Jerry Feather

I love this thread! This post especially reminds me of my most recent Regional PCA meeting. I had seen the announcements for the RMR annual holiday party in Denver, so I decided to take my wife and 10 yr old daughter. I had only been to one other PCA meeting before--several years earlier, and by coincidence at a location only a stone's throw away from the forum for this event.

Since it was a party, I took one of my hand fabricated and formed 928 spare tire covers as a door prize. Everyone was very cordial and friendly until I was asked to come to the mike and explain about the cover I had donated. Giving me the mike is a big mistake.

What I did first was to ask how many 928 pushers were there. None. Then I had to explain that that was too bad since I was sure they all knew that the 928is really the very first really true and complete Porsche design. When the boos and hisses died down, I then got to contrast the 928 to all of those 911's that were simply a direct decendent of the VW Bug with a simple air cooled engine in the back. More boos and hisses!

Since there were no 928 guys there I thought they were going to decline my gift, but about when I was going to suggest that I take it home with me the leader said, we will save it for next year. I wasn't sure if they were just being polite, but when I checked the meeting room the next morning when we checked out I found that the cover had not been simply abandoned there.

I had been to one of their meetings several years before and that one was in my 356 days. I think that might have been a holiday party also. I don't remember much about it, but I have had the feeling of not being included before is these kind of groups. That is common I think for outsiders or strangers until the group gets used to them. If you don't go often enough they wont get used to you, so I don't let it bother me.

I will add that when the party adjourned a couple of 911 guys told me on the way out that they were interested in the 928 and hoped to have one some day.

Jerry Feather, FBA Certified
S4's (6)
KGJT

soontobered84

Jason,
I just looked at a calendar with Roger to verify the dates: Third Coast will be November 6 and 7 in 2010 with Friday, November 5 for check-in and late night parking lot party!

morganabowen

I recall a year or so ago, a new 928 owner posted here on RL that he had attended his first PCA or POC meeting and was disappointed and left early. He complained that he was the youngest by at least 20 years, and all the discussion was 911 related. Said he would not go to another meeting

sanjay28

I will definitely go to more meetings with an open mind. There are a few 928 owners in the group, so I i'm not alone. I just happend to meet someone who rubbed me the wrong way, but that happens everyday to everyone no matter where you go.

dr bob

My practice has come to the point where I don't talk about the car at all until the ice has melted some. Remember that when you are the new guy, how you present is the memory that folks will carry. If it sounds like "--I--!! have a 928!!" you'll be an outsider forever. Be a car guy first, remembering that what you drive and what they drive don't affect who you are. The real car guys have an appreciation for all things automotive, no matter where the engine was stuffed or whether they need inlet compressors to make adequate power.

Too many 928's are picked up cheap, in marginal condition, by folks who really have no business owning them. They get paraded proudly around among the purists, who rightfully suggest that the car needs a lot of attention to get beyond scruffy. They've seen it before, where the interest quickly wanes and the new enthusiast never returns. Then the scruffy car is seen on the market again, waiting to grab the next enthusiastic victim. Does anybody wonder why they don't get full respect on the first day? Hint-- It's reflected in the market price of the cars.

So join PCA. Keep it low key. Participate in a few driving events. Go on a driving tour or two. As the new guy, don't try to be leading or showing off; pick up the rear and be happy about it. Get the social side managed first. If the car is ready, do a DE event. Grow within the organization and the appreciation for you and, secondarily, your ride, will grow with you. If you use terms derogitory terms like 'vacuum cleaner', and constantly remind folks of the 911's VW heritage, you'll be discounted immediately. Show an appreciation for the tastes and toys of the others, and that appreciation will be returned.


At my first few PCA events as a 928 owner, we parked the cars in a respectful spot not in the middle. Left the doors unlocked and keys on the seat. Listened in on a conversation for a while after quietly introducing myself to a few folks. After a while they looked over at the car, and the questions started. Doors opened, folks tried it on. One owner wanted to buy it on the spot, a 'name your price' kind of guy. Seems there are a few closet 928-lovers in the PCA world. Point is, the real car guys will come to you when they are ready. Don't shove things in their face. In return, you need to show a little knowledge and respect for them and the cars they've chosen. Remember, it's a car, guys.

dr bob

I'm pretty sure that won't be happening to us...

rluvsporsche

Sanjay28
I too had a bad experience with my local chapter. The chapter president was actually uninviting and pompous. Most people look down and frown on 928's in my chapter but it does not deter me from participating in local events. It's been a few years since I've participated in any PCA events. I believe the PCA for most part is a good organization no matter what Porsche you choose to own. I do long for the comradely that I get from events such as "Sharks in the Mountain". My local chapter's members are distant to its member unless you’re a regular or own a Carrera GT of some sort. IMHO

RKD in OKC

Our PCA group has an official greeter like Walmart. He goes to almost every meeting or event, scopes out the new people and engages them. The first question he asks is what car they have. He is a real car nut and likes about every car ever made no matter what mark it is. He drives a 944 and likes my 928 so much he has about talked his brother into getting one instead of a Corvette or Mustang. His brother lives in the DFW area and I told them to contact Roger and Sean and go to a couple of the DFW breakfast before buying.

Even with our official greeter and what I think are some pretty nice people we have had a couple of people say our group is a bunch of stuck ups.
We had one couple write a really nasty letter about how they went to our breakfast and nobody talked to them and they would never come to another of our meetings. They never introduced themselves, or contacted anyone in the group and our group was NOT the only group in the restaurant. We never knew they were even there. Guess you just can't please everybody.

pcar928fan

Our "greeter" is our Membership Chairman and contacts each new member and invites them to a function and then introduces (casually, not usually formally) that person (or those persons) to the group over the course of whatever event it is... As I noted earlier most all of our presidents have owned something OTHER THAN 911's! Most all of them have in fact owned and loved 928's as well as many other P-cars! Pretty awesome group actually!

morganabowen

Rolf Dr. Bob Larry

RKD in OKC

Our greeter is someone besides the membership chairman that does all that too.

NaroEscape

Sanjay,
First of all, welcome to Carolinas Region and more specifically, Metrolina Area (long story for those outside Carolinas Region what that means). Anyway, I'm sorry you had a bad first experience, but beleive it or not, Carolinas Region is a pretty big hot spot for 928's. Chuck Z is the owner of 928registry and owns at least one (or is it two now Chuck) absolutely gorgeous 928's. Former VP Stan Pendergraft, now working at Hendrick Porsche, currently owns an S4 5sp that he is 'restoring' per se, but has owned a few nice GTS', and others - lost count. Former Metrolina Area Director Steve Zakely owns a 928, current Metrolina AD Don Morris - the guy that ran the meeting, used to own one (maybe two?), 928 Specialists is up in Spruce Pine, NC, and there is always Sharks In The Mountians that happens in June. Current Carolinas President Harvey Yancey used to own a 87 5sp.... I could go on.....

Point is, this is a great group down here. I am the most previous Region President, now Zone Rep. I don't/never have owned a 928, but I am on the opposite end....I own 914's What's funny is I hear the same comments about not being 'accepted' on the 914 boards... Oh, and the water cooled 911and Boxster guys complain about not being accepted by the air cooled guys, and nobody is accepted by the 356 guys....etc. etc. etc....

Please, don't let a bad experience with one person get to you. You will find a lot of great people in this region, and throughout all of PCA. As was mentioned, PCA is what you make of it, and this region certainly is always looking for anyone to help out and get involved....just ask!

Hope to see you at an event soon, and sorry I missed the meeting last night.

mdkelly1

My experience with PCA has been a good one. Reactions to the 928 vary across the board, but are mostly positive, especially when owners of other models actually get a chance to see and experience a 928 up close. They usually start asking questions about "what it is like to drive," and "how long have you had it." If they have actually ridden in one, the interest level goes up significantly. If they have the opportunity to hear the "V-8" (RMB or otherwise) you can also count on an increased level of interest.

Larry928GTS

So it's not a good idea to ask them why 9-1-1 was chosen as the the number to call any time there's a big accident?

pcar928fan

The other key to this if you are outside around the cars is if your car is actually a nice one. If it is a nice one (regardless of year) you are going to get cred! If it really is a POS, don't expect much love unless you explain and then PROVE that you are in the process of restoring it...