Marv

Well, I have owned Porsches for 21 years, so it is kind of a mute point now.

You just need to own Porsches for a longer time, so don't worry.

The only time I haven't let someone know I own a Porsche is on a first date, even when it is the only car I own.

ivangene

HELL NO - I thought the Porsche was to help compensate for my little......

car collection
HAHAHAHAHA

I guess the older I get the less I car at all what others think. (some of you might be saying "Obviously!") Really, why worry... enjoy it, you bought it. and what, they make you feel wierd? I think that makes THEM wierd...err wait, no scratch that... YOU wierd

There are only a couple people that really matter. Your spouse, (should be happy you have something you always wanted) Your kids (should sit in the back and stop fighting so you can drive, no food or drinks either!), and your Mom because she said you look like such a "grown up" in your new car....and to stop sucking your thumb

Really...I have driven some realy piles of sh*t and for once I have what I think is a really nice car...either way, I am still the same person. So when people give you that "oh, you're special cuz you drive a Porsh" crap... give them a shot of truth... like, "You Bet! worked my *** off and saved every penny I could just to reach a dream I have been chasing since I was a pre-teen ! Feels pretty good.." Then ask them if they have any dreams... You will see who is wierd then!

All this and I haven't even had a single beer tonight...god lord I am sick
(this is where Redridge pops in to say, "Yes you are, Ed!) LOL

scubadawg

I wanted to surprise a friend of mine, but I bumped into his sister at Costco,(Sunday) I told her I bought a new toy and it will be arriving on Tuesday or Wednesday, I said don't tell your brother, I want it to a be surprise. 4 hours later she told him. First thing that come out if mouth, "Your a F@#@## Idiot for buying a Porsche. I talked to a few mutual friends about this, they blew it off by saying it's a jealously thing.
I don't get it? My friend goes and buy a new motorcycle and a SmartCar, and he calls me an idiot.
My other friends say good for you, you always wanted one.
One of my sister's, finds out I bought a Porsche, and she's screaming at me for buying a Porsche. I'm 48 years old. Do I need an older sister, telling what I can buy or not.
Some of my client's find out I purchased a Porsche, now they're saying they pay me too much, jokingly of course, they're happy for me.
My other friend has to buy a new car now, because he has to keep up to me.
Other people are saying you're rich because you can afford a Porsche.
What is it with people because your own a Porsche

gota911

Well, I certainly am glad I don't have any of these problems. See my sig pic!

ivangene

WHEW, when I saw you posted I was wondering if you were going to slam me for my "goofy" remarks above

If you lived near me, I would let you drive my car - slowly around in a circle - (like Nascar hahahhaha!)
Hey your Honda is white isn't it ????????!!

rudy1024

Some of my closer friends, of the female persuasion, were unexpectedly supportive saying "it's about time - you deserve it!" and the guys, especially the car guys were... umm... not as supportive...

Funny observation I've made... I'm the number three guy in my organization of about 350 people (and 260 or so of those people work for me somewhere in my chain)... in spite of my position I am and manage to stay low-key - using my F-150 as a DD helps... I notice nobody says much when somebody pulls in with a new Beemer of whatever flavor... or a Benz... or even a new Jag... but the first day I drove my "old" p-car (which probably cost less than any of those other cars) to work, the news spread like wildfire...

Go figure...

Rudy

gota911

When I first started a job with a new company a few years back, I had to buy a car because at my previous company I had a company car. I bought an 2 year old Jaguar S Type for about $30K. There were about 1,250 employees at the corporate headquarters in a small town in NC and after about a week, one of the guys that worked for me told me that people in the office that I had never met referred to me as "the guy with the Jag."

Many of them must have really wigged out three years later when I got the 996 to replace the Jag.

redridge

yes you are, Ed!

After a concerts last night, we went out to dinner (my brother had a gig at NJPAC). After someone spilled the beans I "raced cars"... I hot lady (met 1st time) asked me what kind of car I "raced"... I hesitated, and mumbled Porsche... then the awkward silence came for a couple of sec, then I filled up my glass with more sangria... LOL!

Mathemagician

While I don't have to deal with people at work (self-employed) and I am in one of those professions where people want you to look successful (Commodity Trading Advisor, where most of my compensation is tied directly to clients' profits) even though it's not really my style (do love to drive, though), friends can have varied reactions. The best approach so far for me has been to get extremely enthusiastic and excited about the car (as if that's hard to do) no matter how rude the initial comment seems. The excitement seems to be contagious for a lot of people, who subsequently accept an offer for a ride. They seem to be pretty cool after that. The rest, well, eff 'em.

SKooT1027

I think it's interesting to see how many people say they've gotten flak for what they drive. Maybe it's just that where I've spent my entire life it's more common to see a Mercedes and a BMW than it is a Honda or Toyota. Most kids at my college drove new cars purchased by their parents - and again I'm talking primarily mercedes, bmw and audi. Supercars will turn heads, but anything really short of that is just seen as normal.

Also, lots of people dont understand pricing on nice cars unless they are looking to purchase one or already have. My first car was a 944 at 18. It's condition made it look more like a 2-3 year old car than a 20 year old car. It cost me maybe $5k after clutch, and people would wonder why I went and bought a porsche. Meanwhile, they had more basic economy cars that actually cost more. More people were impressed and intrigued by it than rude about it.

Same thing with my current M3. I got it at 20, and people thought it was just my parents buying it for me. When I told them I got it all on my own, they wondered how in the world I did that. They had no idea of the current prices, and really neither did I before I started looking. Same thing as before, most would have newer cars (that they didnt buy) and wonder how I had my M3. These are the kids in mommy and daddys $50k benz. It never really made anyone treat me different or dislike me. Maybe some people would see the car and think I was a spoiled rich kid, but in fact I was one of the farthest things from that at my school. People who I knew understood that cars were one of my things, and I'd rather have a used more unique car than just another new car that blends in.

I recently told a few friends I plan to pick up a 996, and its a mix between "cool I want a ride" and "how in the world can you afford that" and other things about how it cant be a smart financial decision. I'm the best with money out of anyone my age that I know. Most people know that too. That's how I have so many nice things. It includes cars, clothes, toys, etc. They just throw money around and have no concept of prices, whereas I spend time constantly looking for the best deal. I understand some people may see a kid hop out of a fancy car and immediately think down upon me. That's fine. If that's how they are I'd rather not know them. All my friends and family are happy for me, glad im doing well and want me to be happy.

Jealousy is ugly, but we're all hit by it. At first I worried people would think a young kid in a porsche would make me look like an *******. O well, I'm not doing it to look cool. I'm doing it b/c it's a car I've always wanted, I can finally afford, and I may as well get my small, fun, impractical cars while I'm young and don't need to worry about a wife or family or anything. I think it's really funny how some people on here are saying they're getting remarks at them when you're in your 40s or 50s and have a nice car. You should be able to have something nice by that age. You've put in years and year working and raising a family. Get something nice for yourself. I hate seeing a 17 year old who just got their license in a brand new sports car that their parents bought. Mainly bc they cannot appreciate it, dont understand money and are going to more than likely smash the car up (hopefully w/o involving anyone else on the road). But if you have your own money, spend it how you want to. Then again, I guess I'll post back after my purchase if I start getting looked at funny.

stjpark99

I have a 2001 Black C2 and had mine a little over 2 years now and still tell people I meet that I drive a 98 Maxima if the conversation about "what car do you drive" cars come up. I noticed that when I told them I have a 911 that I felt like I would have to justify it. I would alway follow it up by saying " Instead of buying a brand new car for $35k, I decided to buy a pre-owned Porsche for the same amount." However, if I know the guy is into cars, then I usually spill the beans...

SKooT1027

haha this is a good approach. I did this once or twice and like you said, it actually works well. Really confuses them later on tho if you have to give them a ride

Mathemagician

Skoot, I think people in the workplace tend to make more of it than people in school. There's also no doubt that where you live is a huge factor. When I lived in Greenwich nobody would look twice at a 911 of any kind for all of the Ferraris, Lambos, CGTs, Bentleys, etc rolling down the street. Heck, I even saw Enzos in 3 colors on Greenwich Ave, one driven by Tommy Hilfiger who drove it to pick up his take-out pizza. Now that I live in East Nowhere, PA it's a different story, though. I've seen 1 other 911 in the last 3 months, so my fun little 996 attracts attention way out of proportion to what it should.

SKooT1027

I work down the road from all those dealers. I know exactly what you mean haha. I grew up on Long Island, which isn't far off, but i do notice more and more that cars are less of a thing there. LA on the other hand made Greenwich look like nothing.

I agree with the workplace vs school tho. Different time of life, tons of other bills, etc. The playing field is much more level in college, so to speak. I found the motorcycle raised the most discussion, but I guess sport bikes arent as common in the work place when most people in my building are 30+.

Dennis C

One of the big issues here is simple lack of understanding by the average person on the price of a Porsche - new or used.

One of our local PCA members drives a base model Cayman. It's black with black painted wheels, and it looks very sharp.

He told me that he was recently having furniture delivered, and one piece was large enough that the delivery men had to take it through the garage. He overheard one of them as they carried the furniture past his Cayman say "Be careful where you walk, that's a $150,000 car right there!".

The same is true for the 996. I've told a few friends at the office that I paid the same for my 996 as a nicely optioned new Honda Accord, and they don't believe me.