On Driving Porsche

I drive a nice but well-worn 2003 C2. Black with clear indicator lenses and black Innsbruck wheels... Otherwise stock. (Most of the cars I see on here are much nicer looking than mine). Pulled into parking lot this AM and was listening to the end of a news story when another guy pulls up next to me in a brand, spanking new Vette, spit shined and all. He gets out, walks over to my car and motions for me to roll the window down... Long story short, he goes on to gush about how cool and classic my car is and how he "... really wanted a 911" but couldn't justify spending the money (he intimated six figures) on it, so he spent 70k on his Vette. I politely complimented him on the Vette and simply responded that the Porsche was, indeed, a great car. Then I walked into the Courthouse with little more steam in my stride (or lead in my pencil). These are really cool cars and I often think about that when purring down the road, daydreaming about something or other. Nice when someone else notices and pays you an uninvited compliment. I've posted before that when you take all categories into balance, these are, hands down, the best sports cars out there. In any event, I thought you clowns would get a kick out the story. Take it easy and happy motoring... JKC

Cool story. A buddy of mine once told me "nobody cross shops Porsche and Corvette". I didn't agree. I was the other way around. Really wanted a 2003 50th Anniversary car. The maroon/burgundy colored one. Loved it, but the Porsche grew on me and I ended up with the 03 C4.

I guess being a Porsche enthusiasts and not really thinking like your avg person off the street, I'm also dumbfounded everytime I get approached or complimented(practically everytime I take out my car). It's nice that people still think our "lowly" 996's are still expensive exotics. One guy at a gas station was so in love with my car that I told him that if he can afford a brand new Honda Accord, he can have one of these. His mouth dropped and thought I was trying to joke around with him. Little does he know...

Well, I had many Chevy's growing up and while a Vette is certainly a special car in my opinion it is never a Porsche. We take for granted that we bought these for the price of a Honda but to most people I meet in thier eys it is still an exotic. The Porsches just seem to age better than a Vette and the perception is always different. That said I have lusted after a porsche since highschool so I am more than a bit biased...

I bought mine for 53k in 2005, so I bought ahead of the price drop (and the Honda comments). Still, great car. You guys are right, some folks think of them as exotics... I've just always thought of them as great, practical, sports cars. Corvettes are very nice, but I put them in the Viper category. Powerful but brutish. I put the 996 in the finesse category. If inclined, go look at the Z4 M/Cayman comparison on line and you can get a feel for it. Basically, the reviews are that the Z4 M is very good, but the Cayman is so much smoother and balanced. I kinda get that feel driving my car. In any event, he was a nice fellow and had a nice car... Albeit, plastic! (Sorry, the shot was there so I took it). JKC

Would this be my old friend Jim from Savannah? Rob

It is the one. And you are? I had one buddy down there named Rob that I worked with for a bit... JKC

I have 968's and agree that it sure is a jump starter to any day to have someone compliment, gush over your car. Mine is just about always misidentified as a 911 and brings an inward chuckle as I explain what the car actually is to a blank comprehending face!

One and the same. What a small world. Good to see you on the forums. I also have an '03 996 but mine is a Cab. Hope all is well with you and the family. Rob

Rap, I had a 968 and loved it but the pinion bearing went at a bad time for me and I had to let it go. Neat little cars. Mine was a cabriolet and I still miss it. I have the Pete Morgan 924/944/968 book if you are interested. Hard cover but no jacket. Good condition and good statistical information on the cars. Neat read and might be useful to include with the car if you ever sell, or, to display with the car if you go to shows or gatherings. I'll sell it to you cheap if you have any interest. Rob, Too funny. Are you still in Savannah? Looks that way. PM me and next time I am down there we can hook up for a meal and nice drive. I normally come down for TGiving. I also get through there for cases I am working. Keep me posted and hope you are otherwise doing well. JKC

JCreasy I do have that interest. contact me at [email removed] and we can make arrangements!

I've been fortunate enough to have owned 2-Pcars and a C6 Corvette. Must say I prefer the Pcars but the brotherhood of Corvette drivers puts us to shame. Why can't we simply acknowledge each other on the road with a simple waive?

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My experience has been the same. I've had other car marques which was also more brotherly on the roads and such. My guess is that you have more "true" enthusiasts with other car brands and less posers, unlike Porsches where you do have a certain percentage of people wanting the car merely for status or bragging rights and are not really in tune with the company, history, car, and culture. I've just about quit waiving to fellow Porsche owners on the roads because I don't get a return wave 80% of the time. Sad but true.

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There's definitely a lil' bit of truth to this, but I think it depends on the area you're in (there's not very many Porsche's around here) Vettes are on every other corner! Its pretty much the same way in the VCA (Viper Club) though there's even less of them around here its a very tight nit group (but Don't think you'll Ever get a compliment from a Vette guy while your in the Viper)! Most of the guys in the VCA usually prefer the Ford GT or the Ferraris, not me! jmo

Wayyyy too many P-cars in Scottsdale (where I live), so I think I miss out on the "wow...nice Porsche!" comments. Instead of "Slug Bug" you could play "Slug Porsche" and end up with plenty of bruises. Too many driven around here to make seeing one special. Regarding the wave, not too many fellow P-car drivers acknowledge each other, however, us Guards Red guys always throw a wave.

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Gonzo, that's cause Scottsdale's where all the Retired Rich People Live! Lol!

Rap, End of a long day but I'll see about getting it to you. Will email tomorrow or later in week. Take it easy, JKC

I get compliments and oohing and ahhing everytime I stop, but I live in a small ranching town about 25 miles outside of Austin. There is one other Porsche (a Boxter), but I'm pretty sure I have the baddest beast in town. It is amazing the attention these things can draw, even though we all know they cost less than the average well equipped pickup truck.

"they cost less than the average well equipped pickup truck." just don't tell them The wave thing does kind of bug me. Porsche is one of the few cars I have owned with so many douche bags driving them that are not only NOT enthusiasts not even car guys.

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I just wish I fell into at least one of those categories!

Rap, 10 bucks plus postage. So send me 15 and I'll send it to you. (I think I paid 20 or 25 for it). Let me know and give me an address and I'll send it out. You can pay me when you get it or send the money when you can. [email removed] . (Just remember when you need to sue someone in Georgia)! Meantime, enjoy that 968 and send some PICs. Take it easy, JKC

Owned a 1969 Corvette - enjoyed it, traded it for a Grand Am and a good bit of cash - took the cash, loaded up the Grand Am and headed to Florida where I quickly traded the Grand Am for a 1968 911. Enjoyed that 911 and for 30 years since that 911 hung on to the someday there will be another 911. I too paid well above "market price" for my 996's - over 51k for the C2 in 2007 and over 40K for the C4S a year ago - so not quite Honda territory. But I honestly bought them for what they are, not the price, and certainly not what other people will think. I too get a kick out of all the compliments, and I too am disappointed that the Porsche wave is so rare. Back in the days of 68 911 it was a flick of the high beams, the vette was received with a ave from other vette owners, I still remember telling a friend that whoever owned my vette before sure had a lot of friends because people wave at me all the time. True story -but what did I know.

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Same here! But I am in Tucson at the moment, except I am driving a Buick and missing the 996 after just 2 days. On the upside, the 996 really feels like an exotic after spending a week or so in a rental.

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Same as here in Vancouver. Heck the soccer mom car of choice here is the Cayenne! Kids have so much money here, Ferraris and Lambos are the minimum wow threshold. And I've never seen anyone wave to me in my Cab unlike when I rode motorcycles.

I always give a wave from the top of the steering wheel to passing Porsches, and I get a return wave about 90% of the time. Ok, I don't normally wave to the Cayennes and Panameras. I just assume they won't understand. Otherwise, the Porsche community around here is pretty friendly. Sad to hear that is the exception.

I agree with frisbee. I always wave especially at other 911s. Interestingly enough, I attended a PCA DE event at Roebling this past weekend and didn't find the Porsche folks all that friendly. Lots of others came up to strike-up a conversation about my 996, like Jim implied, people think its worth a lot more than it really is. I think it was that custom blue painter's tape bra that really pushed it over the top .

I still wave to but if 1% responds I am lucky most just drive past looking confused :/

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One day, I accidentally waved to a Boxster

Im sure the guy in the Vette meant maintenance costs... The "costs less than a new pickup" is really not fair and its better not to say it to average folks They are likely to go into just how much money it costs in parts and maintenance to run an older Porsche out of warranty. Easily more in service costs by orders of magnitude over any Vette. I owned a Vette before owning a 911 and while I did know what to expect from also owning Benz and BMW, I did miss the super low cost supercar experience you get with the checkered flags. Some may say "do your own wrenching and shop around!", but even if thats something you could/would to, then you could/would do it on the Vette too so it would be even that much cheaper. Net net, the price of admission on an older car out of warranty doesnt mean a whole lot. Its the TCO that really matters and thats where the vast majority of people tap out (hence why in the vast majority of places on earth Porsches are still very rare and exotic)