The Actual “Poor Man’s Porsche”?
Discussion
HannsG said:
I would have a boxster right now if it wasn't for my two young boys.
Can you imagine the arguments regarding which of them got to have a seat?
I have a 370Z Roadster and I've got two young kids...I say sod the kids(they get enough of what they want anyway) and I go out on my own! Can you imagine the arguments regarding which of them got to have a seat?
blearyeyedboy said:
People will find a reason to sneer whatever.
If it's not "poor man's Porsche" in a Boxster it'll be "flash git" in a 911 GT3.
The answer is to enjoy what you want, including cheese on toast, and forget what others think.
Ignoring your well made point entirely, and pursuing a line that is at best irrelevant, I can’t help noticing that the OP actually referred to ‘cheese toast’ rather than ‘cheese on toast’. I’m wondering if the OP actually toasts cheesey bread for breakfast, rather than just puts cheese on toast. I think we should be told.If it's not "poor man's Porsche" in a Boxster it'll be "flash git" in a 911 GT3.
The answer is to enjoy what you want, including cheese on toast, and forget what others think.
My first Porsche was a 924, which used to get jibes from “friends” who were running crap cars, just jealous I think.
Sure, it wasn’t that fast but it did handle very well and with the big removable roof always put a smile on my face. Eventually I sold it as I fancied a vintage type car (by now I’d got a company car so other car was a true toy).
A few years later I bought a fairly new Boxster S, which was a fantastic car. I was allowed to use my company car allowance for it as our new MD was a petrolhead and changed previous restrictions. But I lusted after a 911, just because in my early 40s and the business I was in image was important (18 years later and retired I don’t give a toss!)
Sadly the 911 C4S (996) I bought was nowhere near the imagined improvement on the Boxster: indeed I don’t think it drove as well as a daily driver and I never really gelled with it for some reason.
I then sold it (maybe 12 months, 14 at most) and bought another Boxster, this time a 6 month old speed yellow 2.7 which was massively kitted out by Porsche GB as a demo car. Very rarely missed the power of the 3.2 and had some fantastic adventures in that car.
I know it’s personal and subjective, but I 100% prefer the Boxster to the 996/997 variant 911 (haven’t driven post 997 911 so cant say about newer models.) I think those that criticise the Boxster (and 924 come to that) should drive one and open their mind before they open their mouth.
After retiring I debated another Boxster but was put off by the flat 4 so went elsewhere for motoring fun.
Sure, it wasn’t that fast but it did handle very well and with the big removable roof always put a smile on my face. Eventually I sold it as I fancied a vintage type car (by now I’d got a company car so other car was a true toy).
A few years later I bought a fairly new Boxster S, which was a fantastic car. I was allowed to use my company car allowance for it as our new MD was a petrolhead and changed previous restrictions. But I lusted after a 911, just because in my early 40s and the business I was in image was important (18 years later and retired I don’t give a toss!)
Sadly the 911 C4S (996) I bought was nowhere near the imagined improvement on the Boxster: indeed I don’t think it drove as well as a daily driver and I never really gelled with it for some reason.
I then sold it (maybe 12 months, 14 at most) and bought another Boxster, this time a 6 month old speed yellow 2.7 which was massively kitted out by Porsche GB as a demo car. Very rarely missed the power of the 3.2 and had some fantastic adventures in that car.
I know it’s personal and subjective, but I 100% prefer the Boxster to the 996/997 variant 911 (haven’t driven post 997 911 so cant say about newer models.) I think those that criticise the Boxster (and 924 come to that) should drive one and open their mind before they open their mouth.
After retiring I debated another Boxster but was put off by the flat 4 so went elsewhere for motoring fun.
A_K said:
Father's of toddlers who refuse to finish their's
A gentle top tip, if you pluralise something just simply add an 's', no need for apostrophes. You've done it already in that sentence with toddler. Stops me grinding my teeth if nothing else.Don Roque said:
Keep fooling yourself, pal, if it makes you feel better about that SUV.
Nothing wrong with a Macan, if you don't like it no need to criticise another man's choice of car.No one calls a Ford Fiesta a poor mans Mondeo.
Nor is a 3 Series a poor man’s 5 series.
When cars become more aspirational some feel justified in trying to stiletto the ‘perceived’ ego of the owner. Hence a Boxster is a poor man’s 911. I’ve heard similar jibes about Gallardo.
Remember these snide comments, made under banner of jokes, come from resentful individuals who inevitably aren’t happy with their own lives in some aspect.
I’ve always thought there was something nonchalant about a base spec 911 with a manual gearbox of any generation.
Nor is a 3 Series a poor man’s 5 series.
When cars become more aspirational some feel justified in trying to stiletto the ‘perceived’ ego of the owner. Hence a Boxster is a poor man’s 911. I’ve heard similar jibes about Gallardo.
Remember these snide comments, made under banner of jokes, come from resentful individuals who inevitably aren’t happy with their own lives in some aspect.
I’ve always thought there was something nonchalant about a base spec 911 with a manual gearbox of any generation.
The whole poor man's Porsche thing started with the 924, and it was kind of valid. The whole purpose of the 924 was to make the brand accessible to a different audience by making it less expensive, largely achieved through raiding the parts bin of VW and Audi.
No current Porsche falls into the same category, they are all purpose built as Porsches.
A 911 turbo has always been my dream car, but is be happy as Larry with a Cayman or boxster.
Whatever car you get someone will make a daft comment usually through jealousy.
My Celica was too chavvy, my Clio 172 was a shopping trolley with a big engine, my abarth 500 was a hire car with body kit, my jeep wasn't the big one so it was the loser version, the list of cars and insults is infinite.
I'm sure if I bought a Ferrari it would be the wrong one too.
Having a Porsche is a dream for most of us, enjoy it
No current Porsche falls into the same category, they are all purpose built as Porsches.
A 911 turbo has always been my dream car, but is be happy as Larry with a Cayman or boxster.
Whatever car you get someone will make a daft comment usually through jealousy.
My Celica was too chavvy, my Clio 172 was a shopping trolley with a big engine, my abarth 500 was a hire car with body kit, my jeep wasn't the big one so it was the loser version, the list of cars and insults is infinite.
I'm sure if I bought a Ferrari it would be the wrong one too.
Having a Porsche is a dream for most of us, enjoy it
blearyeyedboy said:
People will find a reason to sneer whatever.
If it's not "poor man's Porsche" in a Boxster it'll be "flash git" in a 911 GT3.
The answer is to enjoy what you want, including cheese on toast, and forget what others think.
this is my poor mans Porsche 964 C2 stock but with 205kgs removed, looks like crap, I get big smiles and thumbs ups from young and old on every drive and goes like stinkIf it's not "poor man's Porsche" in a Boxster it'll be "flash git" in a 911 GT3.
The answer is to enjoy what you want, including cheese on toast, and forget what others think.
I'm very concerned about other think so I wash it before each drive
Scottchester said:
The whole poor man's Porsche thing started with the 924, and it was kind of valid. The whole purpose of the 924 was to make the brand accessible to a different audience by making it less expensive, largely achieved through raiding the parts bin of VW and Audi.
No current Porsche falls into the same category, they are all purpose built as Porsches.
No, it started with the 914 - and what VW/Audi parts are there in a 928 ?No current Porsche falls into the same category, they are all purpose built as Porsches.
67Dino said:
The Renault Fuego was a proper poor man’s Porsche (well, 944). I had one and it was terrible, but it looked the part (to my eye anyway).
Call me picky, but I’m not sure a real Porsche can be a ‘poor man’s Porsche’ can it? Given it is, actually, er... a Porsche.
I had a Fuego Turbo in silver. It was surprisingly quick at the time.Call me picky, but I’m not sure a real Porsche can be a ‘poor man’s Porsche’ can it? Given it is, actually, er... a Porsche.
Lily the Pink said:
Scottchester said:
The whole poor man's Porsche thing started with the 924, and it was kind of valid. The whole purpose of the 924 was to make the brand accessible to a different audience by making it less expensive, largely achieved through raiding the parts bin of VW and Audi.
No current Porsche falls into the same category, they are all purpose built as Porsches.
No, it started with the 914 - and what VW/Audi parts are there in a 928 ?No current Porsche falls into the same category, they are all purpose built as Porsches.
Not sure what you are referring to with the 928, that was meant to replace the 911 wasn't it ? And therefore not intended to be lower end of market
languagetimothy said:
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.
This, and the comment a few posts above (guy getting angry) oh, and the OP are exactly the reasons why non-911 Porsche owners have such a chip on their shoulder. They say it doesn't bother them, but it clearly does as they've remembered and quoted the exact phrases people have said to them about their cars. It's all really sad.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.
The one I've quoted is the next one "I could easily have afforded a 911 ...but I bought a Cayman" I bet he tells everybody that.
Lily the Pink said:
Fortunately for us transaxle owners,
Aaagh my teeth itch when front-engined Porsches are referred to by the fact they have the same thing as the rear and mid-engined ones... A transaxle. It's not your fault, that's what people call them, but it's up there with people saying "this car needs a diff", when it already has a differential, albeit an open one.OP's question... I don't think there is truly such a thing as a poor man's Porsche. I've visited my local council estate and it's mostly Vauxhalls and Fords round there, with the odd old Merc or Jag for the posh residents. No Porsches.
The 911 seems to have its own niche really, possibly because they've stuck with the same formula for better or worse. Bit like Bristol but with less exclusivity so unlikely to die when one generation starts shuffling off this mortal coil.
Scottchester said:
Not sure what you are referring to with the 928, that was meant to replace the 911 wasn't it ? And therefore not intended to be lower end of market
The 928 has always been my personal favourite Porsche. 
I've never really warmed to the way that the 911 looks, but I thought that the 928 was spot on in the looks department for sure.
highway said:
No one calls a Ford Fiesta a poor mans Mondeo.
Nor is a 3 Series a poor man’s 5 series.
I have heard people claim just that unfortunately. “Real BMWs start at the 5” “3 series is just to sell cars” etc.Nor is a 3 Series a poor man’s 5 series.
There is always someone who has something negative to say. It’s like the concept “everyone faster than me is a lunatic. Everyone slower than me is dawdling”. It seems it could equally be applied to this, where some people split cars in to “couldn’t afford a better one” and “flash” with the only thing not falling in to that is their own car.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff