Porsche 911: A-hole car or no?

[defcon65]

As we Pelicans all know, 911s are desirable because they are uniquely designed, rear-engined, air-cooled, highly engineered true sports cars with a lengthy racing pedigree. And they look cool, and they make us smile. A lot.
But we may be missing something, because there is the perception out there that it is the car of A-holes. I've experienced more than a few roll-eyes, arched eyebrows, suspecting smirks, sneers and jeers just for mentioning I own one or rolling up in it. Not from everyone, but it seems there is a raw nerve for these cars among the populace.
What gives? This car cost me less than a new Hyundai. I'm not materialistic in the least, I have no gold chains, I open doors for ladies, floss my teeth, pick up litter, give to the United Way and I'm normally.....equipped, unlike the Hummer driver and his trouser snail.
So why the haters? Hell, I even drive the speed limit some of the time.

-Perplexed in my Porsche

[techweenie]

One of the downsides of belonging to the Porsche Club back in the day was the overwhelming majority of flaming a-holes.

There's something about certain brands and form factors that attracts rigid, self-righteous people. The snootiness you see is sometimes just a cover for insecurities.

But this is not the exclusive province of Porsche drivers. I've seen it with Ferrari drivers, BMW drives, Mercedes drivers, etc.

Any group whose membership is dependent upon the purchase of a thing is going to attract a certain mindset.

I've seen a lot of very negative reactions. The worst from Corvette owners.

[defcon65]

Well, this IS the Midwest, so we stand out a little more than you do in SoCal...
But you are right on the money with the handsomeness thing.

[azasadny]

Originally posted by defcon65
As we Pelicans all know, 911s are desirable because they are uniquely designed, rear-engined, air-cooled, highly engineered true sports cars with a lengthy racing pedigree. And they look cool, and they make us smile. A lot.
But we may be missing something, because there is the perception out there that it is the car of A-holes. I've experienced more than a few roll-eyes, arched eyebrows, suspecting smirks, sneers and jeers just for mentioning I own one or rolling up in it. Not from everyone, but it seems there is a raw nerve for these cars among the populace.
What gives? This car cost me less than a new Hyundai. I'm not materialistic in the least, I have no gold chains, I open doors for ladies, floss my teeth, pick up litter, give to the United Way and I'm normally.....equipped, unlike the Hummer driver and his trouser snail.
So why the haters? Hell, I even drive the speed limit some of the time.

-Perplexed in my Porsche

Yep, same here... but of course I live near Detroit!

[cubby911T]

and I'm normally.....equipped, unlike the Hummer driver and his trouser snail.

ROFL!!! That is hilarious!! Nice one!

[john d 81SC]

Like CS119, I've never experienced what you're describing, and being in sales, I'm fairly good at reading people and body language. Are you wearing all kinds of Porsche paraphenalia (the hats, tee's, jackets, etc?). I've noticed some P owners get funny looks when overly fitted out, the same way I smile when I see the H-D boutique attired 'Rolex riders'. You sound defensive because of the perceived disapproval you think you're receiving. Break the ice by asking them if they know the difference between a P-owner and a cactus (one has the prick on the outside). Otherwise, grow a thicker skin and ignore 'em. You don't have to apologize because you've chosen to drive a P-car

[Rot 911]

I've never had that experience either. I just dropped my girl off at school this morning in the 911 (1st grade and new school for her) and not only her teacher but 4 others came out to look at it and chat plus every kid that happened to be outside.

[sand_man]

I find that I usually shy away from telling people what kind of car I drive. When asked, I usually just say, "I drive an old Porsche" and leave it at that. I too have gotten mixed feelings and vibes. Whenever I mention the "P" word, most seem to think I'm sporting some brand new GT3 or C4S...it must conjure up images of the latest car magazine covers for them or something. And no, I'm not paranoid (although that doesn't mean someone is not out to get me).

My car is loud, has NO A/C, GPS, DVD, ABS, 20 air bags, heated seats, etc, and is is raw as driving a freaking go-kart! Yet the perception for them, I guess, is that I'm a spoiled executive leading the high life...I'm actually just a lowly IT Project Manager with a serious hobby.

[sand_man]

Having said that above, when people actually SEE me in the car, it's a different reaction. People seem to be much more interested in it.

[nesslar]

defcon65!
I haven't had bad experiences as such, either. In fact, quite the contrary, in that even at stoplights people get that window down to pay compliments. Nearly everywhere I stop, it's the same.
Maybe you should stop going to 'Vette shows in your Porsche!
You handsome devil.......

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

Here in LA, unless you're driving a 997, you're just driving an old car.

[cubby911T]

Hey, Sand_man: I am a lowly IT Analyst myself. I know the whole routine you just described, and I also try to use the "old Porsche" description. Doesn't help.....they hear the "P" word and all of a sudden I am in another earning bracket in their eyes and it feels like they may be forming a negative opinion.

BUT, if someone actually SEES me with the car, they are almost always very enthusiastic and interested.

[Zef]

People over 40 and kids seem more interested to that classic sport car...and that'ok for me !!!

[nesslar]

Yep! Uber 40 und kids.....
That would include a elder gent I ran into at the gas station recently. He loved the car, and well he should, as he was born in Stuttgart!

[defcon65]

It must be a demographic phenomonon, then. Seems like the P-car attracts the most comments from drunks who want to know how fast it goes, teenage girls who say "cool Ferrari!", old ladies in mall lots who ask "what the hell is that?" and teenage boys with fart-can Hondas who get on my bumper to prove their ride can go 55 in traffic, too.
Vette guy and Mustang guy see it as an affront to their perceived manhood and make sure they get the hole-shot to the next light - woo.
This affront to my self-esteem falls way short of therapy. I just wanted to know if other 911 drivers had experienced the same thing.
It's not like I'm wearing fur and driving an Excaliber fer chrissake! (insert Stallone photo here)

[nesslar]

I'd say just don't fret it. I mean, after all, if you have a 911, then you are doing the right thing no matter what all those fart-can drivin', "Vette/Mustang tire burnin', unknowing old ladies, etc., think or believe.
My son has the right idea, he has a t-shirt that says "I'm right, you're wrong!"
You need that shirt, you deserve that shirt, 'cuz your great good looks ain't enuff, obviously?
PORSCHE...............and that's that........

[911pcars]

In the earliest days of the Long Beach Gran Prix (F1), I attended two marque parties; one was the Ferrari Owners Club, the other the Alfa Owners Club. There couldn't be more of difference between the two. I'm referring to the sea of leather outfits, boa feathers, fur and jewelry (and those were the guys ). After a big smirk and a head shake, we left to join some Alfa friends.

The early PCA clubs had their share of the same attitude as well. Don't know about now.

Sherwood

[rs6er]

My son is a gear head. When he wanted a car I told him he could use the Porsche because I didn't want to have to spend money on another car. He told me he couldn't have that as a daily driver because other people would think he's spoiled.

[swa911]

It makes me cringe every time I tell someone I've been working on my "car" and they ask what kind of car. It is true, when people find out you have a Porsche, they automatically think you are rich.

Funny thing is, they will go out and spend twice as much on a bass boat or a Harley and no one thinks twice about it.

It's a sterotype. Porsche=rich a-hole. We got to live with it.

[oldE]

I find if I mention it is a '69 and I spend as much time tinkering with it as driving it, people mellow right out. The antique plate helps.

Last weekend, as my wife & I were at a small vineyard, taking the tour, we were joined by two other couples. At the end of the tour, one of the guys asked about my Porsche sweat shirt (a gift from my wife) and I filled him in on the car. It turned out the other two couples had arrived in an early MGB and an early Miata. The wives finally had to break up the party and get us all on the road again. For the most part, guys who are car guys 'get it'.

Les