stefang

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Wilwerding:
<strong> would you rather be driving around in a GT2 on Christmas day or be with family and friends?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Welll... would I get to see them on Boxing day???

Stef

RANDY P

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Wilwerding:
<strong>
Ask yourself this question - would you rather be driving around in a GT2 on Christmas day or be with family and friends?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'll take the Porsche please.

True, money may not be everything, but it's damn close.

rjp

Jay H

I knew of a woman who was a from an extremely weathly family. Her family name would be easily recognizable to most people in this country and most of the world. She was raised by a nanny because her parents were too busy 'being rich', her parents had trust funds set up so that she would inherit multi-millions, she received $10,000 per month for "living expenses", only needed to work 4 hours a day as a clerk just to get out of the house, could afford anything and everything she wanted, etc., etc.

She always maintained that she would instantly give up all her money and wealth to have a normal family life and regretted that her parents were too busy to even raise her while she was a child.

I know weathly individuals who are just not happy with life and I know very poor ($ wise) individuals who are extremely happy and are grateful for even the little they have.

Steve Wilwerding

[quote]Originally posted by Jay H:
<strong>I knew of a woman who was a from an extremely weathly family. Her family name would be easily recognizable to most people in this country and most of the world. She was raised by a nanny because her parents were too busy 'being rich', her parents had trust funds set up so that she would inherit multi-millions, she received $10,000 per month for "living expenses", only needed to work 4 hours a day as a clerk just to get out of the house, could afford anything and everything she wanted, etc., etc.

She always maintained that she would instantly give up all her money and wealth to have a normal family life and regretted that her parents were too busy to even raise her while she was a child.

I know weathly individuals who are just not happy with life and I know very poor ($ wise) individuals who are extremely happy and are grateful for even the little they have.</strong><hr></blockquote>

This is what I'm talking about. I attend Creighton University (one of the most exclusive universities in the Midwest) and there are many people in my classes that don't really know their parents. Their fathers are rich and powerful and maybe only spend a day a month at home and their mothers have better things to do than raise children. One guy I know splits his school breaks between his parent's cottage in Aspen and his parent's beach house in Malibu. The only problem - no parents. He's not a very happy guy.

Jim Michaels

This has turned into quite an interesting thread. The research on the correlates of human happiness and life satisfaction supports Steve's claim. Specifically, the quality of one's close personal relationships has a much larger impact than does wealth. In fact, there is almost no impact of wealth on happiness once one gets to what we'd consider a middle class income level. On the other hand, extreme poverty sucks, and so does chronic ill health. So if you've got good health, and good close personal relationships, go hug those who make that possible. Actually, you can take at least partial credit for being the kind of person who develops good close relationships.

There is also research that suggests that each individual has his/her own normal happiness level. When good things happen to us, our happiness spurts upward, but eventually returns to its normal level. When bad things happen, we go down in the dumps, but eventually return to our normal happiness level. This may help explain why some people we know who seem to have so much going for them are still crabs, while others in less desirable circumstances always seem so happy.

I believe the research to be valid, but I'd still like to have more money to spurt my, and my wife's happiness more frequently. But it's all relative. The guy with the TT and the GT2? Maybe he can afford any car (or two) he wants, but feels relatively deprived because his yacht and plane aren't nearly as nice as those of his friends.

Finally (and you thought I'd never get here), I regularly read the 911, 964, 993, and 996 forums and have noticed differences in wealth reflected in how people talk. For example, someone on the 911 forum might ask about where to get a decent set of used Fuchs at a reasonable price, whereas someone on the 996 forum might ask where to get the best wheels he can buy for his car.

M Danger

Wow this thread makes me think not all 911 owners are snobs.
Thanks!

jet911

Jim I believe hit it right on. It's all relative. No matter how much you have, there's always someone with more and someone out there with less, and someone with more will always flaunt it. It's a vicious cycle if you let it get to you....

Regards,
Jim
'86 911

Todd

Exactly Jim. I totally agree about happiness levels. And, if your in poverty I agree money can make you happy. But, you only need so much to get to a certain level, then it is completely different. Having none is terrible. But, having enough for a contentment is OK, and much more probably won't account for more happiness. Another point though, if you do have great family, relationships, friends, health, and a general enjoyment about being alive extra money is nice. It can be disturbing if you have so much you have to always watch it, or if you get to into the "wealth image" crowd. But, if your life is good, its always nice to have lots of money to enjoy even more the things you do have.
ie. going on great vacations with friends, racing, multiple homes ect. I don't really agree with flauting it though. I think people should be decent, hardworking people regardless of their financial wealth. You should by all means enjoy personal wealth, but that is not a ticket for enjoying throwing it in everyones face.

Bob's flat-six

Gentleman: I'm happy as hell at amost 50 (12/15) with my 80SC coupe. As for the guy with the new TT I don't think he's any happier than I am it just cost him more to feel it.
The early cars are more of a challenge to find, maintain and drive that keeps our hunter gatherer instincts intact.

With that said I'll take the phone number of the rich broad mentioned earlier in case I'm wrong. (just kidding happily married)
Cheers Bob





<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

pig4bill

[quote]Originally posted by ZCAT3:
<strong>It is like anything else really, the easier it is to have the less you appreciate it. When I was in graduate school my wife and I used to have contests with friends to see who could find the best bottle of wine for $5 or less. I remember drinking some really nice wines in that price range and agonizing over spending the $5. Now $5 is a meaningless amount to me.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I know exactly what you mean. I dreamed of owning an M3 for years, since I drove the first year one in 1988. Always trying to squeeze my budget, to find a way to afford monthly payments. Then a couple years ago, when the market was hoppin' I could write a check for the entire purchase price of an e46 M3. Suddenly an M3 didn't seem so appealing. Of course things are different now, and when the $23,000 Mini Cooper S I ordered a few months back arrived, I turned it down. I got laid off and it seems kind of stupid to spend money on a new car.

Eric-17

Thanks for the great thread guys! I would agree with many that wealth is a relative term not always having to do with money. Two years ago my wife and I splurged and went on vacation to Brazil. Four days at a "resort" in the jungle and then five days in the city of Manaus. We made a point of "doing as the locals do" and I'll tell you what..... I appreciate all I have a lot more now, especially opportunity. The kind of happiness I felt realizing how fortunate I was being an upper-middleclass American was overpowering.

Thanks for the great discussion. This is a great forum, not only the subject matter but the people who post.

Eric

Steve Zitelli

When it comes to 911s the fun factor is the same if you spend 10k or 100k.

turbocarrera.

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Zitelli:
<strong>When it comes to 911s the fun factor is the same if you spend 10k or 100k.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm quite certain I'd have alot more fun with my car if I had 100K to blow on it rather than 10k. <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

j/k I know what you mean.

Jay H

A few years ago there was a small high end used car dealer near my work that I would visit frequently during lunch hours. They carried about 20-40 nice used sports cars. Everything from Ferrari's to 'Vettes to 911's. I got to know the main sales person there and we would talk 'shop' a lot.

I remember asking this salesman about what type of person would be buying these expensive Ferrari's and Twin Turbos, etc. He prefaced his answer by saying that "you would not believe how many people come in here with large 6 figure salaries and I can't get them financing for a $40,000 Ferrari". He stated a lot of these people were so leveraged with 3 mortgages, several car payments, a boat payment, and country club dues that they did not have even the cash in their wallet to buy a value meal at McDonalds. They were essentially flat broke, but liked to look like they owned the world.

On the other hand, very wealthy people allow us working stiffs to at least be able to dream about owning a GTx or a Twin Turbo Whatever. Without them buying very expensive toys, we'd have nothing to aspire to/dream about nor would we have any affordable 20 year old 911's to buy. Nor would manufactures even think about designing and building these high priced vehicles. We'd be all driving around in Chevy Cavaliers and Hyundia Sonotas.

Also, God bless the wealthy people who take old cars that are beyond repair and restore them to their former glory. The series in Excellence that is covering the restoration of that very early 356 is an example. That historic car would have been lost forever if not for the person with the very deep pockets behind that project. What is that restoration costing this guy??...

Just more of my $.02...
Jay
90 964