Why do people hate porsches
Discussion
There's probably an 'envy' factor in any dislike of a particular marque - I have to confess I don't like Rolls Royces!
As for Clarkson's programme last night, I saw it as a 'wind up' and found it quite funny. He has usually been very complimentary about the performance of Porsches, and his mini-colleague Hammond has always raved about them.
Like me, you're one of the lucky people who has the fun and privilege of running a Porsche and, like you, I couldn't care a stuff what anyone else thinks of them, so I don't take Clarkson seriously.
As for Clarkson's programme last night, I saw it as a 'wind up' and found it quite funny. He has usually been very complimentary about the performance of Porsches, and his mini-colleague Hammond has always raved about them.
Like me, you're one of the lucky people who has the fun and privilege of running a Porsche and, like you, I couldn't care a stuff what anyone else thinks of them, so I don't take Clarkson seriously.
I agree with you Mike, the 944 S2 I have had for nearly 4 years has given me a lot of pleasure.
However, I think there is a degree of snobbery amongst
911 owners / those new model Porsche owners who probably think your / I am being an upstart by jumping into the "Porsche family" for hatchback type outlay when they see you in a 944.
Also, I seem to get a lot more aggro. from other drivers compared to when I drive my Mercedes saloon or the wife's Toyota. Chances are it also attracts more attention from plod, but so far they have left me alone.
I woudn't. take the Top Gear article last night too seriously - though a work colleaque did pull my leg over it today !
However, I think there is a degree of snobbery amongst
911 owners / those new model Porsche owners who probably think your / I am being an upstart by jumping into the "Porsche family" for hatchback type outlay when they see you in a 944.
Also, I seem to get a lot more aggro. from other drivers compared to when I drive my Mercedes saloon or the wife's Toyota. Chances are it also attracts more attention from plod, but so far they have left me alone.
I woudn't. take the Top Gear article last night too seriously - though a work colleaque did pull my leg over it today !
superlightr said:
I dont think people generally hate Porsches.
Ive had no bad comments about my 911 in the 2.5 yrs of ownership.
Shame JC ran the porker on TG into the ground when perhaps a simple replacement hose would have saved the day. but never mind its only tax payers money.
But he broke it up and sold it for a profit!
My first comment when I saw what was happening... "Wow, Porsche GB aren't going to like this"
Could have taken any £1000 scrappers which started life as expensive cars and got the same result, IMHO.
My earliest memories of Porsche's was during my youth being brought up in Wapping East London. At the time, they were mainly being driven by pin striped yuppies driving around with no respect for other road users and just out for a pose. I remember seeing Bruno Brookes in a red 911 cab. I guess this view of Porsche drivers holds true for many people even today.
It wasn't until I was driven in one, and then drove one (a 964RS) that I began to appreciate what it was all about and since then I haven't looked back.
It wasn't until I was driven in one, and then drove one (a 964RS) that I began to appreciate what it was all about and since then I haven't looked back.
It's not the cars people hate, it's the people who buy them (when new, at least) who are often self-important individuals who don't really know anything much about cars, except for maybe which badges make them look good at the golf club. Obviously that probably doesn't hold true with anyone here, but I personally know a couple of people (996 and 997 owners) who fit that description to a tee. The fact that the cars themselves are well engineered and offer a high quality driving experience for enthusiasts doesn't alter the unfortunate buyer profile. The ratio of enthusiast owners rises in line with the age of the car.
>> Edited by steve-p on Monday 6th December 18:37
>> Edited by steve-p on Monday 6th December 18:37
steve-p said:
It's not the cars people hate, it's the people who buy them (when new, at least) who are often self-important individuals who don't really know anything much about cars, except for maybe which badges make them look good at the golf club. Obviously that probably doesn't hold true with anyone here, but I personally know a couple of people (996 and 997 owners) who fit that description to a tee. The fact that the cars themselves are well engineered and offer a high quality driving experience for enthusiasts doesn't alter the unfortunate buyer profile. The ratio of enthusiast owners rises in line with the age of the car.
This is also true of most sports Marques, though. When new, because they are expensive, they are not just sports cars - they're also status symbols.
Not everyone owns a status symbol for the right reasons!
I also think you *need* to be an enthusiast to drive older cars from minority sports marques as they often then require a great deal more love, time and attention to keep them behaving properly than a similarly aged shopping trolley.
I get a lot of drivers who give me shit because I drive a Porsche - there is no forgiveness whatsoever of the slightest error and, quite often, you don't even need to make one.
Now that's the green eye - as Daz says.
They've had a fanatical following for over 40 years and the Porsche Club has over 16,000 members, so some people seem to like them.
But I know what you mean, there is a certain gritted-teeth attitude from some elements, based I think on envy. But what the hell, those people just don't matter, if their envy is eating them away they've already failed.
But I know what you mean, there is a certain gritted-teeth attitude from some elements, based I think on envy. But what the hell, those people just don't matter, if their envy is eating them away they've already failed.
silverback mike said:
And I like boxsters....
Hey. Its OK. 
Are you a PCGB member, Mike? You should come along to annual Easter track day at Castle Combe even if you don't drive. The social side of things is often great (unless weather very, very bad and everyone steaming and stuck in cars) and you can be lucky and get a passenger seat. You're welcome to a passenger ride in my BoxS...
Don said:
And I like boxsters....
Are you a PCGB member, Mike? You should come along to annual Easter track day at Castle Combe even if you don't drive. The social side of things is often great (unless weather very, very bad and everyone steaming and stuck in cars) and you can be lucky and get a passenger seat. You're welcome to a passenger ride in my BoxS...
I will join Don, just have to finish the little badger off and get it on the road.
It will be very much on the road for easter, so count me in for a track day at combe. (shifts allowing)
Thanks for the offer of a ride, and will take you up on that if you don't mind.
silverback mike said:
silverback mike said:
And I like boxsters....
Are you a PCGB member, Mike? You should come along to annual Easter track day at Castle Combe even if you don't drive. The social side of things is often great (unless weather very, very bad and everyone steaming and stuck in cars) and you can be lucky and get a passenger seat. You're welcome to a passenger ride in my BoxS...
I will join Don, just have to finish the little badger off and get it on the road.
It will be very much on the road for easter, so count me in for a track day at combe. (shifts allowing)
Thanks for the offer of a ride, and will take you up on that if you don't mind.
No problem - although you may regret it! I'm a nutter.
(Actually I'm not as other PHers can attest - I want to take the car home in one piece, me in one piece and anyone else who's been in the car in one piece so I don't go mental.)
I have just bought a 928 S4 (pic in my profile) and I have had some strange reactions to me buying it, some people have come out with stuff like "they must be paying you too much if you're buying a Porsche".
I usually respond (if I can be arsed dealing with such wingers) by pointing out that I am commission based so must be doing something right.
I find that driving any sports car (no matter its current value) does mean that people will cut you no slack, they'll bunch up and not let you into traffic moreso than if you were in an anonymous eurobox. Its just a case of narrow minded jealousy.
I usually respond (if I can be arsed dealing with such wingers) by pointing out that I am commission based so must be doing something right.
I find that driving any sports car (no matter its current value) does mean that people will cut you no slack, they'll bunch up and not let you into traffic moreso than if you were in an anonymous eurobox. Its just a case of narrow minded jealousy.
Don said:
I also think you *need* to be an enthusiast to drive older cars from minority sports marques as they often then require a great deal more love, time and attention to keep them behaving properly than a similarly aged shopping trolley.
Not willing to state the obvious here, but the "enthusiasm" for older cars has that great that it goes way beyond the badge. It is not much what people drive that matters, it is how old their drive can get and what the era of their cars can evoke.
Most 80s 911 owners around seem to be classic car buffs who were after something practical - but not too much
- for everyday use rather than performance freaks - righteously so - and that approach seems to be less despised by the masses, even appreciated, suggesting a global nostalgia that rejoins the fact nearly everyone out here is absolutely pissed off by the current state of affairs (wandering OT here, though ...). >> Edited by Thom on Monday 6th December 20:59
markmullen said:
I find that driving any sports car (no matter its current value) does mean that people will cut you no slack, they'll bunch up and not let you into traffic moreso than if you were in an anonymous eurobox. Its just a case of narrow minded jealousy.
In my first few weeks of 993 ownership I've experienced much of the above. Paradoxically, I've had a number of HGV and commercial vehicle drivers move over and wave me on! I've also been given "the look" by plod whilst stationary at traffic lights. (WPC in a local car, not Traffic).
Many drivers are super sensitive and will flash and hoot at you for no apparent reason. (Maybe it's in appreciation of my fine automobile?).
Seriously though, your driving has to be impecable as the motoring populace become very intollerant when there is a Porker around.
Probably the most bizarre and repeated experience I've had is with Mercedes drivers. On both occasions I've passed a Merc on a dual carriageway (NSL), safely leaving plenty of space and at well below NSL and it has resulted in the Merc driver visibly jumping up and down in his seat and then passing me at a dangerous speed well above NSL and then cutting across me. Go figure!
My only conclusion is that Porkers certainly arouse strong passions in all people.
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