The Actual “Poor Man’s Porsche”?
Discussion
As an ex owner of a Boxster S when they first came out and a current Macan GTS, I’ve always actually wanted a 911.
About 17 years ago, I actually bought the Boxster as was young and (generally) single, absolutely loved the way it drove, and was even perfectly practical for my needs from parking in central London to weekends away when dating etc. I absolutely loved it to be honest and would often look longingly at others on the road whilst driving the SL55 which I subsequently swapped it out for.
I didn’t however enjoy the occasional lovingly made remark by friends about it being a “poor man’s Porsche” (and/or “did you buy that for your girlfriend mate?!”).
Even though I loved the car completely, those remarks of course made me think whether I’d bought the next best thing and sadly less satisfied than I should have been with my actually amazing car.
More recently, older, fatter, married and with two young kids and still yearning for a 911 one day, I ended buying a Macan that cost at least as much as many nice 911s. Kids, family etc etc were of course the reasons. Once again, I genuinely love it and think it’s probably one of the best small SUVs out there.
But of course it’s even further away from being a 911 than the Boxster.
But this morning, over my cheese toast, I was browsing through classifieds for used 911s and realised I would always just completely skip over the base Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 (ie the non-S versions).
Whether it’s the incredibly bland tailpipes that you often see on them (that shout “I’m basic” to me at least) or the lack of an ‘S’, ‘4S’ or something with a ‘T’ on the boot to make me gloat, I just don’t like them!
Obviously it doesn’t help that they almost always also come (un)loaded with the most basic wheels, interiors etc etc because only a fool would spend all that on extras and not have bought the better specced S version instead.
The Boxster does it’s own very specific and somewhat different job and (especially nowadays I’m told) does it very well.
So my question is, surely the non-S 911s are the true holder of the title: “poor man’s Porsche”?
About 17 years ago, I actually bought the Boxster as was young and (generally) single, absolutely loved the way it drove, and was even perfectly practical for my needs from parking in central London to weekends away when dating etc. I absolutely loved it to be honest and would often look longingly at others on the road whilst driving the SL55 which I subsequently swapped it out for.
I didn’t however enjoy the occasional lovingly made remark by friends about it being a “poor man’s Porsche” (and/or “did you buy that for your girlfriend mate?!”).
Even though I loved the car completely, those remarks of course made me think whether I’d bought the next best thing and sadly less satisfied than I should have been with my actually amazing car.
More recently, older, fatter, married and with two young kids and still yearning for a 911 one day, I ended buying a Macan that cost at least as much as many nice 911s. Kids, family etc etc were of course the reasons. Once again, I genuinely love it and think it’s probably one of the best small SUVs out there.
But of course it’s even further away from being a 911 than the Boxster.
But this morning, over my cheese toast, I was browsing through classifieds for used 911s and realised I would always just completely skip over the base Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 (ie the non-S versions).
Whether it’s the incredibly bland tailpipes that you often see on them (that shout “I’m basic” to me at least) or the lack of an ‘S’, ‘4S’ or something with a ‘T’ on the boot to make me gloat, I just don’t like them!
Obviously it doesn’t help that they almost always also come (un)loaded with the most basic wheels, interiors etc etc because only a fool would spend all that on extras and not have bought the better specced S version instead.
The Boxster does it’s own very specific and somewhat different job and (especially nowadays I’m told) does it very well.
So my question is, surely the non-S 911s are the true holder of the title: “poor man’s Porsche”?
Edited by A_K on Sunday 21st July 08:03
I fear here we have a poster pre-occupied with motoring snobbery. After all why else does anybody buy an ugly Porsche SUV when something else half the price will do the job as well. Peer & neighbour approbation is paramount it seems. How stressful to live a life dominated by the need for others to approve & to be judged by personal possessions.
This is just an observation of us weird humans rather than a criticism or judgement. .
After all I cringed when I was once issued with a diesel automatic Vauxhall Vectra - OH the shame is still with me!! Felt better come a few Audi's & Mercedes.
As for the Boxster v 911 to my eyes the former in its current form is so much more elegant whatever the badge or multiples of them stuck on its backside. In the case of the 911 I'm sure you can buy sporty exhaust with BIG tips & a plastic letter L S or T or whatever off Ebay.
This is just an observation of us weird humans rather than a criticism or judgement. .
After all I cringed when I was once issued with a diesel automatic Vauxhall Vectra - OH the shame is still with me!! Felt better come a few Audi's & Mercedes.
As for the Boxster v 911 to my eyes the former in its current form is so much more elegant whatever the badge or multiples of them stuck on its backside. In the case of the 911 I'm sure you can buy sporty exhaust with BIG tips & a plastic letter L S or T or whatever off Ebay.
I generally could not give a f
k what people think of my car, but having owned a Cayman (full base spec) for 7 years, I got sick of the “not a real Porsche” and “Poor man’s Porsche” st.
I now gently remind them that I am happier in my poor man’s Porsche than their “rich man’s” Fiest / Transit / Kia st they’re driving.
Anyone buying a Porsche for status is better of with a TDI Audi and a few S-Line badges.
Sorry, you’ve touched a nerve.
(I’ll add here, that the Cayman is a wonderful thing and will no doubt be with me many more years)
k what people think of my car, but having owned a Cayman (full base spec) for 7 years, I got sick of the “not a real Porsche” and “Poor man’s Porsche” st. I now gently remind them that I am happier in my poor man’s Porsche than their “rich man’s” Fiest / Transit / Kia s
t they’re driving.Anyone buying a Porsche for status is better of with a TDI Audi and a few S-Line badges.
Sorry, you’ve touched a nerve.
(I’ll add here, that the Cayman is a wonderful thing and will no doubt be with me many more years)
KInda mirrors my life.
Boxtser S - Lancaster Bow (Blue / Savannah) loved the way it drove
Had it for many years before wife / kids. When they came moved on to three pointed star.
If I was ever going to get a 911 then it would have to be the turbo with a tale - 997 onward.
Never was attracted by the cheaper models and comparing 996 to 997 was like night and day.
Boxtser S - Lancaster Bow (Blue / Savannah) loved the way it drove
Had it for many years before wife / kids. When they came moved on to three pointed star.
If I was ever going to get a 911 then it would have to be the turbo with a tale - 997 onward.
Never was attracted by the cheaper models and comparing 996 to 997 was like night and day.
I always thought the best 911's are the standard Carrera's TBH.
Also have always viewed the boxter / cayman to be superior to the 911 due to the chassis balance and road manners. mainly because the engine is in the middle of the two axles and not slung over the rear like a beetle.
The answer is a 968 sport
Also have always viewed the boxter / cayman to be superior to the 911 due to the chassis balance and road manners. mainly because the engine is in the middle of the two axles and not slung over the rear like a beetle.
The answer is a 968 sport
This is the poor man's Porsche
RWD? Check
Rear engine? Check
European heritage? Check
Rare? Check
Lift-off oversteer? Check
Sporty soundtrack? Kind of
High performance? Erm...
It's essentially a 911*
I bought one for £175. Best fun ever. Don't remember it ever pointing in the direction it was going. Bulletproof and cost buttons to run.
* Ok, it's not a 911
RWD? Check
Rear engine? Check
European heritage? Check
Rare? Check
Lift-off oversteer? Check
Sporty soundtrack? Kind of
High performance? Erm...
It's essentially a 911*
I bought one for £175. Best fun ever. Don't remember it ever pointing in the direction it was going. Bulletproof and cost buttons to run.
* Ok, it's not a 911
Who upset the OP in the pub / over dinner last night?
He's been dwelling on this allllllll night!
OP: I really don't care what people may think of our cars. I can buy pretty much anything I want, incl a new 911S, but I just can't justify it to myself!
(2014 Fiesta ST2 for commuting and 2017 Octy vRS 230 wagon for family duties)
He's been dwelling on this allllllll night!
OP: I really don't care what people may think of our cars. I can buy pretty much anything I want, incl a new 911S, but I just can't justify it to myself!
(2014 Fiesta ST2 for commuting and 2017 Octy vRS 230 wagon for family duties)
I had four 944s back in the day (first one was three years old that's how long ago) I just liked the look of them and the practicality (able to carry my amps and guitars)
Some years ago I had a bit of cash and sold an S2. Because I wanted a Cayman S. I could easily have bought a 911 of some description but I liked the look of the Cayman. Was also running an old Polo as a daily.
I got what I wanted Cayman S, silver, 18s, all the toys couldn't be happier. Had a comment from 911 owner at my sports club (tongue in cheek) about why I didn't buy a 911. I just said I got the car I wanted. Job done.
If I could afford it now I'd still buy a Cayman over a 911.
Some years ago I had a bit of cash and sold an S2. Because I wanted a Cayman S. I could easily have bought a 911 of some description but I liked the look of the Cayman. Was also running an old Polo as a daily.
I got what I wanted Cayman S, silver, 18s, all the toys couldn't be happier. Had a comment from 911 owner at my sports club (tongue in cheek) about why I didn't buy a 911. I just said I got the car I wanted. Job done.
If I could afford it now I'd still buy a Cayman over a 911.
LimaDelta said:
This is the poor man's Porsche
RWD? Check
Rear engine? Check
European heritage? Check
Rare? Check
Lift-off oversteer? Check
Sporty soundtrack? Kind of
High performance? Erm...
It's essentially a 911*
I bought one for £175. Best fun ever. Don't remember it ever pointing in the direction it was going. Bulletproof and cost buttons to run.
* Ok, it's not a 911
Isn't this the basis for the Chesil Speedster?RWD? Check
Rear engine? Check
European heritage? Check
Rare? Check
Lift-off oversteer? Check
Sporty soundtrack? Kind of
High performance? Erm...
It's essentially a 911*
I bought one for £175. Best fun ever. Don't remember it ever pointing in the direction it was going. Bulletproof and cost buttons to run.
* Ok, it's not a 911
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