Porsche: But Why? 

As Jeremy Clarkson said, "Porsche started with the engine at the wrong end, and they’ve spent the last 40 years stubbornly trying to engineer their way around the problem."

"Join me as I drive a lot cars I can't afford" Yeah. I felt that.

“Chances are you were born on 3rd base and walk around like you hit a triple.” Love it! Thanks for the work that went into this video.

The obtainable Porsche is now called a used Boxster or Cayman, both brilliant cars to drive.

“Give Porsche a suspension parts from a beetle or a golf and they will make it handle way better than anything jaguar can come up with” killed me 😂

"Engineering is the process of balancing requirements." Nicely said.

I brought the first 912 into the United States in early 1966 three months before the formal introduction into the US. I bought it from a factory store in Stuttgart for the special export price of $4,200 (yeah, I didn't leave a zero off of that). It was a special order from that store. I had to add headrests and seatbelts (which were accessories at the time...but at that time they weren't exactly ubiquitous in the USA, either). I also added two factory gauges to the dash so that it would "look" like a 911 dash (which came with five gauges). I wasn't a big car fan. My Dad had a business friend who had a 356 in 1961 (or so)...he was a car fan and I bought the 912 because of his infectious enthusiasm. Before they could export the car a guy drove it from Stuttgart to Frankfurt (where I was living) so that I could drive it and sign a release form...the Germans were and are big on forms (and rubber stamps). So my first drive in a Porsche was this new 912 on the Autobahn from Frankfurt to Heidelberg and back. I had not driven at all for two years and suddenly I was thrust into some surreal automotive Nirvana that was inexplicable in its thrill. Unfortunately, when I got it home (the drive on I-15 from the dock in LA back to Salt Lake was incredible) I quickly found out that while I had afforded the Porsche...I couldn't afford the continual tuning of those four carburetors. So I had to relinquish the car because, as a student for the next 8 years I couldn't afford to keep it on the road. But in the 57 intervening years and 35 or 40 cars later the Porsche is still Camelot "for one brief shining moment" in my automotive history. What is said about engineering and balance in the video is right on the mark. I got an ME degree and spent 51 years in manufacturing...so I get it...a little. But I will take that longing for that "one brief shining moment" to my grave.

1. You do NOT have to drive a turbo to appreciate a Porsche- literally the opposite. 2. Boxsters and Caymans are exceptional cars and can easily be purchased in the $30k range

At age 66 I FINALLY had the opportunity to own my first Porsche. I paid nearly $150,000 for a 7 year old 30,000 mile 911 turbo. Technology and performance coupled with reliability and sheer exhilaration while driving are the main reasons I love this car! I dated a girl back in 1986 that had a brand new Porsche 911 and got to drive her’s then. I never forgot the feeling that must be experienced to understand. By the way, I love the 911 look and I always have!💪👌

This is a super well put together video. The flow from one section to another is lovely and thought out.

I don't often watch 20 minute videos, give thumbs ups and in 10 years have subscribed to 7 channels. As a Porsche guy, I was curious as to what an engineer who had not drunk the Kool-aid would say... exceptional video, great photography, engaging narration and fun all around! Thanks, I hope you get your Porsche and keep making these videos!

This is unquestionably one of the very best videos I have ever watched. Informative, humorous, critical, balanced between all these things.

It's the philosophy of the brand executed with precision. Everything you touch feels better than any other brand. Seats, knobs, buttons, surfaces...plus they stop, go and turn faster than their horsepower would suggest.

I always liked Leno, but his view on Ferrari cemented my respect for him.

Simply put. Got my 87 911 ten years ago. Honeymoon hasn't ended yet. I still get excited the night before the drive. Like tomorrow and commenting here at 3.29 am .

As a Porsche owner I really enjoyed your insightful comments, your humour and your review of the brand. Thanks so much for sharing. 😊😊😊

I know a guy who knows a guy who has a Porche. One of my favorite quotes from a Trans Am driver, about the Trans Am Porche was: "With that engine hanging off the back, it handles like a pig, but after 30 years of development, it's a very fast pig!"

To answer your question - “Carrera” comes from Carrera Panamericana, an open road race across Mexico, which Porsche dominated in the 1950’s.

As a former owner of 4 Porsches, I can say that there is lots of truth in what you are saying. Many years ago, my first sports car was '56 4 cylinder Austin-Healey that I started auto-crossing. The best overall finish I achieved was always around 5th place. The 1st to 4th place cars were always Porsches. So, I sold the Healey and purchased a beautiful silver '58 Porsche Speedster and started winning auto-crosses for several years. Then I got into SCCA racing with that car and won my first two races, and later more wins. Then I got serious about racing and acquired a super rare 1959 Porsche RSK 718 Spyder. It was a giant killer on the track. This same car was Roger Penske's early race car and later it was in Jerry Seinfeld's collection. Years ago, I also owned two Porsche 928s, and I am surprised that in this video these great V8 machines were not even mentioned by Matt.

Picked up a clean but well-used early Boxster several years ago for $8500. The parameters were the wife wanted an inexpensive convertible to kick around in. That car shocked me at how fun it was to drive, and relatively inexpensive to own. We upgraded to a later-model 986 Boxster S a few years ago and it's a bundle of fun to drive. It's not as fancy or as fast and doesn't carry the cachet of a newer car, but if you're not concerned with such things, I highly recommend the early Boxsters as a way to get 85% the performance and 100% of the creature comforts of a similar-aged 911 but for a lot less money. I certainly wouldn't consider them "slow". One might argue the tossability of the little Boxster more than makes up for it not being as fast as the 911.

Yes. Also, all hail the algorithm.

I worked at a shop in the 80’s that would restore these. We’d tear them down to the chassis and then clean, restore and rebuild… Something I noticed was that every year there would be one less bolt or 2 bolts that used to be different were now the same. There was a constant refinement of every detail. I think you nailed it when you said they’ve spent a lifetime refining on the same theme. I think that’s what makes them amazing! (and no, I had my chances to buy one then but passed it up. An 80’s air-cooled would be amazing but as you also said, it’s simply out of most of our reach.)

This is with out a doubt the best Porsche video I have ever seen. I have had a Porsche since November 1973 (a 1974 914S 2.0). I am old now. I am sliding into home plate with my eighth and final Porsche, a 2012 Porsche 911 S Cabriolet. As noted in the video: A 991.1😍. My current Porsche has the same charm as my first Porsche and the same charm as the 1972 beetle I owned. Charm = Every day usability. Puts a smile on your face. A joy to drive whether you’re going slow or fast. Thank you for the most wonderful video…

I came to Porsche from muscle cars. I always thought that more horsepower was better. Although now I have driven just my two 20 year old base Boxsters, they handle so well and feel so nimble compared to my other vehicles. The chassis and motor are well balanced and the car feels very comfortable at high speeds, even with the top down. Very well constructed and simple ( at least mine are). They feel very connected to the road and somehow amplify the driving experience without the weight and under steer of a larger HP vehicle.

Very nice to look into the Porsche culture from the outside. I consider myself a car guy, not necessarily a Porsche guy, despite owning Porsches. I was lucky enough to buy into the brand when they were not cheap, but affordable and the main reason was exactly what you mentioned. The 911 compared to it's rivals in the same era was miles ahead. The Datsun 240z was one of the most beautiful cars of it's day, but compared to my 911 of the same age, it drove like a truck and despite spending 2 years restoring it I quickly sold it. The Italian offerings are generally much more beautiful but the build quality is average at best. It is a shame that the Porsche cost of entry is becoming higher and as such there are more and more of the wrong people buying them, to only take them to cars and coffee to talk about how rare their paint and stitching combo is, rather than using them as intended. Other cars may come and go, but my old 911 is here for the long haul.

To me, it’s about taking an inherently weird format and making it excellent. Take their current racing career in GT3. They’re using a rear engine format that restricts how much underbody downforce you can generate, which is the high efficiency downforce everyone is trying to go for, and then still being dominant all year. That sort of engineering a masterpiece out of something weird is something I really aspire to and admire. Minus Ferdinand being a nazi, but that’s bound to happen with any old German thing.

You got me on the proper naming of that GT3... I did correct you the first time and smirked when you said 997.1, but when you came back to call out the Porsche fans/nerds that would have corrected you and were freaking out... I laughed out loud! Well played sir! I have owned many Porsches over the last 20+ years. Once you take the Porsche Red Pill, you will never look at cars the same. You have us all figured out 🤣🤣 Subscribed.

Great summary. The conclusion spot on. Jay's description could not be questioned. I bought my 1968 Porsche 912 when, I was 25. I'm now almost 60 and still have the car. The car is an original UK right hand drive and took all the money I had and a three year bank loan at the time to buy it for GBP 6000. The engine was rough as was the body, a bent valve, Solex carbs that could not be tuned and the engine threw flames of unburnt fuel out the exhaust when engine braking hard into corners. And no occupant heating in the winter! Absolutely loved the car even with all its flaws. The drive, handling and balance were exceptional. Over the years the simple mechanicals allowed me to strip and re-build the engine. Full parts availability from Porsche UK helped, which is a massive part of the Porsche after sale service. The carbs were swapped out for a set of second hand Webbers from an Alfa Romeo. I still have the original Solex carbs. You summarized the Porsche mantra well. "It's the sum of all the parts, including a relationship". My car will take me to my grave and my daughter will drive it forward from my grave side.

What an awesome video, Matt. I've got so many thoughts on the Porsche brand, and you summarized a lot of them. This was a great change of pace in contrast to what a lot of other channels tend to do, which is to simply fawn over the brand. Which it deserves... but also.... does it? I could talk about Porsche all day. Don't really want to own one, though. With all that said, awesome video, great job on the "essay" format. You killed it! "Between Rain Man and the Germans" was phenomenal and so true.

The surprising part isn't the suspension, it's that your buddy let you drive it. LOL, that's one trusting friend. Keep him happy.

Your narration for the story was mesmerizing , just loved it !

I'm a new subscriber. Your approach is different than other car review sites, so I joined up. Less emphasis on specs and numbers, more analysis of systems and even culture. I found it interesting and refreshing. By the way, my dad was a Porsche driver. He must had had 3 over the years in the 50s and 60s, I have no idea what models they were, but pre-911. Back then, German imports were far off the beaten track, and there was the postwar US dollar discount. He also drove TR3s, Citroen 2CV, Jaguar XKE, Mercedes 190SL, lots of Beetles, an Izeta, it's hard to remember them all. I think in the end, you've persuaded me of the Porsche's excellence, but also its overpricing. For myself, I need a touring car, because I take long road trips of several weeks on holiday, usually driving from central Canada to the US Southwest (about 10,000 kms). I am probably not going to part with my 2017 BMW X4 any time soon. The M40i variation has that little bit of extra horsepower and tuning, without being a full-on M car. I find the car smooth, reliable and versatile. I confess that I have never owned a true out and out sports car, and maybe I ought to do something about that before too many years go by! The 911 would certainly tick all my boxes... at the right price!

“Born on third base, walks around like you hit a triple”, I have never heard that before and I will use it forever.

Subscribed - I hope you can get your Porsche. I am a mechanical engineer for 35 years in Detroit and I always imagined the perfect car I would build for myself, a sort of a go-kart for public roads. 10 years ago, I had the chance to drive the 997 GT3 and I realized Porsche already built my dream car, practical, good visibility, 100% engineering efficiency, no BS. Few years later I got my GT3.

I just watched this video again and I think it’s one of the best put together videos ever on RU-vid.

Before a member of Ferrari club a friend switched to our Porche club. As we returned from a track day on a F1 circuit he went: you are quite spoiled in this community. Up to now l had never experienced the situation where after doing a track, everybody returns home with the same car. Refreshing video and comments, good job.

"An engineered system, not a bunch of parts engineered into a system.." Is a great way to explain the philosophy behind German engineering >>

Great to hear dynamic weight distribution being discussed. I had been racing for years before it was explained to me... by a Porsche history book. Great video.

the tire guy knowing the priceless value of customer service offered to drive my '91 Saab spg out to my work to hand deliver since their service was overdue. very cool shop effort. so, he drives up to the work lot in the car & exits quite spiritedly in his 6'4" medium overweight package. hands me the keys & with the most profound nonchalant expression my way shares his moment: "This car is such an amazing drive." Never thought anything else about something supposedly better since that refining affirmation by a tire jockey . . . . since. your vid was so well done & so evenly crafted i felt inspired to post about my incredible Saab commitment.

My first Porsche was and is a 718 Cayman S, 6 speed. It’s an affordable way to get into the club to have a great appreciation for the brand, the people, and even access to the Porsche marketplace. Loved your video and breakdown of a brand I’ve come to love and don’t ever see myself leaving. PCA Member for life

"a car that looks like a fat guy sat on a beetle" That would be an Audi TT. And the 914 is under appreciated - an attempt to make a Porsche that was obtainable - even if it started out as a VW.

Well done, I’ve spent my adult (I’m 70) with a Porsche. 356,912, early 911T targa,944 turbo, Boxster and 997.1. You have mined the essence of Porsche. Everyone of mine was a daily driver and repair and maintain by me!

great video MAtt, So well thought out and planned, funny, and covering all bases of logic. The best,

first video ive seen and i really enjoyed it. incredibly down to earth, sincere and informative, good effort

as a german i have to say: thank you SO MUCH for pronouncing Porsche correctly

"Somewhere between Rainman and the Germans". I work with Germans, have watched Rainman, and own the anti-Porsche, Porsche. This quote gave me a hearty laugh because it is absurdly true.

Excellent video and explanation. Most Porsche owners are common folks that grew up dreaming of owning one. I’ve had the pleasure of owning 3 including a new Spyder RS. You have to drive them to understand why we love them. Words do not give the experience justice.

Enjoyed the video. My first car in 1973 was my Grandfather's '62 356B. He'd just had a valve job completed for $400 and that's what I paid him for it. Had a lot of rust underneath and some on top. He drove it up and down a mountain through snow everyday to work. When I was 12 I rode from NC to Sebring in the backseat. I loved that car. I gave it up after a pine tree fell on the roof in 1978. Sold it as was. I'm 67 now and it's still the best car I ever owned. One of these days......

A Volkswagen Beetle was the very first car I drove when I passed my test 47 years ago. Fast forward, I have been driving a 2004 Porsche Boxster S for the last 6 years. It sticks to the road like a limpet, gets 0-60 in a modest 5.2 seconds & sounds like an angry tiger . It puts a smile on my face every time I go out in it. What’s not to like. 🇬🇧👍

As a 30+ year member of the Porsche Club of America (and owner of a few Porsches over the years), this was a very well done video. I do feel your pain on Porsche prices, however. Once-upon-a-time, Porsche always had some kind of 'loss leader' - an entry level car the average person could get into in order to enjoy the brand. The original 356 Speedster, the 912, the 914, the 924, the 944 and the first generation Boxster were all cars that regular folks could save up for and buy. While they may not have been the best examples of the marque, they at least gave you a taste of Porsche engineering. Now however, the company has moved so much upmarket that even their least expensive cars are ridiculously priced and unobtainable for most. The company is doing well financially, but I can't help but think something was lost in the journey. 😞

I love Porsches like I love my Ducati Superbike, because they are clever and unique. When I got my first 944 I would scratch my head a lot thinking why TF did they make this this way, but as I got more familiar with it, it all started making sense. Porsches have a design synergy that makes the whole car a great deal better than the sum of its parts. The cable shifter linkage defied all logic to me, but I learned to love and accept it because after 35 years with no adjustments or repairs it still shifted better than most modern cars.

Matt thanks for making this Podcast I enjoyed this Episode. it's funny you say how you feel about after you learned everything you learned, how hard it is now to get into buying one I've been sitting there looking at these damn things all my life and I'm financially almost close enough where I can get one and I'm trying to get an earlyl used one so I feel your pain just hopefully you can get in one, cause like you said that smile that puts you on your face it's the one thing that's priceless and dear to me. I got to drive A 996 back in 2008, so yeah I'm trying to capture that feeling again. Keep up the good work.

Excellent video :) I owned a 996 Turbo for a few years, and that feeling... you can't describe it, but it is there, like no other. Your next video should be about the Porsche models that saved the 911: The 924/951, Boxster 986, and Cayenne. All frowned upon by true Porsche enthusiasts, but how easy they forget that these three models saved Porsche from bankruptcy. The 911 would not be here today without them.

You know your doing good when you have two different garage door openers.

Excellent video. I'm glad that the algorithm served it up. Everything you said is on point, I am a 4 time Porsche owner, including a 991.1 GT3, and even I can't get an allocation for a GT4, it's been 14 months on 2 different waitlist. I refuse to pay ADM, or buy a used one for more than a new one costs.

I also grew up a bit indifferent to Porsches but as I've gotten older, they've really grown on me.What really did it for me though was a friend in college owned a 1974 914 that he let me drive. It was slow AF even with the hot-rodding he had done to the engine, but the cornering and handling of that car on just 195 (I think) section cheap economy car tires he had on it ran circles around anything else I had and maybe have ever driven. When it broke loose it was so perfectly balanced. It didn't make sense that it could be that good as a 1974 model. It even had reasonable storage space! I've wanted one ever since!

25 years ago I went through the NADA books as an exercise to determine actual depreciation and thus the most “economical” car. I found the best return was a 911, which increased in value.

Was never a porsche fan growing and and always felt they were overpriced for the money. One day I found a deal on a Cayman somehow made it a justifiable purchase thinking I'd sell it for the same amount in 1-2 years. 3 years later, Ive put nearly 40k miles on the car, I can sell it for more than what I bought it 3 years ago, and I despite that rationality in selling it, I absolutely cannot bring myself to do it. Theres something magical about the car I couldn't appreciate from the outside in. I think your video really helped me understand why I love it so much. Its exactly what you said... its not the fastest car, its not the lightest car, its not the best handling car, its not the most comfortable car... but it gets pretty close to all of those things. Its a great compromise and nobody else is able to engineer compromise as beautifully as porsche.

Subscribed! Excellent video. For me it was the 930 Turbo. I can't even explain it, when I saw it back in the 80s as a kid, I just knew that was the car for me, like when I saw my house, or met my wife. It was like a puzzle piece fitting in.

Outstanding video. Describing the experience of driving a Porsche is very difficult. People always ask my why I drive a Porsche. All I can say is I’ve driven just about everything else, and Porsche is better in every aspect that matters to me, including the not so exotic look. You can photograph a car and report the numbers all day, but get in a Porsche. Physically touch the build quality, and drive it. I agree the worst part of driving one is that everything else you drive after will leave you asking, why can this car be as good as a Porsche.

I’m not going to lie, you had me with the 997 4.0😂 I was heading towards the comments while you made your point. Porsche is by far my favorite brand and I was extremely impressed by the people you got to interview. Good job on the video!

The other difference between Ferrari and Porsche? There's only a handful of Ferraris (like the F40) I would consider if I was filthy rich. Porsche? I cant think of one I would say no to.

Superb section. You said all of the things that I think in a much more succinct and engaging way. Keep the content coming!

What an excellent video. Genuinely super well spoken, edited, and organized. It felt like watching an official documentary on the car or something.

So excited to watch this one. 😁 I’m the daydreaming kid from the 911 advert who rode his bike to the dealership at 9 years old; actually went back 20 years later to fulfill that…need. Edit: 7 years and 100k miles later, I still can’t imagine a better daily driver. Okay, a 991.1 GTS or any 99X manual-equipped GT3 would do nicely.

I finally got a Porsche about a year ago, I love it, put the top down and fly, my last little drive was 185 miles, I fill up the tank and it took five gallons, the car is beautiful and a dream to drive! Thank you Ferdinand!

Fun video with great humor and information! Specifically it helped me see and confirm my suspicions why I have liked the brand and its engineering for many years. Thanks.

You really hit the nail on the head. Years ago I was looking at the 911 numbers compared with other big, swinging Ferrari, Vette, etc, etc. The thing that stuck out was that the 911 was not the best in acceleration, braking, cornering, fuel economy, top speed, or anything. But it was the close, second-best in every category!

Great video!!! I used to be a Ferrari die hard…..until I bought my first entry level Porsche! I remember the salesman telling me that this Porsche would not be my first and only one I would buy. I remember thinking “this guy is crazy”!! Well, he wasn’t wrong, I fell in love with the car….so much so that I’m on my 4th. I am not snotty or anything like that, nor am I your typical prick guy that drives a Porsche. I say that because at the time of my first Porsche buy, my wife had a 5 series BMW with all the bells and whistles. I used to think it was the ultimate driving machine……..until I owned my first Porsche. I am hooked, the quality of the car, the drive, the experience, I can track the car in the morning and drive it right out of the track to pick up groceries on my way home with ZERO issues. They are just fantastic cars!!

Well done. You are very good at packaging and delivering this type of content. Hopefully you will give us more like this every few months. Thanks for the entertainment.

Such a good video! Perfectly explained what makes Porsche so love-able

Just found your channel and subscribed because of how well done this video was😎

Seeing your smile in the GT3 was a little weird. Your gushing sarcasm melted away, and opened up a door into your soul. And it was happy. 😁

For me it’s the handling and the lines of the 911 that gets me. I bought a 68 911 to restore and I have had no problems being welcomed in the community. People I met buying parts were all generous with their advices, showed me their collection and even gave a ton of leftovers parts for free. I totally agree that prices at the dealers, on bring a trailer and auctions are overinflated but there is a way around this. Hope you will buy yourself a nice one, you won’t regret it

Hey Matt, this is the first video I watch from your channel and I have to say that you have a very pleasant way of telling a story. Thanks! Watched it all.

This is a really really good video. So well researched and articulated. I’m on my 3rd Porsche now and your conclusions are spot on.

What a brilliantly written, filmed and narrated video. Thank you!

"They tend to work" Wow! It sounds so simple. Even simplistic. But when you think about the fact that so many cars are essentially designed to fall apart, the fact that a car "tends to work" really says something

I have had a 1983 911 SC and and 2 944 NA's and this has been the shortest explanation on why you should buy or drive a Porsche. Well done.

Matt, Congrats! You nailed it on Porsche AND HD. Times are so bad, even the lowly 914's are commanding crazy prices. I had own for a few years, and it was a ball to drive. Amazing handling, manual steering and brakes. I got the stink eye from other Porsche drivers cuz I daily drove it.. All winter I've had Harleys most of my life but never bought into the "bad ass biker" stuff. I'm down to one HD now and it's for sale. Jut hate dealing with all the posers and wannabes

I love your humor & ability to talk about "taboo" topics, and just presenting things as they are, no-BS.

Having owned a handful of Porsche cars over the years, I can tell you that they get under your skin. The GT-3 I have now is like a member of the family. Bizarre statement to be sure, but these cars fit like a well worn leather glove and the put a smile on your face. Needless to say, all the examples I’ve owned have been equipped with manual transmissions and yes, I daily drive the GT-3.

Really great points and presentation. I drive my 911 most days to work and on spirited back road weekend drives. It really is the best all-around sports car for me.

I bought my dream car 2 weeks ago, a yellow 996tt. It is incredible. It drives like no other vehicle I’ve owned. I used to have a 986 boxster which I also loved, and this reminds me so much of it except it goes from 0 to Jail in what feels like the blink of an eye. I traded the boxster in for a new WRX STI and never had any fun with the Subaru, which I blamed on the turbos. The 996tt proved that wrong. It corners like it’s on rails and it will do so at any speed i have asked it to. It is simultaneously settled, responsive, and incredibly dynamic. It also is comfortable and carries a week of groceries comfortably. On top of that, I’ve already had to replace a water pump on it and it wasn’t even as hard as the power steering on my raptor. It’s frustratingly difficult to access parts but designed well enough that a lot of the edge is taken off by the sheer simplicity of each portion of the disassembly and assembly.

I owned a 944 Turbo for a while. Excellent car. On one of my Trips to Vegas my company took us to the exotic car driving experience. I decided on a Lamborghini because it was something I had never driven and probably would not get a chance to drive again. I absolutely hated it. It did not feel fast. It did not corner well. There was nothing about it that I liked. So I then decided to try the Porsche Cayman R. Now that was a car. It did everything that I asked it to do. The automatic was the absolute best automatic I have ever driven. Turn ins were crisp. While not overly fast it pulled like I expected it to pull. By far one of the most enjoyable cars I have ever driven. To counter that I also drove an 80's era 911 and there was no place for my left foot to go. Was not a car I would want to own.

The weirdest thing for me is that what actually saved Porsche from going tits up was making a suppository shaped SUV. The first time I saw pictures of the Cayenne I nearly cried and i'm sure that Herr Porsche spun once or twice in his grave.

In high school a 997 Porsche 911 turbo was my absolute dream car. I thought one day after I paid off my student loans and saved up I'd be able to buy one. As I have became better with my finances I quickly realized that I was never going to be able to feasibly afford a 9/11 turbo ( without financing a massive amount of it which I will never do again ). I later discovered there's plenty of incredibles sports cars that are highly affordable and approachable. Both in culture and your ability to work on them yourselves, something that Porsches often don't share with other sports cars, the ability to do your own work and be able to afford it. Porsche has branded itself into the space of Ferrari and Lamborghini. I get it, it's a car that not everyone will be able to afford and has more time goes on less and less people will be able to afford it. There are some one-off cars that are pretty interesting like first gen Cayenne turbos and modern day Macon s's but those aren't real Porsches. They're wallet fatteners for Porsche. The real cars, the real 911 simply are not approachable unless you're in the c suite, and executive, a successful business owner. I say this as a man who makes low six figures. But when an entry level Porsche 911 used with no options cost almost 80% of your yearly salary it honestly makes absolutely no sense when there's so many other great cars you can drive.

Absolutely love this video. Love the humour along the way too.

As a mechanic on Porsches and deep in the community I have to say this was very spot on, love your content

"Within specificity of obscure details, Porsche owners land somewhere in between Rainman and the Germans"

Fantastic content you're making here. Keep up the good work.

Just found your channel and I just wanna say its fantastic, bravo!

It's definately not the backseat. But I can tell you, even back in the 60's, they were well built and well engineered (just don't bring up rust protection). And due to the evolution rather than revolution of the earlier models, the cars are a lot like Legos in that parts can be interchanged and upgraded over a huge timespan. I was lucky to buy a few cars back when they were just old cars, and have have happily watched their value increase expnentially....though it doesn't really matter 'cause I aint sellin'. In fact, I've never sold a Porsche (lying a bit here, I sold one bent chassis to a gentleman from England who took the shell home to supply hard to find parts for a more valuable car). I've a few other cars, too, but nothing from that era even comes close in build quality or drivability. There are reasons the mark invokes such passion.

Love the videos. This is a great insight - it seems like there is a personality around the cars and I have wondered why they were so popular, not just with car people, but dickheads too.

I had an excellent year (2020), when I 1. wrote my will, figuring the dread lurgy might take me; 2. realised I ought to do some things from my "one day" list. So I plonked down X UK pounds for a 992 C4S. There were some teething problems (engine mount-related noises which took a little while to fix - a pair of Boxsters were sequentially provided as loaners, which was nice given how good the summer was and how empty the roads were). But I've never enjoyed a car more in my 35 years of car enthusiasm. The solidity (notwithstanding the engine mount problem), the sound, the camaraderie whenever gathered together with other owners, the friendly response (typically) when you turn up in odd places or with odd cargoes (eg bikes), the fascinating handling (accurate but relaxed?), the excellent visibility and practicality all add up to joyful motoring. When I eventually sold it, after a year (I emigrated to a LHD country), I got back X - 5% and could probably have held out for more. They really are as good as repeat owners say.

i didn’t fully appreciate the distinction of what made these cars great until i bought my first new 1973 v w super beetle sports bug…it was a limited production car that added $200 to the base price of $2,600. of the base super beetle. it came with wider parelli tires and deep dish 914 steel wheels, anti sway bars, recaro seats, fat steering wheel with allen screw face, and blacked out bumpers…some had custom racing stripes, but mine didn’t… that car was not fast, but was thrilling to run through the gears, and just sounded so good…it was very well planted and handled extremely well …there was never a rattle or squeak in it, even after passing it down to many family members…the last time i rode in it i remember closing the door and still hearing the solid clunk , and feeling the air pressure in your ears, because the cabin was so well sealed. i got the same feeling many years later driving my brother in law’s 1998 911s…the last year of the air cooled era…this car was everything and more i loved about my old car….i drove many other air cooled porsches that all delivered …when i first drove an early 2000 model it left me yearning …these cars seemed neutered to me…great car compared to others, but still nutless…but even worse, removed the soul….seems like porsche got into the horsepower race with other makers ( could only build air cooled engines that didn’t overheat up to a point), and in the process gave up what made them great….

Great Matt. I love Porsches (never owned one) but I also love the joke: Q: What's the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine? A: With a porcupine the pricks are on the outside.

Hey, Matt, this was really good. I’m on the bandwagon. Have owned them and still do. One of my favorite brand reviews was when Everyday Driver compared a few decades of 911s against each other. It was superb. This was good in the same way. You (in good fun) teased that owners are a little lost for words to explain their devotion. I think that’s important because sometimes no explanation is needed from an owners perspective. As an engineer, answers must be explainable. It’s a little ironic (and maybe unexplainable) that the historically best engineered cars for 60 plus years appeal to the very base passions of many enthusiasts. I hope you get to own one soon. I’m subscribing and liking for you to do my part. If you’re ever near Boston, take mine for the weekend. It’s got over 80,000 miles and is driven every day. Joyously and enthusiastically. Cheers, Michael

This video is amazing. Really like your humor as well. Subscribed!

My first car wasa used 72 Super Beetle shipped home from Germany by a US Army Sergeant. Dark green with an extra set steel spike winter wheels/tires. After a huge ice storm hit North Texas I was the only vehicle getting around town, quite confidently. Great car.