How do I say it?

[randy7601]

Newbie question. My 2002 Boxster is a 986. I get that part.

But is it a "nine eighty-six" or a "nine eight six?"

[BugsFerBrains]

…well, it's early, am done sleeping, so I might as well be one of the first to respond.
I've never referred to my 911 as a 'nine-one-one', it's always been 'nine-eleven',,, so I would say the correct pronunciation would be 'nine-eighty six'. We'll see………..

[Giller]

It actually is an interesting question for us relative Porsche newbies. I get the 9-11 reference, but I've always called mine a 9-8-6 and probably always will. I like how it sounds. But love to hear what the proper pronunciation is.

[Luckyed]

I would think either would be recognized and neither sounds awkward to me.

[Flavor 987S]

Call it a "BOXSTER". No one knows what a 986, 987 or 981 are.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Flavor 987S

Call it a "BOXSTER". No one knows what a 986, 987 or 981 are.

Nope. It's only 9-8-6 for me
No one I can think of would know "Boxster" any more than they would know "986".
At least people know what a "Porsche 9xx" is.
Nobody knows what the heck a Boxster is and 986 sounds way cooler

It's been my experience that more people associate Porsche models with numbers rather than names.

[John N]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Nope. It's only 9-8-6 for me
No one I can think of would know "Boxster" any more than they would know "986".
At least people know what a "Porsche 9xx" is.
Nobody knows what the heck a Boxster is and 986 sounds way cooler

It's been my experience that more people associate Porsche models with numbers rather than names.

I'll have to agree with you on that one. When people find out that I bought a Porsche and ask what it is, I also say nine eighty six. sounds cool and fast. When I say Boxster, I think of boxy like a the older Volvos or the Sportster the cheap Harley.

[Slate 01]

9 ATE 6, that looks sexual however

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by Slate 01

9 ATE 6, that looks sexual however

kinda does, doesn't it. I like to think of mine as a Nine Eight Six Essss

[BIGJake111]

9-8-6 similar to 9-2-8.

Maybe the rule is that if the numbers are the same. 9-11 9-44. Which the 9-14 and 9-12 don't apply. 9-2-4. I feel that 9-8-6 seems more fitting.

[Flavor 987S]

No one says they have a 993, or a 996 or a 997 or a 991. People would look at you like....WTF????

Only people in the "KNOW" will actually know what you're talking about. Everyone knows what a 911 is. And the crowd above all say "911" when asked.

That's why I recommend you say "Boxster". No one knows what a 986, 987 or 981 are. They know Boxster.

[RandallNeighbour]

Flavorman is spot on. We can talk numbers with each other all day long because we're an insider's group of owners.

BTW, I have never heard any Porsche owner call it a nine eighty six. It's always nine eight six or nine eight seven. If you said that to me I'd probably laugh a little and give you a hard time about it.

[The Radium King]

don't think the op was asking whether people would 'know' what you were talking about. he asked about 9-8-6 vs 9-86. valid question given the disparity in tradition throughout the years.

I think it has to do with how quick it is to say:

9-eleven faster than 9-one-one
9-nine-three faster than 9-ninety-three

9-eight-six faster than 9-eighty-six

same reason the French can't win a war - takes them too long to say 'duck!'.

[Nine8Six]

I've told someone it was a Nine Hundred and Eighty Six type model from Porsche Stuttgart once.... loll you should have seen his face for a second. He never spoke to me ever again... just dunno what to say

Was sunny that day, all I remember

[kk2002s]

So as not be thought of as a Hair dresser
I call it a Porsche Roadster

[randy7601]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I just don't want to sound like a newbie when talking to another Porsche driver. For everyone else, it's a Boxster!

[JayG]

Nine eighty six and nine ninety six
Nine eleven
Nine fourteen

YMMV

[Topless]

Nine oh four
nine oh eight
nine seventeen
nine two eight
nine four four
nine six eight
nine nine seven
nine eight six
nine eight one

In the end it really doesn't matter. Choose one and roll with it.

[CraigM]

Ok, slight thread jack, how about PIWIS? Only seen it written, and it may come out a little weird if I say it wrong...
Reminds me of the time I ordered an "Orangina" too early in the morning and got quite a look from the poor cashier.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by CraigM

Ok, slight thread jack, how about PIWIS? Only seen it written, and it may come out a little weird if I say it wrong...

That's easy. It's the Pee Whizz.