993RS

My neighbor just bought the latest 996 C4 with all possible options and proudly showed it to me. Said he was also looking at a Mercedes 500 SL, but decided for the Porsche. Told him he had a nice car. He then looked into my car and was surprised at how spartan it was. He then asked me when I was planning on getting a "new" one too. I told him that actually I, for my taste, I preferred the old air-cooled model. He then patronisingly said that, yes. the new models are pretty expensive... At this point, I smilingly told him to excuse me but I had to go because I had an appointment and was already late. Decided it was not worth the effort to continue the discussion. (He probably attributed it to envy...)

Edward

Ouch!!! I shouldn't be hurt, really, since it is your neighbor's ignorance that is doing the speaking. But what is more sad, if not bittersweet, is that it is precisely this type of brand-conscious, conspicuously consuming, pseudo-sportscar wanna-be that ruins the marque, yet has helped save it from financial ruin. And the type that doesn't wave back simply because they are too clueless to know that it's another Porsche owner, in one of those "old" ones, that has greeted them. ARGH! It's no wonder the Cayenne is in the works. Forgive the rant.

B-Line home

You should have told him that his new car was the nicest looking boxster you've ever seen..
(Sheesh! what I wouldn't do for a RS!!!)
Was his car a Tiptronic

Phil

B line, noway could it have been an automatic, Porsche would never put an auto tranny in a car!, It was probably that new fangled awd car with leather, and a nav system, kinda of looks like a turbo, but no turbos So what time to you get your new car?....whats the first mod your gonna do?

Tom 97 C2-S, So. Cal.

Go easy here. The guy was looking at an MB. He was probably a little amped-up after dumping $90K.

I would politely invite him and his garage queen out to the track for a DE. He will quickly realize that guys in 2.0 liter 914's can whoop his *ss on a short track. Needless to say what an RS would do to his pocketbook ego.

Anyway, people by cars for their own use, not their neighbors. Who would think of buying a 740i luxury sedan, with the sports package or a leather clad, TV/VCR appointed Land Cruiser for those tough already snow-plowed highways at the ski resorts, for the one trip a year. Well, ummmm me.

B-Line and Phil, try the 02' Tip. It's nice. If I had to pick one daily driver sports car under a $100K, it would be the wifes 02 Cab over the MB/Jag/Lexus anyday.

My .02$

Tom
97C2S Stick
02C4Cab Tip

Barney

993RS, your post nicely illustrates two different types of Porsche buyers. Of course, I do not know your neighbor, and how well you get along, but since you now do have something in common -to talk about-, maybe you have a chance to educate him on the subject of Porsche and 911's. Would be interested to hear about future encounters.

Barney

993RS, your post nicely illustrates two different types of Porsche buyers. Of course, I do not know your neighbor, and how well you get along, but since you now do have something in common -to talk about-, maybe you have a chance to educate him on the subject of Porsche and 911's. Would be interested to hear about future encounters.

Lee

I think I noticed that 993RS lives in Switzerland - if I've misinterpereted that, my following input is truly off the mark!

As an American living in Germany, I've noticed that the culture here is definitely biased toward new cars. Both of my immediate neigbors have new watercooled Porsches, and both have had previous 911s. The three of us loudly lament the direction that the marque has gone, but these guys really want a new car every so many years. In fact, I would say that for most of the Euro/German enthusiasts I know, a new car is more of a status symbol than any specific brand, such as Porsche. In Wiesbaden, where I live, the place is lousy with Audi RS4s, s-classes, M5s, etc, all costing almost as much as a Porsche.

Deep down I agree with the perception of 993RS's neighbor, but that man's opinion may be partly influenced by the need for "new" here.

Lee

993RS

True, the "new" certainly plays a role here in Switzerland, but mostly with those people who buy a new car every two years or so. These are the ones that never do any special modifications, as a rule. As far as "educating" my neighbor, I do not see myself as a "crusader": the guy is in his late 40's and is old enough to know what he likes. Tastes are different. I just like the 993...

Edward

993RS and all,

My apologies are in order. Points well taken, and sorry for the unkind sentiments. Perhaps I shall think twice before posting that late at night.

Tom,
You're right on all points, especially the "invite him to the track" one.

Peace, all

Edward

B-Line

Hey Phil,

Getting my C2S at around 7pm tonight. It's in West Palm right now. Trucking laws made him stop 1hr short of destination. So, I have to wait for him to take his mandatory 8hrs or 10hrs, (I forget which) break, then the car will be delivered to my door

My mods list:
cup holders, baby seat, stereo, and some gold rims.. (just kidding!!!)

Extra set of wheels and track tires.
Pagid Orange Track pads.
Front Brake Cooling Kit.
Harness belts
bolt in roll cage.
maybe brakes..I'll wait to make that decision until after Sebring next week.
Maybe suspension: not sure about PCA club racing rules regarding showroom stock.
I/O port video mount for my camcorder.

Other than that, I don't have any more mods planned. I'm sure that my track events will eventully dictate what the car needs but I plan on enjoying it nice and stock first.

Can't wait to post with my first driving impressions (sight unseen purchase ahhhhh!!!)

oh yeah.. And I might do a clearbra too.

B-Line

sorry Tom,

Didn't mean to insult you Tip drivers out there.

Tom 97 C2-S, So. Cal.

B-Line:

No insult taken.

Not that I am personally going to go to trade my C2S for a Tip, I do find it fun (on occasion, when the wife doesn't know) to take out the C4 Tip and run it through the gears and TRY to hang-out the back end.

Regards,
Tom

GeoC2cab

High,
Don't u guys see whats happening here?, The 996 guys are doing to you 993 guys, the same thing u 993 guys do to us 964 guys. When you find the ride your satisfied with, it doesnt really matter what the next guy drives..

and Im sure it has happened that a 964 guy has done it to a early 911 guy. Its a never ending cycle. As long as they make new models w/ upgrades and options it will continue, on and on and on.

Edward

Actually,

I like the 964 alot! Barring a 993TT, I wish I had a '94 3.6 Turbo

Edward