blk on blk

I live in Houston and my Porsche is just another run of the mill car here. I get all kinds of reactions from admiration, people being jackasses, people eing interested and respectful, and people who are indifferent. I figure no matter their reaction positive, negative or indifferent it says much more about them than it does about me.

carpundit

"speeding, passing, swerving in and out of lanes"

That's likely part of the problem. Speeding and passing is one way to drive, but swerving lane-to-lane is another, entirely more aggressive, way to drive. Combine that with a beautiful 997, and you're not only acting like an a-hole, you're acting like an a-hole magnet.

CP

nkhalidi

Your license plate reads "A BLUR." That alone would've egged them on to try to get you to race!

RedShadow

"Porsche drivers... I hate 'em..."

911Dave

It's #2 in my opinion. I've experienced exactly the same thing you describe all the time, and I began to suspect that it was the result of the way I was driving. So, I experimented by deliberately driving the Porsche defensively instead of aggressively, and, as if I turned off a light bulb, everyone on the road stopped behaving aggressively towards me. Try it and you'll see. A car like this does two things to you: 1) it makes you feel special, like you're better than everyone else on the road, which subconsciously makes you drive as though you are, and 2) It feels so darn good to drive it fast that it's really hard not to. You don't even realize you're doing it.

If you have a car that is better and more expensive than all the other cars on the road, and you drive it in a way that tells other drivers that you know it, you will be perceived as an a**hole and other drivers will treat you like one. You don't realize it but you ARE driving differently.

And a vanity plate doesn't help either. Think about what the word "vanity" means. Having a plate like that says "look at me and look at what I'm driving. I have a special plate because my car is better than yours and I'm more important than you are". There are an awful lot of people, like me, that do not like vanity plates or the people who use them.

So, you are:

1. Driving a car that declares your high status
2. Driving it in a manner that indicates you think you are the king of the road
3. Wearing a plate that sends the message that you're important and your car is better than other cars.

...and it's no wonder other drivers are showing their disapproval. It's also clear why Porsche/Ferrari/Lambo drivers have the reputation of being a**holes. In my opinion it is usually well deserved.

OCBen

More insight here:

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/293700-tailgaters.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/262700-an-unpleasant-aspect-of-porsche-ownership.html

vladie22

in S.Florida P-cars are a dime a dozen . they almost blend in . The only pain in the @ss is the occasional Fast-n-the furious Honda civic driver wanting to race .

mal28

never had this problem in the Cleveland area, people tend to just ignore me or give thumbs up

RedRocket

couldnt have put it better than P-Nut...I mean Dave My 997 is my second porsche and I rarely if ever have anyone give me a hard time. Most people thumbs up if they make any gesture. I think it is mostly how you drive...
Think about it...if you see an aston or ferrari driving like they are at the track, you think a-hole. If they are abiding by speed laws for the most part and not driving like they own the road, you think...nice car..... just my opinion.

texas911

I don't think driving your 911 is the reason people drive like jerks. Lots of people drive like jerks regardless. I think that driving a 911 makes you think the whole world is out to get you. In Houston, the 997 pretty much blends into traffic.

THPorsche

maybe it's the location but I don't see a whole lot of 997s in the South Bay (California). I probably see three or four Cayenne before I see one 997. Anyway, I think people look/stare at my car because of the color not because it's a Pcar.

OCBen

Believe it or not, that's one of the reasons why I didn't get a personalized plate on my 997, after having one on my Boxster that drew unnecessary attention. It read: HOT 986S

https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...0&postcount=17

It's also a reason why I ordered mine debadged and will keep the stock wheels on. My plates are standard DMV issue. Hopefully those who see my car will think it's just a company vehicle.

OCBen

Tom, you live in the South Bay? I thought you lived in the Bay Area. ****, you're probably about 5 miles from where I am right now at work.

NOBLEGT3

try driving an Lotus Exige S...i just got this car after 4 porsches,including a white GT3. in 2 days i have had more,honks,waves,pictures taken, women asking for rides, people freaking out, annoying idiots trying to race me or tailigate me on the highway...it is unreal

BC

Thats because that car LOOKS "Faster" than it is, in a straight line. We all know its prowess, but it cannot be tapped on a public highway.

To the subject of the thread, this is SoCal. Porsches are like BMWs, MBs, and Lexi. 996s are like Honda Accords here. Plentiful and nothing special.