986 Haters

[marcoc]

I am fairly quite on all forums I belong to, with a 5 year old and 5 month old my time is taken up but I needed to say something and see if others get the same. I have owned my 2001 Boxster S for 2 years now (64k miles). I always loved Porsche and wanted one so when I saw the Boxster prices under $15k for an S in pretty good shape I decided to sell my 1999 Mustang Cobra and look for a Boxster. I did many repairs and upgrades and the my car is pretty well sorted now, mostly completed by me. I have been a PCA member and attended some meetings/events but not everyone, who has time for that? So here is my rant- I am 36 years old but l could pass for 30 and I feel the Boxster hate from other Porsche guys. Sorry I cant afford a GT3 and spend 5 grand on seat stitching but I am an enthusiast. To me I like 924's to 964's and all are Porsches no matter what. I seem to get the cold shoulder from many other Porsche owners, honestly they say Porsche owners are snobs and I see it. The Mustangs guys are alot more accepting as are Toyota guys (another interest of mine). I didnt buy the car for hanging out with other owners but the camaraderie is part of the ownership of a marque. Is it because I look young? Is it because I drive a $15k Boxster? Whats up with PCA members at least in my region? I have tried talking to guys at meetings and some are cool but the majority aren't. Will the 986 hate every go away?:ah:

[BIGJake111]

Porsches in general have a selection bias and attract a certain owner. We can be pretty judgmental people in general. We have pre conceived notions about how things should be. That’s why we buy a car that’s mid engine and manual. As it should be. We have high standards and rank things in our lives against such.

This ties into people. I don’t think porsches owners will particularly hate on members within a group for what they drive. But I could see discrimination on other factors being very present.

[marcoc]

I know some guys see the 986 as the "poor mans porsche" but it hasnt been "cheap" to repair in my book. Is this a reason is that its an "entry" level Porsche? last time I checked it has the crest on the hood and saved Porsche in the 90's. Maybe I just need to deal with it and hang out only with 986 guys lol.

[kk2002s]

Porsche certainly is a high end label, with all the snobbery that some people feel they are entitled to. Porsche marketing doesn't help either.

986er need to rise up and crush the 911 elite class once and for all. Burn all the air cooled flat sixes to the ground

There is strength in our numbers. That is probably why we are the low Porsche on the totem pole, they built so many 986s

All you can do is enjoy the ride

[husker boxster]

I owned Porsches for 7 yrs before I joined our club and only joined because I needed to be a member to do DEs. I heard stories about nose high attitudes and a dislike for Boxsters or someone who wasn't "rich" (in general, not specifically to my local club) that gave me reservations about joining. I could not have been more wrong in my assumptions. We have a great club with a diverse income background and car collections. Everyone gets along and we all rub elbows at events. Maybe it's a Midwest thing, as we're known as friendly folk. Regardless, I'm sorry I didn't join sooner as some of my best friends are club members.

Might try to give everyone a chance, interact with everyone and see who's open. Then hang with those folks. Who wants to hang with snobs anyways? But give everyone 2-3 GOOD chances before writing them off. Maybe you caught them in an unusual moment. Take the high road and don't assume you're getting attitude. Rather than discussing which particular car everyone has, maybe ask where they have theirs serviced or how they drive it or a new model that's coming out - something less car specific to get the conversation going. Find some common ground and go from there.

You might also try becoming active on the club's board. Pick a job that's interesting to you and see if you can get elected to it, maybe social chair. Infiltrate the inner structure and then work to make the board more inclusive. Suggest events like fun runs or low key social activities, etc. That may help the openness filter down to the members.

[marcoc]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

I owned Porsches for 7 yrs before I joined our club and only joined because I needed to be a member to do DEs. I heard stories about nose high attitudes and a dislike for Boxsters or someone who wasn't "rich" (in general, not specifically to my local club) that gave me reservations about joining. I could not have been more wrong in my assumptions. We have a great club with a diverse income background and car collections. Everyone gets along and we all rub elbows at events. Maybe it's a Midwest thing, as we're known as friendly folk. Regardless, I'm sorry I didn't join sooner as some of my best friends are club members.

Might try to give everyone a chance, interact with everyone and see who's open. Then hang with those folks. Who wants to hang with snobs anyways? But give everyone 2-3 GOOD chances before writing them off. Maybe you caught them in an unusual moment. Take the high road and don't assume you're getting attitude. Rather than discussing which particular car everyone has, maybe ask where they have theirs serviced or how they drive it or a new model that's coming out - something less car specific to get the conversation going. Find some common ground and go from there.


You might also try becoming active on the club's board. Pick a job that's interesting to you and see if you can get elected to it, maybe social chair. Infiltrate the inner structure and then work to make the board more inclusive. Suggest events like fun runs or low key social activities, etc. That may help the openness filter down to the members.

I do go to driving events and make conversation with some here and there, not all are snobs obviously but majority are. With my line of work I can't commit plus a young family time is too valuable.

[zoomster1776]

Some what "tongue in cheek".
911 folks look down on all "non-911" models with the 996 being on the bottom of the pecking order.
996's look down on 986's.
1st Gen Boxsters look down on all other Boxsters
TT 'ers look down on all other 911's
air/oli coolers look down on the "water" cooled (and there is a pecking order within the air/oil cooled folks, someone else will have to clarify)
356'ers look down on every one
people who race look down on the unwashed masses

(Opinions based on 50+ years of owning roadsters and being ridiculed for my choices)(lots of smiley faces)

But we all love our cars... and isn't that all that matters?

[marcoc]

Originally Posted by zoomster1776

Some what "tongue in cheek".
911 folks look down on all "non-911" models with the 996 being on the bottom of the pecking order.
996's look down on 986's.
1st Gen Boxsters look down on all other Boxsters
TT 'ers look down on all other 911's
air/oli coolers look down on the "water" cooled (and there is a pecking order within the air/oil cooled folks, someone else will have to clarify)
356'ers look down on every one
people who race look down on the unwashed masses

(Opinions based on 50+ years of owning roadsters and being ridiculed for my choices)(lots of smiley faces)

But we all love our cars... and isn't that all that matters?

It is what matters but there are many owners that see the Marque as a "status" symbol.
I see some other members agree with my observations.

[redciv1]

Originally Posted by zoomster1776

Some what "tongue in cheek".
911 folks look down on all "non-911" models with the 996 being on the bottom of the pecking order.
996's look down on 986's.
1st Gen Boxsters look down on all other Boxsters
TT 'ers look down on all other 911's
air/oli coolers look down on the "water" cooled (and there is a pecking order within the air/oil cooled folks, someone else will have to clarify)
356'ers look down on every one
people who race look down on the unwashed masses

(Opinions based on 50+ years of owning roadsters and being ridiculed for my choices)(lots of smiley faces)

But we all love our cars... and isn't that all that matters?

I like the observation. Honestly, after having owned different brand, the food chain is there for each make. I am part of Ferrari and Lamborghini forums and the same talk is from owners of older models. For example one of my favorite Ferrari, Mondial 3.2, seems to be the Boxster of Ferrari, with owners noting new model owners not being really receptive. You probably do have a valid point.
I think owning a motorcycle was the best from waving to just talking with different people about riding in general.

[rczap]

I am lucky in that my social circle is part of the R Gruppe, they just love to run their cars hard and have a good time. I have the only Boxster in the group (not an official member) and am accepted as part of the scene. I was even invited by Chris to attend the next Treffen. I just went on an epic weekend with the guys and had a blast. I get good natured ribbing from one or two guys but they get it right back. When I first got it they called it a chick car, now that they see how good this car is I don't hear that anymore!

[fusionist]

Originally Posted by zoomster1776

1st Gen Boxsters look down on all other Boxsters

Wait... are we doing this now? I didn't get the memo. When did this start?

[kirkandorules]

Originally Posted by fusionist

Wait... are we doing this now? I didn't get the memo. When did this start?

I've heard some looking down on 718s, but that's about it.

4cyl

[That986]

Originally Posted by fusionist

Wait... are we doing this now? I didn't get the memo. When did this start?

I tend to find that's the other way round tbh.

[marcoc]

Nice to see a healthy conversation about a topic that most agree on in some way or another. I see some regions are more friendly than others. As far as 986 hate I think any "entry" level car in a what most consider a prestige marque will always be looked down on no matter what. I enjoy my 986 even if its no 991 Turbo although I won't lie I really want a Carrera someday

[zoomster1776]

Like I said Tongue in cheek. It's probably only me who believe that the Gen1 Boxsters were the 'best' Boxsters

[rexcramer]

No, when your right, you're right. Go with it. Long live the Fried Eggs and Amber Side Markers.

Originally Posted by zoomster1776

Like I said Tongue in cheek. It's probably only me who believe that the Gen1 Boxsters were the 'best' Boxsters

[911monty]

This really is a funny thread. The 914 is only just peering over the edge of acceptance after nearly 50 years! You're just gonna have to have some patience cause the rear axle boys are ahead of us, it might be a while. But then acceptance is NOT why I drive mine.

[BFeller]

Originally Posted by zoomster1776

Some what "tongue in cheek".
911 folks look down on all "non-911" models with the 996 being on the bottom of the pecking order.
996's look down on 986's.
1st Gen Boxsters look down on all other Boxsters
TT 'ers look down on all other 911's
air/oli coolers look down on the "water" cooled (and there is a pecking order within the air/oil cooled folks, someone else will have to clarify)
356'ers look down on every one
people who race look down on the unwashed masses

(Opinions based on 50+ years of owning roadsters and being ridiculed for my choices)(lots of smiley faces)

But we all love our cars... and isn't that all that matters?

We have the same tongue in check pecking order for Jeeps. With the square headlight out ones being at the bottom - forever.

[bockster75]

Originally Posted by BFeller

We have the same tongue in check pecking order for Jeeps. With the square headlight out ones being at the bottom - forever.

Love it, jeep guy myself. There's definitely a pecking order with Jeeps as well, although I'm finding more acceptance of the YJ's over the 4dr JK's these days. The guys with the newest JK's, dripping with lifted chrome at the grocery store seem to be the ones who feel they are top of chain. The real jeep enthusiasts (driving the rusty, trail scarred beasts) are the only ones I find myself having great conversations with. Seems boxster owners and old jeep owners have a lot in common. I'm sure it's the same with all enthusiasts not matter what your flavor is.

[That986]

I don't go to any of the PCGB meets in or near London anymore, I think that tells you everything about their attitude.