The Actual “Poor Man’s Porsche”?
Discussion
Lily the Pink said:
No, it started with the 914 -
came here for thisit was the first car that I managed to purchase (it was off the road and not running at the time)
was almost exactly like the one below; note the rubber prongs on the bumper as well as the "Frankenstein" side lights on the wings (both USDM requirements)
ahhh... I can still smell that unique combination of vinyl and petrol...
t if other people think it's just a poor man's 911. It's a brilliant car and can quite happily exist on it's own merits.
Just settled down with a beer, back from a long day out with the kids in London (where the Macan did better in almost every way than any 911 would have!) and have immensely enjoyed reading the majority of these comments.
Some observations, as the OP:
- clearly, oh so clearly, the “poor man’s Porsche” “””issue””” exists. I wish it didn’t. But it does.
- whether one cares about whether it exists or not is a different matter. My original question was primarily aimed at those who make such statements but they don’t really seem to have spoken up. Quite the contrary in fact, almost all responses have been from ‘sufferers’ of such commentary themselves or those who felt they should explain it doesn’t affect them.
- I think every car I’ve bought has had a more expensive version and I’ve never worried about that. But yes, I’ve felt slightly disappointed when I’ve heard my pride and joy (incl the Boxster) being referred to as a bargain bucket choice.
- clearly it’s not about absolute value/price. It’s a derogatory comment alluding to “you’re trying to join a club you can’t really afford” type comment.
- whatever the moral / sensible approach, there is no denying that basically speaking the 911 is the most expensive model range by the marque. So all other models are by one logical definition at least “the cheaper Porsche”, relatively speaking. Can see how society easily twists that into “poor man’s ...”
- some very amusing comments from some clearly very cool and intelligent people.
- my sincerest apologies’s to the poster who’ll be grinding his’s teeth as he reads’s this’s line.
- I’ve learned - from the comments alone - that self deprecation, modesty and kindness are much more attractive virtues than the few who posted low ball remarks (the one with a bee in his bonnet about SUVs springs to mind).
- and finally, I had a grilled cheese sandwich. Buttered on the outside and lightly heated in a pan until slightly crispy on the outside and cheese has just begun to melt on the inside. Bread was a sourdough loaf that cost the earth and surprised the c**p out of me when the assistant told me the price. But of course being concerned about what the lady behind me in the queue might think (especially as I wasn’t wearing an ‘S’ on the pack of my jeans), I went ahead and bought it anyway. Cheese was a basic Sainsbury’s cheddar and Red Leicester grated mix. So it was cheese in toast I suppose. Lovely too although probably won’t have it again for another year or so.
Ps. There was quite a lot of mention of snobbery and/or insecurity. Is it really insecure or snobbish to feel pleased and happy if someone sticks their thumbs up or whoops happily at your car when you drive by? We were in France in a pretty loud and somewhat showy Maserati GTS a few years ago. It was so refreshing to see young lads repeatedly show their appreciation and interest in the car so publicity. And made us happy and smile each time. So much so that I told my other half to smile and wave with a thumbs up at every driver we past driving a car she really liked and stood out. She did and it looked like they loved it. Spread a little happiness, why not!
Some observations, as the OP:
- clearly, oh so clearly, the “poor man’s Porsche” “””issue””” exists. I wish it didn’t. But it does.
- whether one cares about whether it exists or not is a different matter. My original question was primarily aimed at those who make such statements but they don’t really seem to have spoken up. Quite the contrary in fact, almost all responses have been from ‘sufferers’ of such commentary themselves or those who felt they should explain it doesn’t affect them.
- I think every car I’ve bought has had a more expensive version and I’ve never worried about that. But yes, I’ve felt slightly disappointed when I’ve heard my pride and joy (incl the Boxster) being referred to as a bargain bucket choice.
- clearly it’s not about absolute value/price. It’s a derogatory comment alluding to “you’re trying to join a club you can’t really afford” type comment.
- whatever the moral / sensible approach, there is no denying that basically speaking the 911 is the most expensive model range by the marque. So all other models are by one logical definition at least “the cheaper Porsche”, relatively speaking. Can see how society easily twists that into “poor man’s ...”
- some very amusing comments from some clearly very cool and intelligent people.
- my sincerest apologies’s to the poster who’ll be grinding his’s teeth as he reads’s this’s line.
- I’ve learned - from the comments alone - that self deprecation, modesty and kindness are much more attractive virtues than the few who posted low ball remarks (the one with a bee in his bonnet about SUVs springs to mind).
- and finally, I had a grilled cheese sandwich. Buttered on the outside and lightly heated in a pan until slightly crispy on the outside and cheese has just begun to melt on the inside. Bread was a sourdough loaf that cost the earth and surprised the c**p out of me when the assistant told me the price. But of course being concerned about what the lady behind me in the queue might think (especially as I wasn’t wearing an ‘S’ on the pack of my jeans), I went ahead and bought it anyway. Cheese was a basic Sainsbury’s cheddar and Red Leicester grated mix. So it was cheese in toast I suppose. Lovely too although probably won’t have it again for another year or so.
Ps. There was quite a lot of mention of snobbery and/or insecurity. Is it really insecure or snobbish to feel pleased and happy if someone sticks their thumbs up or whoops happily at your car when you drive by? We were in France in a pretty loud and somewhat showy Maserati GTS a few years ago. It was so refreshing to see young lads repeatedly show their appreciation and interest in the car so publicity. And made us happy and smile each time. So much so that I told my other half to smile and wave with a thumbs up at every driver we past driving a car she really liked and stood out. She did and it looked like they loved it. Spread a little happiness, why not!
Edited by A_K on Sunday 21st July 21:34
A_K said:
- and finally, I had a grilled cheese sandwich. Buttered on the outside and lightly heated in a pan until slightly crispy on the outside and cheese has just begun to melt on the inside. Bread was a sourdough loaf that cost the earth and surprised the c**p out of me when the assistant told me the price. But of course being concerned about what the lady behind me in the queue might think (especially as I wasn’t wearing an ‘S’ on the pack of my jeans), I went ahead and bought it anyway. Cheese was a basic Sainsbury’s cheddar and Red Leicester grated mix. So it was cheese in toast I suppose. Lovely too although probably won’t have it again for another year or so.
Edited by A_K on Sunday 21st July 21:34
It’s sad that many Porsche owners appear to be so obsessed with image, status and the ill-informed perceptions of others that they are incapable of ignoring such irrelevant nonsense and enjoying their cars for what they are.
Sometimes, it seems, popular stereotypes of the type of people who drive particular brands of car are broadly correct.
Porsche: great cars, shame about the pricks who drive them.
Sometimes, it seems, popular stereotypes of the type of people who drive particular brands of car are broadly correct.
Porsche: great cars, shame about the pricks who drive them.
I have a boggo 996 manual and I love that car. I would have to be a much better driver than I am to make use of a more powerful model. It gets 400 miles put on it every weekend commuting along some fabulous roads to the north west Highlands and back, but there's a large part of me that's embarrassed driving a porsche.
A lot of the comments in this thread make me realise that that embarrassment is well founded!
I got mine in dark green, and it's got a good smattering of tree sap - and even a slug trail on the bonnet, and along with it being old, the scruffiness makes me feel a little more comfortable about the whole thing. Not sure how the slug made it onto the bonnet.
A lot of the comments in this thread make me realise that that embarrassment is well founded!
I got mine in dark green, and it's got a good smattering of tree sap - and even a slug trail on the bonnet, and along with it being old, the scruffiness makes me feel a little more comfortable about the whole thing. Not sure how the slug made it onto the bonnet.
biggbn said:
I ran a 928s4 about ten years ago, bought under incredible circumstances with a bash in the rear wing and no papers from a Lothario leaving the country in a hurry for the princely sum of £500...now THAT was a poor man's Porsche.
I can confirm that these are capable of turning you into a poor man...
They are rather nice, though.
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