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Porsche 918 Spyder configurator goes live

That didn't take long. The debut model of the new Porsche 918 Spyder is still thronged by onlookers at the Frankfurt Motor Show, while the German sports car maker is hard at work putting the first version of the supercar's configuration page online. Considering Porsche configurators are some of our favorite time-wasters of the genre, we expect car-guy productivity to drop by a few percentage points over the rest of the day.
So, the 918 dream-maker doesn't list and prices as yet, and that's too bad. But considering the car is due to start off at $845,000 in the US, chances are good that unless you're reading this from the shallow end of your Uncle Scrooge-spec money pool, the cost of any part of the 918 is academic to you anyway.
To start, Porsche is offering twelve paint colors, three wheel choices and seven two-tone interior treatments. Standard lightweight bucket seats and a set of chairs with "firmer padding" are on offer, too. The options list is mostly populated with interior bits, though many - an anti-reflection interior, fire extinguisher, six-point seatbelts - are racing-oriented or functional. Note that Porsche is also kind enough to offer just one cupholder as an optional extra; the unit is made of aluminum and is detachable so that you won't have to carry the extra weight during racing. Also, Porsche probably puts you on some kind of naughty 'list' if you order one...

'We're not a hedge fund': Porsche plans to curtail speculators and flippers

A sizable number of speculators view cars as an investment. Rare or unusual models are quickly snapped up and either parked for years or flipped for a profit. Cars from automakers like Porsche and Ferrari are more prone than others, and at least some people behind these models are getting a bit tired of it. While it's difficult to police what goes on after you sell a car, Porsche has some plans that might curtail the problem before it starts. Andreas Preuninger, the head of GT road-car development and the man behind the new 911 GT3, spoke to Car and Driver at a recent event. "I personally like to see my cars being used," he said. "That's what we build them for. They are just too good to be left to stand and collect dust." One recent example of this rampant speculation is the 911 R. While the special manual-only model sold for $185,950 when new, used versions were selling for nearly $1.3 million just months after it went on sale. While the car is a masterpiece and an instant classic, a good number will be parked and simply used as art and not the rolling testaments to the man/machine interface they were intended to be. The concern over valuations has become so fierce that some owners are upset that Porsche is offering the new 911 GT3 with a manual transmission, fearing that it may hurt the value of the 911 R. "When I said we're not a hedge fund, I'm talking to those people who are yelling at us for offering the manual transmission similar to the R," Preuninger said. "But if there are people wanting to buy cars like that, then as a company we should try to fulfill that, to meet that demand." It seems Porsche is keeping a close eye on who is flipping cars. Since there is often far more demand than supply with certain models, the German automaker has a name for every car before it's built. Buyers with bad reputations might not even make the wait list. Related Video:

Exotic cars caught on video racing on neighborhood streets in Beverly Hills

A pair of supercars caught on camera racing around a quiet Beverly Hills neighborhood last week has residents fearing for their safety. The video shows a white Porsche 911 and a yellow Ferrari LaFerrari as they clipped parked cars and blew through stop signs while residents of the upscale community watched in horror. Freelance cameraman Jacob Rogers shot the video of the supercar shenanigans. He later confronted a man outside the house where the Ferrari eventually parked. He asked the man if he cared that he was endangering people's lives. The man became combative and claimed he had diplomatic immunity. "He told me verbatim, 'I could have you killed and get away with it,'" Rogers told NBC Los Angeles. "I told him, 'the press is allowed to be here on the sidewalk on a public street.' He said, '(Expletive) America' and threw a cigarette at me." The Ferrari's plates are from the oil-rich country of Qatar. The race ended with the Ferrari pulling into the driveway of a $45,000-per-month rental home, its engine compartment smoking. Police can be seen arriving in the neighborhood. Los Angeles police are currently investigating the incident. Even though the LaFerrari was still smoking when police arrived they haven't filed charges because no officer witnessed the illegal activities. When police approached the owner of the vehicle he denied doing anything illegal and again claimed diplomatic immunity. Police told NBC they are in contact with the State Department about the man's diplomatic status and the legality of the cars in the neighborhood. Beverly Hills isn't the only swanky zip code plague by hotshot supercar owners. Some of the most expensive homes in London can be found In the Knightsbridge neighborhood - and some of the most expensive cars as well. This summer, the local council of Knightsbridge and nearby Chelsea began exploring a Public Space Protection Order that would fine drivers who rev their engines, drag race on residential streets or blare music, according to Reuters UK. News Source: NBC Los Angeles Government/Legal Ferrari Porsche Racing Vehicles Supercars Videos illegal