I have an 80 sc. I've had a number of women walking by the car that have said
oh that's a "cute car". Compared to the huge suv's everybody drives an early 911
appears pretty small.

There was a guy at a place where I worked and he had thing about my 911. Always some snide comment. I used to say to him "Relax it's just a car." or "Sure, your Toyota 4Runner is a much better vehicle."

One day he lost his little temper with me and said he would scratch my Porsche. Everyone looked at me thinking today is the day Bill loses his composure. So I just said to him "If I give you a hundred bucks would you do it over completely. It could do with a full paint job paid for by the insurance company."

See this is why I don’t like talking to strangers. Hehe.

It was probably 6-7 yrs ago, when I took the Targa to the supermarket to pick something up. I pulled into the space behind a non decript mini van, just as the driver( a middle aged overweight Karen) was getting out. She glared at me and said that's a little loud isn't it?" Gave her a big smile and told her it had a sport exhaust. She follows that up with "Do you drive that because of Californication?" Bigger smile and said I drive it because I couldn't stand driving something boring like you do. I got the stink eye and silence, so I went into the store.

People who have nice things aren't envious of others who have nice things. People who don't have the same level of prosperity need to feel good about themselves by putting down you or your car. This fits with someone who keys a car in a parking lot for no reason. It makes them feel better that they drive a POS.
As far as a response to the guy with the pickem up truck... You can't out stink a skunk. You won't change his mind so the best thing you can do is not bother to answer. That tells him you won't lower yourself to his level and, in essence, you are saying 'your opinion is of no importance to me'.

Edot: RSBob brought up a good point. Let me rephrase, those who don't have nice things and feel the need to put down others are many times motivated by a need feel better about themselves. It is a known and understood psychological response.

^. Interesting. I don’t live in a mansion, have a plane, an Italian super car, or a ski cabin n Switzerland and I can’t say I envy those that do or need to put them down. I have what I need, nice or not and don’t begrudge those that do. Beware generalizations about human nature.

^^^^^ +100. I'm happy for someone who has something nice. On the other hand, I don't feel the slightest bit of envy. My life is just different & good for them if it makes them happy.

I don't know. I keep running into these crazy travel agent ladies. They are pretty sexy, but know nothing about real life. They tell me they can take me around the world for $100. Please! The airfare to an outer island is more than that!

If I could only own one vehicle, it would have to be a truck. I wouldn't take what he said as a negative.

Generally I just say hello, or how's it going. Nice day isn't it?
If I say anything.

I once saw an original Ferrari California convertible outside of a little news stand in the middle of nowhere. I mentioned to the owner that I had never seen one on the street, and he told me how fortunate he felt to be able to own it.

I liked his attitude. We talked cars for several minutes. You can tell a real car guy. Like stevej, the OP.

When I bought mine 10ish years ago, a neighbor who is a little overweight and apparently insecure commented on my midlife crisis. Then she asked about me getting a girlfriend. I'm pretty well married and I let her know the car was INSTEAD of a girlfriend.

Still have the wife and the car...

She is still overweight.

I’ve had loads of compliments about my cars. The Slantnose gets a compliment every time if drive it. On Saturday at the MacDonalds drive through, the maybe 17 year old kid told me I was driving a piece of history. I replied by telling him it was my 1980’s time machine. The 76 930 also gets lots of compliments and people wanting to buy it for $30,000.

When I drove the Slantnose to the office the other day, one of the machinists said, I thought your car was blue... obviously he thought I only had one Porsche and was thinking of my 76 which I had driven there once before. I didn’t bother to tell him I have more than one Porsche. I might drive the 911 in one day as a real mind fack for him...

I also think it’s funny when people are all googoo eyed over one of my cars (all are coupes) and ask if it’s a Targa...

All of the above being said, the car that gets the MOST waves, thumbs up, and compliments is my Baja bug. Guaranteed 5-10 waves from every cross section of life in a trip into town and back.

Most people are positive. I'm low key. Back in the 80's 911's were ubiquitous. Now they are more like exotics in the attention arena. I drive the 911 despite the attention.

Except for this one hygienist- who likes to call it my "clown car" Didn't really bother me, I even went in on the joke, suggesting we all get in and pop out playing benny hill music, and run around the parking lot, but after about 8-9 months, it's wearing thin.

"Did you drive the clown car today?" "Where's your clown car?" " I didn't see the clown car?" "How do you even fit in that clown car?" Sheesh.

Can't really tell if she's toying with me (thinking it gets me riled) or if she's unaware she's annoying. I've given her no indication she's getting under my skin. I go along with her stuff, and don't park it like a douchbag, or even talk about the car, unless it is asked about, and even then, I use humble demeanor.

Comment wearing thin from overuse. I can't really address it because she'll think she successfully got under my skin about the car, and that's not the case, it's the overuse of the phrase. Tricky stuff.

I need options number one!

I can't remember ever getting a negative comment on my 911 even after 25 years of driving it in 40+ states. Most admire the look of the classic 911. Just least week, coming home from the autocross a pickup pulled up next to me at a light and the guy was hanging out the window. He asked what year and I yelled back 1985. At the next light he asked if I said 05 or 85 and I of course I said 85. He then said "oh man I was just owned by my girlfriend here, I said no way is that an 80s car" and she knew it was.

I have long said I have my El Camino for hauling stuff, and the 911 for hauling ass.

Is she HAWT?

country hawt! :D

edit- now I'm inspired "Hey, I'm pickin' up hawt chicks in my clown car today . Wanna ride?!? " :)

You need to pick up an original mini and drive that in.

I was driving the 930 one day and a young kid pulled up to me in a 80s Oldsmobile he jokingly said "wanna trade" I replied you would have to give me a few if those also joking around. After driving away and thinking about my reply I felt like a douche. At the time I was just kidding around with him but then I thought about it and that was a rude reply I should have said something else and complimented his car. Sometimes we say things that at the time we feel are funny or harmless but hindsight shows they were not.

Good point. Let me rephrase:
Those who don't have nice things and feel the need to put down others are many times motivated by a need feel better about themselves. It is a known and understood psychological response and is a valid consideration.
Have you ever pointed out a mistake to a spouse only to have them say "oh yeah well you do this..."? It is the brain trying to adjust.

To Bob: I would say that although you don't own a supercar and a plane, you prolly have a level of prosperity above the average Joe and a healthy self respect so you don't need to compensate. Good on ya.