people are good

[724doorE]

You know, it seems like many of us, myself included, generalize and feel like everyone who has a ricer or tries to race our cars doesn't like us. Not saying we feel like that all the time, but now and then. Lately though as I've been out in the car more, driving it to work and such, I feel I've noticed quite the opposite trend. My old 72 would probably be considered a parts car to some of you and then others would be glad to have it. Its an average condition car with a 10 year old paint job and ready for a new one. Despite all that It continues to recieve highly positive comments from other motorists everywhere I go. The ironic part of this is that many people who have taken the time to say "nice Porsche, what year is it?" are exactly the people one might wrongly expect to be disinterested! It is very refreshing and at the same time opens my eyes to the fact that stereotyping is pretty much worthless.

Anybody else notice the same thing?

[Kmatts]

Yep. I've noticed the same thing. Hey, if you're into cars, then I figure we'll get along just fine regardless of who the maker is.
Everyone wonders why people are into "ricers", take a look at the parts prices, cheap cheap cheap cheap.
I'm not gonna bag on those "ricers". I had a guy in a Supra (massively modified) blow me away on the freeway a few months back. You know what the worst part was? I wasn't in the old Porsche, I was on my Ducati. O my god that car was quick.
Kyle.

[JWest]

I think it has as much to do with YOUR attitude as their's. If you are driving aggressively and messing with traffic then you will attract the same response from some people.

However, if it appears that you are just out enjoying your car and being civilized in the way you drive, people think you care abou the car and will have a different response (read respect).

[MRM]

Me too. Here's my good person story. Last summer I was coming back to the office in rush hour. Traffic on the freeway was stopped and bumper to bumper as I tried to merge. I fully expected the (almost stopped) traffic on the freeway to do the usual and bunch up even tighter on me, trying to make it so I couldn't get into the lane of travel. I notice this happens especially when I'm in the P Car with the top down.

As I neared the end of the merge lane I could see that the spot that would most logically open to me was blocked by a total ricer. Civic with big spoiler, muffler, ground effects, the works. I was expecting him to pull up to the bumper of the car behind him to cut me off. But when he looked up and saw me he waived me in front of him and braked to make room for me to merge.

If it hadn't been for him I would have been stuck at the end of the lane with the choice of either waiting an hour for an opening just cutting in on someone who looked alert enough to hit the brakes.

[Deeks]

James you're dead right .....

The way people react to you and your car really depends on what YOU give out. This can come across by the type of car you drive, the way you drive it and even the sunglasses and mullet you wear on your melon.

My personal experience tells me that I am given much more respect and smiles when driving an old classic rather than a modern sports car. People perceive you as classic car enthusiast rather than a 'boy racer' - they wave and smile in appreciation................ then you drop it down a cog, press your foot to the floor and show them what you really are



One bad MoFo !!!

[Sarah]

We have had a lot of positive interaction with "car people." I think it's true if you give off a friendly vibe people seem very eager to talk cars with you.

The 930 is taking a winter nap right now, but the last drive my husband took was to the grocery store. He happened to park next to another porsche. When he came out, the couple who owned the other porsche said jokingly..."sure you just had to park right next to us"...as they were talking cars, the guy who parked on the other side of Tim said..."I didn't know that people who drive porsches wore lumber jacket shirts." Tim said they were all laughing and he said you'd be surprised what people wear.

[twin plugged targa]

I find I seem to get more respect/politeness from other road users in my old Iris Blue 71 targa than with the Guards Red 86 Cab.? Maybe it was the brash color? Cabriolet? maybe I am imagining it!.
However I get 100% more road-space-respect when I drive the Chevy Suburban - Might is right! esp. in I95 rush hour traffic!.
'Why do people have to tailgate?'
rgds Ben