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In my opinion, you should drive your car the 30 miles to the event because you’d enjoy it, and you’d be sharing another facet of your personality/life with your “music” friends. They probably don’t care since they’re not car people. And maybe someone will surprise you and you’ll find out they drive their “beater” to the music events but they have a fun XYZ in the garage. You never know. Since they have no idea about your car - what do you not know about them?
You have a common interest with these folks and a mutual respect based on your love of music and ability to play, and commitment to the hobby. I’m betting they either won’t care, or would be interested to understand more about your “car” hobby. And if they judge harshly and their behavior changes, that tells you something about them.
Life is so short and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. If driving the 30 miles to the event gives you pleasure, I say do it, and let them learn something about you. Maybe it’ll strengthen your “music” friendships. Maybe not, But if it makes you day more enjoyable, I say do it!
I’ve learned (so far) in life that my biggest regrets are from NOT doing things I wanted to do.
First i'm not a rich guy. I worked and saved and waited a long time to get my first 911.
There are places i won't drive the car mostly because of fear of vandals but i bought it to drive not to look at. Not afraid of rain (snow and salt yes).
On the other hand it's not a Ferrari or Lambo most people won't give it a second look.
A friend sent my this the other day.
Sorry for the size, don't know how to shrink it.
I thought the whole reason for buying a Porsche WAS to show off!
Just kidding. I understand where you are coming from, and the answer is going to be different for everyone. Do what you feel comfortable doing. My feeling is they will probably find out sooner or later unless you never drive the car. You never know who you are going to run into while, and people talk.
Can we not go down a political path, please? (Big cities are inherently liberal.) More relevant to me in a big city would be parking, door dings, congestion, construction, etc... (And yes, we do make decisions based on the inherent dangers of vandalism, crime, etc... but that's been the case for many years.)
The thread is more about that internal dialog one has when you have to pick which car to drive when you're going to be seeing a particular group of people. The work analogy is a good one, and is relevant. Interesting some say "get new friends" but few say "find a new job where the employees/management don't care what you drive."
I often have my music friends at my house, too, for a jam. If it comes up where they see the car in the garage, I think that might be a better ice breaker than me showing up in it. Once it's "out there" I wouldn't have a problem driving it to an event.
The work thing is different. I own my own company. Very small. I pay everyone really well, but the optics of me owning a Porsche might be tricky.
I’m not trying to get political… it is what it is and things have definitely changed in the last few years.
Back to your original question, I can see where you might have some concern with the small company optics and not wanting to look like Bill Lumbergh. Do you have another car that you can drive to company functions?
What is missing from 90% of the population today. Self awareness. I wonder if AI will become self aware and decide humanity is no longer viable.
Originally Posted by Deven
I have always been cognizant of the crowd that I will be in. Wearing a Rolex with a tee shirt when everyone is wearing Fitbits does give the perception that you are flexing and being pretentious. It serves no purpose otherwise.
Same would apply to the Porsche. You perceive it as a great opportunity to drive 30 miles each way and enjoy the ride, but if the circle of friends don't know you have a Porsche and they are driving 2nd hand Kia's it is no different than the Rolex. It serves no purpose other than iliciting an emotional response (usually negative) in the crowd you are in. If your friends are driving Range Rovers and maxed out Cadillacs or p100 Model X, then I would have no issues with the Porsche.
I can see where you might have some concern with the small company optics and not wanting to look like Bill Lumbergh.
Love office space!
Yeah, the Porsche was a 60th birthday present to myself, so I've got other things to drive. Not a problem there at all. They know I have a Miata and a couple other things, and they know I'm a car guy. I've had goofy stuff in my garage, too, that I've fixed up and sold.
I think one of my most notable parking experiences happened in downtown San Jose. I parked on the street and a homeless guy came over and was admiring my car. He was starring at all angles, nodded his head, and then said he had never seen a 991.1 in Lime Gold Metallic before. I was stunned. He started naming off other rare Porsche colors he liked. He nodded politely and moved on. You never know who is going to be a car guy...
My most notable parking experience happened with my miata. Ran into a Jimmy John's in my own neighborhood and while I was waiting for the sandwich, I looked out at my car, and there was some ratty guy sitting in the passenger seat. What was that, two minutes?
I went out and said, "excuse me?" and he was like, "oh, sorry, I thought it was mine."
I laughed and said "nice try" and he got out without incident. I thought it was pretty funny, but I wasn't sure where it was gonna go.
For most normal people there is a difference between a guy/gal that drives a Porsche and a guy/gal that makes sure everyone else knows they drive a Porsche.
Literally ran into this a couple weeks ago. Was going to a buddy’s house for his daughter’s HS graduation party. Choices were my *very* orange 911 or my subdued dark blue Cayenne. As I wasn’t sure who all would be showing up, even though I really wanted to drive the fun car for the hour plus drive, I went for the “inconspicuous” one just to avoid raised eyebrows. It’s funny when the MSRP is basically the same between the two (the Cayenne is a CPO, so it cost me a lot less, but still) - the Cayenne is invisible where the orange car definitely isn’t. Ironically, my buddy’s wife immediately told him I’d driven the “wrong” one. lol
Anyway, I definitely relate to this topic. I bought the car to drive it and have worked very hard for the privilege, but am aware that, for a lot of people, it causes them to jump to immediate stereotypes. Depending on the context, sometimes I opt for the “pedestrian” P-car.
I have a silver 11 year old 991. Where I live, it is invisible to most people.
I have a black 12 year old 991, and the question I get asked by strangers most frequently (usually at the gas pump) is, "Nice car, is it new?" I mentioned this to a friend who has a 997, and he says he gets the same question all the time.
If ever you needed confirmation that the 911 is truly a timeless car, it's the fact that your average person can't tell the difference between one that was built yesterday and one that was built during the Bush administration.
07-04-2024, 11:15 AM
