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RichJ said:
To be honest I kind of agree with you about the rep in the UK on the M3... Which is a shame as I have one on order, test driving an RS4 next week though so there is hope for m e yet!!!!
However I dont really care what people think I just want a car which I will enjoy...
The boxster I currently drive has a rep as being either a poor mans porsche or a hair dressers car!!!!! What do I care, I know every sunday morning I'm driving the finest mid engine sports car Pounds50k will buy!!!!!
But my main point for posting is that you mention the M3's negative image yet you drive a 911, which as far as I'm aware does not have a great reputation... Of course us keen drivers know its a great car and love it but Joe public generally regards the porker brand with much hatred and contempt!!!!!
Most of this comes from people who cannot afford their own porker but the point is its still there...
Perhaps this is worse for BMW... Not only hated by those who cannot atain one, but also hated by everyone who has surpassed the brand
I think the new M3 will be a very good car as per the existing one and to be honest it wont be in the hands of the scumbags for a long time.. They usually end up with them in a few years when they have lost loads on the resale
Rich, you make some very valid points
It's a fine distinction to make BUT I don't care what other people ACTUALLY think about me. I only care about what I MYSELF think other people think about me. It's not a hollow distinction either (as it might appear at first glance).
Regarding your 987S, it's an awesome car. Who on earth told you it's a hairdresser's car??? As far as I am concerned, in London, amongst the people I mix with, the Boxster is well respected as a driver's car. I certainly think that, in its earlier days, some people instantly dismissed it as a poor man's 911 BUT the Boxster won over those doubters who were capable of being won over. It is a superb car.
If you are looking for a hairdresser's car, think Suzuki Vitara, Toyota RAV4 or even Merc SLK.
Yes, I drive a 911 but my experience of how people ACTUALLY react to it on the road is very positive. I get plenty of compliments. Other drivers have never been aggressive towards me and are always patient when I'm going dead slow over speed bumps.
I hear from Boxster drivers that there is more hostility towards them. Ask Alex (UK). He said he once drove a Boxster for just 1 day and faced quite a bit of hostility from others but the moment he stepped back into his 911, everything reverted back to normal.
In truth, I think the hostility against the 911 is exaggerated. People assume there might be hostility but its much less than one might assume. People just like to think there is hostility.
I don't think the Porsche brand is hated at all. People in London AFAIK consider it with some degree of respect.
I honestly think BMWs (and more particularly BMW drivers) are far more hated. They bring it upon themselves from the way they drive.
I should know - I drove a BMW for 7 years in London. People hated me!
IMHO you are nearly right when you say BMW is hated by people who have surpassed the brand. I used to love BMWs before Bangle IMO spoilt them. I fell out of love with the brand and its styling. I don't actively hate BMW though. I just respect them without loving them. However, I don't care much for BMW drivers. I do hate the way they so often drive. I see how they drive and I remember how driving a BMW brought that out in me. I don't like what driving a BMW does to one IMHO.
I honestly think the new M3 will be a superb car. Like I said before, it's the hooligans that turn me off it. I don't share your optimism though - you would be surprised just how many hooligans in London drive expensive new fully-loaded M3 convertibles.