Funny story; I was driving the 356 (it is a family heirloom car) downtown and was waiting at a light when a homeless guy calls out: "Nice A car, a '57?" and I called back: "Really close; '58!" Cat knew his cars... Funny that people think the Boxster is the exotic... The Turbo seems to go mostly unnoticed which is a good thing.

By far most responses I get are very positive except for big diesel trucks. They are either pre-pissed or think that their big truck is a race car or something... They can really rage...

I was talking with a co-worker who is in the market for a big SUV for his wife and he mentioned a Suburban can set you back $70K! Holy cow! I had no idea. Nothing in my garage can compete with that...

Whatever... I really enjoy our cars - I've wanted one all my life and I try to be a good steward so others can enjoy them after me. They are special cars and I bet they'll be around long after that new Suburban...

Franny

 

I got this response from a co-worker regarding my very well maintained 12 year old base Boxster. To make matters worse she was driving a relatively new Range Rover. I gave it right back. I think Porsche envy elicits this sort of response.

 

I have heard comments like, "isn't this a mid life crisis car". Asked several occasions what I did for a living by "car guys" I didn't know that well. You can tell they were talking about it prior. But it was in no way an insult. I have gotten ALOT of thumbs up and people saying nice car. This was at the age of 29, granted I have no facial hair and look younger. I have been put in my place though by a family member and my fiancé when I complained when I first got the car and had a lot of problems. Had to replace a lot of things at first when I bought the car and it was very frustrating. They both looked at me and said, "are you really complaining about your "porsche"", to me its just a car and I never use the word "porsche" when describing my car. I describe it as a modded turbo unless someone specifically asks the type of car. In a way I am embarrassed about owning a car like this at times because I want no one to think that I am "better" then they are because I do see ALOT of that attitude with the exotic car guys. I pride myself never to act that way and to always stay grounded.

Too many people now a days see these cars as something more then a vehicle, its a car, it has 4 wheels, an engine and a transmission. I don't care if its a porsche, ferrari, ford, lambo, prius....etc. They all do the same thing, get you from point A to point B and some people forget this. I hate seeing guys hate on people because they own a civic and thats the only car they can afford.


Ala the saying in my signature......................................... ...

 

I bought mine when I was 25, got a lot of attitude then. As I have gotten older, and married, it has calmed down.

I also live in south Orange County, where my Car is far from the nicest even on a short commute.

 

And what are we learning over the last several posts?

Young people shouldn't be driving Porsches...

...Seems to be the major factor here.

 

Usually people think if you own one it cost crap ton to even own it. Insurance and maintenance but most of us do a lot on our cars. Or they think car cost a 100k. Sure when it was new. I never talk about money or even at work what I drive also people think only owners can be doctors or lawyers. To me I don't care what people think I drive what I pcar was my dream car since I saw it. The only thing I can't stand is when people ride my bumper either at dead stop or while driving or wants to race you. I get mad and not sure why. Just let people talk smack who cares life's to short and you should enjoy it.

 

I don't drive my car to work anymore as I received some angry looks from people working the plant floor. I'm sure they think I have the car since I am the "rich" engineer employed by corporate. Little do they know that the car is 13 years old and was bought at Auto
Advantage by trading in my deceased mother's Lincoln Town Car with some extra $$. Many of their fancy trucks in the lot cost more than my 2001 996 turbo...

 

This is so true about cutting. I've notice that more than when I was driving m3. If you driving at normal speeds people want you to go faster if you drive faster they think you own the road and look at you all weird.

I dress normally As well I don't wear suit to work because it's not required but you can imagine when I park my car at Metra parking lot haha weird looks from people. I use my car everywhere including grocery shopping

 

That is so true about trucks

 

The culture where i live , the low profile you are the less people know it and better it is ... porsche is very snobby especially in the suburb where i live! whatever porsche you got!but i understand the human nature ...so no need to brag !but i think its all relative in the culture we live...family ,friend etc.. IMO
one fact i know is my 996tt was almost 200K$ new and same price today!! i understand i dont drive a camaro ss 40k$ that worth 6 gran in 12 years

but i am proud of my porsche because the story behind the badge (ww2 racing etc..). the performance , feeling ,exclusivity, robustness ,resale value,easy finding part(996) getting this car unbeatable for the price ...be proud of it

 

I was 28 when I purchased mine. Most people think I look like I'm in my mid 20's. I am yet to get any real attitude from people when they find out what car I have or see me in it. It's rare that people even notice the car. I've gotten a few compliments, not many, but also don't get the obvious "I'm not looking at your car" guy. People genuinely don't seem to care.

I was a little worried about driving it to work. Most people at my company don't make much and I was right there at the bottom with them when I bought. Everybody figured it was mine when I first got it because I'm the only one into cars, but other than a couple people saying it was nice and the CFO wanting to sit in it nobody has really said anything or cared.

When my wife, who looks even younger than me, had her E92 M3 she never got negative treatment either.

I have never seen surprised looks when we get in or out of our cars in parking lots even though neither of us dress that nice (think Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic), no watches, jewelry (other than rings), or fancy purses. People here just really don't seem to care.

So if you want to own a nice car and be invisible Austin is the place to be.

 

The timing of this post is also funny - see the other thread - about when your bosses boss drives something other than a Porsche...

Turns out - there is a pretty big controversy about whether or not to actually drive certain cars in certain environments...

 

My buddy use to work at the Chrysler plant in DE (now closed) and was told he should be driving a Chrysler made product to work. He had the cleanest 1987 928s4 I have ever seen but after driving it to work once and getting the treatment he said never again. Bought a new dodge truck and every one was happy lol.

 

I've heard there's a great turnout.. I'll try to be there.


Sure. To what?


I'm not sure I want to hear about your 968. Sounds sad


This is a great point. My good friends and people I respect are not the ones giving anything other than praise.


I don't want to end up driving less because of the hate.. It sucks there's such stigma that it makes you enjoy your car less.


TRUTH!

 

I know what you're saying. I've been broke, and coming from the bottom makes me so grateful and thankful for all I have. That being said, people on the road or people making comments don't get the chance to know me first. Haters gonna hate - no way around that.