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Neils thought for the day!

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Neil Haughey

New member
In recent weeks I have got the impression from this forum that you guys are like me, car enthusiasts, petrolheads or whatever you want to call it first and foremost and Porschephiles second (or a distant second in some cases).
Agree or disagree?
 
Agreed. Always been a car nut first and foremost the Porsche obsession comes from my experiences of the older 911's. The 911 was the first car I was ever taken out in for a true 'B' road blast by a wonderfully irresponsible uncle (clearly now a good role model).

My desire for a 911 led me to the 944 and that is what led me to the discovery that the 944 is a hell of a car in its own right. I would never be without a 944 now even when I get a 911 (getting further delayed by the rising prices of the 993 turbo and Gt models - only ones I'd have) and I must admit I like the community that goes with Porsches, in general Porsches seem to be owned more often by driving enthusiasts than other sports car brands such as ferrari's which rarely make it to a track and can never be seen or heard driving with spirit.

Regards,

Ben
 
Agree, though now having owned one I do apreciate (most of *) the engineering in them (older ones and special models at least) - I would consider one or two of the other models now that I wouldnt have ever considered owning before.
Tony

* who designed the fixings for the rear number plate lights? The same person who did the wiper conversion for RHD without extending the plastic panel below the screen.

 
Definitely agree - I think I identify with the "distant second" comment more than most. Personally for me the Porsche brand lost its way about 10 years ago and I have zero loyalty to it remaining, though I used to be a marque fan rather than just the owner of one particular model.
 
I agree with you Fen in so much that I don't really understand how ppl have an emotional attachment to what is a commercial organisation. Porsche like every other major brand exists to make as much money out of the customer as possible.

For example I may love my car but it will be a cold day in hell before I walk aorund wearing clothing that is little more then free advertising for a company that has already made an obscene amount of money.
 
I agree with that, but my angle is more that the model range is now focussed on maximising sales rather than driver appeal.

I'm not trying to suggest that modern Porsches are not high on driver focus compared with most cars, but the "911" in name only is purely marketing to flog a lardy GT car on the heritage of a lithe sports coupe and it makes my blood boil that in the Cayman they have a platform that could run rings round most competitors yet it will be held back from reaching its full potential so as not to hurt sales of the "911" cash cow.
 
My dream has always been to own a Porsche. My first was a 944 which i loved but due to financial reasons had to get rid of. Now my finances are better tho and i have finally got the car i wanted a 911!! Anyone who says anything bad about a 944 should try owning one and that would change their mind. I used to get the comments all the time of thats the poor mans Porsche but i think they were just jealous! They are fantastic. Im only 26 (in 4 days) and i own a car i have desired since being a nipper! For me the older Porsches ie pre 993 shape will always be the best and the true marque of Porsche excelence.
 
Oww I'm so torn! I also much prefer the true 911 (turbo) shape pre 993 as you own but love the speed and build quality improvements made on the 993. The 993 is the better car but is it the better 911???
 
ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

gree or disagree?
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I don't think I'm either a car enthusiast or a Porschephile [&:]

I am however a grade A, number one, totally nuts 944 anorak. I've never been 'in' to cars, having only owned a Renault14, Nova and Metro beforehand and I only bought the S2 because it was a sensible long distance cruiser in which to rack up to 20k a year getting back and forth to work without losing me a stack of money in depreciation.

Unfortunately, one thing led to another and I bought the Turbo [:eek:], god knows what I would have done to it if I was 'in' to cars :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 

driving my 944 1984/5 ( early ) send me back to when I was 10, and it's great. I live in the country , and by coincidence, ended up living in John Steed's mansion from The new avengers ! all better, I travel in time with that car.

regarding the clothes wearing comment, I TOTALLY AGREE ! that's pure cheek or bad taste... ( selling that gear )... personally, nothing worse than a porsche driver wearing a porsche cap...

Im new to the community, and I must say ppl are very helpfull and welcoming too. ( maybe cause we drive the older models ... )



pjb
 
I also much prefer the charachter of the early dash model 944. There is just something about it. You need a Dansk sports exhaust though to get the full driving experience.
 
in the Cayman they have a platform that could run rings round most competitors
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree, its like the 944 was quicker than the 911`s when it came out and is still a better car. If it had been made at the Porsche factory it would be an appreciating classic I consider.

Having said that it was their biggest seller and saved the company.

In recent weeks I have got the impression from this forum that you guys are like me, car enthusiasts, petrolheads or whatever you want to call it first and foremost and Porschephiles second (or a distant second in some cases).
Agree or disagree?
Click to expand...

I am in a way a true car enthusiast, petrol heads are a bit sad in my opinion (seen them in their chairs with lap charts and stopwatches at LeMans [&:][&:]) who quote Car, Autocar trivia re the latest Seat/Skoda.

However there is nothing like building your own car so thats what does it for me. The 944 fits all my requirements but sitting in a plastic bathtub driving something you`ve put together/adapted/improved is the ultimate.

If I had the money I`d build an Ultima [8D]
 
ORIGINAL: pjb

personally, nothing worse than a porsche driver wearing a porsche cap...
Click to expand...

[:eek:][:eek:][:eek:]

I often wear a Porsche cap...

Got to wear something with the top down [&:]

[&o][&o][&o]
 

ORIGINAL: Hilux
However there is nothing like building your own car so thats what does it for me. The 944 fits all my requirements but sitting in a plastic bathtub driving something you`ve put together/adapted/improved is the ultimate.

If I had the money I`d build an Ultima [8D]
Click to expand...
Ooooohhhhh Yyyeeeaaahhhh. I went to the factory about 10 years ago when the idea of an Ultima was an affordable dream if I saved up long enough. For some reason they seem to have got more expensive.

The GTD40 jobs I have seen have been done to a superb level as well and I like the look, however for me I have always fancied a Hawk Stratos with a nicely fettled Alfa GTA engine in the back, alcantara interior, air-con and Chromadora wheels. I had a look at one with similar spec about 10 or 12 years ago. It cost the guy the best part of 35K back then but was stunningly nice. ISTR this was at a Kit car show at Stoneleigh.

Problem with modern Porsche's is mass as in far to much of it. Even my S2 feels 1/4 tonne to heavy to me, and there is something very attractive about a sub tonne car with 250+ Bhp, ISTR Hawk Stratos is about 900 Kg.
 
I agree I am a car enthusiast most definatly and Porsche fan second but although I would say I do like the new stuff but it doesn't do so much for me as say an original 911 turbo or one of the older race cars does. I know one thing that if I got a 911 or something like that I don't think I could get rid of the 944 there's something about that car (even though it will soon be about to cost me a couple of thousand to get a few bits sorted on it) that I absoloutly love.

I think that some of the more modern porsches are mostly bought by people who want it for the badge rather than the way it drives a sort of trophy for the drive usually quite snobby they are too but I doubt that this applies to many people in the club though.

I must admit to wearing porsche T shirts but only if I like the picture on it though also I did used to wear porsche caps just about all the time but it just a waste of time I reckon really.
 
I Like the on road frendship that Otto gives me. I first noticed it when in a strange part of England a 928 owner flashed me. Thought it was a warning of a speed trap, round the bend and a 944 flashed me too. Made me feel wanted [:)]
 
used to get the same thing in me old Saab 900 and in me mini. AFAIK this is pretty common amongst classic and enthusiast type cars.
 


mark

no offence meant, i guess that yes, the english sun is very strong [:)]

pjb

( but they could give their clothing free considering the price of a switch LOL )
 
PS: i was also surprised to get the wave now and again, from brand new models owners worth 60k, which surprised me, i guess i didn't expect it.

pjb
 
Yes, petrolhead first, definitely. But there is something different about 'the German car' as opposed to anyone else's. Old Brit cars have a measure of charm, whereas Italian ones are surprisingly focused. American ones are generally awful and French ones are an acquired taste. I am on record as being a Mercedes fan (selectively) and Audis are generally grea, as are VWs. I have mixed feelings about BMW (having driven some truly dreadful ones, particularly the early E30s) and one of the best cars ever was the Borgward Isabella.

But I have never driven a bad Porsche - it has always been clear to me what it was they were trying to do (perhaps the 928 was an abberation) and this is not always the case. My current obsession is my new (to me) Mercedes Cosworth, which I really thing might be the best car I have ever owned.
 
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