A Sales Trend

FOCKEN GAZI BUY A FOCKEN CAR

First off, I agree with Gerd...but on a personal note, I always considered a real Porsche out of my reach and I really loved the Speedster, which was definitely out of my reach, then I discovered replicas, and Becks, specifically, and I was on my way.  After getting my car, I realized how cheaply I could buy (not necessarily maintain) a used Boxter.  The temptation was there and I considered it for awhile as a daily driver.  However, where I live, no Porsche could ever be a daily driver year round.  Where you live, maybe it could.  I have driven my friend's Boxter and it is an excellent machine.  However, even in the Motor City, Porsches are everywhere and don't get a second look. My Speedster almost causes accidents.  It's a lot of
auto exclusivity for the money.  When the weather is nice, i love driving my Speedster, when it's not, I don't really care that much what I'm driving.  If I had a real Porsche I would have the cops attention, have to push it harder to get the same thrills, and would have lots of speeding tickets.  The cops don't bother me, I get a rush at much slower speeds, and a lot more attention.  It's much cheaper to maintain, insure, and drive.  I'm not afraid to drive it, like I would an original.  All around, it's the car for me.  Even if I had more money than I knew what to do with, I don't think I would buy the real thing because of all of the associated headaches.  Speedster replicas are kinda like hot rods, you have to willing to tinker on them and/or have somebody else tinker on them and they require some sorting, which kinda feels like a right of passage to me.  Of course, what comes with your Speedster is the folks on this site, which has far exceeded my expectations!  What a great bunch of folks!  Who wants to hang out with a bunch of Porsche snobs anyway?

@Tom - Well said.

...well said Gerd!!!!

Need a like button Tom, I guess this will do.  

I was in the sam position and debated a used Boxter or 911. After stumbling upon the SOC and talking to Marty who I did know in HS, my decision was made. Now I cannot be happier as my first summer was nothing but miles of smiles. Now I admit I was looking for the better part of a year and once I visited Bremen, IN I purchased my car within 48hrs.

 

Gazi once you drive one of these if you're like me you will be hooked. And yes I was unaware of how quick the madness takes over. My car is back in Bremen getting a few tweaks before driving season and I am counting down the days until Carlisle. 

Park your replica next to a 911 and see who gets more questions or comments 

 

Regarding the move to earlier Porsches from replica speedsters, I've owned dozens of air and water cooled 911s.  Strating with a 1970 911s, moving throught the late 70 SCs, late 80's Carreras, a factory 505 slantnose 930, a 96 993 TT, and a number of 996s including a 996 X50 turbo.  I also crossed over and experienced the Ferrari life for a year through a 98 355 triple black F1 spider. 

 

Eventually, I've gravitated to the simplicity of the replica speedster.  Pure and simple, it delivers a driving experience that is removed from any of these other cars in terms of being unconnected to any modern car, and more connected to the simple experience of driving (some have mentioned its like a 4 wheel motorcycle).  That's what I was ultimately looking for, a driving experience each and every time I drove the car that I couldn't associate with my daily driver Audi S4.  In fact, I get that experience from the moment I sit in the car and turn the key.

 

Further, this is a driving/ownership experience that does not freak me out putting miles on the car and/or dreading breakdowns, or even worse unknown dealer repair expenses (figure about 10 percent per year of the purchase price of a Ferrari).  This is a car that you don't have to freak out about where you park it, and nothing on the car that breaks or wears out will break the bank.

 

For $20k or less you can have it all.  For those moving away from the speedster replica experience, its probably based on the individual and their desire to seek a new experience, which is human.  Believe me, I have tried to talk many friends out of buying a Ferrari (by sharing my Ferrari ownership experience) but couldn't, and I understood it completely.  And after my friends all evantually sold their trophey car we both laughed at the experience and weight that had been lifted the moment they sold the car.

 

So in summary, I would say just buy what you want and seek the experience you feel your current car is not capable of delivering and that you feel you are missing.  However, this requires that you take the affirmative step and seek the experience, and not be paralized by analysis.  Be a participant!  Live!  Then critique from perspective.

Or get both and keep a score card

GTman-said "paralized by analysis" Love that phrase.

 

Gazi, there is this new concept if you buy a 356 and discover it's not for you.  Its called "sell the car and get something else"  You should try it.

I'm with Rich.

"It's a lot of auto exclusivity for the money."

 

Yup. Same with the TD, which is even rarer on the roads these days and cheaper to pick up on the used junker market. All the guys with "real TDs" can't drive them on the highway, always fixing the SUs or the wires or the wood or the . . . while we're cruising around the country with our cheap-ass, fake-ass replicas, and not one person in 100 who sees them on the road knows the difference.

Gazi - FWIW here is my synopsis of real vs replica. I was previously a 25-yr member of PCA & POC and owned 7 Porsches (three 356, four 911). I've had WAY MORE fun with my '95 VS and the friends I've met through this site. 

I owned an IM. Sold it? Bought a 95 911 convertible.  I found it extremely boring and I felt like I was driving in "my dads" Porsche.  Now I'm building a new IM. Sold the 911 after 3 mos..... Boring!!!!!! 

Here's a thought,   Make a list of pros and cons on owning a replica and a genuine (any model).

Bottom line.....$$$$...They both will get you to the same place and the

replica will get more attention every time.   Why do you think genuine owners

scoff at replicas,  we get the same attention at a fraction of the cost !!!!!

I've owned a '58 356A, 914/6 and a 944 Turbo and my Vintage is the one I've

enjoyed the most.

Well, here's my story.

 

I started off with an MGBGT and TR6 back in the day...loved those cars because they were "raw" and made you feel "alive" when driving them! Wish I never sold them.

 

Eventually over time switched to Vettes, Porsches/Boxsters and my last car (through a "brain fart") bought a late model exotic...great car but for me it just didn't "work"...hard to explain that one but I really didn't enjoy it that much! Just felt too removed from the road and the experience of driving that I was looking for.

 

So I am trying to find my next "thrill/sports car"...initially I was thinking about an old 993 but the thought of "building" my own 356 excites the hell out of me!

 

I think we all initially struggle with the "fake" versus "real" aspect of doing this (i.e. buying a "real" Porsche vs. building a replica), but I have "crossed that bridge" and have fully imersed myself in this build...can't wait to get started!

 

Good luck whatever you do Gazi!

MY 2cents....

 

Buy a Speedster.

 

Then buy a older Porsche.

 

Then buy a newer Porsche.

 

Then buy a Speedster...........

 

Easy.

 

I have a VS and will keep it.  I will be including into the garage a '69 912, family car. But I will never own a girl Boxter or, for Gred, Miata. (Sorry Gred hope to meet you and not have hard feelings.)

 

Let the fists fly.  

 

All of you are on point and fantastic guys.  I hope I can make it up to Carlisle!

I sold my 97 993 S  and bought a speedster, I have owned a lot of porsches the speedster is a journey back in time....simpler

At Lime Rock Heritage Racing weekend we got special attention and privileged parking in the Porsche Corral...And dispite being replicas it was the speedsters and the spyders that attracted the photographers and the oglers!!

Yes, it's true you do get more oggles in a Speedster, if that's what you crave. You get more questions at the gas station, like, "Is that a Karmann-Ghia or what?" (true story) or "My friend had a TR like that once, what model is yours?" Most people nowadays just recognize the 911 for what it is, a fine automobile and nod or... "cool car"... it. I'm lucky enough to have one of each. My 911 is an older '86, a fine car in its own way, I'd never wrinkle my nose at it and it sure is nicer inside during a thunder storm. My Speedster doesn't have heat and I've driven it on some pretty darn brisk days and it's bearable as long as you have dressed for the occasion. It is, however, nice to get into my 911 on a cold day and crank up the heat if it's needed. I consider my 911 "the Cadillac" of my own little P-Car world. In neither do I listen to music, come to think of it, it's impossible in the Speedster, no radio tubes.

Coming to Carlisle will "set the hook", Gazi.  You really need to do it.

 

You will be assimilated.  Resistance is futile.

The one question I got that I wasn't expecting "is that a Beck?"  The usual question is "what year is it?"  I always answer a replica of a 58.  Most time the replica part goes in one ear and out the other.  One person last summer asked me if it was a new model.  My favorite question was from a lady at a stoplight "does your wife like your car?" :-)

@Lane - Star Trek References go a long way with me!

Are Intermecanica useing early 911 suspencion parts. If so In a sence you'd be driving a porsche?   The best of both worlds

911 suspension front and rear is an option from IM.

My car is 914(early 911 front) and VW IRS in the rear. They also offer 944 option for the rear as well.

Well, essentially the 914, 924 and 944 (and probably others but those are all I looked into) all share the same IRS rear suspension with the 1970's types 1 and 3 and the later Superbeetle.  I had a 924 rear set-up ready to go into my red Speedster that Alan finished but never got to it and sold it to a guy with an IRS Beetle.  Just pull the whole rear with the diagonal arms and bolt it right in, using your original spring plates.  It's amazing how much VW stuff is in a lot of earlier Porsches - upwards of 30% in some models

Had a speedster and sold it for a Boxster. Had a sweet boxster (still sitting in my garage) quick fun to drive etc but sold it because I wanted a speedster. Yes. Had a fake, wanted real and fot it and the wanted fake again because it is soooooo much a cooler car!!!

I have a 2006 vintage 356 and a 2004 911 4s cabriolet. The replica gives me hours of enjoyment because I can work on it (just put a 1915 engine in it myself) and drive it. The 911 is a nice car but I can't work on it .The 911 sits in the garage most weekends.The SOC guys are more helpful (always  answer my questions) and don't try to impress me.

 

Joel