Boxsters a "chick" car?? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Vicelike · 01-27-2004, 09:08 PM

So not one but two of my buddies offered the POV that the Boxster is a "chick car." They did not mean attactive to chicks... rather designed to be driven by them. "Real men drive 911s" sort of thinking if you follow me.

Well, I got 5 kids and nothing to prove so I am sticking with what I like but I must say I was surprised by the perception.

Anyone else run into this??

Stryke · 01-27-2004, 09:27 PM

May I ask what these friends drive?

Vicelike · 01-28-2004, 04:06 AM

Good question.... one is a car nut... has a BMW m5, a Posche 911 gt3 and a new Vette.

The other guy drives a Mercedes E 55AMG.

FromMiata2Boxster · 01-08-2006, 07:48 AM

I'm the guy who posted the recent "C6 or Boxster". I want to report that I posted that same question on the Corvette C6 forum and got TONS of responses. Yes - there were the "Boxster = chick or hairdresser car" responses... but honestly, many over there ridiculed that reaction and applauded the Boxster for what it is. There is no question the C6 is more straight-line power, and many would say it is a georgous looking sports car. But I've never heard anyone claim Corvettes as a chick car!

Here's another point of view -- the Miata gets that label quite often by ignorant by-standers. My take (and a lot of others') is if one doesn't know how to "drive" the car (Miata, C6, Boxster, whatever) then it will never give you that full satisfaction whether in the straight away, or the hilly twisties. The "girlie" attachment is well deserved if the thing is constantly being puttered around town by the majority of its owners. That isn't to say flogging your base Neon with that ghastly wing makes it "manly".... Perception is based on prejudice, subjective feelilngs, and level of knowledge (or in this case, ignorance).

Anyone who really likes a particular car, but won't buy it simply because fools call it a chick car is the one with a problem. Not the clowns who ridicule the thing!

Doug

Ronzi · 01-08-2006, 08:57 AM

This thread comes up every few months, but it's always fun anyway.
There certainly is a segment of the car-oriented public that perceives the Boxster as a "chick car". This perception is fostered by media references such as one of the characters in the HBO series "The Sopranos" referring to the Boxster as "... a Porsche with panties".
Having owned a 911 from the '80s, I can tell you the Box is a very different kind of car. Much more refined, smoother, more comfortable, much better ergonomics. Maybe that's what makes it a "chick car" compared to the 911. Those old 911s had heavy steering (at low speed), heavy brakes, abrupt clutches, switches and controls scattered willy-nilly about the interior, virtually worthless AC. All the compromises were made on the side of performance, and it kept the 911 from having broader appeal. That orientation was sometime called "the alloy lug-nut syndrome". It was no joke, the lug nuts were light alloy.
The Boxster and, I assume the 996/997, are much easier to live with.

Biz-z Z · 01-08-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronzi

...There certainly is a segment of the car-oriented public that perceives the Boxster as a "chick car". This perception is fostered by ..."The Sopranos" referring to the Boxster as "... a Porsche with panties"....

Interesting. I suppose that would make the Boxster S a "Porsche with a thong."

This marque will always draw detractors. I tend to listen to those critics who have driven both cars and then speak intelligently about the characteristics of each, even when I disagree. The rest are simply contributing to global warming.

Adam · 01-08-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromMiata2Boxster

I'm the guy who posted the recent "C6 or Boxster". I want to report that I posted that same question on the Corvette C6 forum and got TONS of responses. Yes - there were the "Boxster = chick or hairdresser car" responses... but honestly, many over there ridiculed that reaction and applauded the Boxster for what it is. There is no question the C6 is more straight-line power, and many would say it is a georgous looking sports car. But I've never heard anyone claim Corvettes as a chick car!

Doug

Do you have link to the corvette thread? I just would like to see what they said for fun.

Brucelee · 01-08-2006, 05:33 PM

" But I've never heard anyone claim Corvettes as a chick car!"

That is very true!

Ghostrider 310 · 01-09-2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

" But I've never heard anyone claim Corvettes as a chick car!"

That is very true!

Yeah but most kids are done playing with plastic cars by age 10...

chrisg · 01-08-2006, 06:42 PM

Around my parts, most Vette drivers are mid to late 40's women (auto trans mostly, and yes, I check) . Not drawing any conclusions but.........................

The way I look at it(and one of the reasons why I own P cars) Porsches are sports cars and have always been pure sports cars(no apologies for lack of cup holders or plush interiors) and they are also racers and have put most models to that ultimate test from day one.

Not to take anything away from the Vettes of recent, they're a very formidable sports car now, they just don't "do it" for me, nor do I need (or want) mega power for driving on the streets (now if I were chosing something mainly for the track...a C5 or 6 might have prevailed)

I used to see a lot of testosterone displayed by guys with "real bikes" (ie, 750's and liter bikes) at track days a club races, but when you stuck it to them in a corner with your better handling, lighter, yet lower power "girly bike", they piped down. Knowledge plus handling.

Anyway, if you're going to worry about whether or not some (ignorant) person thinks the Boxster is a "chick car", maybe the passion to own one isn't really there. (don't take that negatively, just a thought).

70Sixter · 01-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisg

Around my parts, most Vette drivers are mid to late 40's women (auto trans mostly, and yes, I check) . Not drawing any conclusions but.........................

Anyway, if you're going to worry about whether or not some (ignorant) person thinks the Boxster is a "chick car", maybe the passion to own one isn't really there. (don't take that negatively, just a thought).

I'm sure someone will correct me even if I'm right, But last time a checked a coupla years ago, Corvette ownership was about 50% female. The highest woman owned sports car in the US.

jfmillr · 01-28-2004, 04:32 AM

Well personally I would suggest doing the Twin Turbo Mod and putting all of them in their place when you tear the crap out of them

Thats why I am working on trying to get my 986 up to 475 HP.

Stryke · 01-28-2004, 07:09 AM

Tell your friends that you'll gladly sell your skirt and put up the proceeds towards a 911 and they can simply add the difference!

jfmillr · 01-28-2004, 07:18 AM

Hehe...
Thats another good idea

Vicelike · 01-28-2004, 02:11 PM

Funny stuff

Adam · 01-31-2004, 07:36 AM

I think it's funny when "vette" guys call the boxster a hairdressers car. When I ask them for a reason, they don't reply and just change the topic. Some of those guys are just plain ignorant and closed minded. Some think that any car that doesn't have a fixed roof is a chick car. Probabbly another reason they think this is because the boxster isn't a (big V8 with lots of muscle). Funny thing is, at the vette club I go to every month, half of the drivers are women! Usually the flack boxster guys get is from the domestic V8 crowd. I think they are just mad because they have to look at the cavelier like interior everyday with lots of cheap plastic.

JonnyBGood · 01-31-2004, 03:16 PM

I have both a Boxster and a Pontiac Firebird (V8 350). Quite frankly, they are two different beasts. The American muscle car is all about raw power. Harsh off the line and slams your head back. A lot of torque in that huge V8.

The Boxster is like power with finesse. A refined power that doesn't waste power spinning the tires. I get up to speed just as quick and much more nimble in the Boxster.

I definately think that the convertible makes the muscle car crowd think that it is a woman's car. And that V8 engine makes the exotic car crowd think that its making up male pattern baldness and for a small .... appendage.

I say we get together and make fun of the guy in a Dodge Neon with the bolt on funny car spoiler and a radio system that treatens to shake all the panels off of the car.

(And if you have that Neon... Sorry... not for the comment, just the car)

mjbliemel · 02-01-2004, 02:43 AM

Definitely not a chick's car. Your friends have no idea what they are talking about. Although chicks in Boxsters definitely are always welcome!

I mostly see men driving Boxsters, and some women.

poloman · 02-01-2004, 07:53 AM

I don't see how a convertible top makes a car a chick car. Many great sports cars have been topless. The 427 Shelby AC Cobra is surely not a chick car, the convertible Beetle could be be one.

I drive a Z06 now and love the raw power of the 440 ponies, but I respect most all cars for what they are. I am still working on buying that guy's twin turbo but the miles are worrying me.

Adam · 02-02-2004, 05:47 PM

Thats the thing Poloman, it does not make sense. People from the "convertibles are girly" school of thought are just plain dumb. The new 500hp viper can only be bought as a drop top and that car is hardly girly! The cobra is another excellent example.