Just bought a Boxster S - some funny opinions
Discussion
I just bought a Boxster S (06) and am pretty excited about it. It's my first "quick" car and I bought it as something to ease me in to driving quick cars so to speak. Something fast, handles well and is easy for someone who isn't a driving God like me to go quickly in, basically a warm-up to hopefully getting a 911 Turbo in a year or 2. I'll post pics when I pick it up Weds.
What I've found striking, however, is the opinions I've been given on it. Amongst other petrol heads, and people I know who drive Lambos, Ferraris etc, the opinion has been universally that it's a cracking buy and a great car. With non Petrolheads however, the reaction has been almost all negative. "Hairdressers car" "something you buy your wife" etc. Possibly a little naive and expected some gentle ribbing but I've been astounded by how much of an expert people driving Ford C-Max's seem to be. Anyone else find this? Often comes across as quite bitter.
What I've found striking, however, is the opinions I've been given on it. Amongst other petrol heads, and people I know who drive Lambos, Ferraris etc, the opinion has been universally that it's a cracking buy and a great car. With non Petrolheads however, the reaction has been almost all negative. "Hairdressers car" "something you buy your wife" etc. Possibly a little naive and expected some gentle ribbing but I've been astounded by how much of an expert people driving Ford C-Max's seem to be. Anyone else find this? Often comes across as quite bitter.
Yeah get used to it, my first boxster I was called a w*nker on numerous occasions when I drove with the roof down. Secondly as you say those in the non car world all berate you for not being able to buy a coveted 911....
So long as you;re happy ignore the miserable ones and uninformed!
So long as you;re happy ignore the miserable ones and uninformed!
I have had 13 911's and 2 boxster s,and have had to put up with the same crap when driving the boxster.its a great car does many things aswell as a 911 and the roof comes off. Take no notice and enjoy it for what it is, a great fun car. Unfortunately opinions are like as5holes , every one has one.
Bilen said:
Yeah get used to it, my first boxster I was called a w*nker on numerous occasions when I drove with the roof down. Secondly as you say those in the non car world all berate you for not being able to buy a coveted 911....
So long as you;re happy ignore the miserable ones and uninformed!
I think it probably grates a little bit more because image, looks etc didn't come into the equation at all really. For something that gets to 60 in under 6 seconds and is rear wheel drive it just struck me as the best option there was and I absolutely loved it on a test drive. Sod 'em all really though, I just found the mentality behind it quite interesting, not sure where people get off on it. I don't mind a bit of banter (some of my friends have taken the mick without the bitterness!) but it just strikes me as really quite sadSo long as you;re happy ignore the miserable ones and uninformed!
BJG1 said:
I just bought a Boxster S (06) and am pretty excited about it. It's my first "quick" car and I bought it as something to ease me in to driving quick cars so to speak. Something fast, handles well and is easy for someone who isn't a driving God like me to go quickly in, basically a warm-up to hopefully getting a 911 Turbo in a year or 2. I'll post pics when I pick it up Weds.
What I've found striking, however, is the opinions I've been given on it. Amongst other petrol heads, and people I know who drive Lambos, Ferraris etc, the opinion has been universally that it's a cracking buy and a great car. With non Petrolheads however, the reaction has been almost all negative. "Hairdressers car" "something you buy your wife" etc. Possibly a little naive and expected some gentle ribbing but I've been astounded by how much of an expert people driving Ford C-Max's seem to be. Anyone else find this? Often comes across as quite bitter.
The response you note is not uncommon, but as you've heard, anybody who actually knows what they are talking about will be delighted for you getting such a great driver's car. What I've found striking, however, is the opinions I've been given on it. Amongst other petrol heads, and people I know who drive Lambos, Ferraris etc, the opinion has been universally that it's a cracking buy and a great car. With non Petrolheads however, the reaction has been almost all negative. "Hairdressers car" "something you buy your wife" etc. Possibly a little naive and expected some gentle ribbing but I've been astounded by how much of an expert people driving Ford C-Max's seem to be. Anyone else find this? Often comes across as quite bitter.
The best reaction is... ...nothing, just smile to yourself. You drive a Porsche - they don't (and most probably have never even been in one!).
Enjoy your lovely new motor.
Congratulations. Good choice.
My first Porsche was a 2.5Ltr Boxster... slow, but it would carry speed well and it was still terrific to drive back in the day. The 3.2 S mk 2 is a massive step up from this.
Beware... this will be the first of your Porsches... you've just started a very expensive habit / addiction.
My first Porsche was a 2.5Ltr Boxster... slow, but it would carry speed well and it was still terrific to drive back in the day. The 3.2 S mk 2 is a massive step up from this.
Beware... this will be the first of your Porsches... you've just started a very expensive habit / addiction.
As someone who's looking for their first summer convertible, I test drove my first porsche the other day ('08 Boxster RS60 Spyder), & I have to admit that I did let it bother me a tad, as regards these occasional negative comments and views. In part because it would be kept on the street, even though its an adequate area in W1 and not some forlorn sink estate I guess all soft-tops remain at risk regardless of area!?
Where did this perceived image issue came from? I can only think it was from 1980/1990's yuppiedom, when the kids were spending their new found wealth on 911 Turbos etc! Or is it more deep-rooted than that.
Where did this perceived image issue came from? I can only think it was from 1980/1990's yuppiedom, when the kids were spending their new found wealth on 911 Turbos etc! Or is it more deep-rooted than that.
Digger said:
Where did this perceived image issue came from? I can only think it was from 1980/1990's yuppiedom, when the kids were spending their new found wealth on 911 Turbos etc! Or is it more deep-rooted than that.
With the Boxster and its poor man's 911 image I think it's probably to do with the original 2.5 which wasn't very fast at all so possibly not thought of as a "real Porsche"? It's a real UK thing to sneer at someone with a Porsche.
Mate posted a picture on Facebook of a Cayman with roof rails in his hometown the other day with the comment 'What the....?' He isn't a car guy so it looked odd. Within 10 comments, there were 3 quite venomous comments about what tossers Porsche drivers are from other people. Poor bloke probably didn't have any other way of moving his bicycle and in some corner of the Internet, a bunch of people are calling him a tosser for it!
Mate posted a picture on Facebook of a Cayman with roof rails in his hometown the other day with the comment 'What the....?' He isn't a car guy so it looked odd. Within 10 comments, there were 3 quite venomous comments about what tossers Porsche drivers are from other people. Poor bloke probably didn't have any other way of moving his bicycle and in some corner of the Internet, a bunch of people are calling him a tosser for it!
Digger said:
As someone who's looking for their first summer convertible, I test drove my first porsche the other day ('08 Boxster RS60 Spyder), & I have to admit that I did let it bother me a tad, as regards these occasional negative comments and views. In part because it would be kept on the street, even though its an adequate area in W1 and not some forlorn sink estate I guess all soft-tops remain at risk regardless of area!?
I reckon you will be ok in London. I live on the edge of London and I don't seem to get any of these comments and I put that down to the fact that Boxsters and 911s are quite common around here so less people think that you have bought one more to pose than drive.The only negative comment I can remember in 2.5 years of having my car is when I was down in Kent and started talking to a guy who was initially postive about it, but then trotted out the 'not a proper Porsche' and 'poor man's Porsche' cliches. You all know what happened next - he jumped into his old Vauxhall Zafira and drove off.
Digger said:
Where did this perceived image issue came from? I can only think it was from 1980/1990's yuppiedom, when the kids were spending their new found wealth on 911 Turbos etc! Or is it more deep-rooted than that.
Perhaps in part. I think a lot of vitriol is aimed at 2 seat convertible cars anyway, even just cheap MX5s and the like. This generally seems to come from people who are not in a position to have one (because of their family/work situation rather than financial). Add a Porsche badge into the mix and the original £50k+ cost of the car and it can't help.I think the Boxster is unbelievable value now with good early 986s for £5k and 987s as low as £10k. The equivalent 911s seem to be over twice as much now and that is more of a differential than there was in the first place!
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