Your Best Boxster Story...

[kelly1005]

I was coming out of the grocery store one Saturday right after I got the car and a mid-40s looking guy was looking at it. When I opened the door he commented that it was a nice car and asked what I did that I could drive a Porsche to get groceries. I said "I married a doctor".

I love using that line.

Too bad my wife didn't actually buy the car, she's going to be paying off school for the rest of her life from what I can tell.

[MartinJ]

I posted this (a slightly different version on PPBB) about 7 months ago but I figured some of you might enjou the read.

I have been lusting after Porsche’s for 30 years. The first Porsche I loved was a cute red 924; I was a poor student in England at the time so even considering such a car was out of the question. Just for comparison (the older Brits will know what I am talking about) I was driving a clapped out Ford Cortina with a rebuilt 1.3 Liter engine enlarged to 1.6 Liters with more rust than I care to mention.

The years rolled on I moved to the USA (bought a Mustang), later I test drove a used Porsche 944, and bought a first year VW Rabbit GTI (quite a car at the time) and drove it into the ground, 180,000 miles! Early in my GTI years I fell in love got married had two great kids, bought the Volvo station wagon for my wife, owned a Mercedes 190E 2.6, which was followed by a Mercedes C280. My cars needed four seats and had to be safe and practical (according to my wife) to go with my long commute, during that time my wife had several SUVs (it’s a kid thing). We always looked at various Porsches, my wife and I would regularly go to car shows to look at the latest models. I loved the Boxster prototype and said I will buy one. In 2001 (age 46) I decided to buy a nice car (it needed to be comfortable and carry 4) a Mercedes CLK320 seemed to fit the bill (only 2 doors, but 4 seats), the Porsche would have to wait. In 2004 we completed our westward cross country journey (from Connecticut to California via Utah – another story). Early in 2006 my wife and I decided to buy a fun car for the weekends. One kid out of the house, employed and a home owner, he drives a VW GTI (Good taste in cars that kid, so we did some things right) the other will be in college this year and we have that covered, so early 2006 we test drove a number of fun cars. I lusted after a Porsche and test drove several of them. We also looked at other cars, my wife always loved Corvettes so of course we looked at a number of them, she loved the sound of the V8 but found the car to be a bit frightening, we also drove a SLK350 a Miata (quite a car for the money) and others but none of them sung to either of us quite like the Porsche Boxster, after spending a nice afternoon looking at various Porsche cars my wife said that out of all the sports cars we looked at that the Porsche’s were classy, glued to the road, solid stable and nimble, we agreed to look for a 2003 (or newer) Boxster S. We even discussed buying new and spent a few evenings together playing with the Porsche configurator, we both decided that Carrera White was the color for us with either a grey or brown interior, A few weeks later my wife became ill and died (we had been together for 24 years), I did not get the Porsche in the spring as planned. Late summer I started to look for a Boxster (again) it was tough to find one with the right options, I had waited 30 years so I would take it easy and find what I wanted (this board was a great source of info). Saturday September 2, 2006 after test driving some used Boxsters I bought a slightly used 2006 Boxster S, the previous owner had it for 4 months. The dealer called me the week earlier to say that it was coming in (it was a bit more $, than I intended to spend) but he said I had to look at it. The first time I saw it I knew I was going to buy it, It was configured almost exactly the way my wife and I had built one on the WEB, the only additions were a sport shifter and 19 inch Sport Design wheels. The sales guy I was working with had had it cleaned up and asked the service manager to leave it in the repair shop until I came in (he wanted first dibs on the car for me). After a brief test drive and a little negotiation the car was mine. After we shook hands another sales rep approached my guy and wanted to let another couple take it for a run – too late it was mine, fate (my wife?) had intervened. I took my daughter with me to pick it up; she drove me to the dealership. She got a definite case of permagrin just sitting in the car. She has to learn to drive a shift before she can drive it, I am not sure she will learn in the Boxster! When I got in the car to drive it home I wished my wife was with me but I knew my wife was smiling down on me, she would have loved this car. She had learned a lot about cars while we were married and the last car she drove was an 05 BMW 325i with the sports suspension, she loved that car, she did not drive fast but she loved the way it handled. The drive home was a great experience top down all the way (40 miles mostly at highway speeds).

Sunday mornings when the weather is nice I like to drive top down (even when it is 45 degrees) through the winding mountain roads where I live (Northern CA). Driving through the mountain roads (mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear) listening to some of my favorite tunes with the wind in my hair is wonderful. This morning I took the car out for one of my favorite twisty runs, I played one of the CDs my wife loved, I know that she would have loved the morning runs.

In the last 7 months I have really learned a lot about driving this car (I’ve driven it about 3,000 miles, it is not my daily driver), the engine roar between 5K to 7K is really satisfying and pretty fast on even in 2nd gear on the roads in my neighborhood. I plan on doing some autocross with PCA latter this spring so I am looking forward to improving my skills. At the same I have found piece with what happened and with God, I am looking forward to moving forward with my life, I spend less time at work, made some new friends, savor early morning drives in my Boxster and a nice glass of wine before I go to bed.

Buying a Porsche is a special event, it is not up there with getting married and bringing up a family, but if I could change one thing, it would be to have lived a few more adventures with my wife. To all those of you who are waiting to buy a Boxster, make sure you take care of your family, but buy that Boxster you have been looking at and enjoy it while you can.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

@MartinJ - My condolences for you and your Family's loss. Your story was heartwarming and in my book ranks as the best one yet.

I have only been with my wife for 11 yrs., married for 8. As I was already 45, and my wife on the rise in what has become a very promising career, we chose to forego having children. To concentrate on each other.

But, I was fortunate to have raised 2 wonderful girls from a past relationship. We're all still very close. Our oldest Girl was 2 when I came into her life and the youngest was 13 mos. - born 8 mos. after her Father was killed in an auto accident. I raised those kids 'til they went to college and was always called Dad as neither had any memory of their Father. Now the youngest, Mina, just having finished her surgical residency, is getting married in June in Chicago, and I'll be taking her up the aisle, as I did her older sister.

My wife travels for a living and is away 6 mos. of the year in 2-2½ week intervals. When she's away, even though we speak usually twice a day, the house gets quiet and so many things I wish we could do together have to be sacrificed for the job she loves. I couldn't help but relating to some of your passages about your wife and how much you appreciated her. I have the same feelings for Brenda. I can't imagine how difficult it has been for you, and as my wife is 9 yrs. my junior, hope that I never will learn.

My wife wasn't at all into cars when we met, in fact she used to remark "what am I doing with you? I've never been into a Car Guy before..." I reminded her that opposites do attract.

Now she's totally into cars and encourages my hobby tremendously. We regularly attend Car Shows, do rallys and Gymkanas, or just hop in and go where the road takes us. She even did her 1st Auto-X last year and loved it. Our years together have been the most wonderful part of an otherwise pretty wonderful life for me. I hope that we have many decades together ahead of us.

But, your story reminded me of how much more I need to appreciate her while I'm able. She returns from the WGC CA Championship in Miami on Tuesday, and your words left me wanting for her even more.

Good Luck to you as you move your life along and with your new Boxster. Cherish the memories! From what I've read, I'm sure you have many, many to choose from. Fare Well...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[blinkwatt]

@ MartinJ,

Where in NorCal are you located?

[djomlas]

Martin,
thx a lot for sharing your story with us.
enjoy your boxster

[MartinJ]

Hi Blinkwatt

I live in Nevada City about 68 miles NNE of Sacramento. There are a number of people living around Sac that post on this board and PPBB. Perhaps a little drive is in order.

Martin

Martin, thanks for sharing your wonderful story!

[986Roadster]

thats a funny story....

i goto this one bar, and the waitress is like 50 years older then me. she constantly ask's for a ride. i always shy away and kinda go about my way. this next guy starts coming to the bar, and he drives a very nice bmw done up. well lets just say that they are now best friends....thank the lord, i got rid of her...lol.

so from the old to the young.....

i was at the car wash a couple of months back, and this girl, 50 years yonger then me, comes into the car wash, gives me her phone and says, add your number, while i sit in your car....wow that easy! so as i'm putting my number into her phone, she says now take pictures of me sitting in your car....

now if i could only get one my age or within a couple of year up or down....lol

women love our cars, they find it sexy, i've been told. some have said cute!

[denverpete]

Having sold my house (just after finally getting it where I wanted after 5 years) I finally moved into a new one about a month ago. Unfortunately, the area seems to be full of young couples with strollers everywhere. Suburban hell.

Weather was spotty for awhile so when it finally started hitting the high 60s to mid 70s I was ready to get it detailed and out on the road. As I'm backing out and getting ready to head down the alley I spot a lovely blond in a forest green Z3. (Hmm) She turns down my alley. (Interesting) Then the garage door behind and to the side of me opens (Now we're talking). I still haven't met her (I'm assuming she's single) but I can imagine some fun times in the high country with her Z3 and my Boxster.....

[JAAY]

Roll up to the local friendlys, get out with my girlfriend and orderd some ice cream. The counter girl "is that your car?" I was like yes. She's says can you take me for a ride in it? My girl just looks at me and I didn't say anything.. Counter girl: I'm sorry is this your sister?, Me: Nope my girlfriend Counter girl: well can i still go for a ride.
Me: NOPE. Very funny at the time.

[unklekraker]

I think I should drive alone more often and leave the passenger at home so I could get stories like you guys

[986 Girl]

There have been some really touching and some really funny stories in this thread.. it has been a great read so far!

My best story so far:

I was at an autocross and mid-afternoon came around, and due to the number of competitors I knew I had plenty of time to drive down the street to get some Burger King (I have since sworn off all fast food, yuck).

I pull into the lot, park, and for the first time since owning the car, left my top down. I knew I was just running in and out and didn't have anything in the car (since I was just at an autocross!).

As I'm standing in line I keep glancing out to my car just to make sure she's okay. I guess I said something to myself or was obvious about looking at the car, because this guy standing behind me with a friend of his, around my age (20-25ish) says "Nice car, isn't it?" I say "Yeah, it really is," and give a smile, thinking he was complimenting me. I go back to looking at the menu. After a minute he speaks up again and says "If you give me your number, I might be persuaded to give you a ride sometime."

WTF?! He's trying to pimp me with my own car!!

I blinked a few times trying to figure out what was going on, while he's just smiling away. After what seemed like forever, but was probably only like 15 seconds, I say "Excuse me?" He repeats, "If you give me your number, I'll call you up and give you a ride sometime." I remember thinking that this had to be a joke... who seriously DOES this? I wish I had been more quick with a good comeback, but all I said was "Uh.... that's MY car, so stop trying to pick me up with it." The guy turned BEET red and when I realized he wasn't going to say anything else I Just turned back and quietly stood in line waiting to place my order. He didn't say anything else, but I think I heard him punch his friend in the shoulder or something.

I got a good laugh out of it after the initial shock wore off.