As a reader of FlatSixes.com (but a non-Porsche owner), I know that past polls asked readers if they think Porsche drivers are discriminated against by police when it comes to ticketing. I also know that readers were recently asked what they think about Porsche vanity plates. The results of both polls were interesting.
Do Porsche Drivers Get Unfairly Profiled?
- 93 of you said Yes you do.
- 9 of you said No you don’t.
- 14 of you said Sometimes.
Does Your Porsche Have a Vanity Plate?
- 70 of you said Yes, you do.
- 79 of you said No, you don’t.
A little background…
Several weeks ago I joined the FLATSIXES.com team on a 4 hour road trip (which became 6 hours, but that’s another story) and attended my first Grand Am racing event. I was fortunate enough to have a “hot pit pass” and the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people, including FLATSIXES.com’s own Christian Maloof as he spoke to a group of Porsche owners who had gathered inside PCA corral. The people I spoke to were cordial and outgoing.
While listening to Christian I got to thinking about the recent polls above and my mind started racing. You see, I’m not a “car guy” – I’m a political scientist, educator and cultural observer. Thus, the following question hit me like a bolt of lightning – it needs a bit of a windup.
In the current economic crisis there seems to be increased animosity between people of differing incomes. I wonder – do Porsche owners feel any animosity? Do you get the “stink eye” from other drivers at red lights or gas stations as you fill it up with super? A snicker while packing your groceries into the car (or do you only do that with your “other” car?) Do you worry more now about petty vandalism?
In short, as a Porsche owner, do you feel that those unable to afford such luxuries have gone from admiring you to begrudging you? (Hate is too strong a word.)
UPDATE: The poll closed a couple of weeks after we posted it. The results are above. If you’re reading this post now, you can still comment below as we come back and check periodically. I would love to work this post (and the poll results) into a future talk or discussion for one of my classes or lectures and your answers will be a big help.
Today’s post was written by Randall H. Miller. He blogs regularly about progressive politics and terrorism at www.RandallHMiller.com
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View Comments (19)
I'm not a Porsche owner (yet) but I'm really hoping that some of Obama's TARP money can be used to permit disadvantaged folk like myself to own a Porsche. After all, everyone should be treated equally and it's only fair that I get mine.
Festus
Being plentiful in the Bay Area, they're really "just another car." 25+ years ago it was more of a statement, I suppose. Occasionally I'll get an inquiry, and time permitting I'll chat with someone as long as I sense a genuine interest in either my specific car or Porsches in general. But out on the road I think there IS a general unfriendliness/guard in people's demeanor these days. Until it's determined you're enemy, or not. One of my other commuters is a smart; in discussing that car, people's attitudes sure change if I also mention my transportation choices include two 911's and a crew cab truck!
I still chose not at all. I live and work in the DC area, so you have some 6 professional major league teams aroudn and plenty of Bentley's etc running around, not to mention the rich and powerful of DC themselves. So comments are few and are along the lines of "nice car", "sweet rude", "beautifuk mid-life crisis" As a 3 Porsche house hold at the end of the day I could care less what people think, especially when I am still getting some 23MPG on my commute and see Escalates and Navigators just "pissing" fuel away right next to me.
hmm.. out here on long island no one has ever molested me or my porsche. i've driven it all over,... NC, PA, DC, CT.. never bothered by anyone, even in the backwoods of NC.......
so i say it's all in your head.... if you have a punk-ass mentality, all the punk-asses will find you no matter what you are driving.
@ Jackie,
I agree it's all in the attitude. Riding around cutting people off will Pi$$ people off no matter what you're driving.
I wonder if the reactions are different between the places where you all live (metropolitan, affluent) and the places most hard hit with the recession.
Anyone wanna volunteer to drive through to see? Maybe stop and give the old "pick yourselves up by the boot straps lecture?"
Joking.
RHM
I think when you appear embarrassed to drive a P-car given the economy you get just as much negative attention as you would if you were boasting -- when you come off like you think you're better than others or you have something to hide, it sets off red flags -- with anyone.
I'm unabashed not at all ashamed or subtle about my Porsche ownership; the trick with that is to still remain tactful. I put the 'spoiled asshole' assumptions to rest when confronted about it because I spent less on my car than most people have spent buying a Honda. She's not in concours shape these days, so I can be lighthearted about it... "Don't get too excited, this ain't a Ferrari!" usually brings a laugh or two... At the end of the day, just laugh, answer questions and tell people a car is a car is a car..... And when they leave, finish the adage properly "... unless it's a Porsche; then it's a great car!"
But that's 944 NA stuff for you.. Front engine, RWD, 500+ miles on a single tank (30+ mpg), it almost sounds too modern to be 23 years old!
The only time someone messed with my car publicly was when I was working at a bar near Miami and came out at 3am to discover "Asshole" had been written in lipstick on the windshield... Women... When will they realize they can't ALL have me? Am I right?
It was alumni weekend, too. Maybe some cougar got drunk with her daughter and had bad memories associated with 16 Candles and a boy she dated.. Who can say for certain.
@Andrew,
How do you know is wasn't a guy who wrote "A$$hole" on your windshield in lipstick.
Be honest. :)
RHM
@RHM
I make a point not to upset men in drag/ men with lipstick. From what I've seen, they can cause a bigger, more memorable scene than women
I voted "admired" but I must qualify. Those who know me, my passion for Porsches and the way I like to drive them :) seem at least to my face to have admiration. However, I don't generally drive one on the street. My competitors seem to feel that "Sonya" has some unfair advantage or super duper hidden turbo or something is that hate? I think the 1200 kids that I allowed to sit behind the wheel of a race car, all had huge admiration, so I'll stick with that.
Christian, I think the image of a professional race car driver and his Porsche evokes an infinitely different image than the one some people are exposed to, which is usually the ostentatious wine-and-cheese guy who just cut them off after passing on the right in their fancy car, etc etc.