Traction Inc.

From the Mailbag

I’m not a fan of Porsches. BTDT, got the t-shirt. My wife and I both hated every minute of ownership. We felt it was a glorified VW. You have to buy into the “mystique” of the Porsche to have any desire to maintain one.

I don’t understand why anyone puts up with all the hassles of owning an old 911. If Porsche made econoboxes you’d rag on them constantly and warn people away, but somehow Porsche’s being expensive makes their flaws better somehow? How is that? The more I pay for something the more I want it to be perfect. I’ll accept imperfections in something cheap but I won’t put up with them in something expensive.

I don’t agree with this whatsoever.

I’m willing to forgive a lot if a car is fun and rewarding to drive at the limit. Cars that if you were to jump behind the wheel at autocross or track day, you’d finish your run thinking I HAVE GOT TO GET ONE OF THESE. It’s why I daily drive a turbo Miata and own an E36 M3, and why cars like the S2000 and Elise are on my wish list. Every 911 I’ve had the chance to drive has met this criteria.

When cars are cheap and bothersome they are a POS, but when they are expensive and bothersome they are “eccentric”? As if living with the third world weirdness of an old Porsche makes you a real macho, a man’s man and the chicks will love you for your car (because you can’t get them any other way?).

I think that when cars are old and bothersome, yet still are fantastic to drive, they are worth owning and preserving. If driving an older Porsche doesn’t make you smile or feel alive, pass it on to someone else.

(photo via phatdish)