Mike in CA

As we were wandering Rennsport IV on Saturday with thousands of other Porsche lovers, my wife asked when I first got the bug to own a Porsche. I had to think briefly, but I knew the answer. There were two moments in time. The first was in 1965 at 15 when I brought home a brochure from the SF car show. The Porsche brochure was unlike the big glossy ones I was used to seeing for American cars, full of glamour shots and advertising hype. As I remember, it was a small narrow booklet with a picture of each model (912, 911, 911S) and a brief description. What was really different though, was that the booklet was full of technical specs, charts showing speeds in gears, and performance data. This, I thought, was a serious machine, not a bunch of hype. The seed was planted.

It sprouted fully about 4 years later. My well-to-do buddy sold his 289 Shelby Cobra and bought a brand new orange 2.2L '69 911E Targa. Riding in his Targa was a revelation. Great handling yet supple ride, strong acceleration, a feeling that the whole car was carved from a single block of metal. I was hooked. It took another 15 years before I was able to buy my own new 3.2 Carrera and I never looked back.

So when did you catch the Porsche bug? How did this great obsession start for you?

boolala

I had an SL500. Wanted something different after 6 years. Thought I would try out the Porsche. It was a good move. Basically when I decided I wanted one I got it in 2 months time. Never pined for this as a youngster.

My dream car is an F430. Too cheap to spend the money on it.

Mike in CA

I know there are people who just buy a Porsche as another car to try. Nothing wrong with that. But if you go to one of the big Porsche events, it's obvious there are many people who really share a passion for the marque. I figured some of them post on RL and that it might be interesting to find out, "Why Porsche?".

aaks38

I drove a C5 Z06 vette for 5 years and got tired of it as it didnt do anything for me although it was a faster and less maintenance car. The vette felt very banal. Being an engineer, i have always appreciated solid engineering and see it through and through in the 911. I was also looking for the complete package in terms of handling, power, braking and comfort/features, looks. I used to always envy and admire the people that drove these cars as they looked so graceful in motion, even now i tend to speed up to catch another 911 when i see one ahead of me. Had a goal that by the time i was 40, i could get a 911 and just squeezed it in. I lucked out as prices were really good when people were offloading these cars in 2010, and ended up selling the vette and buying a used 07 4S. When i went to buy my current 911, i actually was so overwhelmed that i was about to buy a 911, that i walked away from the deal to get a sanity check and came back a week later after thinking it all through...

Im happy to own own, but it seems like there is more responsibility in owning one from all sorts of perspectives. Cant stand the jealousy and ill feelings people have towards you when you own one.

808c2s

Well, my first exposure to this great brand was about 30 yrs ago when I was 13. At the time, I decided to collect pictures of cars to make a book of sports car collages. I came upon a picture of a black 911 shown in 1/4 front layout. The flared rear bulging fender, the sloping hood with the air scoop at the base of the windshield, and the menacing stance; these features caught my eyes and told something was special about this car. I could not place a finger on it, but i could not take my eyes off it. It was not until 6 months later when I had the opportunity to be driven in a 944 by one of my soccer mate's dad. The acceleration and cornering ability of that car was pure pleasure at the time, and I was hooked on the Porsche brand. Fast forward to 2007, when I was given the opportunity to purchase a 997 C2S, the rest, as they say, is history.

At Law

I caught the bug when I was about 8 years old. My uncle had a number of 911's and they always intrigued and fascinated me.

Even as a young kid, I realized the Porsche 911 was designed for performance and they were not over the top. Lambo's, Ferrari's, Lotus's seemed too flashy and appeared to be more show than go. (I do love Ferrari's though).

The 911 seemed like a driver's car that would start and run when you wanted it to and somehow not project an image of trying too hard.

hammer212

since the prettiest girl in the 8th grade said Porsches were the coolest...

gota911

I became interested in late 2004 when I was ready to sell my Jaguar S Type. I was in the market for something completely different from what I had owned in the past. On a whim, I started looking at 911s on Auto Trader. Then I began some research and ended up getting my 996 3 or 4 months later.

aka_Sven

It started when I was about 14, reading car magazines in the local library with a friend. We'd admire the silhouette, read and memorize stats. Then a friend of my dad asked him to look after his 912 for the summer because he was traveling. After a couple rides in it I knew it was special. Got a 914 in my late teens. Almost bought a 911 in the 80s, and again in 1998, but didn't. Finally have one now.

Hella-Buggin'

It started with a $100 1966 VW Beetle. Then a mint 1962 VW Beetle... had that for 18 years. Once you go rear engine...... you just can't understand being pulled through the corners.

blake

Thanks for posting this thread... Sorry I missed Rennsport IV...

Around age 4 or 5, I became addicted to the frog-eyed 911 and cool 928 matchbox cars... My parents told me that I had no problem sharing my toy cars with friends - except for the Porsches!

At age 18 in 1992, I had built up enough savings to buy a mid-1980s BMW 318. While searching through car classifieds, I noticed that mid-1970s 911 S' and SC's were selling for a lower price than expected ($10-15K back in then)... I went and test drove one - and the obession began!

RudyP

Have loved 911s ever since I was a little kid - it was always 911s and airplanes with an honorable mention for BMWs. My tastes havent changed much - now I have a 911, an M3 and an airplane.

But for me it has always been 911s - never really was a huge fan of other Porsches. I think 944s, 928s, boxsters, caymans and such are nice enough cars but they don't do it for me the way most 911s do (primarily 964, 993 and 997).

mooty

father drove porsches since 78.
i got stuck with porsches.
can't afford one.
thus always drove bmw m cars.
then wife got car sick and barf'd in my E36/8
i got very pissed off.
she spent all day cleaning it.
i remain pissed off.
she went out and bought me a new 02 boxster s.
then, that opened the flood gate. 30+ porsches since, i am still in love, a lot with porsche, a little with her ;-)

Mike in CA

Well put, and I have the same feeling especially comparing Porsche to Lambo and Ferrari. The Italians are amazing but I just can't picture myself in one. I know there are people who think Porsches are "too flashy", but not me. I feel they are more down to earth; maybe because of their humble beginnings.

hpowders

I'm not a Porsche person. I am a BMW person giving Porsche a tryout.