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

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.

ddb · 03-25-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

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.

Just curious, why was it impotant to point out that the folks in the Escalade were "darker color MINORIES"?

Thanks,

ddb

JackG · 03-25-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddb

Just curious, why was it impotant to point out that the folks in the Escalade were "darker color MINORIES"?

Thanks,

ddb

Umm.. because that's what happened? Why do you think this fact should be ignored?

Jack

ddb · 03-26-2006, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

Umm.. because that's what happened? Why do you think this fact should be ignored?

Jack

Hello Jack,

Thanks for your response. I didn't say anything should be ignored. I just asked why it was important to include the "darker colored minorities" description. I think it is a legitimate question.

If you read the thread, several people describe situations where they felt nervous, threatened, or worse. I just find it interesting that not one of these posts included any descriptions of color. So, I wondered why the poster felt he needed to add this to his post.

In addition to my original question, I guess I could have asked the other posters why they didn't feel it necessary to include descriptions of color in their posts.

Thanks,

ddb

Brucelee · 03-26-2006, 05:51 AM

I'd suggest there is no cheese down this particular tunnel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddb

Hello Jack,

Thanks for your response. I didn't say anything should be ignored. I just asked why it was important to include the "darker colored minorities" description. I think it is a legitimate question.

If you read the thread, several people describe situations where they felt nervous, threatened, or worse. I just find it interesting that not one of these posts included any descriptions of color. So, I wondered why the poster felt he needed to add this to his post.

In addition to my original question, I guess I could have asked the other posters why they didn't feel it necessary to include descriptions of color in their posts.

Thanks,

ddb

MNBoxster · 03-26-2006, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I'd suggest there is no cheese down this particular tunnel.

Hi,

Agreed. Let's not turn this into a Liberal SoapBox on the Socio-Economic inequities of Inner-City populations.

In many major inner cities, the minority population approaches 70%. The fact that most inner city arrests involve minorities is not Racial Profiling, it's simply the Law of Averages.

The simple truth is that I'm not too worried about having my Porsche jacked by some Socio-Economically mobile MBA. They're much smarter than to rob one person at a time - they look for economy of scale and rape the economy and corporations (and consequently citizens and shareholders) for millions in one stroke ala Ken Lay.

I'm worried about the guy who wants to jack my Porche and trade it in on a $100 piece of Rock!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Brucelee · 03-26-2006, 07:03 AM

"I'm worried about the guy who wants to jack my Porche and trade it in on a $100 piece of Rock!..."

The consulting firm of Smith and Wesson can provide professional help for a modest cost. However, you must our training course and of course, be licensed in the state of your choice.

www.smithandwesson.com

Adam · 03-25-2006, 04:03 PM

I think the people who mentioned avoiding such neighborhoods and/or putting your top up were offering good advice. Sometimes I like driving with the top up just to block out everything else. It's not hard to operate the top...especially in the boxster. It takes all of 12 sec to raise or lower it.

jr1966 · 03-25-2006, 04:47 PM

just put your top up when you're downtown. or if you can afford it, get a hardtop when driving in urban areas.

mjw930 · 03-25-2006, 05:55 PM

The top down does change the feeling of security a little but simply being in a "target" vehicle is disconcerting enough. Whenever I travel to Miami, Tampa or certain areas of Orlando and Jacksonville I carry 2 weapons, one in the car and one on my person. Regardless of where I'm driving there is always at least one gun in the car. I will not drive a Porsche or any other high profile car without some form of protection. Although I would love to believe otherwise I'm a realist and in this day and age protection is becoming more of a need than a luxury.

OH, and yes, I have had to draw once and it was the difference between becoming a statistic and the bad guys running away.

BTW, I am licensed to carry a concealed weapon in Florida and about 25 other states that reciprocate with Florida for CCW.

Hoosier · 03-25-2006, 06:17 PM

I take my share of ribbing for living in a small town in Indiana but would not trade it for the city life again. A few farmers give me strange looks when I drive into town but I can handle that all right. But I have lived in Pittsburgh - Pitt grad. I have lived in Cleveland and Orlando also and had a Triumph TR6 that drew the same uneasy feeling at times. My small Marine Corp window sticker helped but I always carried a Louisville slugger - funny I never played a bit of ball...

bigislandboxster · 03-25-2006, 06:50 PM

Wow......I can't believe so many people would consider putting their car before their own life! The Boxster is a nice car, but if I was confronted with a gun to the head and somebody wants my car, I say let them take it....the car is replaceable, but my life isn't....Live to drive another day....

MNBoxster · 03-25-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigislandboxster

Wow......I can't believe so many people would consider putting their car before their own life! The Boxster is a nice car, but if I was confronted with a gun to the head and somebody wants my car, I say let them take it....the car is replaceable, but my life isn't....Live to drive another day....

Hi,

You're absolutely correct. The Car means nothing! Save Yourself at all costs, but not through confrontation - it's not your thing, but it is their's.

A lot of Drugstore Cowboys take a few MA classes at the local Strip Mall and think they're Chuck friggin' Norris. But most would fold like a cheap suit if a real confrontation ever came up. You'll never know 'til you're in that situation and that's no place to find out you're not as Bad as you thought you were.

And think about how you will live with it should you ever actually kill or maim someone with a weapon. And for what? A Car? No matter how you try to justify it, I guarantee you'll wish the encounter had been avoided. The best weapon to carry is a cell phone with 911 in the speed dial!

As mentioned, don't visit that part of town, or maybe, your geographic location just isn't conducive to owning a High-end, Flashy, Sports Car... especially if it makes you fearful - is that why you bought a Porsche? Something to think about...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Zerostatic · 03-25-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigislandboxster

Wow......I can't believe so many people would consider putting their car before their own life! The Boxster is a nice car, but if I was confronted with a gun to the head and somebody wants my car, I say let them take it....the car is replaceable, but my life isn't....Live to drive another day....

Yeah, tell me about it, I was mugged once in the Bronx by two guys bigger then me and they put a sharp pick to my throat and wanted my necklace. I let them take it of course, but what really irks me is when I mention it to someone and they say something like, "I would've kicked their @ss" or "I'd never let them take it." Puh-leeze!

With that said, if you are in a car and as long as someone does not have a gun in your face, driving away or having a self-defense weapon isn't such a bad idea.