Does the average person know one 911 type from another?
08-01-2010, 01:17 AM
#16
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08-01-2010, 01:26 AM
#18
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I had a 1990 and when I brought it home the first time, all the neighbours asked if it was new. And just last week a woman, walking by my 997.2 looked at the hood, then passed me and looked at the engine lid that says "CARRERA 4S", then walked back and asked me what car it was. I sais "A Lexus". "Nice" - she said and walked away. So to an average person I drive a "nice" car. But that said, such people would never tell the difference between a Kia and a Cadillac either. Most people do not have our desease and can not recognize a car by its taillight shape at night from a quater mile ahead.
08-01-2010, 01:55 AM
#19
Oh and now that I think about it, A few months ago I had to pick my cleaning lady up. She was very impressed with my new car and said "it was a very nice toyota." I laughed and told her that it was not a toyota, then she asked me if it was a Ford to which I replied, "no, it's a Porsche." "PORCH???... very nice car, japanese make nice cars." True story.
08-01-2010, 02:55 AM
#20
To the average person, absolutely not, they don't know the difference. Even among car enthusiasts, my guess is some may have a general knowledge at best - as was my case.
Before I bought my 997, which is my first Porsche, I had some knowledge e.g. the difference between the 997, 996, 993, 964 and 911. But wasn't exactly sure about 901 vs 912 vs 930.
On the other hand, there are resident Porsche experts like Edgy01 (aka Dan) that have no clue about other makes (e.g. I recall a thread where folks were discussing BMW nomenclature and Dan confessed to his total lack of knowledge on BMWs).
Before I bought my 997, which is my first Porsche, I had some knowledge e.g. the difference between the 997, 996, 993, 964 and 911. But wasn't exactly sure about 901 vs 912 vs 930.
On the other hand, there are resident Porsche experts like Edgy01 (aka Dan) that have no clue about other makes (e.g. I recall a thread where folks were discussing BMW nomenclature and Dan confessed to his total lack of knowledge on BMWs).
08-01-2010, 03:20 AM
#21
Race Director
Oh and now that I think about it, A few months ago I had to pick my cleaning lady up. She was very impressed with my new car and said "it was a very nice toyota." I laughed and told her that it was not a toyota, then she asked me if it was a Ford to which I replied, "no, it's a Porsche." "PORCH???... very nice car, japanese make nice cars." True story.
As a counterpoint, I pulled up in front of the ATM at the bank the other day. A little guy no older than 7 or 8 was with his mom and couldn't take his eyes off the car. As I waited in line I watched him try to run around behind the car but his mom stopped him. With a great English accent, the kid protested, " But Mummy, I want to see what kind of Porsche it is." He knew it was a Porsche, knew how to pronounce it, and knew where to look to find the model designation. There is hope for the future. 
08-01-2010, 05:54 AM
#22
Poseur
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To the average person, absolutely not, they don't know the difference. Even among car enthusiasts, my guess is some may have a general knowledge at best - as was my case.
Before I bought my 997, which is my first Porsche, I had some knowledge e.g. the difference between the 997, 996, 993, 964 and 911. But wasn't exactly sure about 901 vs 912 vs 930.
On the other hand, there are resident Porsche experts like Edgy01 (aka Dan) that have no clue about other makes (e.g. I recall a thread where folks were discussing BMW nomenclature and Dan confessed to his total lack of knowledge on BMWs).
Before I bought my 997, which is my first Porsche, I had some knowledge e.g. the difference between the 997, 996, 993, 964 and 911. But wasn't exactly sure about 901 vs 912 vs 930.
On the other hand, there are resident Porsche experts like Edgy01 (aka Dan) that have no clue about other makes (e.g. I recall a thread where folks were discussing BMW nomenclature and Dan confessed to his total lack of knowledge on BMWs).
Another interesting tale: While in Germany several years ago I was talking to a German man who explained how he purchased new Porsches over the years. Porsches are considered somewhat 'unacceptable' in Germany because they convey excessive wealth which is not popular in some circles. As a result, he buys a new Porsche periodically but ALWAYS in red. When the neighbor finally notices the car, it is several years old by then. It's just a "red Porsche" to the average civilian. That's how he gets around the stigma of buying a new Porsche.
I think you can pretty much tell non-Porsche enthusiasts anything when it comes to the year of your car and they will have no clue if you're being truthful or not. If you keep the car really clean they just have no idea.
08-08-2010, 02:54 AM
#23
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plain jane
To the average person, absolutely not, they don't know the difference. Even among car enthusiasts, my guess is some may have a general knowledge at best - as was my case.
Before I bought my 997, which is my first Porsche, I had some knowledge e.g. the difference between the 997, 996, 993, 964 and 911. But wasn't exactly sure about 901 vs 912 vs 930.
On the other hand, there are resident Porsche experts like Edgy01 (aka Dan) that have no clue about other makes (e.g. I recall a thread where folks were discussing BMW nomenclature and Dan confessed to his total lack of knowledge on BMWs).
Before I bought my 997, which is my first Porsche, I had some knowledge e.g. the difference between the 997, 996, 993, 964 and 911. But wasn't exactly sure about 901 vs 912 vs 930.
On the other hand, there are resident Porsche experts like Edgy01 (aka Dan) that have no clue about other makes (e.g. I recall a thread where folks were discussing BMW nomenclature and Dan confessed to his total lack of knowledge on BMWs).
08-08-2010, 11:07 AM
#24
5th Gear
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I think many people are aware that the the car is a 911. They do not know whether it is a 964, 993, 996 or 997, but they are familiar with the 911 designation. However, they are all aware of the Turbo.
When I had the 993 version of the Carrera 4S back in 1998, folks would always ask me if my car was a Turbo. When I told them it was not, they would all walk away terribly disappointed.
When I had the 993 version of the Carrera 4S back in 1998, folks would always ask me if my car was a Turbo. When I told them it was not, they would all walk away terribly disappointed.
08-08-2010, 11:21 AM
#25
Burning Brakes
I've been on a Porsche event all weekend. Even Porsche enthusiasts need a crib sheet to recognize which 911 is which and from when.
08-08-2010, 11:37 AM
#26
Most people don't have a clue, they just see one and think its fast and leave it at that. Those that go beyond the first question ask if its a turbo or not. Beyond that no one has an idea about internal model designations. johnnyreb2010 love how you snuck a Countach into the back of your sig.
08-08-2010, 12:02 PM
#27
Team Owner
Nope, they don't have a clue. All of my in-laws think my 996 C4 is a $150k 997 TT. I don't correct them because it would just start a regrettable conversation.
08-08-2010, 02:46 PM
#28
08-08-2010, 04:08 PM
#29
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Had the family over for Christmas and I asked my brother in law if he wanted to see the new addition. So I opened the garage door and he says.....
"Wow, when did you get a 370Z?".
Sad part, he was dead serious. I stood there stunned then laughed as I corrected him.
He immediately apologized but I'll never let him forget it.
"Wow, when did you get a 370Z?".
Sad part, he was dead serious. I stood there stunned then laughed as I corrected him.
He immediately apologized but I'll never let him forget it.
08-08-2010, 04:32 PM
#30
Three Wheelin'
As soon as someone says "Porsch," I know I have to talk Ver-r-ry sl-o-o-wly and not use words with more than one syllable if possible.
That's the beauty.
For other than the 912, I'm not sure there ever was a slow one (maybe a stock 924).
For other than the 912, I'm not sure there ever was a slow one (maybe a stock 924).