I just thought about this while driving around the Bay Area...

When I owned my 1989 in Colorado back in the late 90's, almost every other P-car I passed on the road, we'd flash our lights at each other. Kind of like a secret handshake, a nod of admiration for each others' car.

But I haven't seen that happen once since I started driving my 997, even though I've flashed my lights at a couple other P-cars.

Was that a tradition that kind of died out?

 

I give a friendly wave. Some wave back, some don't.

 

If I wave at every Porsche I see, I'd have to keep my arm up all the time. Porsches are not a rare site anymore.

 

It was more of a tradition when there were fewer Porsches out there. Now that there are Cayennes, Panameras, Caymans, Boxsters, etc. there are simply too many. It's a tradition that you are late to the party for. With each succeeding decade I have seen less and less of it. Back in the 60s and 70s it meant more when you rarely saw a Porsche. Many of today's "Porsche" owners know nothing of this ritual.

 

I wave.... some wave, some flash their lights. It really only happens though with 911 drivers from my experience.

 

Sure. I wave/flash 911s/Boxsters/Caymans.

 

Yup, me too.

 

Adias, around town, the number of jerks texting, talking on the phone and applying make-up is constantly on the rise. It is not a joke anymore. I am always looking around and behind me not knowing when I would need to take evasive action. Looks like I am treading a very treacherous path each time I drive my 997.2. So I too am guilty of not noticing some P-cars on the other side of the road in time to wave/flash when they are crossing . You know what I mean.

 

When you are in a marketplace in a country like Morocco and you see an American who looks like you, do you say 'Hi?' Of course you do. Back at home in the city, you'd probably ignore the same guy.

Point is, depends where I'm are driving. The more scarce sports cars become on the roads I drive, the more I will wave. Porsches come first followed by at ANY other sports car driver who comes along.

Unless they're too commonplace to acknowledge: Gotta wave to fellow sports car guys! Better to wave than not to wave!

 

When I spot the other 911 in time, I always wave or flash my lights. As w00tPorsche mentioned, I've run into MANY Porsche drivers (including 911 drivers) that are too preoccupied to notice me RIGHT NEXT TO THEM. Ridiculous - put the phone down and drive. I am proud to say I've NEVER used the cupholders in any of my Porsches.

 

I remember the earlier days so I still always flash or wave, or give a thumbs up if another Porsche pulls alongside. People respond only about half the time, but it's nice when they do.

Also +1 to Chris from Cali's comment. I've never used the cupholders in my Porsches either.

 

My experience shows Boxster owners wave more than 911 owners.

I always get a lot of waves from farmers. They are a very friendly group.

Harley guys are very cool too. I love how Harley riders give other Harley riders the low "V".

I also wave to Amish people. They never wave back.

 

While Porsche waving may be on the wane I don't think it's due to the number of cars on the road or rarity. There are over 700,000 Miatas in the world and that's the wavingist bunch of enthusiasts I've ever encountered.

I do my part, at least, and in Texas I get a lot of waves back from all sorts of Porsche drivers.

 

The 914 guys always wave!

 

Never. In LA, there are far too many non-enthusiast owners.