ecobb993

Back in the "good 'ol days", we used to flick our lights as a greeting to oncoming Porsches (and Bimmer, Alfa, etc folks did too). Haven't seen it in years, and I spoze the people around me wonder what I'm thinking when I flash a greeting; they're probably expecting it's some sort of expression of road rage.

Is this a lost tradition?

poorb0yw

I usually ust wave with my hand so people wont be confused with the flashing lights.

tonyarcur

Yes. I do all the time. Most of the time a receive a flash back. Maybe 8 out of 10 times. Some seem unsure until I wave and then they wave back. I think its a great tradition and I try to carry it on wether or not I get a response. Keep the flash alive.

Seljan

I did it twice today! and unfortunately there was no return flash..one was a boxster the other was a 993

philghill

Having become a recent member of the Porsche family, I (possibly naively) assumed that Porsche folks would wave to one another. So I waved at every Porsche I saw--granted I only see zero to 1 or 2 Carrera's a day. I even waved at Boxters. Out of I'd say 20 attempts, only a few have waved back. Maybe it varies by location...

ecobb993

Maybe if we wave AND flash, the newbies will get the message. It'll make the Lexus owners jealous; they're a dime a dozen.

Keep the tradition alive!

Jim Morton

'been doing it since 1973 with my family's first 911T targa. Some folks still get it, others look at me like "what's wrong..."

I keep doing it as it's a great tradition!

Regards

sv

I wave or flash but you know only about half the guys return the gesture.
Its something the motorocycle guys do...and the classic/muscle car guys...thats my experience. Because I don't get the friendly wave I'm starting to stop.

NTI 911E

I always wave, flash, or nod. While driving the '73, I passed an '02+ C2 Cab the other day on the highway and he smiled and nodded. 996 owners rarely reciprocate but it's nice when they do.

solsrch

I flash or wave, it depends on weather (windows open?, top down?). I don't think I've ever received a flash back in the past year. I do get a number of returned waves though.

jdoc7

I think the tradition is wonderful. However, owners of 911's seem to have a bad reputation amongst 'other' P-car owners. For example, when I owned my 87' and 89' 944 Turbos, I frequented the 944 section of Rennlist. I remember multiple threads about how 944 owners were snubbed by 911 guys. Now that I own a 993, I still flash any P-car I see. Most of the time, I don't get a response. Oh well.

Steve 96C4S

I try to ALWAYS wave when I see a Porsche, whether it's a 914 or a 996 TT (except a Cayenne - I consider them a different animal altogether). About 1/3 the time I get a wave back and I'm happy with that. That's about the best one could expect in the Rockville, MD area (or a big city/suburb) where people are very busy on their cell phones barely paying attention to the road.

If I lived in a small town like my Boxster owning Uncle, you can bet almost every single Porsche owner knows almost every single other one! They eventually all end up at the same repair place at some point too! That's the ultimate situation - living in a small town where people are mostly all nice - they smile, wave back, and it's not such an anonymous society like the big city atmosphere I live in.

In a small city, if you don't wave back, you're kind of an outcast. Word will get around! You're a loner. If you get mad and honk at the guy in front of you, he might be your neighbor and he'd be upset! That's why people are generally nice in small cities... there's accountability.

My little theory for the evening.

Next?

Steve

Carreragal

I always wave because I'm so dang happy when I am driving, I just assume everyone else is just as thrilled! Overall, responce has been good. I didn't know that it was a tradition, but now that I do......

Suwipin

Quote:

Does anybody still flash a greeting to other passing Porsches?

I do and sometimes people do wave back ...

When my wife is in the car, I try not to wave to female P-car drivers though (j/k)

Terry Adams

I agree with Steve's theory. The probability of a return wave/flash is
90% if a 993 same color
70% a 993 different color
40% a 996 or 986 same color
20% a 996 or 986 different color
Deduct 20% if you live in an area where over 10% of worldwide Porsches were sold.
Deduct 30% for heavy traffic and the other driver is busy, eg turning against oncoming traffic.
Deduct 20% if other vehicle has cupholders.
I have never waved for a Cayenne; I'll try it on the one up the street.
Wave gets returned more often than flash, especially when preceded by flash.
Cab numbers slightly higher among like kind.
All bets off if other driver is already presenting the single digit salute because you flashed him/her.
YMMV