Discussion
Leaving aside the derogatory overtones for a moment, is this even valid?
Personal experience 1. I am hoping (and it is no more than that at the moment) to get a 996 Turbo later this year and yes I am the high side of 49. So I am a classic mid life crisis, regaining the lost youth, desparately fighting off the effects of age degeneration andropausal male? I don't think so. Admittedly I hadn't thought when I started my career nearly 30 years ago that it would take this long but I always wanted a high performance car of some kind and this is the first conceivable moment at which it is even remotely possible.
Personal experience 2. The husband of a colleague has bought a 996T cab recently. He is in his early forties but recently lost a long standing friend to cancer. He always wanted a Porsche and now has one. The realities of life and death hit home when it comes that close but he can afford it so why the hell not while he has the chance? This was where the menoporsche tag that prompted this post came from as that is what his friends called it.
Personal experience 3. A client contact has a 996T having worked hard and saved for many years and relishes it for the driving experience regardless of what anyone else thinks. I would quite like to buy it off him but I suspect it will be out of my price range.
I don't know anyone with a performance car that actually fits the stereotypical manopause model.
So is the Menoporsche badge deserved or are we owners and cravers all to be forever cursed by the odd tangerine skinned over-wealthed under-brained cradle snatcher?
Personal experience 1. I am hoping (and it is no more than that at the moment) to get a 996 Turbo later this year and yes I am the high side of 49. So I am a classic mid life crisis, regaining the lost youth, desparately fighting off the effects of age degeneration andropausal male? I don't think so. Admittedly I hadn't thought when I started my career nearly 30 years ago that it would take this long but I always wanted a high performance car of some kind and this is the first conceivable moment at which it is even remotely possible.
Personal experience 2. The husband of a colleague has bought a 996T cab recently. He is in his early forties but recently lost a long standing friend to cancer. He always wanted a Porsche and now has one. The realities of life and death hit home when it comes that close but he can afford it so why the hell not while he has the chance? This was where the menoporsche tag that prompted this post came from as that is what his friends called it.
Personal experience 3. A client contact has a 996T having worked hard and saved for many years and relishes it for the driving experience regardless of what anyone else thinks. I would quite like to buy it off him but I suspect it will be out of my price range.
I don't know anyone with a performance car that actually fits the stereotypical manopause model.
So is the Menoporsche badge deserved or are we owners and cravers all to be forever cursed by the odd tangerine skinned over-wealthed under-brained cradle snatcher?
Menoporsche. 
Never heard that term.
I don't think it's just Porsches. I think if a 40-something year old man buys anything remotely sporty they get told they're having a mid-life crisis, whether that be a sports car, a superbike, or even a bicycle.
I say regardless of age if you get the chance to own something that makes you happy, grab that chance and forget whatever tag the nay-sayers give it.
Luckily I'm only 36 so a few years off from the barrage of abuse you old duffers seem to get.
Never heard that term.
I don't think it's just Porsches. I think if a 40-something year old man buys anything remotely sporty they get told they're having a mid-life crisis, whether that be a sports car, a superbike, or even a bicycle.
I say regardless of age if you get the chance to own something that makes you happy, grab that chance and forget whatever tag the nay-sayers give it.
Luckily I'm only 36 so a few years off from the barrage of abuse you old duffers seem to get.
I relate to both 1. and 2.
I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
I bought my first (964, 911) when I was 34. I'd worked hard, grew up watching wealthy people on TV, or on the street etc driving high performance cars like Ferrari and Porsche, then one day I had the ability to buy/borrow towards these very cars. I guess part of what I worked for, was one day to own one or both of these, of which I have.
I'm 45 now, and when I was struggling a bit a few years back, the 911 had to go, then things got bettter again and I owned another and another and another.
If I was about to buy my first 911 now, they would call it a Mid Life Crisis. Back when I was 34, they called my pride and joy, a hairdressers car.
Personally I wouldn't analyze it, lifes to short. I bought because I love fast interesting cars and especially air cooled 911s. Not to pose in it. If you want one, go ahead and buy one.
I'm 45 now, and when I was struggling a bit a few years back, the 911 had to go, then things got bettter again and I owned another and another and another.
If I was about to buy my first 911 now, they would call it a Mid Life Crisis. Back when I was 34, they called my pride and joy, a hairdressers car.
Personally I wouldn't analyze it, lifes to short. I bought because I love fast interesting cars and especially air cooled 911s. Not to pose in it. If you want one, go ahead and buy one.
I'm seventy next year and my weekend drive is a 997 turbo - yes it's a tiptronic, but I do have a 993 C4 and a 993 C2 cab for when I feel energetic. To be quite honest the stereotype of the ' Lexus- Jaguar-Mercedes/ golf club image bothers me more.
If you want to buy a Porsche- go for it and don't bother what people think. You will not be disappointed .
PS. I have promised myself a GT3 before the motability scooter beckons !!
If you want to buy a Porsche- go for it and don't bother what people think. You will not be disappointed .
PS. I have promised myself a GT3 before the motability scooter beckons !!
WindyMiller67 said:
I relate to both 1. and 2.
I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
Nice post Windy, I enjoyed reading it, almost brought a tear to my eye, and you fancied Cybill Shepard at 14, top man!I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
I can so so relate to this. You reach an age where time left becomes shorter than time served....often accompanied by empty nests, reduced financial commitments and hopefully a successful career to help fund those 'dreams' whether you are looking for a new house, villa in France, a longed for car or a younger 'model' :-)
You just have to follow your heart ...
You just have to follow your heart ...
WindyMiller67 said:
I relate to both 1. and 2.
I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
Like this^^ I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
WindyMiller67 said:
I relate to both 1. and 2.
I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
Like this^^ I had just turned 46 when I bought my first (see what I did there?) 911. When I was 14 my mum organised a day's work experience with one of their friends. He had a red BMW 635i and, I was very much looking forward to the drive up to London in his BMW - after all, Cybill Shepherd had one in Moonlighting, and I fancied her too! The day came and at 6am he pulled up in a Carerra White 911. It was 1977 R-reg with a black whale-tail. I don't remember exactly what it was, but don't think it was a turbo - probably a Carerra. I couldn't believe my eyes. It belonged to his business partner who had lost his licence for D&D, but they decided to keep it for entertaining clients - and 14 year old, impressionable lads. The drive was eventful! Especially as it was wet. I was hooked. Throughout my career I've had one eye on the mundane aspects of life and the other on the goal. I graduated in 1989, and as I stood on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth and threw my mortarboard in to the air for my father's photo, I vowed that I would own a 911 by the time I was 25. So what happened during the intervening 21 years? Life I suppose. In the last few years my business has started to turn a profit (it's modelled on the old family-friend's business!), and the savings pot had finally grown in to a 911-sized balance. I used to joke to my family and say "when I've got my Porsche...", and they'd all laugh and tut.
Then, in 2011, my brother-in-law (who had been a school friend since the age of 7 - yes I married my best friend's sister!), died suddenly. An aneurysm in his chest let go and bled in to, and stopped his heart - no chance. He was 43. Naturally we were devastated and still can't believe he's gone. After the dust had settled though, my wife said to me: if you want a 911, just buy one! They are cliches for very good reasons - life can be short, and, you never know what's around the corner.
I drive mine almost every day - rain or shine - and I can't imagine tiring of seeing those fabulous curves in my door mirrors, hearing the engine fire-up behind me, and catapulting myself from 0-60 out of junctions and feeling that the front end is going to lift off - and mine is AWD and normally aspirated!
My advice: make your client a sensible offer for his car and go from there.
DO IT THOUGH!!
I was 51 when I got my first 911 (996 C2), (the car I'd always dreamed of owning), and now on my second.
My eldest son was 27 when he got his first and just about to turn 30 when he got his second - a 996 turbo!
My youngest son is 25 and still in his Renault Clio 1.2 so who knows. Mind you it is newer than all the 911's we've owned
My eldest son was 27 when he got his first and just about to turn 30 when he got his second - a 996 turbo!
My youngest son is 25 and still in his Renault Clio 1.2 so who knows. Mind you it is newer than all the 911's we've owned
Lots of people say to me I must be having a mid life... whatever that is.
Worked for my self for forty years 60 years old now on my second Porsche.
Took me all this time just to have enough spare cash to buy one.
My one and only daughter died of cancer aged 33 died in 2010.
Like other people at these moments you think one life and it's very short, get a few of your dreams in.
It's really doesn't matter what other people think as you drive about in your "flash Porsche" if you enjoy it rock on.
Seem to remember people saying I was having a mid life when I spent 5k on a road racing bike.
I never mentioned I'd been a cyclist since I was 12.
Been a petrol head since I was 16.
Not a new idea to own a dream car.
Worked for my self for forty years 60 years old now on my second Porsche.
Took me all this time just to have enough spare cash to buy one.
My one and only daughter died of cancer aged 33 died in 2010.
Like other people at these moments you think one life and it's very short, get a few of your dreams in.
It's really doesn't matter what other people think as you drive about in your "flash Porsche" if you enjoy it rock on.
Seem to remember people saying I was having a mid life when I spent 5k on a road racing bike.
I never mentioned I'd been a cyclist since I was 12.
Been a petrol head since I was 16.
Not a new idea to own a dream car.
Just catching up on the responses and having read threads in the past about Porsche owners being abused and challenged on the roads I just wish some of the road raging driver trolls had a little more understanding of the real motivation behind the desire to own a car that raises goose bumps just at the thought of driving it. There are obviously some very deeply moving stories out there
Family Bills have had a few close calls ourselves this year. A close friend in her forties is now in radiotherapy as a follow up to radical surgery for cervical cancer and we have had two ambulance chases with close family members heading off while I got the phone call that says "We are on the way to A&E. We will call you when we have heard what they say......"
I just need one lucky break this year. There are two possible new jobs in the offing and maybe a new business opportunity, each of which could get me there if things go well. If it comes off you will hear the cheer without the need for a post here.
In the mean time I hope those of you who have already made it to the heights of Porsche ownership keep enjoying your cars. Hopefully there will be one more by this time next year
Family Bills have had a few close calls ourselves this year. A close friend in her forties is now in radiotherapy as a follow up to radical surgery for cervical cancer and we have had two ambulance chases with close family members heading off while I got the phone call that says "We are on the way to A&E. We will call you when we have heard what they say......"
I just need one lucky break this year. There are two possible new jobs in the offing and maybe a new business opportunity, each of which could get me there if things go well. If it comes off you will hear the cheer without the need for a post here.
In the mean time I hope those of you who have already made it to the heights of Porsche ownership keep enjoying your cars. Hopefully there will be one more by this time next year
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