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

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Originally Posted by 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.

Agreed, love driving mine, on street or on track...

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.

Depends on what you have to do to the car -- mine was bought cheap, lots of mods, and still MAYBE $15k total.

3. OMG. The price of parts.

Realistically these are $50k+ cars with parts prices to match.... However,
if you learn where to shop, you can cut your out of pocket costs significantly.
Also learn how to DIY a few things, and you can keep repair bills in check.

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!"

I don't have that problem -- might be the racing numbers, or the tire marks on the hoods and fenders -- or the 5 point racing harness :-)

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.

This usually only happens in the paddock, just before the session they give me a point by :-) Actually the track folks know these are impressive for the $$.

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.

Mine spits flames when I down shift (cat delete and borla exhaust :-) -- usually garners some respect leading up to stop lights...

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.

I make some joke about fuel economy and super unleaded prices.....

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

I can't out drag my own shadow -- so I let them be my radar detector.....

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.

Borla exhaust drones at <3K, so I'm at 4K+ rpms, can't hear the radio anyway.

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

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Mine's a workhorse -- not a beauty queen.... but I daily drove my previous S for 4 years -- so yep -- she was a looker....

11. Do an HPDE -- and see what she's really capable of .....