Automotive

There is an important aspect to consider. For most of its existence Porsche has been a fairly marginal business proposition, often on the brink of viability. At the same time for a long time the volumes they produced were feasible as the complexity of the development was less than nowadays. There were many near death experiences and miraculous solutions, such as when it was discovered that VW violated old patents (which gave Porsche amongst others access to components at highly subsidized prices).
The first time, when it became a really viable entity was with the Wiedekind restructuring, using former Toyota engineers for support. The first generation Boxster was the product that gave them a bit more breathing space (just like the 914, 924 and 944 did in the past, the 968 less so), allowing the entry into the Cayenne space some years later. The huge profitability of the Cayenne came at least partially from highly subsizided prices from VW again, the car in green was significantly cheaper if it was to be a Cayenne than if it was to become a Touareg, even though it was the same platform (internal accounting decision).
So the volume exploded over time and that likewise meant a commensurate drop in exclusivity. As for driving - it is probably the way of the world. Any supercar nowadays is drastically easier and more predictable to drive than their predecessors from decades past. There is much more testing and fine tuning involved, better suspension components and brakes, better tires... And of course a lot more electronics, which allow even the more hamfisted to look like heroes. It sells cars but also makes the whole experience a tad less special.
As for your last point - there are no car manufacturers left at this price point that could do viable sports cars in small quantities. Most have left the scene over the last two or so decades, as the business case simply didn't allow it. The handful of small volume ones around, like Morgan, Ariel, Caterham... all survive only as pretty much all of the mechanicals are bought in as opposed to developed. Others like Alpine live because a big mother wants them to, irrespective of the short term financials.

Just glad I grew up when I did and it was in a world where I had a lot of adventures and fun, they may have been simpler times but they were great fun.
Marc

I might have not fully enjoyed them but trying to catch up as best I can 😁😉🤞🏻

It used to be 90s-mid $150k usd for new 911s but it’s double in 20yrs.

The chip crisis shortage convinced car manufacturers that they could make another steep step but that was probably one too far.
As for the stock price decline, the RoS has dropped from 18% to just above break even (some one time effects for sure), so that is a major driver of the stock price, I guess.

For bringing back memories of the Honda Dax

There’s more Rolex watches than Toyota Corollas produced on the one hand, on the other hand it’s a Veblenian bauble with a lot less actual practical use or necessity than a car. And while both Porsche and Rolex can be considered luxury of sorts not the same market mechanisms apply.
Ola Källenius (Mercedes CEO) was waxing lyrical how his luxury strategy was based on his visit to Brunello Cucinelli and the discussions there. I knew at that point it was destined to fail.

It’s both a fascinating and depressing corner of the world to work in. My personal corner (after-sales and aftermarket service & diagnostics) was enough to keep me intrigued for 25+ years, send me traveling to dozens of countries and gave me the resources to fool around with watches for another 25. 😉

Cheers,

Mike

And your experiences were amazing indeed! I still managed some interesting stuff during the twilight years but for people who entered recently it’s not a great place to be 🤷🏻‍♂️