My First Six Months With My 986: Ten Things I've Learned.

[Need_for_speed]

I bought my 2000 986 back in January of this year. It immediately went into the local indie shop for a long list of repairs and upgrades, and was finally released to me last May. I've been driving it nearly every day since. As a first time Porsche owner, here's what I've learned:

1. You cannot drive this car without smiling. I know this because my wife, who rides with me frequently, tells me I'm grinning like an idiot. I've let a few of my friends drive my car (trying to be a good Porsche ambassador) and, sure enough, the Boxster smile appears -- usually around the top end of second gear as the tach crests over 4,000.

2. The 986 is a $20,000 car. Regardless of what you paid for it at the outset, you will spend a minimum of $20k on this car. I helped a friend buy a 986 (one of those same friends who drove mine). I warned him. He paid $12K, and immediately put another $5K into it. The next round will cost him around $3K. Pay it now, or pay it later. It's a $20K car.

3. OMG. The price of parts.

4. Exactly 257 people have told me I own a hairdresser's car. I am told this at stoplights, in parking lots, and at the gas station. My response is always the same: I bend over laughing, slap my knee, and say "That's hilarious...never heard that one before!"

5. Exactly 118 people have told me my car is not a real Porsche because it's not a 911. No. It's not a 911. It's better.

6. Guys in big, jacked-up "bro" trucks with off-road tires and too many LED lights love to tailgate me, or pull up within millimeters of my trunk at stoplights and rev the engine.

7. Speaking of trucks, I'm tired of fat, gap-toothed rednecks in beat up Dodge Ramchargers coming up to me at the gas station and asking me if I want to trade cars.

8. Everyone wants to drag race. Everyone. Minivans. Camrys. It's ridiculous. Mustangs are the worst.

9. In all my other cars, I would listen to music or news while driving. I have never turned on the radio in this car. I don't even know if it works.

10. One last thing: I cannot walk away from this car in the parking lot without looking back. Just can't do it.