why are all these people buying Porsches?

[mountainman]

I just finished a 2,000 plus mile drive covering 6 states in as many days. During the entire drive, other than the ones we were driving, we saw 2 Porsches, one on the road and one in a carport. I know they are out there, but why aren't they being driven? Is everyone buying them for a status symbol or what? One of the very most fun cars to drive on the planet and they are sitting in garages. I currently own 3 and log close to 50K per year on them. I just cannot imagine owning one and not driving it. Like being married to a super model and not......well you know.

[recycledsixtie]

I totally agree with you Mountainman. I believe a lot of folks here do not drive their P cars for two reasons.
1. They get salt on them and are afraid of them getting rusty.
2. Perhaps a greater chance of an accident in the winter weather.

I did however see a newish 911 Turbo being driven in slush the other day. I was quite surprised. When I drive my Boxster around I very seldom see Porsches in winter in this city of a million people.

Even going to Palm Springs Ca. recently I hardly saw any. I am on my third winter of driving my Boxster and I would say it is holding up well except for a few rock chips on the front. I try not to think what is being done to the underside and suspension but at least it gets driven regularly.
This is an example of salt and crud on the car before a carwash!
Guy.

[dbear61]

Originally Posted by recycledsixtie

I totally agree with you Mountainman. I believe a lot of folks here do not drive their P cars for two reasons.
1. They get salt on them and are afraid of them getting rusty.
2. Perhaps a greater chance of an accident in the winter weather.

I did however see a newish 911 Turbo being driven in slush the other day. I was quite surprised. When I drive my Boxster around I very seldom see Porsches in winter in this city of a million people.

Even going to Palm Springs Ca. recently I hardly saw any. I am on my third winter of driving my Boxster and I would say it is holding up well except for a few rock chips on the front. I try not to think what is being done to the underside and suspension but at least it gets driven regularly.
This is an example of salt and crud on the car before a carwash!
Guy.

Salt + water + iron = ferrous oxide, or rust. Salt may preserve meats, but it destroys cars. And in the Northern climes, salt is what is used to melt snow and ice from the roads.

Since I purchased my 01 S a couple years ago, it has been my DD through October each year, and tucked away under a cover from November to mid-April (or maybe later based on the Winter we're having this year).

This past Autumn, I upgraded my Winter vehicle from a 99 Acura CL with 192K miles to an 05 BMW 330 coupe with only 43K miles... so Boxster may be only a sunny-DD this year.

DBear

[Dave S.]

Last weekend I had to winch a Suburu Outback out of the ditch along side our private road because he couldn't make it up the steep icy hill to our house and slid off to the side of the road. I've got four 4x4's and my Boxster. No need to drive it in the winter around here.

[mountainman]

Didn't mean in the winter. The recent trip we took was in the south, no snow, ice or salt, no Porsches on the road but ours. In general we rarely see Porsches on the road and we drive lots of miles winter, summer and thru many states. One of ours is a C4 bought specifically for winter driving. After all, they race these cars in ice, snow, mud and everything else. I just find it hard to believe that someone who owns a Porsche and enjoys driving it could walk past it to drive anything else. Unless I am going to lowes for a load of lumber, when I go my Porsche goes. As they say, life is too short to drive a boring car.

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by mountainman

Didn't mean in the winter. The recent trip we took was in the south, no snow, ice or salt, no Porsches on the road but ours. In general we rarely see Porsches on the road and we drive lots of miles winter, summer and thru many states. One of ours is a C4 bought specifically for winter driving. After all, they race these cars in ice, snow, mud and everything else. I just find it hard to believe that someone who owns a Porsche and enjoys driving it could walk past it to drive anything else. Unless I am going to lowes for a load of lumber, when I go my Porsche goes. As they say, life is too short to drive a boring car.

I am with you a 100%. I am sure when I come to sell mine the body may not be in the greatest of shape,the underside will likely be pitted etc but it is a fun car year round. My wife laughs at me when I don't take it out if there is more than 3 inches of snow but I have never been stuck yet in the three years of ownership. Life is for living. This car makes my life more enjoyable year round.G.

[RawleyD]

Originally Posted by mountainman

Didn't mean in the winter. The recent trip we took was in the south, no snow, ice or salt, no Porsches on the road but ours. In general we rarely see Porsches on the road and we drive lots of miles winter, summer and thru many states. One of ours is a C4 bought specifically for winter driving. After all, they race these cars in ice, snow, mud and everything else. I just find it hard to believe that someone who owns a Porsche and enjoys driving it could walk past it to drive anything else. Unless I am going to lowes for a load of lumber, when I go my Porsche goes. As they say, life is too short to drive a boring car.

Same here in SW Va, I drive everywhere in mine and very rarely ever see another Porsche. I've seen a couple Cayennes, and a couple Boxsters.

It makes my little yellow eye-catcher that much more special.

[Rob175]

My (almost "mint") 98 Boxster is my second car and it stays inside, waxed, spotless and covered when I'm not driving it. When I DO drive it the sun is always shining. So, living in Chicago the car stays inside for at least 4 months a year. I typically drive it about 5,000 miles a year and hope to keep it for at least another 10 years ...... LOL, it will be an "antique" by then....LOL.

I'm fortunate to have a nice choice of "toys" to play with in the nice weather....Boxster, motorcycle & airplane......I know I'm fortunate ..... but I'm also a "clean freak" so I spend a lot of time cleaning, maintainiing, and waxing....lol...lots of surface area.

[mountainman]

We have noticed the scarsity of them on the road all times of the year and all types of weather. My wife thinks it is noteworthy any time we see one being driven

[Perfectlap]

They are a dime a dozen here. In my previous gated community (not nearly as fancy as it sounds but definitely way over-priced space wise) I counted four Boxsters, a Cayman, three Cayennes and one 968. We're talking about three square blocks at most. Just down the corner there was another Boxster and a few blocks in the other direction a 997 Turbo.

Whenver I want to remind myself of just how many water-cooled Porsches there are for sale right now I log onto Autotrader and search for 1999-2013 Porsche. On Carreras alone the volume is staggering. Then you toss in all the Boxsters/Caymans, Panas and Cayennes on top of that with plans for a new Maccan as well? Unbelieveable. Yet most buyers won't touch any of them. LOL

[teleski]

I see dozens if not hundreds of P cars, most late model, every day. I do of course live in their largest US market. You could move here if you're feeling lonely?!

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by teleski

I see dozens if not hundreds of P cars, most late model, every day. I do of course live in their largest US market. You could move here if you're feeling lonely?!

Trade the north Carolina mountain roads for city traffic? Tempting, but I don't think so.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by mountainman

Trade the north Carolina mountain roads for city traffic? Tempting, but I don't think so.

Don't forget toxic Chinese pollution blowing over. We know about that here.

[woodsman]

My car's special to me. I don't even drive it in the rain- I have another vehicle for that. My Porsche is special to me and I enjoy it more by saving it for pleasure-only, perfect weather drives. I like it to be clean and perfect- a prized possession. Sacred, not mundane....

[BIGJake111]

I see many panameras here in South Carolina assuming because engineers love them, as for boxsters I will see 3 while out at most.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by teleski

I see dozens if not hundreds of P cars, most late model, every day. I do of course live in their largest US market. You could move here if you're feeling lonely?!

I agree, I see them everywhere in LA. Almost every weekend there is a Porsche cars and coffee meeting somewhere nearby if you're lonely.

[schnellman]

Last summer I drove from Ohio to California and back. I crossed IN, MO, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, UT, WY, NE, IA, and IL. I saw a total of one, yes, one Porsche on the highway, a beautiful 356.

[vath2001]

Originally Posted by schnellman

Last summer I drove from Ohio to California and back. I crossed IN, MO, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, UT, WY, NE, IA, and IL. I saw a total of one, yes, one Porsche on the highway, a beautiful 356.

Good to hear that someone drives his car... and does not just own a museum piece that sits in a garage.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by teleski

I see dozens if not hundreds of P cars, most late model, every day. I do of course live in their largest US market. You could move here if you're feeling lonely?!

Mine came from LA. Long Beach to be exact. Owner must have been way east side. Hood and windshield and lights were like sand blasted.

[eli cash]

My car is special to me. It's the only means I have to travel multiple miles.