totally appreciate this decision Jon. I think if you take Ferrari and Lambo out of the bag....used as Summer cars or boulevard cars here. Then Aston and Porsche today are the two cars in real world terms (under 100k) fighting it out for dominance. I don't think there is really a fight at all. Aston stands for one precise set of values, Porsche another. Above anything else these two marques must always be supported. I have had three Porsches in my lucky life. But this time I was dancing with the idea of the baby Aston. But lack of dealership back-up here in Sweden made me chose Porsche once more. The baby can fit in the back :-) When you get your Aston, if you have not already, let's meet somewhere to chat about cars. Porsche drivers (the ones I have met and excluding myself totally in this) and Aston ones I have met (3) know more about cars than any others. I would also put loyal Skoda drivers in this group (who started with the rear engine models) have remarkable knowledge. E.G. Skoda engines furnished the German Panzer and Tiger tanks.

andrew1965:

I can totally appreciate this decision Jon. I think if you take Ferrari and Lambo out of the bag....used as Summer cars or boulevard cars here. Then Aston and Porsche today are the two cars in real world terms (under 100k) fighting it out for dominance. I don't think there is really a fight at all. Aston stands for one precise set of values, Porsche another. Above anything else these two marques must always be supported. I have had three Porsches in my lucky life. But this time I was dancing with the idea of the baby Aston. But lack of dealership back-up here in Sweden made me chose Porsche once more. The baby can fit in the back :-) When you get your Aston, if you have not already, let's meet somewhere to chat about cars. Porsche drivers (the ones I have met and excluding myself totally in this) and Aston ones I have met (3) know more about cars than any others. I would also put loyal Skoda drivers in this group (who started with the rear engine models) have remarkable knowledge. E.G. Skoda engines furnished the German Panzer and Tiger tanks.

Thanks Andrew, but James Mays chances of getting his job back at Autocar are better than me being able to afford an Aston/Porsche.

I like what you say though as I am also a Skoda convert. The rear engined Estelle was a very successful rally car.

But in truth my heart really lies with Alfa Romeo and Maserati. And I know having said what I have about engineering integrity etc. I know Alfa's and Maseratis have not alway echoed this.

andrew1965:

E.G. Skoda engines furnished the German Panzer and Tiger tanks.

Can you explain more about Skoda engines in Panzer and Tiger tanks? I understood Tiger I and II had Maybach engines. Maybach Motorenbau GmbH of Berlin.

Are you confusing Tigers' 700hp Maybach V12 HL 230 engine with the Skoda 120 hp six cylinder engine in the captured Czech LT-35 light tank?