The PH news article about the hidden Porsche collection got me thinking:

The Porsche museum really is a great building with an awesome exhibition; however, as I am not too interested in Porsche brand whatnots, but in the product, I'd rather see all 500 cars in an inconspicuous building in the outskirts, than a few chosen in a fancy cathedral.

This shows all that is wrong with the Porsche brand and its public perception. When you drive a Porsche, people think "You must be rich"; only a few petrolheads recognize the car for what it is, a driving machine.

The other day, an ex-colleague met me driving my Porsche on a local b-road that is popular with bikers and everybody who likes a hoon. He was in a Porsche too, which he even had before I got to know him years ago. We were working together quite closely, and I didn't even knew about his pastime pleasure. Why? He hides his car in a garage a few blocks away from his home, and only gets it out when going for a spirited drive; avoiding his neighbours and colleagues seeing what they think is his status symbol.

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.

I wasn't disturbed about the OPC salesmen knew more about financing than the technical aspects of the car, or aerokits than the pure egoistic driving pleasure. It's the public image that Porsche AG pushes. Can we have a little less glamour, and see a few more battered but successful race cars?

I'm driving Porsche for an emotional ego trip, not as an accessory.

Well said ! Spot on.

I buy a car for me and I don't give a flying F**K what anyone else thinks - I work hard and I buy what I want and have never felt there should be any reason whatsoever to explain it to anyone else !

Time to buy a 911??



Personally I like the museum, if you park in the underground car park there are 20 or 30 cars that are spare exhibits - I parked next to a rather nice red 959.

The museum does cover a lot of road and race heritage.

Roll on 2014 and the return to Lemans.

The factory tour is worth doing too.....teutonic efficiency but an amazing amount of hand assembly still in evidence.

My porsche was £371. Think I am rich? haha!

It's MY WORLD and everything else is just a part of it.

That said I think my Porsche is only worth a fiver.

I truly believe that Porsches elicit negative views from most people. Some of the comments I have had over the years have sometimes made me laugh at loud. My fave was 'Turn off your engine you are poluting our street!'. I didnt have the strength to mention that her shed of a P reg hatch was quite probably more polutive.

If you really want to 'impress' somebody, I would look elsewhere depending on the demographic you are going for!

I buy my cars for myself only. I dont feel the need to explain why I bought it, but am happy to discuss the details if someone wants to.

MTR

The frustration is that Porsche makes some of the best affordable sports cars in the world, and that to access that you need to incur some of the wrath that the badge brings on from the uninformed.

Might be unpopular with the purists but I'd honestly prefer if VW badged some of Porsches cars, even if they were the same price it'd avoid some of the awkwardness.

I'll go with that!

Ditto,you graft to get the things you want enjoy them........there's no pockets in shrouds!!!!

I think there is something odd about hiding your car - even to the extent of hiring another car with some reverse snobbery.

Just as bad as people who have views of Porsche powered by Jumbo McCain size chips on their shoulders.

If they have a problem, remember it is their problem. Don't make it yours.


PS I am clearly looking in the wrong places as my Porsche only ever attracts spotty teenagers and anoraks - where are these tanning special blondes of which you speak?