Are we really the poor relations II.....?

[TTM]

ORIGINAL: gresley
All Porsches are works of genius

We could argue that they are rather the works of somehow thick-headed folks obsessed with improving a not-so-good initial design rather than some genuinely-innovating items from some genius designer. When a design is poor to begin with, a lot of engineering is needed to correct its faults/flaws, when it's even considered worth being improved.

 

[John Sims]

Different models suit different people for different reasons. Some 911 owners will have too much disposable income and too bigger egos to see past how wonderful they think they are to appreciate some of the cheaper Porsches.

Different people seek/enjoy company with people of a similar mind (that's why you have gangs of football hooligans). Not all football fans are bald headed tea shirt wearing idiots intent on picking a fight just because you happen to see a group together who are.

There are arrogant Porsche owners - perhaps because they are successful and use to getting their own way. I have parked cars at many Porsche events and there are some people who think they are more important than others by virtue of the value of their car. However, I can't think of one Porsche enthusiast no matter what car/cars they own who has demonstrated the level of arrogance you seem to be inferring.

By the same token I tend to stereotype Skyline owners as being intent on insisting their cars are better than everyone elses. I am sure this isn't the case in reality but is formed on my very very limited experience of Skyline owners.

There are groups of Porsche owners who are so into their cars that they might not be as interested in other models as their own. Some owners of Classic Porsches may not be as interested in a Panamera as the owner of Cayenne might be, but so what?

Just because you may, or may not, have had a bad reaction from a few 911 owners, in my experience of dealing with thousands of 911 owners, I certainly haven't come to the conclusion that 944's are considered the poor relations by a vast majority.

I am perhaps more aware of some 944 owners mistakenly thinking they are considered as the poor relations. Just because someone thinks there is this perception doesn't make it the case.

But, in summary, as so many have said. "So what?". Enjoy your car for what it is. It is of no consequence what others may or may not think or indeed what you may or may not think they think.

 

[GlennS]

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline

It would be nice if one or two of the other members of our Rownhams Service's
convoy group would take up the very brief story of the unsavoury little 911 incident that took place whilst we were getting ready
to leave the parking area.

What can one say about the "Great Rownhams Standoff" (for that is how this event shall now be known)?

The facts are simple. Two groups of Porsches were meeting up there before convoying the final few miles down to Beaulieu. One consisted mainly of 911s (with some Boxsters and at least one 928), we shall call this "group A". The other consisted of nine 944s plus two 993s, a 996 turbo, a 996 GT3 and a 997 turbo, we shall call this "group B".

"group A" was at Rownhams before "group B" arrived and consequently left earlier, driving past "group B" in the process. There was perceived to be a lack of friendly acknowledgement between the two groups.

I honestly couldn't say whether that was due to "car snobbery" or an "they're not part of our group" attitude. It is worth noting that neither group consisted entirely of 944s or 911s; there was a mix of cars in both groups.

The Beaulieu event itself was excellent with all of the various models parked up together and no "poor relations". In fact I chatted to one of the organisers who explicity said how delighted he was by the large turnout of front-engined models.

 

[PSH]

Just to add to John's words I would say that most of the ill informed comments from other Porsche owners are by those who are not true car enthusiasts, more by those who buy cars purely as a status symbol.. let's be honest who here hasn't thought about owning a 911... I certainly have, in fact when I bought my car back in 98 there was a 911 parked next to my chosen car for exactly the same price, I even sat in it. It was obvious though that the two cars were miles apart in both quality of build and design, the 911 even though only a couple of years older than the 944T felt like a car 20 years older, it was horrid. So I asked myself why would I buy one over the other?... 911 would have been purely about status, I hadn't even seen a 944 before a colleague at work turned up in one, choosing a 944T would have been about it being a superior car in every sense of the word, a no brain'r really and I have never regretted my choice and this was before I fully understood just how good these cars are.

Regarding how often these comments are made I suspect a little more than some may think, I've had it a number of times, first was my brother in-law... heard a had a Porsche,,, saw it and said..'oh a poor man's Porsche'.. well he never was very bright...lol I educated him by informing him that the car was first registered in 86, cost with options of over £33k, I bought a two bed terraced house in London in 87 that cost £26K so that ended that argument.
There's also been the odd comment at some meets, twice I've had women see the car and literally full in love with it, one demanding her partner bought one for her and the other just wanting to know more about the car, response from their respective partners... 'you don't want one of these, they've not real Porsche's '
However this is not the case when talking to real enthusiasts who know cars and in particular know 944's, I used to be very active in Porsche meets, both PCGB and to a lesser extant Tipec, I also used to enter concourse, in fact my name is the first on the London region concourse cup, won best in class and best at show. This was judged by Porsche West London who liked the car so much they offered to buy it, good knows what they would have done with it?
I guess the final say in the matter is how Porsche designers themselves back in the late 80's early 90's viewed the car, stating the 944T being the fastest car point to point in their fleet, a high accolade indeed, especially when you consider how much pressure they were under at this time from the so called purists to continue the 911 range and ditch the transaxle models.

All I would say is enjoy your cars, whether they are front, rear or mid end models... at the end of the day they are Porsche's and that puts us in the same family group no matter what some may say or think...

have fun...

Pete

 

[John Sims]

Thanks for that Glenn.

I must say it bears no relationship to the "Great Rownhams Standoff" I had imagined reading the previous posts.

While my scenario hadn't entirely escalated to two groups holding lengths of chain, and other make do weapons, there was at the least some serious sneering and glib comments made under the breath but within earshot. The main protagonists most certainly drove GT3's and wore Brietling watches and designer sun glasses, and all had lingery models hanging on their arms. The latter part of the scene took a great deal of consideration and mental imaging as you can probably appreciate.

 

[GlennS]

Could we dwell on the lingerie models some more, please? I find your version more attractive than the reality []

 

[PSH]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

Thanks for that Glenn.

I must say it bears no relationship to the "Great Rownhams Standoff" I had imagined reading the previous posts.

While my scenario hadn't entirely escalated to two groups holding lengths of chain, and other make do weapons, there was at the least some serious sneering and glib comments made under the breath but within earshot. The main protagonists most certainly drove GT3's and wore Brietling watches and designer sun glasses, and all had lingery models hanging on their arms. The latter part of the scene took a great deal of consideration and mental imaging as you can probably appreciate.

ahh but we can understand their reasons... remember the 944T was finally banned from the Porsche cup after even the GT3's couldn't beat them.. I have a lovely memory of watching a 944T chase a GT3 into Luffields corner (Silverstone), not only out performing the GT3 through the sweeping bends but then overhauling it down the main straight...i guess torque counts.. also bear in mind these cars had to be of standard power output.

Pete

 

[TTM]

ORIGINAL: PSH
let's be honest who here hasn't thought about owning a 911...

Me.

The first one I got acquainted to was a 2.7 RS my dad had been lent for the weekend and as a little boy I thought it was the ugliest and worst-sounding car I had ever seen and been in. More recently I got to drive a 996TT upgraded to 650 hp and my opinion has not changed. In fact the air cooled ones have a point these days for the vintage tractor feel which can trigger some kind of delusional laughter, but that's about it.

 

[John Sims]

Didn't like the 2.7RS?!?!?!!!!!!!! [] Go and stand in the corner.

 

[OLD_ian]

frankly i find this rather absurd. If you like your car who gives a shit what anyone else thinks about it? So a bunch of people driving 911s didn't look at 944s. If they wanted one, they'd be driving one. Likewise I think Cayennes are enormous bloated soft roaders and wouldn't pay any attention to one. I'm sure the people who like enormous bloated soft roaders couldn't care less what I think.

 

[Peter_Bull]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

Didn't like the 2.7RS?!?!?!!!!!!!! [] Go and stand in the corner.

Not my cup of tea either I'm afraid John.

My first Porsche was a 1986 944 Lux - I loved every minute and every mile I drove that gorgeous Kalahara Gold car with its huge hips too. It was 3 years old when I bought it and I sold t 6 years later - for a bag of nails 911 3,2 Carrera Targa which was a big expensive mistake and I really missed the 944.

I have had a few 911's since, air and water cooled, but as I get older my tastes have changed and I desire more creature comforts now, but with a sports twist.

I had to drive the clubs 356 at Silverstone last year back to the hotel 18 miles away - I had only gone about 400 yds when it spluttered to a halt on the main road entrance roundabout! It turns out I should have turned the fuel on! Jeez! Another for the same bracket as the 2.7RS - not my cup of tea at all and I was glad to hand over the keys when I arrived at the hotel.

Cruise, heated seats, sat nav, PDK is my cup of tea these day, but I still miss my 994 Lux - C996CJT.

Nostalgia is fine in museums and concours but not for me.

Mind you I am a tad envious of the rise in value while mine goes the other way, but I guess we can't have it all eh.

The only thing that really bothers me with my Cayman is people saying 'I like your Ferrari'!!! How rude!

Happy Porsche motoring whatever you drive its all good fun and brings us all closer as friends.

 

[supersport]

Not quite sure why you're upset that someone didn't look at you, who cares. The kettle drivers never wave at us proper Porsches anyway so why the surprise []

Just enjoy it knowing that you're happy.

 

[Ex Skyline]

Ian, you've missed the point I was trying to make []. It's actually NOT about the cars. 944's, 911's Boxsters who gives a 5h1t
what it is as long as it's a Porsche . Let met try and put it another way. If you was standing three feet away from me as I was
slowly driving past and, you gave me a friendly nod/wave/smile and then (after eye contact), I just looked the other way, would
you not think of me as an ignorant a55hole [8|]? That really is my last word on this silly thread, which I only started to make a
point and, even then, it was only really tongue in cheek [8|]. I didn't realise it would ruffle so many feathers!! It's just a shame a
few of the others who made comments at the time like "can you believe that"? and, "How Rude"!! Haven't jumped to my defense
(not that I need them)!! For the record, I am NOT a 911 hater.....OK?! I just find "SOME" of the stuck up a55holes that drive them
shall we say, disagreeable [8|].

 

[OLD_ian]

ok, gotcha... if i was blanked like that I'd probably think "wanker...". What i've found with pcgb is that it combines two groups of people 1) who are awesome, go to great lengths to help, are thrilled to share their passion about cars. 2) a very small minority of people who exemplify every bad stereotype about Porsche owners. Group 1 is by far the largest...

Maybe i've just had a great weekend. My car is parked in Shad Thames in Central London - when i drove it out I got loads of smiles from people i passed. The workmen who were cleaning the building with jet spray came over to say "Lovely motor mate...". I had someone come up to me in the street in Lymington on Sunday to say how much they enjoyed when they bought a new 944 and loved it for years. At Beaulieu, again several people wandered over to compliment it including one of the guys out of the 600hp Gembella. I just had nothing but positives...

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline

Ian, you've missed the point I was trying to make []. It's actually NOT about the cars. 944's, 911's Boxsters who gives a 5h1t
what it is as long as it's a Porsche . Let met try and put it another way. If you was standing three feet away from me as I was
slowly driving past and, you gave me a friendly nod/wave/smile and then (after eye contact), I just looked the other way, would
you not think of me as an ignorant a55hole [8|]? That really is my last word on this silly thread, which I only started to make a
point and, even then, it was only really tongue in cheek [8|]. I didn't realise it would ruffle so many feathers!! It's just a shame a
few of the others who made comments at the time like "can you believe that"? and, "How Rude"!! Haven't jumped to my defense
(not that I need them)!! For the record, I am NOT a 911 hater.....OK?! I just find "SOME" of the stuck up a55holes that drive them
shall we say, disagreeable [8|].

 

[Ex Skyline]

Yes, I think that sums it all up nicely Ian []. I find "group 1" the large majority, thank goodness! Perhaps you should come to
the Brighton Meet that I organise annually in Joon? That looks a nice car you have there in your signature [8D]. My family and I
also had a great day out at the "Simply Porsche" meeting yesterday. And yes, that 600 brake Gemballa certainly was some bit
of kit [8D][].

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: supersport
The kettle drivers never wave at us proper Porsches anyway so why the surprise []

Oi, I've got one of those....

 

[OLD_ian]

Had that conversation last year. At the time my girlfriend asked me why only "cars like yours" and the "old ones with bulges and stupid (her term not mine) big wings" wave at each other. "why don't the boxsters wave?". She still laughs every time someone flashes lights or waves.

sigh...

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

ORIGINAL: supersport
The kettle drivers never wave at us proper Porsches anyway so why the surprise []

Oi, I've got one of those....

 

[PSH]

I always wave, doesn't have to be a 944, could be any Porsche or other classic marque...I don't tend to take a lot of notice of newer cars,,,guess as they are current models and not necessarily driven by an enthusiast, i will wave back though if they wave to me. waving to other vehicles seems second nature to me, probably due to my biking days.

Pete

 

[colin944]

[/URL][/IMG]

There's always an idiot in every group and it sounds like you found them.When I was at Le Mans in the PCGB camp site I was parked between 2 997 turbo's.There were loads of 911's and other modern and old porsches and more people stopped and took photo's and asked about my car than any of the others around.I got compliments all weekend and loads of comments about how people used to have a 944 and now they wish they'd never sold it. I think as our cars become rarer and rarer then we will get more and more attention from other Porsche owners. There was 270 cars in the camp site and only 3 of them were 944's ( my S2 a white S2 and a red 2.5 lux). In fact every time we stopped on the way down or back we got nothing but admiring looks and positive comments from all sorts of people in all sorts of cars (astons,bentleys,ferrari's etc). So I don't feel we are the poor relations I think the idiots who don't know what a 944 is are the poor relations.

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: colin944

[/URL][/IMG]

There's always an idiot in every group and it sounds like you found them.When I was at Le Mans in the PCGB camp site I was parked between 2 997 turbo's.There were loads of 911's and other modern and old porsches and more people stopped and took photo's and asked about my car than any of the others around.I got compliments all weekend and loads of comments about how people used to have a 944 and now they wish they'd never sold it. I think as our cars become rarer and rarer then we will get more and more attention from other Porsche owners. There was 270 cars in the camp site and only 3 of them were 944's ( my S2 a white S2 and a red 2.5 lux). In fact every time we stopped on the way down or back we got nothing but admiring looks and positive comments from all sorts of people in all sorts of cars (astons,bentleys,ferrari's etc). So I don't feel we are the poor relations I think the idiots who don't know what a 944 is are the poor relations.

I was parked 3 cars further along from you behind the red turbo. I thought that there would have been more 944s on site. I stopped and ogled a couple of times, mainly after it was a little cleaner.