This is probably the best and most honest look at why we buy stuff — in this case specifically, Porsche cars — and it’s only a little over 20 minutes long.
I like everything about this video: the maker’s almost child-like curiosity, the lack of humbug and the dawning realization of what, exactly, Porsche is all about.
There’ll be a longer video appearing here tomorrow, on a more specific Porsche, but this is an excellent starter pack.
Enjoy.
Oh, and for a bonus in the video: Jay Leno absolutely skewers Ferrari.
I’ve been something of a complete speed nut since before I even started driving 30+ years ago. Cars and motorcycles, both. Raced NHRA SM/C for years, track days, and a decent bit of formal training. I’ve owned too many sports cars and bikes to count, a few purpose modified racing bikes, and two street legal but very modified “race” cars. Driven a number of the highest end Porsche models, along with a few Ferraris (458 Italia etc) and Corvettes.
The author of the video really hit the heart of the issue, at least in my opinion and experience. The “best” vehicles I’ve owned are rarely the fastest, but instead some almost magical confluence of “good” factors which combine to create an end result greater than the sum of their parts. The Ferraris and Corvettes were wonderful machines, and had a bleeding edge feel to their performance. But I never had any desire to continue driving them. It was “tick off the box” and move on in terms of experience.
The Porsches, on the other hand, were just plain good. Engaging, good handling, deliverable power, solid and planted feel, comfortable enough (excepting the GT3), and reliable. I think, if I had to pick a word that summed up Porsche from a design and experiential standpoint, that word would be “refined” or “honed.”
The other brands for which that same thing holds true? Honda and Harley Davidson. The “best” car I’ve ever owned, as I look back on them all, was a 2006 S2000. I’ve owned many cars which would absolutely destroy it on the track or the street, both in terms of handling, power, and driveline robustness, but nothing else came close in terms of the “experience” of driving. I honestly wish I’d never sold it. And HD is very similar – the build quality is outstanding, the solidity, and the experience are far more than the bikes should be able to deliver from their numbers on paper (which are an absolute disgrace), but somehow they manage it. And I must disagree with the author on the “Porsche” designed VROD. Every single one of them was a nightmare for me — frightening steering geometry, punishing yet floppy suspension, poor braking dynamics (whiplash trail braking that was truly awful in the suddenness with which the bikes went from under control to out of control).
Ok, I lied. One last thought. The author’s delivery creeped me out — he didn’t pause for commas or periods.
Being a Porsche owner, basically continually for the past 45 years, I would agree with most everything he said. He only briefly touched on the reason I am fan. To me it’s the only car i’ve yet to find than is pretty good at everything I want a car to do. My wife and I can drive it daily, or take it on a Multiday trip with enough room for a reasonable amount of Luggage. It eats up the miles on a long distance trip. Across the country and back with 900 mile days and still be comfortable. Add 4 Snow tires and a ski rack and we would go day skiing at Vail from Denver any weekend. Change to a set of sticky high performance tires and the 2 of us could do a full track day and run strong lap times and still drive home.
The other plus is that if you choose the right model and options ( from the admittedly long and pricey list ) they don’t depreciate much, if at all A 10 year old porsche is frequently still worth what you originally paid for it – assuming you took good care of it – Leno’s 60 year old Carrera 2, for example, is close to a million $ car ( That he regularly drives ) mostly because it’s one of maybe a few dozen still around.
I bought a Porsche almost exactly a year ago. It was the first car I’ve ever actually enjoyed driving. Everything else feels like a tool, with about as much emotional attachment or enjoyment of use as a hammer. But this car, I love this car. It is a joy to drive. I will never drive anything else, as long as I can afford it.
Remember talking to Jay at Willow Springs following the Beverly Hills intro of the 348 Spider – he wasn’t particularly enamored with Ferrari’s then, and hasn’t changed over the years.
Horses for Courses, as they say.
Gonna have to watch more of his content. He had me laughing out loud on a number of occasions. Meanwhile, here’s a car I’ve always wanted to get up close & personal with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQftIiJcXME
Good video. Lays the facts out pretty well. Driving one always puts a smile on my face! I am on my sixth Porsche and see no reason to change at this juncture!