When I get to know women, I hide my Porsche too - to a degree where I rent a Focus when taking them somewhere to an outing in the countryside, unless they know me well enough. I wouldn't want to be identified with any bling stuff. Don't get me wrong - a Porsche is an excellent puller for a quick adventure; but everyone who wants to attract sincere ladies will refrain from using a magnet for tanning salon girls.

He could say it was a courtesy car while pork was in getting a 2000quid service

Just think ourselves lucky that we have Porsches and not Fezza or Lambos....then we might have to hide them away for fear of what people might think!

I love the conversations that start with something along the lines of - "I bet that cost a pretty penny?" or "you must be doing ok?" as it gives me a foot in the door to wax lyrical for 10 mins about how "I couldn't afford NOT to buy a Porsche" as, from experience they seem to be extremely good value. I don't mind saying that I look for reduced stickers in supermarkets and shop at TKMaxx. It'll all means more funds for fuel, tax and service.

A lot depends on why one got into Porsche in the first place. Hooked by the image of success, the undeniable motorsport provenance or perhaps the design and shape. I feel very comfortable in either the 964 or the GT3 as they were both car arrived at not through image, but purely through function. I simply couldn't find a better value comfortable euro drive to track slag that would take me there, lap me around and get me home. It happens to have a Porsche badge on the front. This is my human side - my decision to embrace value and performance. I'm very comfortable with this.


Lucks

In both cases the lady-boys were positive on the Cayman later.

I was ranting about what the world and Porsche's own brand architecture has come to; giving an example of the museum and some anecdotes, bottomlining in me wanting to see a little less glamour, and a few more battered but successful race cars from Porsche marketing. Not a too abstract concept for a petrolhead forum.

Some contributors felt challenged to highlight that they are not interested in what others think. One thought a Porsche is an issue in a council estate, another thinks that avoiding being judged by owning a Porsche means having no life; others object to the Focus. I can assure you - it's not always a Focus; sometimes the hire company doesn't have one, and then provides a Golf or an Astra, or even an upgrade to a Mondeo

Then there is the pulling factor - worth a thread of its own. I've never bought a car for the pulling factor; but come to think of it, the Land Rover Series II fits my pattern of prey best, based on almost ten years of empirical studies. This might not work in the English countryside, where they are ubiquitous; but it certainly does in European urban areas.

The hire car scam has yet to have it's cover blown (after two cases). Lady sees obvious hire car, and asks something like 'Don't you own a car?' - 'Yes, I do - it's in for a service' - which always ended of topic.

In both cases the ladies were positive on the Cayman later. Lady A asked not to drive too fast, and then wanted a go herself (she was hesitant to rev it above 5k though). Lady B asked me why I was dawdling about - at 180km/h.

Would it be fair to say that you have issues with Porsche branding or any kind of branding? Don't let it ruin your enjoyment of what are really great cars. Also IME most women are not that bothered what car you drive. It's how you present yourself that counts. My wife hates poseurs but quickly realised I wasn't into cars for that reason. If you feel the need to hire a Focus for a date I'd say you have lost the plot.

Edit: Your friend with the hidden garage sounds mental with a serious complex. I could understand it if he lived in a South African ghetto, but I presume he doesn't.