How important is the brand 'Porsche' to you?

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

A slightly philosophical thread ...

This is a Porsche 944 forum. You are reading this because you own (or have an interest in) Porsche 944's. With me so far?

How important is the fact that the 944 is a Porsche, to you? 'Porsche', as a brand, has a lot of meaning (or 'baggage' depending upon how you view it.) 'Porsche' has connertations of motorsport heritage, Le Mans success, Jackie Ickx/Walter Rohrl etc, but to others means arrogant driving, yuppies, flashy wealth and so on. The one thing that it seems to mean to far too many people is the 911 ... [8|]

I drive a 944 mainly because it is very enjoyable to drive, passably practical, easy to do DIY maintenance on and very good value for what it is. The fact that it is a 'Porsche' is neither here nor there - in fact, it is probably a slightly bad thing as far as I am concerned, mainly because people connect "Porsche" with "Wealth". If anyone asks me what I drive, I usually reply "An old Porsche" - with the emphasis firmly on 'old'. In fact, whenever I have come across the modern Porsche brand I have realised afresh how expensive it is and how far it is from my experience of Porsches. (Such events have included visiting OPC's on occasions, and having a Boxster courtesy car while mine was being repaired. Both felt light-years away from my 944, and not necessarily in a desirable direction.)

So ... a bit of a nebulous question but what is 'Porsche' to you, and how important was the emblem on the end of the bonnet when you bought your 944?


Oli.

 

[Black_JPN]

Not that important but you're right Oli people do rush to assumptions and I rarely tell people what car I drive unless I have to.

For me all those years ago I wanted performance, handling, practicality, reliability, great build quality and most importantly RWD for around 7k (it was 2001).

The 944 ticked all those boxes and despite breaking down within the first week of ownership I was soon smitten. I went full circle and bought a Boxster which I loved but couldn't get on with the looks, I do like the Cayman and 987 now though. Even that was surprisingly practical, the front boot is cavernous. I had shovels and allsorts in there.

I digress, to people who know about cars I'm sure the 944 gives them a warm respect. To everyone else who sees a world of brokers and estate agents in Boxsters and 911's I play the whole Porsche thing down and usually don't mention it at all unless asked. We met some new friends in July last year during ante-natal classes. We see them alot but even now they have no idea I own a Porsche (it's tucked up in the garage normally) and in a way I quite like them not knowing. None of the guys were petrolheads - so cars never came up in conversation. My own dirty secret. Had they seen it from start I reckon they'd have jumped to conclusions which may have hampered the friendship. I guess that's a shame in a way but I prefer my car ownership anonymity that I can enjoy without judgement or prejudice. At least until I run into one of them in Sainsbury's car park on a Saturday!

 

[tscaptain]

Sorry to "nose" into your forum Oli, but out of curiosity why didn't you put your very interesting question to all Porsche owners, while still making your point about public perception of the brand and 944 ownership?
Cheers
Alan

 

[zcacogp]

Alan,

I presume you mean moving the thread to some other part of this forum? In which case, no, I'd rather it stayed here.

In the main because I (rightly or wrongly) see 944 owners as being 'not the normal Porsche owner'. The reason I am asking the question is to try and understand more, particularly to test to see whether this is true. Hence, I want to ask the question of 944 owners, not of Porsche owners in general.

I also 'know' the chaps on here a little, having posted here before, and hence will be able to view any opinions alongside knowledge of the person answering. (For instance, if Peter Empson replied saying "Oh, I simply wanted a Porsche at any price. Not because they are fast, just because of the badge" then I'd know he was telling porkie pies!) *

Put it another way. I doubt there is anyone on here who would have walked into an OPC and bought a 944 either new or second-hand from them, with a big bonus from the stockbroker they work for. And that, to some extent, is the image that quite a lot of people have of all Porsche owners - an image that I would suspect is more likely to be accurate for 996 and 997 owners than for 944 owners.


Oli.

* - Peter, if you read this then please don't take offence; it is meant to illustrate a point, not to malign your good character!

 

[shammy1971]

Porsche is not a brand built on marketing but a brand built by reputation. I think most Porsche owners buy their cars for the same reason. I would happily walk into an OPC and buying a new or nearly new Porsche. I think the 944 is an excellent car and is not too dissimilar to a 996, 997, 986, 987 and Cayanne. I have owned and driven Italian cars in the past and they have always disappointed me in time, at first they flatter but intime their short comings end up disappointing you. Whereas a Porsche, because of it's engineering, will always grow on you. I was speaking to a banker, a 997 Carrera S owner, and they were telling me how at first they were underwhelmed with it but in time they've grown to appreciate it. I think Bentley and Aston Martin are attracting the sort of people that went for Porsches in the 80s. Porsche owners rich or poor still buy the cars for the same reason.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

In the main because I (rightly or wrongly) see 944 owners as being 'not the normal Porsche owner'.

Thanks Oli and I fully understand your reasoning for wanting to keep the thread to the 944. Interesting your take on 944 owners though? To me anyone who owns a Porsche new, old or whatever model is "normal" because they are saying they don't just want any old box on wheels but something that has a history and pedigree that means something to them - whatever that "something" is. Sure there was a period when that didn't matter to the fat cats spending their bonuses but I bet there aren't many on this forum or in PCGB that don't know why they have a Porsche. I'll get off your thread now......[]
BTW keep looking at nice looking 944S in white at a local dealer - £2999 - think it might come down some soon, but her ladyship is making the wrong noises at the moment! Softly, softly..........[]
Cheers

 

[Guest]

Very interesting question that Oli... I have mine because I love the look , love the drive and love tinkering. It just so happens that it is a Porsche. Now that I have become involved in R27 its a social thing into the bargain....! Ive met loads of folk with modern 996/997/Boxter/Cayman/Cayenne and they dont have them because they are a "Porsche". They have them because they like them.... I wouldnt get a car on what it is.. It has to feel right.. .. .. Anybody asks me what I drive I say a "Ford Focus TDDi Van" []

Dont worry I know a lad and hes a snotty barsteward..He wears all the posh gear and has a big house blah blah blah... He got a 911 turbo in the 80's "because it was the fashion" and to show he was "The Man" ... That turbo bit him really hard one wet night... He wrote her off 10days after getting her. Now he drives one of them boot ugly Alfa things ......!because u guessed it "its the fashion"

 

[poprock]

For me, there's a few parts to this "¦ but branding is a big part of what I do for a living, so apologies if I'm reading too much into the question.

I bought my first 944 in a bit of a drunken eBay moment. Idly browsing through second hand cars after a few glasses of wine I realised that I could actually afford a Porsche for my first car. The very thought of that blew me away, so I set about doing some research into exactly what I would be letting myself in for if I bought a 944. In fairness, that initial wow factor was all about the badge; but I then looked into things properly and made a sensible decision.

That first car turned out to be a bit of a old banger, but I was astounded by the feel of driving the thing. Although it was a far from perfect example, I knew right away there was something special about the model. I've since moved on through a good quality late model Lux and on to a Turbo in amazing condition. I can't imagine ever being without one now. I've completely fallen for the 944 and the way it drives.

Having said all that, I do think Porsche as a whole are a fantastic company. They make great cars, they always have done. To me the brand stands for driver focus combined with bulletproof engineering quality. I'd be happy to try out anything from their line up, and one day may well do"”but I'm keeping the '44 as well!

 

[xenon]

I think it's also true that owners on here are not necessarily a representative cross-section, ergo we're all enthusiasts here otherwise we wouldn't be here. Tscaptain owns a 997 ([8D] xenon tries not to be jealous) and because he is here presumably he is an enthusiast BUT - I'd suggest that a number of new Porsche owners (by which I mean owners of late models) buy them simply for the brand / perceived snob value. It's an interesting question but you don't have a cross-section of Porsche owners reading it.

I bought mine because I wanted something different and rewarding to drive. It's kind of nice that it is a "premium" brand but you can't really read too much into that when the car is worth about four grand.

 

[morris944s2john]

I agree with the above posts. I chose the 944 based on these criteria :-

" drive a 944 mainly because it is very enjoyable to drive, passably practical, easy to do DIY maintenance on and very good value for what it is. "

although the main reason was on driving one, it felt so much better than any of the Japanese cars I had driven. The badge is an added bonus, a talking point. And you can point out the parts commonality with other cars in the range.

 

[TheFiend]

I am a newbie to 944 ownership. Ever since I passed my test in 1980 I have owned and driven Fords......Started out with an Escort then moved onn to the "sportier" models. Have owned 3 Capris, 3 XR2s, Orion Injections etc.. Then in 2001 bought a KA - superb handling but very underpowered. Then bought a SportKA when they came out - superb to drive, and very underrated. Then last month my brother then bought a 944 and asked me to drive it back when he went to collect it. Damn!!!! I was hooked!!!

After working out the economics I realised that not only could I afford to buy one, also afford to run it, because the running costs would be comparable to my little SportKA.

The SportKA is now for sale...... and I am enjoying every minute of my 87 944S.

Did I buy it because it was a "Porsche"? No, I bought it because it is such an enjoyable car to drive!

There is a bonus - I know I won't lose any money on the value of the car if I ever sell it.

 

[xenon]

There is a bonus - I know I won't lose any money on the value of the car if I ever sell it.

Really? What's the secret? [&:]

 

[MRGT]

My other car is a Skoda []

Brand means nothing to me, whats important is that the car gives me what I'm looking for at a price I find acceptable. To be honest no other Porsche interests me in the slightest, but I love my 944 and wouldn't change it for anything (well maybe a turbo or a 968 [] )

 

[TTM]

Equally with car enthusiasts and the general public it's more of a burden than anything else, as I often come across people who will question me in a way to try to make me feel guilty about owning cars so "nice". In the best case people won't even notice the brand. It really is a Porsche-only thing. People seem to have respect with more exotic and expensive cars but if you have a Porsche you are some sort of "wealthy loser who hasn't gone far enough and hides behind ease".
Friends I have known since school don't get the "old fun car" thing either, they even struggle to get just past the badge and car talks are best avoided whenever we meet back - it won't get as naughty as talking politics, but not far [8|]

I am mostly concerned with the availability of new spares, and honestly I wouldn't mind an Audi or VW badge on a 944. Almost all our 944s were built in the Audi plant of Neckarsulm and the quality shows, where most Stuttgart-built cars back then are nowadays overly complex to maintain (928) or were already of an older and more rudimentary design (911).

Owning two Porsches (and I widely prefer to say "Owning two 944s") has felt a bit of a path to the cross unless I am careful enough not to socialise around them and keep enjoying them selfishly on my own, or with some very rare similarly-minded owners. However & all in all, in this world full of nonesense going against the grain on the car level has been a rather enjoyable motto that I have found worth its social cost []

 

[appletonn]

My first Porsche was a LHD 964 as I had always wanted to sample the mythical aircooled 911 'thing' - what did I love about the car, the engineering, feel, looks, noise of the engine & 'classic' dashboard amongst other things.

The 944 Turbo was the car that I lusted after when I first read about the launch test drive in Fast Lane or Performance Car back in the day, especially on those original 16" teledials!

Now I love my car because it isn't a 911 and is far less common on our roads, whilst the depth of engineering and build quality remains remarkable for an 18yr old car. Still admire the way the doors shut with a sound like a bank vault. []

Having had it on track 3 times thus far, I am also impressed by the superb balance when you get to really drive it hard!

All that and classic insurance for £240 pa and (hopefully!) no depreciation, is the icing on the cake!!! []

 

[John Sims]

Interesting thread and not much to fight over.

I almost bought my first 944 despite it being a Porsche. I didn't like the whole "Porsche" thing and would probably rather it were a Ford. I seldom make much of a thing about it being a Porsche.

However, as time has gone on I have become more enthusiastic about all Porsche cars and the whole "Porsche" thing has passed me by. They are great cars and in performance, engineering and longevity terms extremely good value. What more could you ask for.

I'm not immune to branding - I have a Jaguar X Type rather than a Mondeo, I have a TAG watch though quite enjoy the inverted snobbery of wearing my Vostok, I would like an Aston Martin though never driven one. When it comes to Porsche though the product has supplanted the branding - I no longer consider the image, be it good or bad, it is the product which is important and Porsche ticks all the boxes (though I would have a Range Rover over a Cayenne []).

 

[Pastry]

I grew up loving fast cars, and porsche made some of the fastest and prettiest. When I came to buy a 2nd 'fun' car other values such as reliability, useability, cost and value came to mind. The 944 covered everything. Part of that was the reputation of german cars in general, not particularly Porsche.

The badge has positive kudos for me historically but the modern brand doesn't mean much. No modern brand means a lot to me as their all so derivative of each other and merely limbs of the current manufacturers. I do worry about the negative kudos for the masses which makes certain twunts target a 20 year old car for vandalism over the 20 grand eurobox sat next to it.

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

If anyone asks me what I drive, I usually reply "An old Porsche" - with the emphasis firmly on 'old'.
Oli.

Must confess, that I usually take the same approach - almost apologetic, which is ridiculous when i think about it, as Ian (Xenon) points out, the cars are worth less than your neighbour's 2 yr old Focus!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I think it's about what the brand means, more than the brand itself. I bought a Toyota van because it was recommended to be the most reliable, not because I wanted it over any other van. I bought a 944 because it was well-built, reliable and good to drive compared with the other options such as Scimitar, Alfa GTV etc, not because it's a Porsche.

I don't go in for the brand snobbery other than my Barbour, I'm sure other cheaper waxed jackets are available!

I think this is the whole reason Porsche tarnished their reputation with the reliablity issues in recent years, and why I'm sure some people don't buy into the "brand" as much now. To me, the community thing is part of the added bonus. Rather as I'm sure there is in the MG world as they comisserate over their broken down cars...[]

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

Rather as I'm sure there is in the MG world as they comisserate over their broken down cars...[]

Fighting talk there from our resident diplomat......[][][]

At least you didn't dis the TVR owners[8|][]