emotions one oh one

having a (great) porsche in my life is a more of an emotional experience than I thought it would be. Eveyone has such strong feelings about the car. I'm wondering how guys(and girls) that have been in this awhile cope with some of the (crazy) feelings people have for you on the road and how that transmits to your driving habits. I'm confronted with speed racer angry honda odyssey moms that would rather risk a crash than let me peacefully pass them. There's the guy in the muscle truck that doesn't like furrin cars that will give you a face full of bumper if you gave them the chance. How does one cope with being so absolutely dominant on the highway, and off the line without making people pissy? (believe me I'm grateful to be able to fret about these difficult issues.)

Some great questions. There are a few good posts up recently that talk a bit about this. I am of the personal opinion, having had my car for less than a year but only actually having been challenged twice while driving it, that some of the perceived "threat" is exactly that: perceived. I assume that people drive up my tail, then blow by me, because I'm driving a Porsche, until they do the same thing while I drive my other, normal, daily Japanese car. That Honda racing past me on the highway is equally likely to do it if I were driving either the 996 or the DD. That said, I agree that oddly, I seem more challenged by specifically minivans and trucks in the Porsche than in the DD, but again, it may be perception. Now, in terms of off the line, I had a lovely Nissan Altima right behind me yesterday at a light at a major intersection, being driven by (likely) a new driver who was unhappy I wasn't closer to the line. I took off at the green light, blowing through gears and glancing at the speedometer long enough to slow down to a safe and reasonable speed, when she absolutely blew right by me. I'm convinced, laughing she said to herself, "I showed that jerk in the Porsche that my Altima is awesome!" Mmmhmm.

You just learn to accept it and not get baited by the ricer/soccer/Neanderthals. Let them go by and enjoy the time behind the wheel. Any car can go faster than it should on the highway when traveling in a straight line. I know how fast my car can go. I'm not impressed when a truck or minivan can reach 85 so I just let them go and smile to myself. Some track time can also help get it out of your system.

I haven't come across any haters in quite some time. When I first purchased my 996, I entered the turnpike ( freeway, for some of y'all), and this 3 series was already coming up fast, so we started running together for a few miles till it was time for me to exit; we gave each other a thumbs up, so it was a friendly fly-by. For the haters, I think the growl from the fister D's shows them who's boss when it's time to run WOT....

Exactly what Shamus said!!

The way I look at it, if they're aggressive enough to pass me, then they're probably not the sort of driver I'm going to be upset to be stuck behind. It's the oblivious slow drivers that really **** me off. But they're not doing it to you because you're in a porsche, they'd be doing it to you no matter what you're driving. You're probably just overly self-conscious and reading more into others actions that is really occurring. Don't worry, it'll go away I've actually noticed people yield to me a lot more (IE, not cut me off) in the porsche then when I'm driving any of my other cars. If you haven't already, start doing autocrosses and track days; it will really curb your need to push your car on public roads, which is patently unsafe. Some days, though, it's still hard to resist!

The thing is, we know what our cars can do and we don't have to prove it to some yahoo on the street. Like sjfehr and Shamus say - take it to the track if you really want to push it.

Yes it happens, but as Peter said, I do believe it is also my perception. I know I am more sensitive about someone playing and possibly messing up the Pcar than I am when in my back up ride. And I have been toyed with in both cars. I do however notice that with the Pcar it seems to be the younger drivers that tend to want to show me, our perhaps prove to themselves, that their car is faster than a Porsche, or that they can stay with one. My typical response is to NOT play. When I see a driver rapidly gaining on me I will simply pull over and let them blow by me. Now on a positive note, from time to time a mature driver, sometimes in another Pcar by the way, will want to play and we do. And it is a friendly fun ride, ending with the grins and thumbs up to each other. My biggest thing is to stay safe. So if that means pulling over or even exiting the highway, that is what I do. In the meantime, enjoy your ride.

I have really chilled out regarding this issue. I just try to get down the road safely and not pander to the emotional vicissitudes of the proletariat by responding to their antics. I have too much to lose to drive like an idiot. Also, I feel that it is my moral imperative to always let people in, let people over, and drive as friendly as possible, because when one Porsche driver does something stupid, it tarnishes the name of the entire fraternity of 911 drivers. If someone really wants to see what it's all about, they need to come to the track, and participate in the sport.

+1 bobbybailey The only time I accellerate hard from a light is when someone beside me smiled from seeing my car. I figure they'll enjoy the sound. I never entice anyone who would put themselves (and others) at risk. Instead, I far prefer accellerating at the same rate as traffic and then, when I need to merge into a lane, a quick blip of the throttle gets me in. I think that impresses more; to see that i have much more power to draw on, even when everyone else is accellerating at 80% throttle.

I was on the Autobahn last thursday driving a car that was struggling to do 130kph when i was passed by a new Carrera S absolutely flying and I have to tell you "enjoy the sound" just begins to describe it!! Put such a smile on my face...I was grinning like a Cheshire cat and it wasn't even my car!!! Just makes you feel so good that you actually own one of these things!! Love it! Pete

Actually, I'm thrilled to have someone blow by me to show how fast their car is. They are just doing me the service of occupying any traffic patrols up the road. How thoughtful of them!

Wink at them...that always seems to get the fellas to stop trying to race me last week two kids in a Honda asked (seriously asked me at a stop light) Wanna race? I looked over in shock and laughed, said...."no thanks", upset looking the kid says "dont doubt the Honda" again I chuckled and said "I dont" and drove off

I haven't had much of this type of thing, but I've actually had two things happen in the last month. The first was driving on a twisty mountain road. There was a Ford F-150 driving 10 mph below the speed limit ahead of me up the road. I knew there would be a passing lane coming up, so I patiently waited for my opportunity to pass him. When the lane finally opened up and I moved into the left lane to pass him, he floored it. This was 50 mph road, and he was going well beyond that speed so I couldn't pass him. I also knew that a sharp curve was coming up, so I just waited until he braked hard for the curve and I went right by him. I'm not sure what he was trying to prove. The second event was yesterday in a parking lot in Estes Park, CO. My wife and I had just finished some shopping downtown and got back in the C4S to drive home. We had the windows down and we were slowly driving out of the parking lot. We drove past a group who had just gotten out of their car. There were a couple of large women with tattoos standing there, smoking cigarettes. As I drove past them, one of them yelled: "Porsches suck!" and her friend yelled "F**k you!" I didn't respond, I just pulled out of the lot and drove away. My wife was shocked at the behavior of these white trash women. Personally, I feel that not responding at all in a situation like this pisses them off more than a response. I'm not sure why these cars elicit such negative emotion in some people. I guess there are lots of people out there who lack any kind of emotional intelligence whatsoever.

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Wow that's crazy! Just this weekend I had the opposite experience... Was pulling into a restaurant parking lot and had one person with a beat-up pickup truck ask me if I wanted to trade. I replied by saying, "I appreciate it but I think I'll stick with mine for now!" Then on my way out a father and son are staring at my car and commented on how it looked. I said "Thanks!" and turned the car on. I then heard the guy tell his kid, "That engine sure does sound 'purty' doesn't it?" I made sure to leave the parking lot in first gear to give them a little more of the soundtrack! I almost always get good responses from my car. I've only encountered one angry pickup truck driver about two years ago and nothing since then.

I get plenty of positive comments too... it's not all bad!

I haven't gotten any bad reactions since I got my 996. My 73 Targa ALWAYS got positive reactions, primarily from the early teen crowd. The fact that it was Viper Green didn't hurt. My experience is that everyone is really glad to see a highly polished, excellent condition PCar. A Turbo just winds them up a bit more - if they know how to identify it. I love the reaction. It just makes me smile that much more when I get into it and start it up. Yesterday, I was at Costco, and a guy was running around the parking lot gathering up grocery carts. He sees me leave the car in a distant parking space and says, "hey, that your Porsche?" Yes it is. "Is that a Turbo?" Yes, "That's a really nice car, is it a manual?" Is there any other way to drive a Porsche? "Nope, I guess not." And he smiled, shook his head and walked off to get another errant cart. There is a prestige to these cars that makes just owning it a wonderful experience. Then I get in and start it up, drop it into gear and REALLY start smiling. Met a friend the other day for a beer. He had just bought a 5 year old Vette convertible in fire engine red (as opposed to the Guards red of my Turbo). We stood there in the restaurant parking lot looking at the two cars side by side, me telling him about my buying experience. Then out of common courtesy, I turned to him and said, "so, tell me about your vette." He smiled slightly, and said, "Yeah, it's a corvette, but you've got a PORSCHE!!" and he turned to go into the restaurant. Surprisingly pleasant. He had just bought his "dream car" the red vette convertible, and he was still drooling over my Porsche. Fun in the sun. And yes, I guess that there are a number of Bozo's and Bozoette's in the world that look down on us or our cars, because they don't get it, or more likely because they are just so jealous that they can't do anything else but diss us. To them, I give a polite smile, and drive along my way. Nothing can turn my mood sour while I have a sport seat under my tush, a 500+ hp engine under my right foot, and a guards red envelope for me to cruise around in. larry

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Jeeze after saying no thanks you should of unsuspectingly blown their doors off. That way they'd be even more antsy. There's other people on the road? I look at the hwy like a parking lot and its just the relative positions and speeds to deal with. Once in a while I entertain myself when I think about what others might be playing with in their minds. Generally I think there are way too many medicated and drunks on the road. No real biggy if you just drive the car into the position in traffic you want to be clear of the fools. Although I do have this afliction of voicing "oh you wanna race" most times I see a cop car.

I notice 3 types of people when I drive my car. 1. The enthusiast and people that genuinely like the car. 2. The Haters!!! Which are pure haters and hate their lives and everything else including the car. 3. And the people that just don't care and no nothing about it.

Perfectly said Topaz. I also feel some of these haters should take there anger or whatever it is bothering them and take themselves to the track Ha Ha Ha. The enthusiast love the car will follow you and ask questions generally I'm ok with except when I am on my way to work or doing an important errand. It all comes down to who is educated enough to respect the automobile for what it is and not put people or other drivers lives at risk. It is almost (90% of the time) always the low income (low category no class) or seem to sustain incomplete happiness citizens that they brought this upon themselves. As for someone stated earlier it is funny to use other people cars who blow right past us as a screening measure for highway patrol, let them the death proof teenager, raging guy with a truck, or minivan soccer mom drive reckless and speed. I guarantee you they will LEARN there lesson the hard way when the cop writes them up for an automatic court summons time and hefty fines just are not worth it. After owning my car a little over 2 years I now know how drivers react to 911's rather this is good or bad the outcome is the same. Bottom Line We enjoy our Porsche's. P.S. Maybe I should write a book on this road behavior.

I had a pretty strange experience this weekend. Driving home on Friday from the DE at Lime Rock, I notice that a Honda Odyssey is riding my bumper pretty aggressively (it's always the minvans!). I speed up a bit. Then the guy moves over to my right - into an on-ramp merge lane - pulls up beside me and comes over into my lane. I almost hit the guy in the F-350 next to me trying to avoid the guy. So I get in the left lane and take off. This guy drives the wheels off the Odyssey and catches up to me and starts riding me again! It's some dude driving, laughing, and some girl in the seat next to him laughing and some d-bag in the back seat. I had no idea what the hell was going on, so I pulled off the get gas. What is up with people?

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I think I saw them Sunday, yea in the minivan. I was in the Turbo topless driving home from dinner and they kept trying to race us, lol! The guy had a huge "No Fear" sticker on the back of the van.

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A bunch of ignorant idiots is what it sounds like.

I just drive. I know I could dust them if I wanted and they know it as well. If it makes them feel better to blow by me then so be it. I'm here to spread joy and happiness wherever I go.

F them, they have no bearing on how I want to drive and put them largely on ignore

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I agree 100%....I'm extra nice to other drivers on the highway to help our image......but let's face it...there are some A__hole Porsche drivers who do give us a bad reputation.....I save all that for the track.......

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Well I have read all the reply's & didn't see any from So. CA so I believe it is safe to say you have no idea til you drive a speed yellow Boxster in this economy on LA freeways for 7 years. To answer your question I rarely put the top down anymore & rarely make eye contact with anyone. It has gotten much worse since the economy tanked. I realise it's my fault for keeping it in such good condition that most people think it's a new car not 12 years old. I have had all the experiences already told here with the exception of the minivan issues, those people drive SUV's here, mostly Escalade's. My wife has been cussed out by I assume a war veteran, a Texas Deputy in Calhoun County (George Bush country)refered to it as "your little yellow car" when he wrote me a speeding ticket, a motorcycle CHP determined it was my fault that I was rearended by a truck even though he was not a witness. Can't wait to get loose on Pacific coast Hwy again up in central CA.

+1 If someone is nice and compliments my car I say thank you and try to be as polite as possible. I have found that ignoring the "haters" or just laughing at them really seems to hit the spot.

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I thought SoCal was the place where a Porsche was as common as a Honda everywhere else?

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Well that is very true also, especially on nice sunny weekends, lots of great people in the Porsche clubs. Lots of high end exotic cars too, so it's not like I drive around in a super expensive car.

I had a bright yellow early 911t. It was a beautiful car but much unwanted attention! Some quotes; 1) It looks like a lemon. 2) It sounds like a lawnmower. 3) Why is it smoking so much? 4) Officer, "I was just blowing out the carbon!"

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Yeah, definitly fans the flames, I guess that's why you see so many seal grey & artic silver. I tell people I bought Safety Yellow so people won't hit me!