Two Weeks Away from Porsche

I wrote that my health hadn’t been great since the end of the year, and when I counted, it turned out I hadn’t driven the Porsche for about two weeks. I don’t think I’ve ever gone that long without driving the Porsche since it came to our home.

Then, the other day, I had a day when I felt a bit better, so I decided to take the Porsche out for a spin after a long time. But not wanting to overdo it, I took my younger daughter along and kept it to a short drive nearby in the Boxster.

Just thinking about driving the Porsche again made me excited and a little nervous. Since I didn’t know when I’d get to drive it next, I was determined to “cherish every moment and enjoy today to the fullest,” which made me more tense than usual.

After about two weeks, I slowly opened the Boxster’s door. It’s a solidly built, sturdy door. That’s right—the Boxster’s door has that nice weight to it.

Sitting down, I was greeted by the unmistakable scent of the Boxster.

It might be the smell of the leather seats, but it’s completely different from the Panamera, the GT3, or of course any air-cooled Porsche. It’s the unique scent of the Boxster. You could call it “a simple, unpretentious sports car smell.”

Next, I adjusted the seat. Usually, I just adjust it roughly and head out, but thanks to Porsche’s driving school and advice from top GT sport players, I’ve learned that “the driving position is incredibly important.” So this time, I carefully adjusted the steering wheel as well.

I found the spot where I could fully press the clutch without stretching my leg too much, and where the steering wheel wouldn’t get in the way.

The rearview mirror angle was good too. Alright, time to go.

Until now, especially when driving the Panamera, I would start the engine and set off without much thought. Open the door, get in (the seat adjusts automatically), buckle the seatbelt, start the engine, shift into drive, check ahead, and press the accelerator.

All in about 10 seconds.

You could say I was used to it, but that’s both good and bad. Being in an environment where I can “drive a Porsche anytime” made me completely forget how grateful I should be to “be able to drive a Porsche.” That realization hit me hard that day.

Handling the Boxster with Care

That day, I took my time with every step, so it took quite a while just to start the engine. But since I was driving a sports car, maybe it’s okay to be this deliberate.

I inserted the key and turned it, and the Boxster GTS’s engine roared to life.

Yes, this is the sound I was waiting for.

I put the awakened Boxster into first gear and finally set off.

The clutch operation, which I used to struggle with so much, now feels perfectly natural. Sometimes I get to drive other Porsches or manual cars from other manufacturers, and their clutches often feel very light.

The clutch weight of the 981 Boxster is surprisingly easy to modulate and suits me just right now.

What struck me after driving the Boxster again was how truly well-engineered the Porsche is. The torque is strong, the steering responds exactly as you want, and the brakes are astonishingly effective.

I used to take it for granted, but now I realize just how amazing Porsche really is.

It’s a completely stress-free, reliable car that you can drive with peace of mind. Plus, even the most ordinary drives become fun, making you want to keep going forever.

Honestly, I was so moved I almost cried.

Driving with a quiet sense of awe rather than excitement, the traffic lights were almost all green, and I arrived at my destination surprisingly quickly. I wish I’d had more chances to enjoy the “start and stop” at red lights, haha.

That day, I probably drove the Boxster for about 30 minutes and thought, “I want to drive more.” But I didn’t want to push myself and risk my health, so I ended the drive there.

Gratitude for Porsche

After not driving the Porsche for a while, I didn’t quite feel the “excitement and thrill of the first drive,” but I was able to enjoy driving it with all my senses much more than usual.

I was truly happy, refreshed, and had a great time. I’m glad I made up my mind last year to learn how to drive a manual.

I thought I was grateful to be able to drive a Porsche every day, but I realized my gratitude had faded a bit. There’s a saying that “gratitude means that something is hard to come by,” and I really felt that.

My health seems to have passed the worst part (though saying that might jinx it), and I have some easier moments now. There was a time when I couldn’t even open my laptop, let alone drive, and I was completely exhausted. But lately, I’ve been able to open my laptop and move around more energetically.

Maybe I’ll gradually settle down… but I feel there might still be some ups and downs ahead, haha.

When my health recovers, I might overdo it and drive the Porsche a lot because of the pent-up urge, but I need to be careful about that too. For now, I’ll take it one day at a time without pushing myself, aiming for the next day I can get behind the wheel again.