Porsche

[Dominic]

Different people are different

Indeed....

reasons for buying cars

Metro 1.3L - Saw a picture of a 6R4 and I thought cool
Metro Gti - Metro's are cool and I want a fast one.
Clio S - Free insurance
Elise - wait a minute my disposable income has crossed the depreciation curve - woo
BMW 130 - ooh that's cheap and the clio has HGF

[Lazydonkey]

I have to agree with Kenny though most people want to have exclusively - but only if it's for a desirable product, if you have one and no one else wants one it just makes you oddball, if you have one and so does everyone else it makes you a sheep.

So when you drive around in your Vauxhall Astra, you consider yourself to be a sheep and I should consider you to be an oddball ?

This thread is giving me a fascinating insight into the mindset of those who buy their cars to first and foremost try and impress others.

Regards,

Jeremy

Buying an exclusive car doesn't automatically mean people will be impressed with your choice, sometimes exactly the opposite.

I bought a VX instead of an Elise and i liked the fact it was a bit different, a bit unusual. I certainly didn't buy the "more exclusive" model to impress others.....................in fact if i did i failed spectacularly as most people would be more impressed by an Elise.

Same goes for the 300c i bought.

....and the Buell....

[j2 lot]

So when you drive around in your Vauxhall Astra, you consider yourself to be a sheep and I should consider you to be an oddball ?

When I drive around in my wifes Astra I am happy not be be noticed. Its her choice not mine, although as it happens I like how it looks and drives and there are actually probably less GTC s on the roads than there are Porsches.

The prospect of an affordable new shape Cayman S 3 years from now has me salivating. The prospect of an ultra rare exclusive head turning Cayman S 3 years from now makes me want to go and lie down and knock out big ZZZZZ's.
[Jeremy

I dont understand the logic that says if I can afford one thats good but only if no one notices and they're not rare.

[flyingscot68]

....and the Buell....

I'm impressed with the Buell!

I buy cars based on three very simple principles

1. Do I want it?
2. Is it suitable for the job I have in mind for it.
3. Can I afford it, purchase and running costs.

I do prefer to drive/ride vehicles that are not run of the mill, it's not about impressing others it's about having a bit of individuality as I like to think that I'm an individual not influenced by fashion or keeping up with the Jones's
This obviously affects number 1 above.
For me if Porsche continue to produce family cars in huge volume that you see everywhere every day then that makes the brand faceless and less appealing to me.

I currently have a C220cdi Estate. It's a fantastic car but now I've had it six months I'm bored with it. It's just another dull boring box that makes me feel a bit dull and boring for having it.

I'd still love a GT3, I like the GT2 also. Ten years ago I'd have been happy with any 911 but now I think it's a bit of a predictable car to buy.

That new Targa is lovely though, best thing they've brought out in quite a while looks wise.

[Dominic]

Interesting comment by Harris at the end of his latest video (Alfa 4c Vs Porsche Caymen)... "The Alfa appeals as it's not yet another Porsche"... (or words to that effect). Circa 7mins 20 sec in the vid:

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=29578

[Andy G]

Interesting comment by Harris at the end of his latest video (Alfa 4c Vs Porsche Caymen)... "The Alfa appeals as it's not yet another Porsche"... (or words to that effect). Circa 7mins 20 sec in the vid:

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=29578

Corrected - "It isnt another Porsche" .

Bizarre thread this - does anyone by a car for what others will think? f**k that.

Porsches definately arent viewed by other road users in a friendly way that some other brands get - i.e. Lotus etc. I know of a few that have been randomly keyed for no reason whatsoever.

Shame as they are great great cars

[Jeremy]

So when you drive around in your Vauxhall Astra, you consider yourself to be a sheep and I should consider you to be an oddball ?

When I drive around in my wifes Astra I am happy not be be noticed. Its her choice not mine, although as it happens I like how it looks and drives and there are actually probably less GTC s on the roads than there are Porsches.

The prospect of an affordable new shape Cayman S 3 years from now has me salivating. The prospect of an ultra rare exclusive head turning Cayman S 3 years from now makes me want to go and lie down and knock out big ZZZZZ's.
[Jeremy

I dont understand the logic that says if I can afford one thats good but only if no one notices and they're not rare.

Correct. If the new Cayman becomes a victim of its own brilliance and they become as common as err Vauxhall Astras, one on every street corner and every used car lot, then values become depressed. Simple rules of supply and demand. If the exact same car is made in limited numbers and is some ultra exclusive rarity, then in a few year as time they will command far higher used prices.

So in my eyes a world where Porsche is a common mainstream brand accessible to all is something to be celebrated. A world where Porsche is the preserve of the aristocracy and specialists car collector is sad.

What do you think when you drive around in your Vauxhall Mokka SE ? Genuine question. I find this quite fascinating and didn't realise how complex the thought process could be when deciding on which make of car to buy.

Bizarre thread this - does anyone by a car for what others will think? f**k that

Amen to that brother

Regards,

Jeremy

[GregR]

When I drive around in my wifes Astra I am happy not be be noticed. Its her choice not mine, although as it happens I like how it looks and drives and there are actually probably less GTC s on the roads than there are porsches

Fewer.

But the point you seek to make underlines the fallacy if the argument. Fewer astra GTCs than there are Porsches; 911s, 918s, 924s, 944s, 959s, caymans, boxsters, cayennes, panameras, macans etc? You're probably right but it's hardly comparing apples with apples. Are there more astras on the roads than 911s? Probably. Is that a fair comparison?

Engage circularity of argument whereby people justify what makes a car special/desirable to them and then see my post earlier on the thread.

[Stevoraith]

You obviously operate in a different plane to most folks Jeremy.
Most people I know don't want to be faceless nobody's following the heard.

I think quite the opposite. Most folks are quite happy to be faceless nobody's- hence the abundance of white/grey/black Audis. No-one even buys a bloody red one in case they stand-out (or in case no-one wants to buy it- because they'll stand out, because fashion is apparently monochrome).

Most people, in my opinion, want what others have got. After all, if lots of people have them, they can't be bad can they!?

I find it quite absurd that an enthusiast could be put off a car like a 911 because of it's popularity*. Consistently rated as the best to drive in it's class and fantastically well built. Why would the fact that there are some diesel 4x4s with the same badge on the bonnet effect desirability?
In my (admittedly limited) experience, a Porsche (sports car) is still an incredibly special thing to drive.

I can understand that some people may prefer an Evora or a used R8 or whatever other rival but do find it odd that percieved ubiquity has a part in this

*lets get this straight, unless you live where everyone is 'big in oil' Porsches are NOT common or ten-a-penny!

[flyingscot68]

*lets get this straight, unless you live where everyone is 'big in oil' Porsches are NOT common or ten-a-penny!

I live in East Kilbride, they're everywhere, and EK isn't exactly a wealthy place. In fact since all the big industry went it's a struggling place but Cayenne's in particular are very popular, usually got mum at the wheel and weans faces squashed up against the rear windows.

It'll be interesting to come back to this in ten years time. I do wonder if Porsche will go down the route BMW have taken and be releasing their first front wheel drive family box, no doubt it'll handle and go well though, and probably be a hybrid of some kind.

Glad to see I've got you all talking though, it's been a bit lifeless on here last few weeks

[j2 lot]

Bizarre thread this - does anyone by a car for what others will think? f**k that

Amen to that brother
Jeremy

About the only thing we agree on. But perhaps at odds with your comment that you wouldnt buy a Cayman S if they were 'ultra rare exclusive head turning'
My buying is probaly in line with Kennys comments:

[I buy cars based on three very simple principles

1. Do I want it?
2. Is it suitable for the job I have in mind for it.
3. Can I afford it, purchase and running costs.

and, ... as your genuinely interested

What do you think when you drive around in your Vauxhall Mokka SE ? Genuine question. I find this quite fascinating and didn't realise how complex the thought process could be when deciding on which make of car to buy.

Mokka is a pleasant place to be, well specced as standard, reliable, cheap to run and, main reason for buying as its a long term hack, lifetime warranty . Replaced a 10 yr old Corsa that had a similar job description when we bought that too.

[j2 lot]

*lets get this straight, unless you live where everyone is 'big in oil' Porsches are NOT common or ten-a-penny!

I live in East Kilbride, they're everywhere, and EK isn't exactly a wealthy place.

On my 20 mile drive home last night I Porsche counted:
1 Panamera
3 Caymen
2 Cayenne
1 Boxter
For a prestige marque that is pretty good going, they might not be ten-a-penny but they're certainly not exclusive

[Dominic]

Glad to see I've got you all talking though, it's been a bit lifeless on here last few weeks

[Jeremy]

You are still completely missing my point re the potential Cayman S scenario. I wouldn't refuse to drive one if they were ultra rare, I simply wouldn't be able to afford to drive one. Rarity drives up values. The same car available cheaply on every street corner suits me just fine.

I can't get my head around why someone wouldn't want a Porsche as they perceived them to be common but would then happily go out and buy a Vauxhall or a Mercedes. If exclusivity is such a big deal then there are far more exclusive options available, even for a simple daily driver. And that's not a dig at either car (I happen to have had a couple of small Mercedes saloons and like them) just at what appears to be double standards.

Regards,

Jeremy

[j2 lot]

I never said I wouldnt have a Porsche because they are common - I said I wouldnt have one because I dont like them/ dont get them.
I'm not looking for exclusivety ( with 2 Vauxhalls ) but a lot of people do follow the herd and buy because of reputation not because of product.