dreamcar, congrats. You are honest and you have brains too.
I was always a Lancia man. My first car was a Lancia Beta Coupe 2.0 with 115 HP. It had a top speed of 200 kph (125 mph) and in 1983 when I got this (used) car shortly before I picked up my driver's license, it was considered to be a sportscar, not really a car for a beginner. Lucky me, my dealer forgot to fill in engine oil (no kidding) when he sold me the car and after around 800 km, the engine was dead.
A few years later at around 22, I had several Lancia Delta HF Integrale, incl. a group N race car and I loved the Integrale very much. After ending my racing "career" due to the lack of funds and sponsors, I had other "normal" cars, ending up with a BMW M3 E36 around 1992, my first stock car with almost 300 HP (actually 286).
I drove this car almost four years and I loved it. But although I was happy with it, I was always dreaming of a more "real" sports car. I decided to buy a 993 out of my dealer's stock and now hold your breath, without even testdriving it. When I picked up the 993, I had a shock. The steering, brake pedal, clutch, everything worked so hard, everything needed much more force than with my M3. I was so disappointed, I almost was ready to return the car and sell it. But I started to learn about the 993's strong points, the traction, the very nice stability, the sound of the engine. I hated the gearbox because there was a rpm gap between certain gears, something I didn't know from the M3. By that time, the 993 felt like a pumped up 1960s car on steroids, they overall quality look and feel and especially the interior reminded me of much older cars, especially compared to the M3 which also had a very nice sound system, etc.
Long story, short meaning: it is incredible how much the 997 changed compared to the 993. And at the same time, it still seems to be the same car. It is difficult to explain, maybe this is what makes the 911 that special.
And don't laugh: I went to my local VW dealer to compare my 997 Carrera S directly to a VW Beetle. I just wanted to see myself if there really is a similarity in looks between both cars. It was a pretty spontaneous decision and I didn't have a camera with me but whenever I get the chance to do it again, I do it and take a picture. Surprisingly, the front of both cars looks completely different from each other. Not more similarity as between older 911s and the "old" original VW Beetle (Käfer). Relax guys.
Regarding the driver's license: Walter Röhrl just has been asked in an interview why he doesn't own and drive a Carrera GT privately. His answer: "after 4 weeks, I would go by foot".
Self-control isn't always easy with such cars, I agree with you. But learning to control a car like the 911 is pure fun. Maybe this is the reason why I like the 911: it is a challenging and fascinating relationship, not just a bling bling relationship where I put the car in the garage and look at it or where I enjoy driving it in the city to watch people looking at me.
I love to drive my 997 Carrera S, it is a driving machine and this is all I need. PURE 100% FUN!