I was 8 years old once. I was proud owner of my very own Porsche. A die cast early 911. It was white and had all the trimmings.
Now I'm "over the hill" at 52. many years have gone past but I never forgot my favourite toy so many years ago. Clearly it was time for another toy. My wife dutifully bought me a die cast 911 cab in red on my birthday. Bad mistake...

OK, we're not quite as lucky as the guys in the U.S. - A new 991 S with basic options is around $160.000 in terms of the U.S. currency. Yes, this is South Africa. Hefty duties and taxes are to be paid on imported cars. No discounts either (I did try...).

Nevertheless, I've been a good boy over the years. Hard work has paid off and something happened that was an impossible dream. I walked into the Porsche dealer in Cape Town, took a drive in a 991S, loved it (of course). Signed on the dotted line. I think this is the easiest sale this dealership has had. Like in ever.

That was three weeks ago. Still no word from Germany so I don't know when it will be here but I am hoping for September. This will be a long wait. I feel like a little boy again. If this is supposed to be the male mid-life crisis - I should have had one sooner.

I drive a MK3.5 MX-5 6 speed MT with the 2 liter engine and I'm keeping this car (It is a great fun drive and the hood comes off). This meant that I can go for the 911 coupe which I prefer.

My Order:
911 "S" in Carrara white (my first 911 toy was white - this one had to be too).
Basic, partial leather interior in Platinum Gray. Only option chosen here are the Porsche crests in the headrests.
PDK (This is standard here, MT is option but you don't get it cheaper if you choose the MT). Anyway, despite loving the MX-5 MT the PDK is a blast and I enjoyed it during the test drive on some curvy, scenic back roads (which we have in abundance here).
Sports Exhaust (no question - you can't buy this car without).
Chrono Package (Why stop before the finish line ?)
PASM (Standard with a "S" here)
Sports steering wheel (with the paddles)
Parking sensors front and back (I can see those will be useful).
Power steering Plus (Yes, I know. But what can I say - I liked it).
Basic sound system, no satnav, no blueteeth. I figure the only thing I want to listen to is the engine anyway and I don't care where I drive. If I get lost - well there's just more driving to do. Nothing wrong with that.

Edit: Satnav is an optional item here and rather pricey so that remains unticked.

I have been reading (nearly) all that is relevant on this forum and need to say that great advice and opinions are found here. Thanks to all...

Rainier

 

Great to see you purchased your dream car, great feeling isn't it? It'll get there soon enough and be sure to post pictures, I'm sure it'll look great in person.

 

Congrats! You should feel good about yourself to be able to wait until you were 52, I only made it to 21 (my junior high school art teacher gave me a ride once); and 15 P cars later it's a 991 (in U.S. customs).

ChuckJ

 

Congrats!! In 1974 (age 8) I bought a die cast 911 from a boutique shop that cost $9.00 - which was a lot for a die cast car in 1974. I've wanted a 911 since then and finally ordered one in February that was delivered about a month ago. I have about 700 miles on it now and I hope you enjoy your 911 as much as I'm enjoying mine. It was worth the wait.

 

Right !
Porsche marketing - are you listening ? Important stuff this.
Go and buy all 8 year old boys a die cast Carrera toy (A GT2 will do just fine). It's the best long term investment you can do .

Rainier

 

Congratulations! Love your story.

Rung a bell with me as I had a Bburago brand Silver 911 at age 6, and still have it. At 40, I have a Porsche brand 911 Silver nearing delivery, hopefully in days rather than weeks at this point.

 

you guys are great - congrats on living your dreams. i had Porsche 1:18 models too, and then when i got my GT3 i HAD to get the diecast model too. after obsessively searching, i was lucky enough to get it almost exactly the same - a white GT3 RS with red wheels (my real car is the non-RS but it's close enough)

 

Congrats!! Love your story. Post pictures when your toy arrive.

 

Congrats on the order, can't wait to see the pics!

 

Great story, thanks for sharing!
I think many of us here can relate... guess you're in the right place.

This story epitomizes what the Porsche brand is about (for many), it's not just a car and certainly not just a means of transportation or a "look at me" thing...
It's the pursuit of dreams, an inspiration for the conviction which drives us to succeed and a passion that brightens the darker days.

Too much... maybe but it's so much more than a badge, engineering or a perceived status symbol.
It's something you get or you don't and hard to explain to those whom have not experienced it and therefore refer to it as "badge snobbery"... in the end we are all just big kids who get to step into our childhoods "toy" and... actually drive it.

Congrats and enjoy, hope you get it soon!

Cheers!

Sid.

 

Congratulations! Enjoy and post pictures when you get it!

 

Thank you, very kind.
Yes, there is a lot of that. But there is more for some. For me, it's the engineering almost more than anything else. I'm an engineer myself - electronics - and I started one of the best known aerospace companies specializing in high tech glass ****pit instrumentation for non-type certified aircraft more than 10 years ago (Non certified means we can be at the cutting edge without too much interference from bureaucrats).

So the 991 fits this criteria better than any 911 Porsche before it, even better than any car I can think of since it is not the level of engineering that counts - it's the way it is completed. Engineering is at its best when you don't know its there. I appreciate what Porsche has done and value it highly.
The fact that the seed was planted with a toy car - well, that just adds to the whole experience. And that is exactly what it is - an experience that has lasted half a lifetime and is only just beginning.

Rainier

 

I'm also an engineer, and have long admired German engineering. All of my cars except one have been German, and Porsche magnificently illustrates how well German engineering turns out when applied to sports cars.

Countless times after driving my 911, I've said to myself that getting it was one of the best investments I've ever made, and that Porsche likewise deserves all of their abundant profit margin.

There is no substitute!

 

Yes, quite !
But there is a but. Engineering aside - one of my biggest concerns is that this is going to be the first car I own where I can't open the bonnet and marvel at the engine or get stuck in easily for a service or some tinkering.
That is going to be something to get used to. That will be hard on me.
If it turns out I can't stand the thought, I'll just have to get one of those hydraulic hoists - they are not that expensive, already checked

Rainier