Drive a Porsche? If you do, chances are strong that you’re attractive to someone for this very reason. In fact, I can think of at least three examples in the last few months where someone wanted me for the simple reason that I drive Porsches. What about my sense of humor? My personality? My inner beauty?
It’s not as shallow as it seems
I know, I know. It seems shallow that someone would be interested in me just because of the car I drive. Well, it’s worse and more shallow than it seems. While they are interested in me, they are much more interested in my wallet and my buying preferences. While I have always felt that Porsche is the stick against which all other sport cars are measured, it seems I’m not alone. If you’ve been reading this site for a while now, you must remember Mini’s silly little challenge to Porsche. While fun and well done, it was a rather juvenile attempt to engage Porsche and their customers in order to bring attention to Mini.
Then Lotus got into the game
More recently, I remember reading through a post in the New York Times Wheels blog where Lotus CEO Dany Bahar suggested that lotus needed to sell more than 1100 cars a year to remain a viable company (hmmm, you think?). Asked where all these new Lotus customers would come from Bahar didn’t hesitate in his response, “Porsche.” Bahar goes on to say, “We want the Porsche customer. We bring things to that market segment that Porsche does not offer, such as passion, emotionality and individuality. We will be the British Porsche, the one that doesn’t have everything the German Porsche has.” The British Porsche???
Now, Nissan is Back to Their Old Tricks
Remember when the GT-R was first introduced. All that noise about how fast it was around the “ring” and how it could best the 911 Turbo? This time, Nissan is attacking Porsche more directly, physically even. According to an article on GTSpirit, the ad agency TBWA, Düsseldorf produced and directed a campaign on behalf of Nissan Germany in an attempt to increase awareness and encourage more test drives.
While I hate the idea of someone applying something like this to the windshield of my Porsche, it is a fairly ingenious idea. Too bad the rear-end of the GT-R is so ugly. At least if it was the back of another Porsche it would be nice to look at. Take heart fellow Porsche owners, you now know at least three others, besides your mother, who think you’re attractive. 🙂
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The Mid-Life Crisis Porsche Explained
[Video and Picture Source: GTSpirit]
View Comments (8)
Nissan has always built the strongest engines. Strong smooth and bullet-proof.
I had a 240Z that ate 930s for breakfast. Of course it was no match for the 917- but STREET LEGAL.
Eventually I got so good-looking I had to get rid of the Z and buy my '69 911S.
I miss the speed though...
It was a choice between a Corvette, a Datsun 240Z and a 1974 1.7 914 that lay in front of me in 1972. Perhaps the best choice would have been the Datsun 240Z as best all around car. However the 914 for purposes of economy, insurance and one more item: the ownership of a Porsche got the nod. It was not a mistake. I had more fun in that car than I will ever have in another car ever. The biggest benefit is that I got into a Porsche that I otherwise never could have afforded. I realize now that the actual driving experience in terms of handling and the challenges of handling and driving a true sports car were all there is that Porsche. I put 94,000 miles on that little car with the two trunks. By 1972 the looks of the Corvette had badly deteriorated and only recently have they somewhat recovered. The Z car of Datsun and Nissan have become legendary as has the Porsche. The Porsche is an ultimate driver's car in every way and it has continued to escalate in price and in every quality one would or could want in a car. As a result, I still cannot afford a Porsche and quite frankly, neither can I afford a Corvette nor a Nissan Z. I am currently restoring a very early G-Program 1974 911, one of the first special order Porsche to come out of Stuttgart as the car was built in the last two days of July 1973. I wait now for a four-cylinder Turbo-Charged mini-Porsche. Like the 914, it will be a Porsche, even if it is a collaboration with Volkswagen. And it will be affordable, giving me one last chance to own a great Porsche with a gasoline engine. I hope Porsche sells 100 million of them. The world's drivers should be so fortunate. - A. Ford, aka: Zioo
Hey, Gene,
What were the specs for the 240Z that it could kill a 930? Didn't the 240Zs have a 2.4 liter inline 6 making about 150 hp? While the earliest model 930s ('75?) had a 3 liter making about 260 (and not too much heavier).
Good to know you grew into your looks. :-)
Zioo ("frank"),
Sounds like you have a nice project on your hands. We're currently in the market for a 914 and looking forward to adding it to the garage.
I hope you get your wish and the new "mini-Porsche" becomes available. Based on recent comments made by Porsche management, regarding additions to the product line, I think there is a good chance.
In 1972 I also looked at new 240's, 914's and Fiat 124's. In my case, I opted for the 124-Pinin design, 4 wheel discs, and a drop top. Kept it for 15 years, and wish I didn't let it go!!. Now second Boxster S (2003) that has always been the car of my dreams. Means to an end!!
Good job, Andy. The S Boxster is a great car. I've heard that perhaps after 2005 they have a few less problems, but they can be fixed to achieve full reliability and the handling is fabulous. I had a friend once who had the 124 Fiat Spyder drop top and that little sucker was a lot of fun to drive, as I got plenty of chances. Very economical too. Easy to put the top up and down. Those cars are starting to get noticed and becoming sought after. The 914 had more overall trunk space than all of them, the 240Z included, but the back seat area on the Z made up for it. A good friend of mine let me drive his original Z quite a bit also, but I didn't like the seats nor the driver's position, although those things could have been remedied. All of these cars these days can command quite a price if they are in great shape--A. Ford-Zioo
PS: The 911 for 1974 had a 2.7 liter engine but made only about 150 horse, but it was a 6 cylinder boxer motor and it had the fun of all of the Porsche built into it. Considering mine has the original Emerald Green Metallic paint and very unusual factory installed gauges, and is one of the earliest cars on the 2.7Registry (France location of registry although I'm Los Angeles region) the particular car I have was a special order car when new and is a pretty special car now.
Hey, Alex,
We have a '73 911 so we're very familiar with the 2.4s and 2.7s found in early 911s. Sounds like yours is a beauty.
With all these comments on the Z, it looks like we might need to find one to take out for a spin... :-)
Aaaahhh the world famous forum: http://www.wannabeporsche.com
One billion hits a day......
For a minute I had to double check and make sure I didn't log on to their site
and all because some ad agency pulls a publicity stunt of automotive slander proportions by bringing up Porsche in the same sentence as Nissan
it's like comparing an Audemars Piguet with a Seiko, yeah sure they both tell accurate time and that's were the similarities end - and how about the 240Z that ate 930s for breakfast ? Even when I played with Matchbox, Dinky and Corgi toy cars I never dreamed of that !
Maybe I need to search e-bay for one of those original "My TOYOTA is FANTASTIC" decals and stick it to the back of my 911 because as all of you well read members know the Toyota Crown ate 911s at the rallies for breakfast, lunch and dinner....just ask Vic Elford
Hats off to those who buy the best Porsche they can afford, because it is still ten times the car of any Datsunissan ever made