Do you ever feel vulnerable with the top down? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Brucelee · 03-25-2006, 10:14 AM

Consider what my namesake said in Enter the Dragon...
\

Why don't you just get a gun and .......POW!

Seriously, I have been in the Martial Arts for many years. For the situation you are describing, I would pack heat assuming the local laws allow it.

If not, a stun guy would be my next move, ie a TASER if it is allowed.

With the MA, it will take you some serious time and training to allow you to deal with the situations you are describing.

Or, you could move to a nice town!

Brucelee · 03-25-2006, 10:18 AM

"And that confidence comes from knowing that if needed, you will be able to at least maintain more control of a situation"

This kind of confidence may get you killed in certain circumstances. Frankly, many folks who train in MA are WAY OVER THEIR HEAD in a street situation. Way too often, the other guy is armed or will simply kick the living **************** out of you!

Moreover, if you are stupid enough to get out of your car in a ghetto situation, man, that is the end of the line.

Either hit the gas or hit the trigger.

IMHO!

Porschekid · 03-25-2006, 10:37 AM

Funny you should say that, I had a scary situation in downtown Pittsburgh with the top down last year. I was driving thru the city to the strip district at night and had a couple thuggish kids that were sitting down on the sidewalk start coming towards my car at a pretty fast pace. No cars were coming so I just drove thru the red light to avoid any confrontation. I definately understand what you are saying though. I'm thinking about getting a handgun and a carry permit for this very reason. When I have the top up, my 5% tint all around seems to make people not want to bother me.

delastrodmen · 03-25-2006, 10:55 AM

Also, I find it kind of troubling that you guys are talking about packing heat. The repercussions should be fairly obvious. I'm not a lawyer, nor well versed in Pittsburgh vehicle codes. But I would speculate that most states have similar requirements governing the aspects of keeping a gun in your car. More than likely, you will need a gun permit or concealed weapons permit. And if you have a gun in the car, you will more than likely have to keep the firearm and ammunition in either separate cases, or separate vehicle compartments. This is probably because the fuzz figure the longer it takes someone to assemble their toys, the more time they'll have to think about what they're about to do. It would be a shame to be charged with manslaughter for killing someone who was walking to your car to ask you for a dollar/the time/directions/etc.

I'm getting a feeling that Pittsburgh has some less than respectable neighborhoods. My advice to you guys is to anticipate your arrival to the questionable area, then just raise your top until you're in the clear. Or you could always take a detour. There is more than one route to get to where you're going.

Dr. Kill · 03-25-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Either hit the gas or hit the trigger.

IMHO!

Indeed. You want to avoid confrontation at all costs in this situation - hit the gas. You have nothing to gain by staying to fight it out - even if they have damaged your car already.

However, if you can't get out of there, and your life (or God forbid your wife's) is in danger, you want the best possible edge you can have - a .45 in my opinion.

Brucelee · 03-25-2006, 12:48 PM

"However, if you can't get out of there, and your life (or God forbid your wife's) is in danger, you want the best possible edge you can have - a .45 in my opinion"

Yes, as they say, dead is forever!

RandallNeighbour · 03-25-2006, 01:33 PM

When I become fearful of carjacking with the top up or down, I put my hand on my S&W 9MM. That always calms me down.

I wasn't born a Texan, but I got here just as soon as I could.

Brucelee · 03-25-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

When I become fearful of carjacking with the top up or down, I put my hand on my S&W 9MM. That always calms me down.

I wasn't born a Texan, but I got here just as soon as I could.

Is that why they call the Cowboys AMERICA'S team????????????

blinkwatt · 03-25-2006, 02:11 PM

Weird that this thread came up. A couple of months back my friend and I were at a stop light in his car next to a Escalade(full of darker colored minories). The passenger in the Escalade rolled down his window and stared at my friend who was the driver. As soon as the passenger opened his door my friend floored it. Either way if they were kidding or actually about going to try and rob us,its stupid.

docdyh · 03-26-2006, 04:08 AM

Cleveland is similar to Pittsburgh..Fortunately I live in the suburbs, but am always cognizant of what part of town I am in...haven't felt the need to protect myself, but I do stay away from certain areas...esp. in a porsche..that is when its time to pull out the daily driver-my chevy truck...

docdyh · 03-26-2006, 04:09 AM

by the way, it is legal in ohio to know carry a gun with permit, but that doesn't appeal to me at all.

mquillen · 03-26-2006, 05:25 AM

In martial arts class, we asked our nth degreed instructor the best way to defend against a knife, and I'll never forget his response,"First rotate 180 degrees, then put one foot in front of the other in rapid succession." Obviously, the first thing is to avoid confrontation. As pointed out by DBTH, try to always be aware of your potential for an evasive maneuver. When you pull up to a stop, leave distance between you and the car ahead, try to be on an outside lane. As for pepper spray, if these guys are confronting you, what do you think the odds are of them having a gun--duh, 99.9999%. Good luck with your pepper spray. Even if you have a gun, it is only a last resort--your gun against their 3 guns is bad odds, and to some of these guys, getting shot is just a rite of passage. Never get out of the car, no matter what they've done to it. Get outta Dodge (not outta the Porsche).

Brucelee · 03-26-2006, 05:49 AM

You have a wise MA instructor. Many are not that smart and would advise you to fight back first!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mquillen

In martial arts class, we asked our nth degreed instructor the best way to defend against a knife, and I'll never forget his response,"First rotate 180 degrees, then put one foot in front of the other in rapid succession." Obviously, the first thing is to avoid confrontation. As pointed out by DBTH, try to always be aware of your potential for an evasive maneuver. When you pull up to a stop, leave distance between you and the car ahead, try to be on an outside lane. As for pepper spray, if these guys are confronting you, what do you think the odds are of them having a gun--duh, 99.9999%. Good luck with your pepper spray. Even if you have a gun, it is only a last resort--your gun against their 3 guns is bad odds, and to some of these guys, getting shot is just a rite of passage. Never get out of the car, no matter what they've done to it. Get outta Dodge (not outta the Porsche).