wanna switch to porsche....please convince me

I've been a car lover since the time Matchboxes came in match boxes in the 1960's. I grew up around Mercedes Benz due to it's "family friendly" status. Now I have 2 SL's and a 70's coupe. I'm also a DIY'r. I've had lots of things go wrong and still going wrong with my MBZ's. (other MBZ owners,if any,please don't hesitate to pipe in) Just to name a few things: a/c evaporator which required the removal of the dash board $3200, engine wiring harness.. $650 due to premature deterioration on an SL, do you guys have these kind of problems on your PORSCHE? Porsche has been my dream car for the longest time. I'm very , I mean VERY tempted to hang it all up, and go for PORSCHE. PLease convince me....

Go drive one and convince yourself.

Go for Porsches and never look back. IMHO, benz's are for snobs who dont know how to drive(Ive seen it first hand) and those things are like pigs on the road. If its your dream to own a porsche then follow it. Go test drive some and see if its you.

You only live once, get a Porsche. MB SL's will never measure up to a Porsche, besides I find them a little femanine, JMO.

I don't want to even begin to try to explain how much you deserve and need a Porsche. You will not regret it. Like others have said, just go drive one and that will be enough. If you are a DIY guy and you want to tinker with your car, consider either an older model (perhaps a 1995 through 1998 993 based Porsche) or get a newer 996 and enjoy all your time modifying it instead of fixing it. Just do it and spend your time enjoying driving it.

if you have to 'explain' a porsche then you'll never get it, particulary a 911. i'm closing in on 100k miles, and i've found the cost of maintaing a 996 is comprable to a late e-class mbz or 3 series bimmer. good luck on your quest.

If you want us to convince you to buy a Porsche, are you also going to ask us to drive it for you. If you don't do the reseach yourself, then stick with your Mercedes.

Ditto what all have said. Do you really think anybody on this board will try to convince you not to get one? We are here because we love our cars and took that first test drive (that you need to go take) and never looked back!

If you want a "raw" sport car with beautiful classic styling that won't quit then Porsche is the right for you ..... and don;t forget the chic-magnet factor :-) I went from an m3 to 911, for the rawness/sport factor. A test drive is a must. try to test drive an 911 with sport exhaust for a full 911 experience . once you go porsche, you won't go back!

I have to agree with the other posters. Drive one. I'm kicking myselt for waiting as long as I did. If you truly love cars I can't see how you'll fail to love the best car of all! Tim

Porsche had an advertisment a few years ago or so.... "its like having children....you don't understand till you have one"

If you love the way your Mercedes cars ride, you won't like a Porsche. Personally, I love the way my Porsches ride. Softness sucks.

I have a question. Why would someone drive an MB when there is BMW?

There is no way in hell we could explain it to you, the only way to fall in love with this car is to drive it, and i mean really drive it throw it into corners drift coming out...you will understand. I fall in love with my car everytime i drive it. MB is a car.....Porsche is passion

"MB is a car.....Porsche is passion" EXCELLENT POINT!!!

Exactly.

Seems like there is a status thing here. MB is more desirable for those who likes status/uxuries and BMW is for those who want their luxuries but still want their performance. Porsche is for the extreme. We want the best sports car out there.

I think that we've scared him off at this point. If he drives one, it will close the deal for him.

Well, if he is satisfied with a MB, a Porsche is probably too much "passion" for him.

A sunny day, a winding road, heads turning , eyes glancing , drivers nodding and the music of an engineered perfect engine ...........................................That's by far the Porsche experience..........dats all i gotta say abut dat!!!!!! Also, be aware, however that the 996's have had their share of problems as well. As long as you know what your getting into. Cheers and safe driving

I agree with everyone on this one.... The drive will make you a believer..... So don't drive it unless you're prepared to buy it.... -Eli

I have raced with MiniCooper's (long,long,time ago), enjoyed Mercedes, BMW's (M5,528i), Alfa's, .... This is my 4th Porsche. A MB is a fantastic transportation machine as is the BMW. Porsche is a fantastic toy. When I travel with my familly I take the BMW. When I want to enjoy myself, if I can find the proper road, I take the Porsche. To tell you the truth: I nearly never travel with my BMW. Even with it's "sport's" suspension it's a silent car, handles well, comfortable and.... very,very boring compared to the Porsche. Something important, I would not use in a city like Madrid ( my city ), my TT as a daily driver. Only in this situation would I allways preffer the BMW or MB to the Porsche. When I will get old ( I am now "only" 53 ) I will buy a beautiful MB. My father used to say: " Why is the worm happy in the apple ?, because it has never lived inside an orange". Try the orange

Gentlemen, Point well taken. 1999porsche911, I seem to feel an aggresssive tone in your responses. I didn't mean to offend you with my choice of vehicle. I know that Porsches have their great qualities that I admire and respect. I was merely trying to get the "highest" point (Ie; maintenance , reliablility, owner friendliness, ease of repairing) of owning such a magnificent car. I have driven one and am very impressed. I just haven't spoken to anyone who shares the same passion for cars like I do. So I chose your forum. Thank you for the responses.

It's the internet. You're going to get the whole range of responses. Pretty much all of the replies have been civil.....you're just seeing 1999porsche911's passions coming out. So, you drove one. Give us your thoughts after the drive. Most people here (including me) assumed that one drive would have done it for you, but it appears your original post was after the drive. Well?

Be sure to let us know if we convinced you. Tim

I had a chance to drive both water cooled and air cooled versions. I felt like the water cooled version gave me smoother acceleration than the air cooled one.I guess because of the power/ Noise ratio with the 993 . I'm now caught between 993 and 996. Although I was told that 993's are holding their value more than any 911 series. PLease correct me if otherwise. But who's talking about selling anyway? We are merely in the buying stage, right? thanks

Dumb. If you even have to ask such a question you are better off with an MB. Jim

Absolutely, totally, with out any doubt, 100%, hit the nail on the head correct!!! This MB guy is lost is space! Jim

EKENAME: Yes BOQUERON: Thanks for the input- I do travel 35 miles one way to work eveyday-traffic is not a big issue . I do see your point. eli at P: I am prepared to buy one , even w/o "cleaning the slate of cars" that I currently have. Due to the maintenance demands of my MBZ, I don't want to get into something different then have the same problems and have to relearn it all over again. Thanks wormdoggy:"... share of problems" my point exactly. This is what I was trying to find out. Jm PDX: uhhhhhhhh.........PMS?

You wont regret any model Porsche. I'm sad that I waited til mature adulthood to experience the passion. On the other hand, I might have killed myself without mature restraint. You will find the Porsche community helps drive the passion, these guys and gals here in this virtual community, and the great friends Ive met locally in the 3 Porsche clubs I belong to and boards I serve on. It's a way of life, not just a car. For instance, we've hosted our annual 914 holiday party and the PCA chapter club party is this weekend. All good friends and I cant wait to spend some quality time talking projects and Porsches all night. You couldnt take my Porsches away for anything.

CS4/914-6 Thanks for the encouragement- I WILL venture out to the Porsche dealership this weekend and test drive one again. I think I've spent enough time fixin stuff-- Now it's time to drive Happy Motoring

I think the Porsche community might be one of the best things about owning the car (and I'm just getting started with my Porsche life). Every other car I've ever had was just a car but I can see that having the Porsche is more like a lifestyle choice. People just react to these cars on a real emotional level and that makes for a very special experience. Tim

As long as you don't mine a little oil on the garage floor it will be great.

Having owned 10 MB's, being a past member of the MB owners club. I can attest there is without a doubt no better experience in car ownership than a Porsche, whatever year/model. A large part of that feeling comes from the P-car community, such as Rennlist and the PCA. Where else would you find such group of enthuisists sharing their stories good or bad as in the P-car community. So take the plunge and come on board, you'll be glad you did

Well said my friend.