No wonder Porsche owners don't get any!

[SLO-BOB]

I'm sure this is old news to many, but here's the article-

Not so smilin Bob

I used to be slightly curious as to why the poll indicates that BMW owners "get it" more than Porsche owners but after 4 PCA outings, I'm starting to figure out why. I have to say that, as a new PCA member, I don't exactly feel embraced by my Porsche bretheren. In fact, I would say they are downright cold. Here's why-

I've been to four PCA gatherings. The first one was the last concours of the year 2004 at Elkart Lake, WI. I drove up and parked among all the other Porsches being primped by their owners. I was greeted with cold stares and no greeting what so ever. By the time I could muster a wave or nod the person would look away and resume their efforts.

Event 2- a 2005 winter tech session. One would think that the many officers in attendence would want to welcome new members, but not so. In fact I was ignored for the duration by all.

Event 3- The 2005 BRIC gathering at Porsche Park at Road America. Same as above-cold, who the f@#% are you stare. No greeting at all. Not even when I park my 911 among them and walk around looking at their cars. Forget about anyone asking me about mine. As a side note, when I park anywhere else, people stop and look at it. It's just a nice looking 911. Nothing special, but nice.

Last event-Tonight. An informal gathering of PCA folk at a local restaurant parking lot that sponsors some sort of vintage car night every Tuesday. In this instance the Milwaukee region PCA is bringing old and new to join the other cars (a beautiful mini, 6 pack Cuda, and a Cobra to name a few) I pull in as a 911 is pulling out. I wave, he ignores me and leaves. I drive past all of the Porsches and people and get the same old stare. No waves. No nods. No nothing. Again, not even when I park (this time at the end of the lot because I'm getting used to this by now) and look at all the cars do I get one "hello" or even a hint of acknowledgement.

Now-the internet being what it is, the reader may think this is a rant or boo-hoo poor me. Not at all. Simply an observation and a query- Is it this way everywhere or only in MIlwaukee? I ask here because this Pelican community does not seem that way to me at all. I have found the people here to be very friendly and helpful.

Logically, one might think it's me. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Maybe I'm the one who's stand-offish. Maybe I'm the problem. I could accept that. I certainly have been accused of being a dick now and again. However, I don't think any of these folks know me. Also, I've been a BMWCCA member for quite some time now. My behavior among them is the same as it is here and among PCA folks. At BMW gatherings everyone is at least greeted and included. I am truly part of the BMW community. They're a fun, friendly bunch-even when I show up driving a 911! It's just better.

Anyone else experience this?

[pwd72s]

I joined PCA back in '67...haven't gone to a PCA event in years, not since suffering an experience worse than the listed ones. Seems to me that a new breed has taken over PCA in the last decade or so. Damned if I can figure out why I still send the dues in, because I certainly don't feel that I "belong" in PCA these days. Gee, I go to events OTHER than PCA events and I can always find fellow gearheads to BS with...last weekend, on a whim, I entered a hot rod cruise-in. People there were friendlier to me than PCAers were the last time I showed up with this... go figure. Damned if I know why... Maybe I'm too old now? Too fat? Too Ugly? Don't wear the right watch? No D&B statement in hand? All of the above? Hey, I can understand why "they" might snub me. But when they do the same to Cindy? I get pissed!

[CJFusco]

I have been a PCA member for about 4 years now, and have only gone to a handful of events (Rennsport Reunion I, for example). I have also received a somewhat cold reception from the PCA crowd, but I simply figured that it was because I am a young guy (20 when I joined, 24 now) who looks even younger than I am driving the "cheap" Porsche.

BUT at every PCA event I've found at least one person who notices my enthusiasm for the marque enough to hold a conversation. For example, at a PCA-sponsored swap meet last Oct., I talked to the owner of a 934-look 911 turbo for close to 2 hours. He was really the only member there that wanted to talk to me.

Pelican meets, on the other hand, have proven to be friendly meet-and-greets. Even though they come along less often, I would attend a Pelican meet before a PCA one any time.

[MFAFF]

PWD,

Its easy to see why you don't get the open arms treatment... you tru nup in that OLD car....what sort of person are you, too poor to buy a new one?



Seriously tho there is a similar feeling at PCGB meets as well, the 'open' events are now seemingly more focused on the newer (996 on) cars... as there are vast numbers of these... the 'classic' events however are still as friendly and enjoyable as ever....

There is a feeling that if you run and old Porsche that's becuase you are not well off enough to run a new one... RS excepted..so whilst this may be true in some cases it is also a personla choice to run and long nose rather than a later car as prices are getting very close....

[livi]

Topic aside, pwd72s, that is a gorgeous car ! What color is it ?

[Rufblackbird]

some people get it, and others don't. It depends on the region as well. In the Hawaii region, EVERYONE is super friendly and there's always something to chat about.

Paul - just donate Nina to me and you won't have to worry about that anymore

[87911jon]

I'd have to say that the people involved with driver's education for the Potomac (Md, DC, Va) region are very friendly. Consistently.

[rhk109]

I've had nothing but great experiences in the Central PA Region. THe club regulars couldn't be more friendly. Sorry, to hear you region isn't as lucky.

[Dan Mc Intyre]

Sebring - are these the same people that run that club race event at Road America on Labor Day weekend?

Dan

[VINMAN]

I have to agree with CJ, the Pelican meet I went to this spring was cool, everyone was friendly and welcomed eachother.
On the other hand, the few PCA events Ive been too, the people werent as warm and sociable. Most seemed pretty smug and more content to just walk around showing off thier P-car clothing, hats and other accesories. Seemed like if you werent driving the same car as someone else was, you werent worthy.

[ErVikingo]

Locally is not that bad but, since I show up with my old cars and not the latest Cayenne, Boxster or some other random watercooler no one really cares.

We'll let me take that back. The older guys really care as they also drive old cars. I don't really take part in events anymore (eventhough the preferred meeting place is only 5 minutes from home).

Thank god we have other local groups SBBC, PDC, ......

[Mule]

My local PCA club was warm & friendly. My experience with a lot of Porsche owners in general (mainly on that "other" board) brings to mind the old joke about the difference between a Porsche & a porcupine.

[scottmandue]

Sebring,

Have you considered losing the Mohawk and piercings?

J/K


Car guys are usually friendly, poseurs usually are not... unfortunately there is no way to control how many of each may buy a Porsche or join your local PCA.

[1967 R50/2]

Sebring here is my take. There are two phenomena going on here.

First regarding the Porsche events, there is a lot of ego probably at play. Everyone wants to have the bestest toy and of course they know the mostest stuf. So you are a new guy with an old car....hardly worth looking at. That old 911 can't be as good as MY ride they probably say.

I've noticed a similar dynamic at BMW bike rallys. Besides the ego plays, BMW riders tend NOT to congregate together in big herds on the highway. They tend to be solitary riders who cover a lot of distance. Anti-social miscreants! So rallys aren't as socially "exciting" as you might expect.

The second dynamic concerns the evening event and is simpler to figure out: Porsches are too common....especially at a PCA event.

Think about the even you were at...Cobra, nice, not too many around. Barracuda...really not many around at all..Classic Mini...hardly ANY to be seen.

A Porsche is common in comparison, especially a 911. 911s have been produced with roughly the same shape for how long? The average tire kicker isn't going to know the difference between a 70's production car and a 90's production car anyway. EVEN IF THEY OWN ONE.

"Yeah...another 911." is probably what is going through their mind.

You may disagree, but that is my take.

[gatotom]

Sebring...I hear you loud and clear.

Back in the early 90's when I got my nobody wants this yr car because the motor is one pile of junk, I actually went to a pca event.

Mind you, this was not my first p-car nor my last one, none the less, conversation was like walking in the chapel will the preacher is giving the sermon.

Pretty standoff and by all means very arrogent was my take of the event. Maybe explains why it was my last event I ever went to. Shortly after, pca became a distant memory.

Lets fast forward to a couple months ago when I somehow stumbled onto this forum and the local N gruppe. They were out for a drive and came to my town, wow, actually had conversation and took them on one of my exercise runs up the canyon.

Real people with one common problem, they love their Porsche and are hopeless addicts.

My take is that it doesn't matter what you make, who you are, what you do for a living, where you live or what porsche you own.

Do you love to drive the crap out of your car

you have found the right group.

[kach22i]

I've gone to about two PCA events a year for the past four years in Michigan. It's been real friendly, including the times before I owned a Porsche four years ago, and was just looking/talking/lurking.

Must be a regional thing.

Oh yea, the older the car, the more attention it gets. Rough cars get sympathy and offers to help fix it.

[Hugh R]

What???

You mean all of you people I've been talking to on this board don't also live in Beverly Hills, aren't movie directors, make millions, have 20 something movie starlets on your arm and drive 2005 twin turbos? I'm outta here!

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by Hugh R
What???

You mean all of you people I've been talking to on this board don't also live in Beverly Hills, aren't movie directors, make millions, have 20 something movie starlets on your arm and drive 2005 twin turbos? I'm outta here!

Me too!
and I'm takeing my grey poupon... so there!

[techweenie]

In the '70s, Golden Gate Region was very active, and the emphasis was on that activity. Overall, the club was fairly 'clique-y' but there were plenty of outsiders to hang with.

When I moved to L.A., the region here was dead -- maybe 4-5 active members. When Grand Prix Region was started, I joined up. didnt' do much with them until the '98 Monterey events, then joined the region at the motel they'd booked. My one interaction with the PCA folks was in the 'refreshments' room at the motel, when I broke the silence and said something innocuous like 'great weekend' to a member. He looked at me for about 10 seconds, turned and talked to someone else. Some PCA people are just socially retarded nerds.

[FrayAdjacent911]

I haven't joined the PCA or been to any events (my car is in poor shape, and would get a lot of turned up noses, I bet!)

But I've met some guys via the 912 board, and a couple local pelicanites, and they've all been extremely friendly and helpful. It's a great group, and I really look forward to hanging out with them, learning more about my car, working on it, and going on drives with the group.

Not sure if I'll ever join the PCA... Seems to me they're maybe a bit of a snotty group, and if your car is not PERFECT and ORIGINAL, they might not like you much.