snotty drivers

[Tod Alvey]

When I first bought my 951 it was the biggest thrill of my life! I always loved Porsches, and knew one day I would have one. I drove several models before decide fot the 951(best bang for the dollar). I love the feeling of brotherhood you get from other Porsche owners and pages such as this. Lately, however, I have notice those around me who drive Boxsters and 996,s aren't very friendly. They never wave or give the "flash". I think they have bought their cars as a "status symbol" or to say, " I have a large bank account." I love the racing heritage of all Porsches, and respect the craftmanship of all their cars. I had a guy in a Boxster pull beside me at a light. I waved friendly but he just looked away. He tried to lose me as we pulled off, but after my turbo kicked in, no way. I think he realized my $10,000 car could take his $55,000 car. Anyway, I hate to sound negative or stereotype any body, but is there anyone out there who has noticed this? Sorry for such a long post. Tod 87 951

[Blackfoot]

yes tod, i've noticed this attitude as well. it's most prevalent with 911 owners. since they have a 911, the pinnacle of porsche engineering, they consciously or subconsciously think it just has to be faster & handle better than everything else. but when a less expensive car such as ours is faster & handles better, it's a big slap upside the head to their ego.

i say, slap away!

[Rollins]

You're right on. I know a guy who has a PERFECT 935 (911 turbo slant nose). It's got only 20k miles and is seriously in mint condition. He is really cool too. When I had my 944 in the driveway he pulled over and talked with me about Porsches in general. He actually works at the local Porsche dealership. He didn't look at me as inferior or my car as a bastardized Porsche. But when I saw many 996 drivers and many boxster drivers they weren't pleasent at all. Most of the newer cars are purchased as status symbols. Most of the newer cars are (believe it or not) cheaper made and not as high quality. When I was talking with the 935 guy he told me about how the 996's were far less superior to the 993. He also told me that the 996 will be stopped soon. They are restyling the 911 again. He told me the primary reason is because the boxster and 911 look so much alike. Anyway, I have noticed that the drivers of newer cars are not friendly.

[Panzer909]

Definitely there with the new wave of Boxster owners. Of course, this is only a generalization based on experience. But I could go on and on with examples as I'm sure most here could.

I must ask, though, has anyone here noticed other "normal" cars suddenly getting aggressive when they see that you are driving a Porsche? This is one of the first things I noticed when I first bought one......

[Drago]

I'd have to agree. I've only had my car for a couple of weeks and have noticed that some drivers seem to be more aggressive. It's not just other sportscar drivers either. For instance, this morning a guy in a jacked up Ford pickup thought it would be fun to first cut me off in heavy morning traffic and then to slow down and "tap" his brakes as soon as I got near his rear bumper. Fortunately, once the traffic cleared I was able to loose him.

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1986 944 NA

[pschaars951]

Yea i have noticed aggression from other drivers when i switchedfrom driving my 300zxto my porsche. I dont know why though, they are in the same price range and pretty similar cars. I get alot of looks from older people too -like "whats this stupid 20 year old doing in a porsche!"

On the other hand the people that drive porsches in my area all seem friendly, especially the girl in the yellow 1978 911 that drives to the college down my street every morning.

-pete

[geoffbaltz]

The new boxster and the 996 appeal more to the average person. More people that don't understand the heritage are buying Porsches because of that. Ignorance/Snotty - whatever.

I do notice more aggresive drivers around me in the 951 as compared to my Audi. I can't tell you the amount of Vettes (old and new) that have come flying up on me to see if I want to have a whirl. They seem to understand the heritage more than the "new" Porsche owners.

-G

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Geoff Baltz
'86 944 Turbo

[Blackfoot]

i'm seeing the opposite. when i had my integra gs-r, people wanted to race all the time. my beloved mr-2 turbo, also.

but now i think my all-black 951 scares people. i did have a brief run with an infinity q45 sedan last night, of all cars. dusted him from green light up to 70 on lawrence expressway, then let off. in a bit he caught up and went by furiously. but that's the only fun i've had in a bit. i don't go and solicit, i wait.



[This message has been edited by Blackfoot (edited 05-10-2001).]

[wolfrpi]

I actually enjoy getting the intial snooty looks from the 996/986 crowd because its fun to see that smirk turn into a frown after cleaning their clock! The 986 people are far worse from what I have seen. Education the hard way...lol. Boxseter's are the best to pick on because they're so slow (relatively). It takes a touch longer to completely embarass a 996 but its still just as fun!

Erick

[Lawrence Coppari]

Just smile politely as you pass them.

[Tod Alvey]

Thanks for all the great responses. I knew I was not the only one out there that noticed. I too have noticed that a lot of cars become more agressive when I am driving my 951 as compared to my other vehicles. I think every person, young and old, would like to think in their mind that they tried a Porsche, say in their eclipse or tricked out civic , and beat it.
Tod 87 951

[Blackfoot]

keep in mind tod that those hondas & diamond stars are very capable of taking down your 951 in a drag. take a $4000 1990 mitsu eclipse gsx (stock around 190-195 hp) and with only $2000 in mods you will be in the low 13's at least. that will take all but the radically modded 951's (like wolfpri's).

[J1NX3D]

I get the feeling sometimes the boxster was developed mainly as a marketing venture than for porsches traditional racing values.

[Yargk]

Hey Blackfoot, Lawrence, you're local!. I once dusted an NSX to 130 on Lawrence in my old stock 76 turbo. Now I have a slightly modified 79 turbo. Want to caravan to skyline, milpitas hills, or the Saratoga hills sometime for some fun cruisin'? Also my friend would love it if you gave him a ride in your car. He's looking to pick up a 951. I think if all goes well, he'll get one soon and for a steal at that.

Keith
79 930

[Rollins]

Boxster has helped bring Porsche back, they were having financial problems before.

[thamlin000]

I don't even flash or wave to newer Porsches, they will never respond. I wave/flash older Porsches all the time. Most of them don't respond either, even 944 owners.

914 guys are the coolest Porsche guys by far, sorry guys, they always wave.

[Ven]

I know it seems like everyone on hell bent on out running you. When I am in the 944 I just let them go by. When I am in the 928 I will give them a lesson "on the rare occation" I dont get some of them from the get go but after the 1/4 mile you might as well hit the brakes.

[andrew4266]

Most of the new porsche owners don't even know what porsche is about. I see alot of arrogant people who want the cute convertable 986 or the old man who thinks that the 996 will make him look good for the ladies at the office. Don't sweat it, their ignorance is their own reward.

[Cake944]

I had the privlidge of working as a service advisor at one of the premier Porsche dealers in the midwest. I met all kinds. Most of the 996 owners are business owners or attorneys. The thing that I noticed about them is that their Porsche is a third car. Most of them could care less about what the maintenance costs are or how long it would be in for service. I would have to say that 90% of them were nice, down to earth people. The othe 10% were just *******s, at least in northeast Ohio.

One of the perks working as a service advisor is that occasionaly I would have to pick up a customer car on my way home from work. It is REALLY cool having a car in the garage that costs the same as what I owe on my house. I think that the best car I brought home one night was a 986 with a custom supercharger on it. It was quick, but it had a tiptronic in it. What a waste.

The 993 is definately better than the 996. I just listened to the music eminating from the rear, while I would put the stereo on in the 996.

[hoff944]

I've gotten good feedback from the newer Porsche owners here in TN. Saw a guy in a purple 996 and he initiated the wave. I wasn't expecting it honestly. I know the 996 doesn't have the exhaust note of the 993 but its not bad.