" This is not meant to be an insulting, criticizing or smart *** type post so I want to apologize in advance if it appears as such "

Happiness is a state of mind. We, the fortunate few who lurk or actively post in this forum as Porsche owners drive a car with such wonderful attributes. We experience a sensory overload on day 1 of our motoring pilgrimage i.e. the day we drive back our car from the dealership or even just watching it being lowered to the ground by the enclosed vehicle carrier gives us goosebumps.

In the years past after many miles go by the car loses it's charm and appeal. The paint is no longer shiny, the seats no longer free of bolster wear and we have forgotten the new car leather smell. Then we start thinking about our next acquisition and very reasonably so. But these days in the age of the automotive forums we gain access to such an amazing amount of information. Everyday through these forums, we get to read reviews of new cars (last I checked there were more than 30 reviews for the 991), see shots of cars from amazing photographers, watch youtube links of drag races, private message and ask opinions of the options they have ordered in their personal cars, etc. Now it's hardly been a year or two since you've owned the car, the new car smell if still better than perfect, the clear-bra has not seen it's first rock chip, the car has yet to see it's first oil change, yet we are no longer happy and are already thinking of our next car. Why ? Coz we hear other owners rave about the raspiness of their exhaust, see pictures of a new design of a forged wheel on a website, read on magazine websites about the insane torquiness of the engine on the new model. Now what was a completely harmonious package is now no longer satisfactory. All of a sudden the Carrera red natural leather looks better, the FVD brombacher street exhaust appears to be the only go to choice and yes we swap a perfect car for a turbo and then exchange a TT for a TTS coz our TT does not have PCCB's of course platinum silver on the TTS looks such much better than GT silver that adorned your TT.

As a owner of several P-cars, I browse various sections of this and other forums and I see an increasing trend of owners changing their cars at an alarmingly fast rate. My wife's car is a first gen MINI convertible and I rarely see this trend in MINI owners jumping from one car to another. Porsche certainly would love to have us all enter into Porsche ownership by buying a Cayman then upgrade to a 997S a couple of years later only to then custom spec a TT even before it's time for a major service on the previous car. Yes this helps the economy, the company, the dealers and more importantly fellow Porsche owners who want a CPO'd P-car that is even better than a new car as the engine is now broken in (well sometimes not even that). As a newbie Porsche owner myself, the reason I posted this was to gain insight if this has always been the case with owners of such high performance cars or is this a new trend that can be linked to our foray into automotive forums.

Obviously anyone can chime in but I would love to hear from those who have owned Porsches for several decades. My sincere question to you guys is: Are you keeping your cars less often than you used to, if so why so, are you doing things to it that you previously would never have even imagined like adding a paint protection film and changing a perfectly fine side skirt. To the relatively new P-car owners, how much of your behavior is influenced by these forums. BTW, I've been guilty too. My perfect car is all covered in paint protection film (aka extreme craziness), my perfect stock exhaust is no longer that perfect after I hear the sound of PSE on youtube, the paddle shifters seem so much more racing inspired and a must have although for a DD the shift buttons work perfect when you are sipping a cup of coffee and having a C4S, the ultimate all-weather high performance car, I still contemplate whether I should own the ultimate 997 (GTS vs TTS) even though I know that my car is as good as a GTS, I personally am not a fan of CL wheels, alcantara and am under the impression that the extra 100 hp will be a sure overkill at least for my less than average driving skills. Yes I have no interest in the 991 but will these forums overload me with enough meat that I will eventually succumb.... Bottomline is that I love my stable of cars and each car is unique and is a superb performer in it's own right and I really want to never part with these. Not after how much care I've given them over the months, years.. Yes we can always put to rest an endless mental debate but conjuring up those famous words "Life is short" and go for whatever our heart craves for but we all have great cars to begin with and that's my point. We have so much to thank these forums for as we learn so much on how to drive and care for our cars but is there a dark side to these forums; sometimes I wonder.

One of the pleasures of owning a vehicle is the bonding that one develops over time, but these days I wonder if the so-called auto-enthusiasts ever experience this unique feeling as they are already enamoured by the next best, gotta have car. I finish my post with one final thought to consider as a new year resolution. Let's all be thankful for the car we have and let's all clean it, maintain it, drive it and most of all ENJOY IT.

Here's to a very happy new year


w00t

 

I think forums have little to do with car swapping enthusiasm. A certain percentage of sports car owners always have their eye on the next one, or new wheels or exhaust for this one, or... well, just as you say.

Personally, we always had more to do with our money than we had money so we had nice cars but nothing really high end. Then we retired and I bought Cindy the Acura NSX she'd been wanting ever since she saw an early example behind velvet ropes in Pasadena. I put her name on the title, but she insisted we share it instead of my keeping the sedan we'd had for business.

An odd effect of that purchase: I pretty much lost the charm of reading road tests in magazines. Oh, there were other sports cars out there in the same class, including Porsche and Ferrari and Aston, but Honda was so clearly pricing the car at a level to **** off all those players, it was so clearly an exercise in national pride, that I knew we wouldn't get an equivalent for less than a $140k or so. (And this was in 1999, so figure a lot more now. They did succeed in piquing all the aforesaid manufacturers by the way. The equivalent Ferrari and Porsche models were slugs compared to a gen two NSX. Not that they haven't caught up now.)

But my point is that reading about other cars lost its savor: we had the closest to our personally ideal car already. Why consider something else? Any more exotic and it wouldn't be practical for a daily driver. Any less exotic and all the tire-destroying starts in the world wouldn't make it as fast as that all-aluminum lightweight. Besides, no other car would have been Cindy's dream car.

Then the NSX got wrecked by the dealer. And Cindy couldn't drive by then because she'd had a stroke. I might have given up on sports cars and bought a sedan to be sure she was comfortable in our final car, but she insisted riding in anything hurt, so she wanted me to buy a sports car for me this time. And of course I looked at the alternatives, but really it was going to be a Porsche from the beginning since I fell in love with the 911 sometime around 1967.

And now, after a spurt of research when the NSX died, I don't really care much about road tests once again. I own a Carrera S that's quite comfortable (for me at least) around town, it will go faster on public roads than any sane civilized person would ask, and on tracks I can run down 930's and GT3's and Exiges and make them squeal. Oh, and since the second track day the exhaust sounds like a mature glasspack for those old enough to remember what I mean. The youngsters should picture a powerboat with the underwater exhaust burbling away like a 385 hp kid blowing through a straw to make bubbles.

The bottom line is I can understand and sympathize with people who want to personalize their cars, but in between a dozen beaters we have kept three lovely cars ten years apiece, and it looks like this Carrera is going to be the fourth one. God willing we live long enough.

But I did buy Das Schild for peace of mind while grocery shopping and a custom plate surround in black chrome.

As W00t says, a happy new year to us all,

Gary

 

Fascinating topic, thanks for raising these questions.

Before 2011, I had various MBs and BMWs and generally liked them, but none of them were true sports cars and I didn't try to drive them as such.

Then it came time to replace the E320, which I'd had for a decade, and I wanted to get something "fun" but still practical as a DD and not overly flashy. After trying a lot of cars, including many Porsches, I decided to get a C63 AMG and totally loved it. It re-awakened my enthusiasm for cars, which had been largely dormant due to focus on work, family health issues, etc., especially after I drove it on the track during the AMG driving academy at Lime Rock.

Then we decided that the wife needed a new car, and she was hankering for a convertible. Since I had become a car nut by then, and had started to spend time on the car forums, I pushed to get something sporty. It came down to the M3, Boxster, and 911. The latter two really surpassed the M3 on performance, and we decided to go with the 911 because the "back seat" can accommodate our young daughter.

After driving the C63 and 911 for a while, I decided that I really preferred the 911 as my DD, and my wife didn't like driving the 911 with the top up at night because of reduced visibility (not an issue for me at all), so I proposed that she get another fun car for herself that maybe we could also take on the track. So we went OTT and got a Cayman R. An intense car, and totally blows the idea of not being flashy, but we couldn't resist after we saw it and drove it. Now we're sharing all the cars, so everybody's happy.

Did car forums influence this car binge? I think so, but several factors conspired in it. First, the foundation was laid when the C63 and track experience turned me into a car nut. Second, discovering the joy of Porsches made them irresistible. Third, more family health issues reminded me again that you never really know how much time you'll have on this planet, so best to enjoy while you can if it's not irresponsible. And fourth, the Porsche dealer is right next to my office, so I see these cars all the time. Now the very real danger is that I may want a 991 at some point, but I'm hoping that I can show restraint (I'm thinking that maybe I shouldn't drive it), and at least I haven't been bitten by the modding bug at all.

And yes, you're right that we're fortunate that we're able to drive these splendid cars. I never take that for granted.

A Happy (and Safe) New Year to everyone from me as well.

 

Speaking from my own experience with my own cars, the forums are a huge influence on mods. From learning about new mods, to helping to choose a particular one (ie suspension), I've made many buying decisions based on what I've read here and Rennlist. I bought my first Porsche on my own, but I chose my 944 based on reading Rennlist and my 997 after doing research here and there.
However, I had my first 911 for 11 years and I put over 100k miles on it myself, I bought the 944 in 2002 and don't plan to sell it for at least a few more years, and I plan on keeping the 997 for at least 10 years.

Overall, I think the forums have helped me to not only spend money, but also enjoy my cars and Porsches in general on another level.

 

Interesting topic....especially as i think about getting rid of my C4S. Clearly the best Car I have ever had. THe irony is if it is the best car i have ever had, why am I getting rid of it. If you look at my signature, you can tell I tend to keep cars a long time. My cars all look like new even after 10 years, I have a love affair with virtually every car I own. So what is driving me to get rid of my 911. Well, as I have posted before, I have been on the waitlist for a Fisker for 4 years and the thing is due in March. Somehow, I just can't justify having two 100K cars in my stable that I use at best 1/3 of the time. OK, so the p-car may be 80K or so but its a lot of money that will sit there an depreciate and then take it out on the track occassionally. Ultimately, I think that is why I am thinking of swapping it out for a 2002-2004 C4S....something that has depreciated and something that I won't care about as badly if I bang it up a bit. Plus I am left with some additional cash to buy something else....like 82 SC. So when I look at what you are saying you are absolutely right. There is this desire to be changing all the time once you get in the relm of owning a porsche but in the end I think here is why:

When you own a Porsche, you are actually someone who experiences the joy of driving in a way that people driving other cars can never even appreciate. Once you realize what a major step in drivng pleasure you can get by driving such a car and you find yourself doing things you have never done before, like DEs. You find yourself tuning your stable to get the maximum pleasure out of designated car funds you have. I will garrantee that everyone on this forum would keep each car forever if they had infinite space and infinte funds like Jay Leno and continue buying new ones. However, most don't so we do more swapping....the next best thing. IMHO

 

I have been influenced by this forum to modify my cars, and during that time have learned what works and doesn't work by the experiences of others. Some of the people on these forums can be full of $hit and rave about a product, and others add something and offer no feedback even when it has made a difference.

Over the last 5 years I have owned 3 997's. My first 997, was a 2006 C2S, Arctic Silver, and I was all over it being my long term 911! I babied it, had the fancy wheels, it was a garage queen. Then about 14 months after I bought it, I was rear ended by a garbage truck, damage was $30,000, and the insurance company chose to repair it. I learned immediately that this was just a car, and my relationship with it was over! 6,000 miles and $30K in damage...good bye! So I quickly found myself with a replacement 997C2S, also a 2006, and decided forget the pretty car idealism and take care of it as such, and it became a whipping boy that I often called a "consumable". I drove the car like I had stolen it, pounded on it for around 4 years, treated it harder then most would ever consider threating an expensive machine...I had so much fun with this car, and learned a lot about them! From that experience I learned that this was not the right car for me, so I decided that it was time for the next one. Loving the 997 platform, and looking for the right one, my new car had been available for a number of months, finally I was ready in my mind to make the move (with a little push from my buddy) and sure enough this is the car for me! I ended up with a 2007 997GT3 in GT Silver, and love it. Will I sell it? Yes one day, but not for a long time. I want to drive this car, I mean drive it! Not the drive to work or the store, but at the track were everything happens so much faster that your decisions aren't thought out, but become instinct! These cars are in all forms incredible machines, they aren't the fastest in a straight line, they aren't the best in the corner, but they do everything so well, that on a track the combination of these things but together, these are one of the fastest machines for the track, in my opinion the complete package. I am happy, I love the Porsche 997 for it's beauty, it's performance, the smells that it makes when it starts up, it's sound, and the connection that the driver and the car have with each other.

My state of mind, totally happy, and totally live the 997! Maybe one day I will have a 997 GT3 Cup! Enjoy your cars! They are incredible.

 

I think before forums, we were influenced by car magazines. Growing up in an area where there weren't any real sports cars, my love of cars came from reading C@D, RT, and whatever else I could snag. The mod bug came to me from the mark magazines (excellence). I think the forums are great, because you can get feedback that was hard to come by in days past. I, for one, have always had both the mod bug, and the trade cars bug (CarADD). The forums do allow me to research before I buy a new toy, though there does always seem to be something I overlook until ownership (probably just denial...). I read the FerrariChat 430 section every day. I am a regular at the Lambo G forum. It's a flirtation, and in some ways sobering, as you don't have to read much to realize that dream cars are sometimes not so dreamy....

This is a fun and somewhat incomprehensible hobby. My wife thinks it's crazy. I have more contact on these forums with more folks that share my passion than I could before the internet. Before the internet I got a new-to-me sports car every 2 to 3 years...today, the interval is about the same. I can buy mods more quickly, so that does raise the expense. Still, I believe a knowledgable shop is key to successful mods, even today.

Bottom line - I love car forums - the good, the bad and the silly. I will continue enjoying my current car while searching for the next one until I run out of options, or cash. Each car is a different experience, and that's what I enjoy. Each car either fits, or it doesn't. Right now, I'm commuting daily 20+ miles city and hwy in a C2S cab. It's great for that. I'm moving my company a few miles from my house this spring, so the possibility of something more exotic comes to mind with that short commute. The wife says NO - so I'll continue modding the cab until my wife gives in (she always does). Then maybe it's Lambo time (I've had BMW 2002tii, MR2, 86 carrera, 86 turbo cab , 348 TB, E46 M3, SPF Cobra, C6 Corvette, Sport Elise, C2S Cab - all tons of fun) The G-car is one crazy piece of kit.

On second thought, maybe the car forums do make us change cars more often!

tim

 

I have never owned the same brand of car twice in a row. I've gone back and forth between Hi-PO Mustangs and Corvettes, a lot Nissan Z-cars all the way back to 260Z's, a couple of resto-mods that were never finished, and more than my share of H-D's. I bought my first Porsche (356C) back in the early '80's and spent the next 4 years getting it right (and it was) only to later trade it for a POS Corvette with a bad-*** body kit but no guts under the hood. I bought my current Porsche on a day that I had no intention of buying (or trading my C6 Vette). However, I have found that my Carrera S checks all the blocks for what I was searching for before; some exclusivity, quality build, a dealer I felt comfortable with, power and performance in spades, dependability, and finally the end of looking for the next set of wheels to lust over, much to the relief of my wife. Anytime I drive it I am in my happy place...finally. That doesn't mean that there won't ever be another car in the garage, but I am fairly certain that when that time comes it will be another Porsche product.