[Porsche]

Originally Posted by OrangeCelica

I'm unbelievably interested in the FR-S

Cool!

Good choice; consider the Subaru BRZ as well. Depending on how sales are going in your area, you might be able to get a better discount on the Subaru “version” of this car than the Toyota, especially around winter time. In some areas one can purchase a “more luxurious” BRZ Limited for a price close to the FR-S, when the BRZs are being heavily discounted. Depends on your area dealers, but I suggest that you consider it before buying. They’re essentially the same car.

... my issue is that I know virtually nothing about cars mechanically in terms of fixing or diagnosing anything myself.

So?

I have this nagging feeling that it's sacrilegious for someone who has no idea how to fix anything on an automobile to have a sports car.

Nonsense.

I feel like the reality police would pull me over, ask me if I know how to perform basic maintenance, hear my answer, and then confiscate the twin 

I understand.

There are THOSE who will say you don’t deserve a sportscar. As the youngsters like to say, “Haters will hate.”

Now you know something important about THEM. So what?

I reckon THEY don’t count. Why would you permit THEM to judge you and influence your choices of what fine car to buy, drive, and enjoy?

As you progress along the road to adulthood, you’ll note their belligerent, badgering, and bullying ELITISM, dismiss them, and go your OWN way, enjoying your OWN choices, free from the constraints of fear of disapproval by THEM.

You will then be on the path to becoming a free and independent adult, your own man (or woman).

Find like-minded people, and engage those, rather than the ones you’re fearful of.

My wife knows more than most people about cars, but she wouldn’t attempt to repair a car. She’s not interested. She’s content to let me do that. She loves to listen to “Click & Clack, the Tappett Brothers” on National Public Radio (NPR) on the weekends. She loves that show. Try it, you might like it, and you’ll learn a lot. It’s very entertaining, one of NPRs most popular programs.

She can pick a skilled driver out of a traffic jam of amateurs on a race track, some quick, too, at an historic car race. A couple years ago, after only a few laps of watching Klaus Graf driving an old 911 amidst a crowd of other historic cars, she singled him out as clearly superior, clearly talented. (So did I.) We had no idea who was in the car at the time, and did not recognize his name when we did learn it. The following year, Klaus got a drive in a LeMans car in the ALMS series. The Porsche Klaus drove at that historic event was unremarkable, save for his driving, which stood out to the trained eye. My wife spotted him in a jiffy; I doubt many people standing at that corner did (or could) do the same. The following year, Klaus was making headlines.

But she cannot diagnose and repair a car. So what?

We all enjoy things in our own way, as best we can. There’s simply not the TIME to be an expert in everything.

My wife was choosing between a Boss 302 or the BRZ for our next car. She loves cars and driving, yet cannot repair one. So what? That doesn’t diminish one iota her pleasure and joy in fun cars and driving.

Must you be a hotdog programmer or electronics tech to employ and enjoy modern contrivances like our computers, hi-fi’s, microwaves, TVs, etc.? Don’t be silly… You don’t need to know a thing about cars to own, use, and enjoy them either.

I would recommend learning to drive properly, though, if only to avoid inflicting "benign abuse" on your nice car.

Most people don’t enjoy cars the way I do. I’m more skilled than them, quicker than them, but nowhere near as quick as, say, Stirling Moss was or Ayrton Senna. So what? Others are not as good as me, and I’m not as good as Senna. So what? What's that got to do with anything?

We’re all having a good time. Regardless of our level of knowledge and skill...

Although, there is a certain TYPE that loves to disparage others for not embracing the activity as THEY do.

THEY don’t count. Not for me, they don’t, and I suggest they shouldn’t count for YOU, either.

There’s no need to apologize for any “lack” of mechanical knowledge, skills, and abilities. We have only so much time in a day. If it interests you, pursue it if you can balance it with the other interests and demands in your life. If not … well then, DON’T.

No need to apologize, not for this or for any other thing related to fine cars. Find your own way to enjoy it … and just do it.

Those who would hold this against you … don’t count. Don’t hang around people who want to “stone you.”

“Easier said than done,” you say.

Yeah, I know; I’m old. But with a little luck and some effort, you’ll get here, too. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.

It’s your money, your time, your life...

Now get out there, kiddo, and buy the cool car of your dreams, and enjoy it any ol’ way YOU like!


P.S. "Car Talk" is the name of that radio show on cars and repairs.


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“And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good—
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?”
–Plato (Symposium)