I'm new to the forum, and even though I knew I'd be conversing with Porsche devotees, I have to admit I'm kind of blown away by how much money many of the members put into their cars, especially aftermarket mods. So at the risk of sparking controversy, I have to ask, what percentage of forum members actually know how to drive the cars? Seriously, I'm not trying to be a wise-guy. It just strikes me that to invest this much in an automobile and not know the basics of heel-toe shifting, trail braking, or how to hit an apex is kind of like, well, kind of like the PeeWee league football kid who shows up with $100 cleats, fancy wrist bands and an air helmet! I mean, can one really even appreciate the capabilities of these cars without having some of these skills? And please don't think I'm painting myself as an expert, far from it, but at least I know enough to discern when I f***-up an apex or a downshift!

 

Not sure I agree with you (but then again, I've done a decent amount of mods to my car and don't track it). Your logic would imply that mods are only worth it if you have track-level skills (I'm being careful with my words here). Does it then stand to reason that if you don't mod the car then being an average driver is fine? Or should average drivers stick to Corolla's and Nissan's? Maybe a Miata thrown in if you're under 30?
Not trying to give you a hard time, but there are lots of reasons to buy a Porsche, and to personalize it to taste. Some of the reasons include tracking, and building the commensurate skills to excel there. But there are lots of other methods of fulfillment.
Just my opinion.
BTW, I've been an aerobatic pilot, ocean sailboat racing, jumped out of airplanes and raced karts. My family members think I'm an extreme thrill seeker (though I don't). But I'm perfectly content just putt-putt'ing around town in my 997.

 

[Latin accent] It's not how you feel, but how you look... And I look MAAAAVALOUS! [/Latin accent]

 

Points well taken, but why don't you get out on the track? It's a blast to drive a car the way it's engineered to be driven, be it a Miata, M3, or 911!

 

You do look Maaahvelous, I'll give you that.

 

Good question. Guess I just haven't gotten around to it. But if I do, I'll likely go back to a karting or open wheeled school program. OTOH, I'll think about your recommendation. Who know, maybe I'll fall in love with tracking my own car.

 

It sounds like you've been around SoCal a few times...

 

I think there are some common personality traits of Porsche owners one of which is the love to drive. We mod our cars to enhance that love whether it be to show or to go. Doesn't have to be all about maximum utility (track capabilities), but rather about maximum enjoyment.

 

On money notion - there is always somebody with more money out there and this fact alone does not warrant any comments on that person`s way to spend his/her cash, will that be new propeller for their airplane, new paint job on ocean yacht or techart type 4 wing on 911. who cares?

Modding car is same process as dressing for evening out. A heck load of porsche owners may not be 'fast and furious' types as usually it requires certain level of financial stability to afford such a purchase, so, a lot of older folks drive their 911 cars without doing heel&toe. As well as knowledge of heel&toe concept does not automatically warrant 911 car ownership.

Questions like yours are not controversial, they are just not very appropriate in decent adult company. For some $10K may be 'a lot of money', for some - just a fraction of regular monthly expenses. Who cares.

 

Wow UTKINPOL, sorry I offended your decent adult sensibilities.

 

And I disagree about the car mods being just like dressing for an evening out. A nice suit or snazzy jacket is not intended to do anything other than look nice. I would compare fancy mods on a Porsche for show more to wearing a nice suit to the county fair. But sure, anyone is free to spend his/her cash however he/she wants.

 

Nope, did not offend at all. I just expressed my opinion. It`s a free country, so anyone is entitled to have one.

It just would never even crossed my mind, say, to come to Maserati or Lamborgini forum and start to question their right or reasons for ownership based on their owners heel-toeing abilities. I did not mean for my response to sound overly offensive neither but I think I pretty clearly expressed my opinion on this topic.