Mine is not here yet, but I plan to drive it anywhere and everywhere. With my C4S I got a Daily Driver for a period of time and started leaving the Pcar in the garage during bad weather, etc. I will never do that again. I will look for an excuse to go to the grocery store with it - the furthest away grocer I have time to go to. I NEVER allow anyone to drive or valet park my car without me in it. I also park far away from others to avoid door dings (never had one yet). I pay extra for a parking stall downtown at work with that is a single stall with no cars next to me. Enjoy the car - it will depreciate whether you drive it or not, so ENJOY IT!

 

Interesting replies . I can relate to many and address a few points.

1) "Replacement" -- Here's the part I can't replace -- the time and care which the technicians placed into modding it . Perhaps a few Tuners might chime in --I know that sometimes a simple thing like making sure the Techart vent is centered might take up time and in that effort builds an emotional attachment. I am not the only one attached to the car --the guys who worked on it are too and when I see them happy with the result I also see that they remember what it took for them to accomplish each task .

2) Valet -- I think most of us agree with this . I have no choice when visiting an elderly parent who has condominium rules prohibiting self parking for visitors.

3) Door dings and minor paint -- It also seems like all of us do not like them . It is something that I have in the past "lived with" but much like someone stated (paraphrasing) -the knowledge of that sore spot remains .

4) The "end" parking spot -- Yep cuts the risk of ding by 50% .

5) No one mentioned xenon light theft . I had my 02 996 torn apart but an unclean xenon light theif . The 997 is also a candidate in my area .

6) Salt and snow -- I don't have those elements but as someone stated I don't worry as much if I am driving a car with road conditions compared to leaving the car unattended.
I do face hurricanes. I do think of the car too.

7) No one mentioned food -- part of being overprotective = no food in car . Even water for me must be a small sized bottle with a cap to thus avoid catastrope .

8) No one mentioned opening windows -- I despise road filth blowing on myself or car interior .

9) I have considered a garage car cover


10) If my car was leased I would feel differently . Damage to a leased car is still not pleasant but I feel that ownership is a shared responsibility where two parties each have a stake in that vehicle.

Lastly -- I have two other cars . I do not feel protective with either of them . I care about the car but not in the same manner as with the Porsche . The Mercedes --I don't even drive much --my girlfriend drives it . It's well made but boring for me --she likes it . I also have an 07 Honda Civic Si and when I go to the movies or the supermarket I do not even think of the car . Oddly enough -- many people ask about that Honda and it's a fun little car.

 

I am neurotically attached to my car too and some think I am crazy for it. However, you are starting to make me look pretty good! I say lighten up. There are much more important things in life to worry about. Have a bottle of water while you drive - live it up.

 

Mine is a daily driver -- commute every day to work and back. Hell, if it wasn't in a car I loved, I probably wouldn't be working anymore

Mine has winter tires on stock wheels, because it is near freezing here and wet in the mornings (and sometimes even a little snow). I've got car seats in the back for the 2 kids. I'm even on the hook for Sunday morning family groceries, although the load usually fits in the trunk.

I will park in an end spot, and try to get the right-hand end spot too. The car is never valet parked -- they are pure evil.

The car is meant to be driven. After all, I need to wear it out before the 998tt comes out

 

I have a rule...my date is not allowed to bring food or wear clothes in my car. It works great and keep the leather like new. I get out of lots of tickets too.

 

^^^

 

My entire front end is covered with a plastic condom...what does that tell you guys?

And yes, like most of you guys, I hate door dings too so I'd go to extraordinary measures to avoid getting one. I actually find myself "planning my trips" in the Turbo so that I know I'd end up parking in a place that would be safe. It's only when I go on extended road trips where I end up in "questionable" parking lots. I know like many of you guys, I'm not alone in hating valet parking. I'd never do that. I'd just drive my other vehicle instead. So, I guess, I'm pretty neurotic but that's okay, it's my car and I choose to be that way because I love her. I drive and care for her because she's mine not because I'm thinking of the next owner.

 

I did not start out this way. It's my 7th Porsche . Each one before it posed a different contribution towards this attitude of Porsche protectiveness .

1) the 993 --I caught a guy red handed trying to steal it .

2) 993 Turbo -- grocery attendant was in such awe at the car that he accidentally let go of a full cart which dented it.

3) 2000 996 --Keyed randomly .

4) 2002 996- front end destroyed by xenon theives . Soup spilled in trunk . Food no longer allowed.

5)2005 997S -- light stolen so many times I sold the car

6) 2007 997S -- Blemish free --I was already neurotic.Only had the car 5 months.

7) Ans now -- after the education of my past --no longer is my Porsche a daily driver. The care which went into the mods --only enhanced my sentiment towards this car exponentially .

 

Hallelujah! +1

 

WOW, I don't blame you then. Looks like when it comes to Porsches - you have had some really bad luck. I would check your astrology forecast each time before I drove if I had your history! Who knows, maybe I will get worse with my TT too. I have those tendencies too.

 

Porsches are designed to be as fast as anything on the road, yet civil enough to drive everyday. That's what I love about them. I could have bought Italian if I really wanted to, but it doesn't do EVERYTHING like the Porsche does. Just drive it, if it gets dinged, just fix it. If it gets dirty, detail it. You'll enjoy the car a lot more if you put some miles on it.

John

 

Here is my garage queened 2006 997S cab. Blemish free, not a single ding, no scratches, no nicks, no chips, perfectly conditioned leather, Menzerna polished, Pinnacle Sovereign coated paint, Wheel Waxed wheels, tire pressures checked within 1/10th PSI factory specs. Look where it got me. Drive it and enjoy the hell out of it, after all it's a depreciating asset and no amount of babying will change that.

 

Ok, I'll bite, Robert, what the hell happened there?

 

You must have missed my accident thread.

[begin threadjack]Minding my own business one day, going straight down the road and slowing for a stop. An elderly lady in an oncoming car decided to make a left into my car at the exact moment was going by.



[end threadjack]

 

Drive the f***er every moment you can. It is by the far the best daily driver and you worked hard to get it...so enjoy it!