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
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
Nerdherder said:
WTF. Wow.
Now let's just clear something up. A fair few comments about my use of the words 'cheese toast' in my OP as opposed to cheese on toast etc. Poor English on my part rather than toasted cheese flavoured bread - apologies. I should have probably written 'grilled cheese sandwich' rather than 'cheese toast'. Lesson learned. And yet people say Porsche owners are finicky
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