Stigma of owning/driving a 997...
#46
I considered the "angst" of owning a Porsche before taking the plunge. I was not worried about friends or family but clients and others. So far other than this asshat in a Chevy S10 who rides my bumper at 5:30 a.m as I drive to the gym it's all been good.
I won't take it to some places but I was the same way with my M. I have received many complements, but it has not been to Costco yet.
Do it, enjoy and don't look back.
I won't take it to some places but I was the same way with my M. I have received many complements, but it has not been to Costco yet.
Do it, enjoy and don't look back.
#47
Man life is too short to care about what others think. I'm still in my mid-30s and had no reservations when I bought my C2S. Of course, I have an Element for surfing, going to Sam's Club or Home Depot, going to a restaurant where I must valet, etc. Owning a 911 is not that big a deal. My 911 is probably in the middle of the food chain in my parking garage next to the F-cars, Turbos, GT3s, and Lambos.
Just keep your S4 to use when you don't want to drive your 911 and you'll be fine. Especially since you track, you will appreciate the 911 for what it can provide as fine specimen of automotive engineering.
Just keep your S4 to use when you don't want to drive your 911 and you'll be fine. Especially since you track, you will appreciate the 911 for what it can provide as fine specimen of automotive engineering.
#48
Hey man, my first post too. I'm also 31 and Single. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I had the same reservations when I bought my 993 C4S. On the whole, people are not judging you unless you are driving like a jerk. Buy it, you won't regret it.
On another note... I have found that that having a porsche and being single can have its drawbacks. It can change a girls mind real fast about who you are, if you pick her up in your C4S. I find myself garaging it up until the 3rd date. Granted I'm from the OC and girls are a superficial mess here, But I find that if you show them all your cards to quick, they definitely act differently. It's a pretty good way to weed out the gold diggers.
On another note... I have found that that having a porsche and being single can have its drawbacks. It can change a girls mind real fast about who you are, if you pick her up in your C4S. I find myself garaging it up until the 3rd date. Granted I'm from the OC and girls are a superficial mess here, But I find that if you show them all your cards to quick, they definitely act differently. It's a pretty good way to weed out the gold diggers.
#49
Rennlist Member
Hope you have friends that are better than my so-called friends. Once I bought the Porsche, I would get snide comments if I asked how much the tip was supposed to be at the end of happy hour with the guys (if you can afford to own a Porsche, you shouldn't have to ask?). From other friends I get nothing but nasty replies when we talk politics, especially if it's about taxes. My friendly neighbor now refers to me as his "rich neighbor".
It's as if you lose all rights to having concerns about money when in the presence of those who do not own a Porsche.
It's as if you lose all rights to having concerns about money when in the presence of those who do not own a Porsche.
#50
if there is one thing I have noticed from this thread it is how things have changed. It seems ( from those who have stated their age ), I am at least 20 years older, and it is sad to hear that so many people seem to judge the person by the car they drive. For the first time I am glad that in my time, the car was not who you are, it was just want you drove.
#51
Decide "NOT" to buy the car...... then close your eyes and project yourself 50 years into the future, sat on your rocking chair, blanket over your legs to keep yourself warm, and say to yourself, at that point in time, "I'm SO GLAD that I decided not to buy that Porsche all those years ago - that was a REALLY GOOD decision"
and if that feels uncomfortable to think about in any way - buy the f'ing car first thing tomorrow.
and if that feels uncomfortable to think about in any way - buy the f'ing car first thing tomorrow.
#52
What's ridiculous about this thread is nobody thought twice about a buyer dumping $40k-$50 on a big Ford or GM SUV during their heydays with gas pushing $4/gallon in the US, but if you buy a used 911 for $40k that can get twice the MPG in the city, you must have too much money on your hands.
Last edited by jsmirand; 07-18-2009 at 10:38 PM. Reason: added "k" to $40.
#53
Life is too short to worry about what others think. It seems like you really enjoy driving and a Porsche is a great driving car. If you have all the other more important stuff taken care of, enjoy the ride.
#56
How a person determines if they can afford an item is a personal choice. I am not about to push my values on anyone else. What works for me, is for me alone.
I read a very wise statement from another member on this forum and I live by it:
"Never be embarrassed about being successful, but always be humble."
I read a very wise statement from another member on this forum and I live by it:
"Never be embarrassed about being successful, but always be humble."
#57
Drifting
I also feared "the stigma" but found that my worries were way overblown. All the feedback I have had has been positive, including from people of frugal nature whom I thought for sure would have been offended. But then again I don't flaunt it in people's faces, and when "busted" I express how it was something I had wanted to acquire for a very long time. I do get a lot of compliments and I try to accept them very graciously. If you buy the car, how people react will depend much much more on you than on it.
#58
Rennlist Member
I've always worried about the same issue- but ended up going with a used 997.1S, and realized that if you're otherwise humble and well-grounded, most people (ie friends, neighbors, co-workers) will react relatively positively. You just can't keep everyone happy all the time. Even so, I probably still err on the conservative side- driving the DD to work (hospital), etc.
#59
Three Wheelin'
Is that how you imagine the average 911 driver? I hope that is all wrong - willing to bet it is - sure as hell is not me. I'm jeans and a t-shirt - shorts and flips right now. Suit? Well, that'd be Brooks, Hart Marx, or Hickey Freeman (hope they manage to survive ) when I need to suit up, but I'd prefer chilling out in a pair of Levi's...and driving my 911.
Do the 5-star restaurants while you are young, when you can - good lesson and some are worth it. Later, maybe you get lucky and your wife can out-cook all but the best of them - if you call that lucky; sometimes it is depressing and makes me feel jaded. Restaurants are mostly so disappointing lately.
Entertainment - well, a good stripper once in a blue moon - (maybe you get super lucky and your wife has moves like that - but probably no and best she doesn't ) - and that whole Viagra thing at 50 - don't get too worried about that - it's not a given. Or, better yet, go for a drive in that 911 - now that's entertainment - not quite a zillion dollars, but who's counting...?
If you don't think a 911 is you yet, get an M3 or two and work your way into it. But if you really have the itch, one day you'll eventually have to scratch it.
#60
Rennlist Member
OK, so now let's deal with this bit. ^up there^ Gross. Offensive, maybe? Nearly?
Is that how you imagine the average 911 driver? I hope that is all wrong - willing to bet it is - sure as hell is not me. I'm jeans and a t-shirt - shorts and flips right now. Suit? Well, that'd be Brooks, Hart Marx, or Hickey Freeman (hope they manage to survive ) when I need to suit up, but I'd prefer chilling out in a pair of Levi's...and driving my 911.
Do the 5-star restaurants while you are young, when you can - good lesson and some are worth it. Later, maybe you get lucky and your wife can out-cook all but the best of them - if you call that lucky; sometimes it is depressing and makes me feel jaded. Restaurants are mostly so disappointing lately.
Entertainment - well, a good stripper once in a blue moon - (maybe you get super lucky and your wife has moves like that - but probably no and best she doesn't ) - and that whole Viagra thing at 50 - don't get too worried about that - it's not a given. Or, better yet, go for a drive in that 911 - now that's entertainment - not quite a zillion dollars, but who's counting...?
If you don't think a 911 is you yet, get an M3 or two and work your way into it. But if you really have the itch, one day you'll eventually have to scratch it.
Is that how you imagine the average 911 driver? I hope that is all wrong - willing to bet it is - sure as hell is not me. I'm jeans and a t-shirt - shorts and flips right now. Suit? Well, that'd be Brooks, Hart Marx, or Hickey Freeman (hope they manage to survive ) when I need to suit up, but I'd prefer chilling out in a pair of Levi's...and driving my 911.
Do the 5-star restaurants while you are young, when you can - good lesson and some are worth it. Later, maybe you get lucky and your wife can out-cook all but the best of them - if you call that lucky; sometimes it is depressing and makes me feel jaded. Restaurants are mostly so disappointing lately.
Entertainment - well, a good stripper once in a blue moon - (maybe you get super lucky and your wife has moves like that - but probably no and best she doesn't ) - and that whole Viagra thing at 50 - don't get too worried about that - it's not a given. Or, better yet, go for a drive in that 911 - now that's entertainment - not quite a zillion dollars, but who's counting...?
If you don't think a 911 is you yet, get an M3 or two and work your way into it. But if you really have the itch, one day you'll eventually have to scratch it.