Do you ever feel vulnerable with the top down?

[Brucelee]

"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

[mtch]

Perspective is a funny thing. I happen to be a “darker colored minority”, and I laughed when I saw the post. I don’t blame anyone for fearing for their safety in less that ideal situations, because fear is what keeps us alive. I am in the nuclear industry, and most nuclear facilities are located in rural southern and mid-western areas. Being from a major metro area in the north-east, I get the same uneasy feeling when driving top down on the beautiful country back roads of the south (for which the Boxster was made) that some of you get when driving the urban areas across the country. My fear, which is that a jealous, uneducated, lowlife (often of the mountain or backwoods bred lighter majority) will look at me and either have a problem with me being in a Porsche, with me being in their neck of the woods, or both.

Like anyone with common sense, I always attempt avoid confrontation, and like many of you, I keep a couple of close friends with me at all times. Mr. Carl Walther is always on my hip and Mr. Gaston Glock is usually on the passenger’s seat whenever I take Mr. Ferry P. out for a drive.

[ddb]

[QUOTE=mtch] Being from a major metro area in the north-east, I get the same uneasy feeling when driving top down on the beautiful country back roads of the south (for which the Boxster was made) that some of you get when driving the urban areas across the country. QUOTE]

mtch,

I too have experienced the same uneasy feelings while driving my Boxster top-down on similar roads. Unfortunately idiots exist everywhere.

Thanks,

ddb

[Brucelee]

Regarding tournament karate!

"Boards don't hit back!"

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by mtch

Perspective is a funny thing. I happen to be a “darker colored minority”, and I laughed when I saw the post. I don’t blame anyone for fearing for their safety in less that ideal situations, because fear is what keeps us alive. I am in the nuclear industry, and most nuclear facilities are located in rural southern and mid-western areas. Being from a major metro area in the north-east, I get the same uneasy feeling when driving top down on the beautiful country back roads of the south (for which the Boxster was made) that some of you get when driving the urban areas across the country. My fear, which is that a jealous, uneducated, lowlife (often of the mountain or backwoods bred lighter majority) will look at me and either have a problem with me being in a Porsche, with me being in their neck of the woods, or both.

Like anyone with common sense, I always attempt avoid confrontation, and like many of you, I keep a couple of close friends with me at all times. Mr. Carl Walther is always on my hip and Mr. Gaston Glock is usually on the passenger’s seat whenever I take Mr. Ferry P. out for a drive.

Uh, I am staying out of the whole race discussion. Mtch - I find your post very interesting, or disturbing maybe. You work at a nuclear facility and you can show up to to work with two handguns?

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge supporter of the second ammendment, but what kind of security do you guys have at that place?

[luxury1]

I think the clear theme is to avoid the situation in the first place. I actually love driving in the city because there is so much more to look at (I live 30 minutes out in the burbs) but driving in the city might not be the best idea if traffic is heavy.

One other tip I thought I would share is my timed approach to lights. If the upcoming light is red I approach it slowly. If I can stay rolling or at least minimize the amount of time I am sitting idle, it reduces the time a situation might develop (as I think we would all agree that it is sitting when you are subject to the biggest risk).

[mtch]

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

Uh, I am staying out of the whole race discussion. Mtch - I find your post very interesting, or disturbing maybe. You work at a nuclear facility and you can show up to to work with two handguns?

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge supporter of the second ammendment, but what kind of security do you guys have at that place?

I was not trying to turn this into a racial debate either. In fact, my intent was quite the opposite. I was trying to communicate that crime, especially violent crime and theft are usually functions of income, or lack there of , and income is usually a function of education and social status. Where there are poor people with little hope there will be high crime rates. I've been to several Asia, African, and European countries, which did not have more than one race ( at least not in significant numbers). In those places crime still exists. It boils down down to have's and have not's. The have not's want to forcefully take from the have's.

Regarding me carrying at or to my place or work......there are high security and low security areas. No one could get a weapon into a high security area. However, if someone were to have the proper credentials to get into the complex, one would normally not undergo a vehicle search. Additionally, vehicle searches are for explosives and devices that will cause massive amounts damage. No one would find a handgun in a search nor would they really care about someone having a handgun in the car of the parking lot which is always very far from anything important.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by mtch

My fear, which is that a jealous, uneducated, lowlife (often of the mountain or backwoods bred lighter majority) will look at me and either have a problem with me being in a Porsche, with me being in their neck of the woods, or both.

Do you mind if I ask if you've ever really had anything happen? I live in the south, and while I realize that bad things happened years ago, it seems that society has moved on quite a bit. I truly don't know anyone who would give you a second look if you were on a drive around here.

Just curious...

[luxury1]

I had something happen in the back woods of Ohio last week (Southern Ohio near West Virginia). I was driving my Mercedes which is very rare around those parts. I was driving about 60 in a 55 and quickly approached this old pick-up truck that was doing about 40. I couldn't pass and kept a safe distance but all of a sudden he slammed on his brakes so I would either crash or hit him (fortunately I had the engineering of Mercedes behind me and swiftly went around). Him and his friend looked at me and extended a back woods greeting (middle finger) and I just kept going. I drive a lot (about 40,000 miles per year) and this happens a good bit when I am rolling in a nicer car.

[tqtran]

If you are worried about your safty when driving with the top down then I would suggest getting a firearm. I am trained in several Martial Arts but I still carry a gun because I know the law is better for gun CCWers in self defense than "Fighters" in self defense. The line between self defense and assult is too thin when fighting but a gun shot is always self defense unless you shoot the guy in the back.

My personal choice for a life saver :
FN FiveseveN 5.7X28mm
Glock 19 9mm

[Brucelee]

Those are some handsome guns!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression, but if the number of handguns which this group seems to possess is anywhere near representative of a societal cross-section, it is somewhat disturbing.

If this many handguns are in circulation, then IMHO, owning one only deepens the extent of the problem...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression, but if the number of handguns which this group seems to possess is anywhere near representative of a societal cross-section, it is somewhat disturbing.

If this many handguns are in circulation, then IMHO, owning one only deepens the extent of the problem...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I cannot disagree with you more. It is the MISUSE of handguns that causes the problem. Armed citizens who behave in a moral fashion work to actually decrease the amount of violent crime.

I don’t think anyone on this board is the kind of person that would be causing the car jacking. Therefore, they are arming themselves to defend themselves. If everyone did this, there would be very few carjackings I expect as the perpetrators would know they are facing greater odds and would look for easier prey.

The backwards logic of disarmament is scary to me. The only people who would voluntarily give up their weapons are the people who would be using them in a defensive nature – not the people who are committing crimes with them. This exacerbates the problem rather than solving it.

I do NOT want to shoot anyone, but if I think for a second that someone might come into my home and harm my family, and I would NOT be able to stop them because I voluntarily disarmed myself, how exactly have I contributed to the betterment of things? I have not. I would have only martyred my family when I could have protected them.

I will keep my weapons thank you.

[RandallNeighbour]

Jim, now you've opened up a can of worms.

[mtch]

Originally Posted by JackG

Do you mind if I ask if you've ever really had anything happen? I live in the south, and while I realize that bad things happened years ago, it seems that society has moved on quite a bit. I truly don't know anyone who would give you a second look if you were on a drive around here.

Just curious...

I am greatful that most of society has moved on, and that I could drive around where you live with no problems. However, I titled my post perspective because that what it is really all about. How many people on this board have ever been mugged or assaulted in an urban area, yet there is still a feeling of vulnerability in cerain situations. I grew up living in Baltimore and Philadephia, and I feel safe driving top down in many places that many other Porsche owners would not. People can control their actions, but not their feelings. Feelings are based partly on instict and partially on perceptions and beliefs. That's why perspective is a funny thing. Two people will often perceive the same situation much differently.

and to answer the question directly......

Yes it has. At the time, I was stationed in Louisianna, which is the most boring Army base in the states. It was my first weekend there, and there was only one bar in town. I drove to it, and in the parking lot I was met by the (un)welcoming party.

At that time, I did not own a gun, and I doubt I would have had to use one even if I had. It was only 10 pm, and most patrons are not quite drunk enough yet to do something that stupid. Had it been later, say midnight, I may have had a real problem.

As a young Army officer, I was a little miffed because I had recently taken an oath to defend the citizens of this country, yet I was the one in need of defense from some of the very citizens I had sworn to defend.


After that incident, I realized a couple of things. First, was that ignorant and closed minded people exist everywhere and in all groups. No race, ethnicity, or religion is void of it's share of ignorance and lowlife.( as I stated before, crime nd violence are functions of education and income in most cases) Second, was that I was stationed less than 100 miles from Jasper TX. I bought my first handgun a week later, and obtained a carry permit shortly after that.

[Brucelee]

Actually Jim, to me this has nothing to do with property per se. However, if i were sitting in traffic and I perceived that my life was in danger, I would have NO PROBLEM shooting someone who as threatening me.

Now, this is a judgement call but I certainly prefer having the option to use my judgement than to rely on the judgement of the guy climbing into my Porsche who has not been invited.

The issue with gun control is that it only applies to law abiding citizens. The criminals simply laugh, arm themselves and have their way with us.

Not me. If I think I am in danger, that F....er is going down. We will sort it out later but I will be alive to do the sorting.

If that make me a redneck, hey, I am a redneck.

[Adam]

Yikes..shoot first ask questions later? After reading your guys' posts I'm glad I live around cornfields in a small rura, college town in IL. I've never had a problem or perceived one driving around. ...except for the occasional camaro or stang driver that wants to race. I thought driving our cars were supposed to be fun!

[PorscheCrazy]

2 words: Para Ordinance

[SD987]

Either hit the gas or hit the trigger.

Bruce, I must say, it’s a little odd that you’d post comments promoting gun-toting among automotive enthusiasts but discourage people from posting go-fast/street-racing threads? With all the road-rage out there, I think I’d feel safer cruising the freeways surrounded by STi drivers with nitrous then a group of Camry owners packing heat.

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge supporter of the second amendment.

Which part of the amendment? The part that is usually taken out of context from the first part?

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."'

It’s a lot more exciting to think about taking out a gun to gain control of a situation than to contemplate a running gun-battle with someone shooting back at you. The obvious point being that the same permit that entitles you to carry a gun entitles every wackjob in your state of residence to do the same, and if some low-life is approaching your car in a state with little gun-control, it’s naïve to think you’ll be the only one packing. To paraphrase Capt. Willard “Don’t get out of the boat unless you’re willing to go all the way.” Please don’t risk your life in a shoot-out for a 5 year old car with 228 horsepower and RMS problems. Depending on your username, that could be tragic.

In a similar theme I would suggest that all aspiring Cobra Kai members acquire the most important asset in a fight, the ability to take a punch as well as you throw one. If it's been awhile since you've been on the business end of a punch thrown in anger you’ll be likely to turtle like a mutant ninja or lose your ****************, neither of which is going to help you in a fight.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Actually Jim, to me this has nothing to do with property per se. However, if i were sitting in traffic and I perceived that my life was in danger, I would have NO PROBLEM shooting someone who as threatening me.

Now, this is a judgement call but I certainly prefer having the option to use my judgement than to rely on the judgement of the guy climbing into my Porsche who has not been invited.

The issue with gun control is that it only applies to law abiding citizens. The criminals simply laugh, arm themselves and have their way with us.

Not me. If I think I am in danger, that F....er is going down. We will sort it out later but I will be alive to do the sorting.

If that make me a redneck, hey, I am a redneck.

Bruce,

I respect your opinion and certainly the Law (to posses and carry) and many here are on your side.

Not being thoroughly acquainted with all pertinent laws in all states, I don't know what rights a Citizen has in the use of deadly force outside their own home, but I do know that the actions of anyone doing so are held up to the light by a 3rd party (parties) who then judge if the use of deadly force was justified or whether aggravated assualt or manslaughter charges need be pursued. If you have witnesses (and they corroborate your perception of the situation), you may come out all right on the back end. But, not until you've spent at least a couple hours in the Cop Shop or the Hoosgow awaiting arraignment, spent a couple thousand on Bail and Lawyers, and unwittingly increased both your circle of friends and your vocabulary. And, you better hope you don't get a Gun Control advocate as a Prosecutor or a Judge! And what if the Witnesses side with their Home Boy instead of Da Man? That'd make you real popular with the Orange Jumpsuit crowd!

Also, one better be very sure how practiced their aim is in a tense situation (I'm not talking about plinking paper targets on a Range) so you don't bring down a kid skateboarding across the street or an old Lady watering her plants in the Window, or anyone else within 300 yards. Aside from any possible Felony charges, the Wrongful Death Civil Suit, which would surely follow (possibly even from the Perp's family - you drive a Porsche afterall) might make you wish you had chosen another option.

As I said, I respect your views and your rights. But to me, carrying a Gun just complicates many more issues than it solves. Personally, I think I'll stick with Advance to the Rear!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99