How did you become a Porsche person?
10-18-2011, 08:56 PM
#46
My infatuation for the 911 started back when the movie bad boys came out. The 964 Turbo scene at the end of the movie started the madness. Then in high school when the 993 was introduced I was convinced it was the best looking car I'd ever seen and that one day I'd have to have one. Since then I began to follow the history of the 911 which only made me want one even more. I'd always have 911 envy even after owning other sports cars that were far more powerful.
Fast forward to June '11 I ended up picking up a 997S after looking at many 993s. I made the right choice for me and its been dream come true for sure. One day I will hope to get a 993 too, but more likely when the 991 is about 60% off sticker and about 5 yrs old, I'll probably upgrade if I'm so fortunate. The 911 is a drivers car and I bought it for that reason.
Fast forward to June '11 I ended up picking up a 997S after looking at many 993s. I made the right choice for me and its been dream come true for sure. One day I will hope to get a 993 too, but more likely when the 991 is about 60% off sticker and about 5 yrs old, I'll probably upgrade if I'm so fortunate. The 911 is a drivers car and I bought it for that reason.
10-18-2011, 09:05 PM
#47
Rennlist Member
I've never had a car that was not a Porsche....
When I was a kid (late 70's), the guy who lived next to my grandparents owned his own painting business and he had a 911 Turbo Carrera and a 911 SC (this was in Venice, California). There was only a chain-link fence between the two houses so nobody had any privacy and it was easy to stay up on everyone's personal business. That was OK with me. He had wild parties and a few very striking girlfriends (especially to me as a young teenager!). I became somewhat fascinated with him and quickly noticed that I could determine his comings and goings by the unusual sound of his Porsches as he came and went. The cars sounded so unique. Like a pissed-off VW beetle. Eventually I got a couple of posters that I put up in my bedroom. That is how the bug started.
When I turned 18, my Dad was ballsy enough to buy me a used Porsche (from Meister Porsche in Garden Grove) while my Mom was away on business. He really went to bat for me on keeping the car and my Mom eventually relented when she became comfortable that I would not kill myself in it. This was around the time that the movie Risky Business came out.
When my buddies came over to see my "new car" and I would open the garage and say "There is no substitute" as the rear of the car came into view, the scene played out the same every time: they would smile broadly; walk up to the car and run their fingers along the fenders; admire the car from a few feet away with a dumbfounded look on their face. "No f-ing way, Dude" they would say.
Once I began to drive the car I noticed how sharp everything was. Steering, brakes, throttle. They all had similar feel for the various inputs. Everything seemed perfectly balanced. Whenever I drove another car it just did not have that same razor sharp feel. I was hooked.
I'm now on my 5th Porsche. It has been an exclusive relationship.
Whenever I see one of those easily you-tube found long-winded Porsche commercials (like the one for the new 997 in 2005 with the kid day-dreaming in class) I absolutely see myself. The marketing is so spot on that I know it was meant to be for me. "Even as young boys we always want to go further, faster and harder" etc. It brings a tear to my eye.
I have been assimilated!
God Bless Dr. Porsche.
When I was a kid (late 70's), the guy who lived next to my grandparents owned his own painting business and he had a 911 Turbo Carrera and a 911 SC (this was in Venice, California). There was only a chain-link fence between the two houses so nobody had any privacy and it was easy to stay up on everyone's personal business. That was OK with me. He had wild parties and a few very striking girlfriends (especially to me as a young teenager!). I became somewhat fascinated with him and quickly noticed that I could determine his comings and goings by the unusual sound of his Porsches as he came and went. The cars sounded so unique. Like a pissed-off VW beetle. Eventually I got a couple of posters that I put up in my bedroom. That is how the bug started.
When I turned 18, my Dad was ballsy enough to buy me a used Porsche (from Meister Porsche in Garden Grove) while my Mom was away on business. He really went to bat for me on keeping the car and my Mom eventually relented when she became comfortable that I would not kill myself in it. This was around the time that the movie Risky Business came out.
When my buddies came over to see my "new car" and I would open the garage and say "There is no substitute" as the rear of the car came into view, the scene played out the same every time: they would smile broadly; walk up to the car and run their fingers along the fenders; admire the car from a few feet away with a dumbfounded look on their face. "No f-ing way, Dude" they would say.
Once I began to drive the car I noticed how sharp everything was. Steering, brakes, throttle. They all had similar feel for the various inputs. Everything seemed perfectly balanced. Whenever I drove another car it just did not have that same razor sharp feel. I was hooked.
I'm now on my 5th Porsche. It has been an exclusive relationship.
Whenever I see one of those easily you-tube found long-winded Porsche commercials (like the one for the new 997 in 2005 with the kid day-dreaming in class) I absolutely see myself. The marketing is so spot on that I know it was meant to be for me. "Even as young boys we always want to go further, faster and harder" etc. It brings a tear to my eye.
I have been assimilated!
God Bless Dr. Porsche.
The following users liked this post:
Noah Fect (07-17-2022)
10-18-2011, 09:12 PM
#48
Rennlist Member
watched from a distance for years. Finally decided I wanted to buy a 914, because at the time it was (and remains) the coolest ride I had ever had the privilege of experiencing(33 years prior). I owned it for less than a year when it burned down. When a 6-month restoration/respray project on the 914 turned into a one-year marathon, I lost patience and bought the 997.2. What fun! The whole thing with the cars is driving my wife crazy...mmm...crazier. Due to get the 914 back in the next few weeks, so who knows what then.
10-18-2011, 09:18 PM
#49
I had the obligatory red Porsche poster as a teenager (this one a 928 to date myself). My poster was a bit different in that it had my last name printed on a personalized license plate on the car- it was given to my dad from the local Porsche dealership (he had an Audi from the same dealership) and he gave it to me.
Fast forward a few decades. I hadn't really thought seriously about getting Porsche until I looked at a Boxter. I ended up getting an S2000 instead. Three months after getting it, my wife became pregnant (after years of trying). I kept the S2000 until my son turned two then traded it in for a 997. I went for the 997 because of its history, performance, and practicality with the back seat for my son (at least that's how I was able to convince my wife).
Fast forward a few decades. I hadn't really thought seriously about getting Porsche until I looked at a Boxter. I ended up getting an S2000 instead. Three months after getting it, my wife became pregnant (after years of trying). I kept the S2000 until my son turned two then traded it in for a 997. I went for the 997 because of its history, performance, and practicality with the back seat for my son (at least that's how I was able to convince my wife).
10-18-2011, 10:24 PM
#50
Race Director
Thread Starter
"The heart of the matter"......I like that!
10-18-2011, 11:18 PM
#51
I too was smitten with the 911 since I was a very young boy. During my first year of driving (barely 16), I found myself following a silver mid '70's 911 on a very familiar two lane highway. Once the only passing zone in several miles came upon us, the 911 pulled out to pass the car in front of it and I was hooked. Watching that 911 squat under power and fluidly slide around that car in front of it was just plain sexy.
Shortly afterward, my sister's boyfriend paid a visit to a local Porsche dealership and brought me a new 911 brochure for the upcoming 1987 model year. I memorized every word in that brochure (still have it on my bookshelf) and simply lusted after those 3.2's. Everything was so pure about those cars. I still remember that boyfriend being impressed by a '87 slant Turbo he saw that day at the dealership that was custom ordered that stickered for just under $100k. That was crazy money back then.
I bought a 1981 Subaru from an attorney the next year and he had a '74 911. I asked him more questions about the 911 than I did about the car I was buying from him.
Fast forward a few years and I took my first test drive in an '87 911. White over Can Can red. 52,000 miles on the clock. Carrera tail, color matched Fuchs, stunning. The salesman didn't let me drive it over 30 mph in a subdivision. I hated the test drive. Just hated it. Wow, I was really let down.
Months later, the itch simply wasn't going away. Scored a test drive in a '88 coupe with 91k on the clock. Salesman let me drive it on my own and I was hooked permanently. 6 Porsche's later (three 911's are still in the garage)...
Once you get used to how Porsche designs their cars and get used to "that intangible feel", you're screwed. Absolutely no other car maker can duplicate that buttoned down, simply perfect driving experience. You can't leave Porsche. You may think you can, but you'll be back...
My '06, '90 and '84 911's are wonderful to drive. My brother's '70 911T is a treat to drive. His '66 is twice as special. Drive a mint 356 and it's 100 times more Porsche in feel. It's amazing how Porsche has kept the driving experience and vibe in place and identical since the '50's...
Shortly afterward, my sister's boyfriend paid a visit to a local Porsche dealership and brought me a new 911 brochure for the upcoming 1987 model year. I memorized every word in that brochure (still have it on my bookshelf) and simply lusted after those 3.2's. Everything was so pure about those cars. I still remember that boyfriend being impressed by a '87 slant Turbo he saw that day at the dealership that was custom ordered that stickered for just under $100k. That was crazy money back then.
I bought a 1981 Subaru from an attorney the next year and he had a '74 911. I asked him more questions about the 911 than I did about the car I was buying from him.
Fast forward a few years and I took my first test drive in an '87 911. White over Can Can red. 52,000 miles on the clock. Carrera tail, color matched Fuchs, stunning. The salesman didn't let me drive it over 30 mph in a subdivision. I hated the test drive. Just hated it. Wow, I was really let down.
Months later, the itch simply wasn't going away. Scored a test drive in a '88 coupe with 91k on the clock. Salesman let me drive it on my own and I was hooked permanently. 6 Porsche's later (three 911's are still in the garage)...
Once you get used to how Porsche designs their cars and get used to "that intangible feel", you're screwed. Absolutely no other car maker can duplicate that buttoned down, simply perfect driving experience. You can't leave Porsche. You may think you can, but you'll be back...
My '06, '90 and '84 911's are wonderful to drive. My brother's '70 911T is a treat to drive. His '66 is twice as special. Drive a mint 356 and it's 100 times more Porsche in feel. It's amazing how Porsche has kept the driving experience and vibe in place and identical since the '50's...
10-18-2011, 11:19 PM
#52
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
15 Posts
[...] Ever since then, my Porsches (I'm on my third, a 911 GTS) have represented freedom and energy, pride in myself for overcoming my toughest challenge (to date), and becoming happy in my own skin. As a young man, you think you can buy these sensations. Later, you realise they are truly earned.
Gary
10-19-2011, 12:17 AM
#53
Intermediate
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It started for me in high school when one of the seniors got a 86 3.2 as a graduation present! Lucky bastard. I was driving my beat down 71 Trans am (yes screaming chicken on the hood). So I went and bought a 1970 beetle and was hooked on the rear engine air cooled driving experience. Fast forward to 2004 when I purchased and still own my own 86 3.2. Can't beat the feeling. About a year and a half ago purchased a 99 996. Just traded it in on a 2006 997 (love it). In fact I love rear engined cars had a Pontiac fiero back in the day ( yeah I know) and now my track car is a lotus elise. My daily driver will always be a Porsche. There is no better combo of performance/comfort for any price!
10-19-2011, 01:15 AM
#54
I always loved sports cars.....MGs, Triumphs, Fiats.....I absolutely never thought I'd be in a position to own a 911 but here I am on my 4th!
I know how lucky I am and driving that car every day serves as a wonderful reminder!
Tom
I know how lucky I am and driving that car every day serves as a wonderful reminder!
Tom
10-19-2011, 02:18 AM
#55
I was never a Porsche person, for the longest time. I thought they were the ugliest cars on the road. When my dad's friends brought their turbos over with the huge whale tails. I thought it was ridiculous and silly. Lambo's were outrageous with it sharp lines, Ferrari's were gorgeous with its smooth lines. And Porsches just look like a squat frog with bulgy eyes, just was not a pretty car and had no purpose until I visited my uncle in Seattle. He let me drive his 964 carrera for two days, from Seattle to Vancouver and back. I was hooked, I didn't want to give the keys back. The way it hugs the road and the driving feel was amazing. Now I knew the purpose, it is not about the looks, it was design to be driven. From that day on I wanted one.
10-19-2011, 02:58 AM
#56
Nordschleife Master
Once you get used to how Porsche designs their cars and get used to "that intangible feel", you're screwed. Absolutely no other car maker can duplicate that buttoned down, simply perfect driving experience. You can't leave Porsche. You may think you can, but you'll be back....
10-19-2011, 06:48 AM
#57
Racer
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got hooked in college.
I was ready to get out of my Corvair Corsa turbo convertible and into something which would handle better. A senior was selling her 356 and I was bitten with its right now handling, steering, brakes, etc. Unfortunately, upon inspection, IT was bitten with too much rust, and I, regretfully, passed on it and ended up with an MGB. A few of those, a Healy 3000, and a beautiful, sexy wife intervened.
One day driving in our notoriously unreliable Jeep, we passed a silver 944S in a driveway with a "For Sale" sign on it, and the beatiful wife said, "just look at it." Great condition, good price and it was mine a few days later. (Jeep gone and not missed!)
Since then, although a few other brands drifted into our garage, I remain smitten. There is truely no other daily driverable cars which offer the same total "package," of driver feel for me. (Wife remains sexy and beautiful.)
I do wish that 356 wasn't so full of rust, however.
I was ready to get out of my Corvair Corsa turbo convertible and into something which would handle better. A senior was selling her 356 and I was bitten with its right now handling, steering, brakes, etc. Unfortunately, upon inspection, IT was bitten with too much rust, and I, regretfully, passed on it and ended up with an MGB. A few of those, a Healy 3000, and a beautiful, sexy wife intervened.
One day driving in our notoriously unreliable Jeep, we passed a silver 944S in a driveway with a "For Sale" sign on it, and the beatiful wife said, "just look at it." Great condition, good price and it was mine a few days later. (Jeep gone and not missed!)
Since then, although a few other brands drifted into our garage, I remain smitten. There is truely no other daily driverable cars which offer the same total "package," of driver feel for me. (Wife remains sexy and beautiful.)
I do wish that 356 wasn't so full of rust, however.
10-19-2011, 07:07 AM
#58
I got my first experience riding (with the top down, sitting on the front of the rear lid area, legs between the rear deck and back of the front seats) to the swimming pool with my friend in his dad's 356 (either a cab or speedster, I don't know). We were essentially "parade riding", sitting outside the cockpit! The owner's name was Doug Dudley. 1959 or so. About 10 years later, a relative showed up at our house in an orange 912, took me for a ride and I was gone.
10-19-2011, 10:22 AM
#59
Three Wheelin'
In 1981 I was working in LIC NY and it was my habit to wander the local neighborhood after lunch, there was a Ferrari repair/used car dealer nearby and I got friendly with the guys there.
One day as I was visiting I noticed a 75 Ferrari 308 GT4 in the shop for repair, it has damage to the l/f fender. I asked about it and was told that it would be for sale as soon as it was fixed, the owner didn't want it any longer...I always had lusted after one of those.
Long story short, short, after I collected enough $$ to buy it ($25k at the time)
I found out that the owner had changed his mind and did want it back,boo hoo
but, one of the guys pointed me to a 1980 triple black targa with 60,000 miles on it...it had been owned by an engineer who would not fly, so he drove that car all over the US on jobs...not quite 2 years 60,000 road miles!!
They gave me the keys and said take it for a ride...I was gone for 2 hours, came back with the "GRIN" and bought it....2 more years and another 40,000 miles, I sold it for just about what I paid for it...then...a succession on 911's, 356's and Boxsters and here I am with an 06 997 Cab...TIP ( I can't deal with a clutch any longer ...bad knee)
Thats my story dak911
One day as I was visiting I noticed a 75 Ferrari 308 GT4 in the shop for repair, it has damage to the l/f fender. I asked about it and was told that it would be for sale as soon as it was fixed, the owner didn't want it any longer...I always had lusted after one of those.
Long story short, short, after I collected enough $$ to buy it ($25k at the time)
I found out that the owner had changed his mind and did want it back,boo hoo
but, one of the guys pointed me to a 1980 triple black targa with 60,000 miles on it...it had been owned by an engineer who would not fly, so he drove that car all over the US on jobs...not quite 2 years 60,000 road miles!!
They gave me the keys and said take it for a ride...I was gone for 2 hours, came back with the "GRIN" and bought it....2 more years and another 40,000 miles, I sold it for just about what I paid for it...then...a succession on 911's, 356's and Boxsters and here I am with an 06 997 Cab...TIP ( I can't deal with a clutch any longer ...bad knee)
Thats my story dak911
