I can see the point of the question. I'll admit, until I saw the Cayman, I've never liked Porsches, and I have always had the thought that a Porsche is a bit of a snob car. This was probably not based in any kind of reality, just the perception that is thrust upon us from many sides. Think of all those bad 1980's teenage flicks where the rich kid who drives the Porsche is the spoiled preppy snobby bad guy (who is also often some European). You never see one of these bad guys driving a Ferrari. The good guy is usually some good ol' american boy driving a chevy or whatever.

I've always preferred and owned muscle cars as a practical goal. In my dreams I've always loved Ferraris and similar exotics. But not Porsches. Always thought they looked a bit too cute and wimpy and thought the rear ends of the 911 style cars looked too much like VW bugs. I have to like the looks of a car to get any further with it. When I first saw the Cayman I loved the look of it. When I had enough money I thought, hmm, I could get one, but I did wonder why I would get a Porsche as I've always had a bit of dislike for them. Anyway, before buying I researched other cars. Thought maybe I could get a used Ferrari or something. Then read about the horrors of ownership costs and such and how good Porsches actually were and that got me really honed in on the Cayman. The other thing I liked about the Cayman is its relative uniqueness. While some BMWs and similar cars are nice I don't want to drive a car that every other person drives. At the end of the day I got the Cayman because its a great car and I wanted it.

Certainly the snob thing still sticks with me though. I admit I'd probably be more open about telling people I owned some other car than a Porsche. There is something just unique about Porsches it seems. Like I do think that it is the one single sports car that people buy simply for status. The same way many people buy Land Rovers for SUV status. As much as I love the Cayman you won't ever catch me buying any Porsche related merchandise. Not that I really would for any other car either though.

The thing about resentment towards Porsche is I don't think it is based on the cost of the car. If you asked 100 people who just saw a Porsche or a Ferrari pass by, I'd bet for the Ferrari almost all people would give admiring comments, where for the Porsche you would have some split between admiration and resentment.

Oh well I'm probably not endearing myself to the membership, just sharing my lifes perception on the topic =).

Yeah you're right. Porsche is an everyday driver car (minus the GT3/2) and Ferrari is a garage queen. Ferrari sells itself on exclusivity. They jack up the price and keep the volume low to ensure exclusivity. But for someone to think of Ferrari's and Porsche's in the same field as far as sports cars that they've loved and dreamed about as children (which is what she was talking about)...I don't think that's wrong.
And, btw you only have to wait 4-5yr on the waiting list if you want to pay MSRP (and you may keep getting bumped so it could never happen). 30-50k over MSRP will get you into a F430 on the lot that was supposed to go to some other poor shmuck on that list.

This snob thing cannot be helped.

Some buy for performance, history, association others for status, kudos, statement of wealth.
This is inevitable with any product with such brand strength and product pricing.

I wonder what we all think of those that drive other high end models;

Astons (thinks he's 007)
Jag XJR (old guy wanna be racer)
Bentley GT (wealthy soccer player)
Ferrari 430 (look at me, ego maniac)
911 (wealthy show off, but can't afford a Ferrari)
Cayman (can't afford a real one)

It's human nature, can be funny at times, but who really cares.

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3 lions

I'd say each one has great taste!

Maybe that is the difference between the sports car enthusiast and the status conscious who buy for entirely different reasons. I'm the thumbs up guy by the way.

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My Garage:
01 Audi S4
08 Cobalt CS w all the goodies

The GT2 cant be DD ??

and only 4-5yr waiting period, thought it was in the decade range

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"Sir! We're surrounded!" - "Excellent! We can shoot in any direction!"

A good car will get you from point A to point B. A great car... will just get you into trouble!

Its sad but thats how some of the rich Hong Kongese people are. Where do you go to enjoy the porsche in Hong Kong? City traffic is terrible, the highway have so many cops. Is there a race track in HK?

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07 Cayman S - 6 Speed l 03 M3 - SMG l 07 Ridgeline

Not too many places to really enjoy the full performance of the car. The maximum speed limit on some highways is 120km but they are littered with speed traps. Some rich guys and car enthusiats do organize Sunday drives at early hours to flex their exotic cars. The Porsche sales executive who sold me the CS is in one of those groups. To track the car, one need to take them to Chuhai bordering Hong Kong. For me, I have yet to take the car to 100km/h. What a waste, but then, the CS is sort of toy to me and simply owning one gives me a lot of satisfaction, having said that, I enjoy every bit of it as a daily drive to work even without going fast.

I had a Guards Red Cayman S and had a lot more problems with other drivers than I do in my current Carrara White 997 GT3. The average person cannot tell the difference between a Cayman and a 911, and I still think that they look more at the Cayman because it is more unique; at least thsi was the case for me last summer. I had to deal with some real assholes.

In my GT3 I get compliments and some thumbs up; the occasional kid waning to race (but very rarely), bu mos of the time I am just another 911 in one of the boring colors that most conservative Porsche owners choose: you know, like silver, grey, black, dark blue, white.

Of course the low profile is a good thing in my book.

Stephen

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2008 GT3 (on a diet; 2,880 lbs here we come!)
2006 Subaru STi (GT3 bodyguard)
1988 Toyota Tercel (STi bodyguard)

I am new to this board, but not new to Porsches (including Caymans) or car forums. So with my big 2 posts I gotta say: "ARe you kidding me? You have not even hit 100km/h in your Cayman S?" Is it really that bad where you are at? If so, then what is the point of that car? I hit 200 km/h almost everyday and I'm just relaxing with my car. I'm really sorry. I would go with your salesman on one of his early morning speed runs. We do the same and teh last time I got to drive a friends Carrera GT. I did not hit 205 mph, but I got close; and taking these cars to the track is even better.

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2008 GT3 (on a diet; 2,880 lbs here we come!)
2006 Subaru STi (GT3 bodyguard)
1988 Toyota Tercel (STi bodyguard)

Yes, it is really that bad. HK is a small place, from my home to work, it's a trip down the hill to Central District near the harbour, it's only about 3.5 km distance, return trip is just the same. No where you can drive fast, and trip made worse by traffic congestion during peak hours. I am usually only doing average 20km/h during such trips. The Sunday drive would be nice, but then thsoe groups are contantly monitored by the Police after complaints being lodged by residents waken up by the loud exhaust noise and an F355 crashed and the driver was burnt to death about 6 months ago. Anyway, I just envy you being able to use your car to its full potential and enjoying it.

I would like to be James Bond. I have the accent now all I need is one of those gorgeous new Astons, anyone of them would do.

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3 lions