Is There Any Truth to This?

I came across an article claiming that “the children of Porsche fanatics hate Porsches.”

Poruseki Newspaper: Raising Kids the Porsche Way—Turning Them into Porsche Fanatics, Part 1:
Let’s be honest: Porsches aren’t exactly comfortable cars with a plush ride. The cabin is cramped, and the car bucks and jolts over rough roads. The engine is loud, and in older Porsches, the air conditioning doesn’t work.
(…)
Kids who are made to come along have a rough time of it. If they get the front passenger seat, they’re lucky. In a Porsche fanatic’s family, where the Porsche is the only car, the kids inevitably have to sit in the back whenever the family goes out. That’s when it becomes hell.
＊Porsche 911DAYS

Online, people seem divided on this article—though perhaps there are more people agreeing with it than not. (Or maybe the supporters just speak up more.)

It might well be true of classic narrow-body or air-cooled Porsches. But the article was written in 2007, a decade ago, so perhaps it doesn’t reflect what Porsche ownership is like today.

Let’s be honest: Porsches aren’t exactly comfortable cars with a plush ride. The cabin is cramped, and the car bucks and jolts over rough roads. The engine is loud,

So, at the start of 2018, I took another look at what it’s like to live with a Porsche.

My Take on Porsche Ownership in 2018

① Porsches Have Become More Comfortable

I got to test-drive a 911 last year, and the ride was far from uncomfortable. In fact, I thought it was remarkably comfortable for a sports car. It’s definitely firmer than a luxurious, smooth-riding Panamera, but it didn’t feel as though every bump in the road was being sent straight through the car.

My husband’s current Boxster GTS is comfortable, too. Even when we’re carving through mountain roads, I’ve never felt carsick.

If anything, the SLK 350 my husband used to own felt more jarring, with its seats sitting low and seeming to transmit every bump in the road. A GT3 might be a different story, of course, but a standard 911 today is actually pretty comfortable.

② Are Porsches Cramped Inside?

The Cayenne and Panamera have plenty of room, but the article was probably talking about the 911. And when it comes to the 911, yes—the cabin is compact. After riding in a Panamera, I once climbed into a 911 or Boxster and couldn’t help blurting out, “The driver’s seat is so close!”

If you’re used to modern kei cars or other vehicles with airy, spacious interiors, a 911 will certainly feel tight. And as for the 911’s back seats… no matter how you look at it, they’re tiny (laughs). I’d say they’re only comfortable for a child of about six or younger—before they start elementary school.

③ Are Porsche Engines Loud?

Air-cooled Porsches do have a constant growl—or perhaps more of an idling rumble—that might bother some people. But modern Porsches have effective sound insulation, so you don’t notice it as much inside the cabin.

That said, the engine does go “VROOOM!” when you start it, and it can be pretty loud. Still, compared with a Lamborghini or McLaren, I’d say it’s relatively restrained.

Is It Really About the Father-Child Relationship?

After thinking it all through, I’ve come to believe that it’s less about the Porsche itself and more about the relationship between a father and his child. In other words, it may not be that “the children of Porsche fanatics hate Porsches,” but that “a child who dislikes their father comes to dislike Porsches after being stuck riding in one with him.”

If a child loves and looks up to their father, then spending time together will be fun—whether it’s a Porsche drive or a bike ride to the supermarket.

Especially when Dad is busy with work all week and the weekends are the only chance to spend time together, a child is bound to be excited when he says, “Let’s go for a drive in the Porsche!”

But what if the child already dislikes their father?

What if he’s always scolding them, acting intimidating and superior, picking on their beloved mom, and focusing so much on work that he barely pays attention to them?

A drive alone with Dad in a Porsche would feel like “torture.” They’re stuck together in a cramped cabin while Dad cares more about the car than about them. No wonder they’d end up hating Porsches.

A Mother’s Influence Matters, Too

But this dynamic doesn’t just depend on the father; I think the mother can have a big influence, too. If she’s always saying, “Your dad only cares about his Porsche! He cares more about that car than his family!”, the child may start thinking, “There’s something wrong with Dad.” And if she says, “Don’t tell your father! He’ll get mad again if he finds out!”, the child might act pleasant around their father while secretly resenting him.

So whether a child grows up loving or hating Porsches may have a lot to do with the relationship between the child and the father behind the wheel.

In the end, maybe everything works out when the family gets along. Here’s to a happy, harmonious family in 2018! (Laughs)