Why People Hesitate to Buy a Porsche

You want a Porsche.

But maybe you wonder if it’s more than you can afford—or somehow beyond your station in life.

A lot of people feel that way. On January 1 this year, I posted a tweet that was viewed more than 170,000 times and caught plenty of people’s attention. It was about a conversation between former President Trump and Robert Kiyosaki.

For anyone who wants a Porsche but thinks, “I can’t afford one” or “It’s beyond my means,” here’s a video for you.
pic.twitter.com/mGssg8GIjW

— Hiro@ポルシェがわが家にやってきた (@boxster_gts) January 1, 2025

Former President Trump said he had a friend who flew first class even before he had made it. That friend later became hugely successful. According to Trump, his friend had been convincing himself that he was already a first-class person. That’s an important point. Acting as if you’re already successful can help you become successful.

For anyone who wants to buy a Porsche but can’t quite bring themselves to take the first step, there’s a lot to think about here.

There may be all kinds of obstacles, from financial concerns to a partner’s objections. But for many people, the biggest barrier is the belief that a Porsche is “beyond their means.”

The Trap of Buying Only What Seems “Within Your Means”

In Japan, people are fond of the phrase “within your means.”

Live within your means. Buy within your means. Use things within your means. But I want to say this plainly: I strongly disagree with this way of thinking.

If you want to get ahead of other people, doing the same things that 80 percent of society considers “normal” will only get you to the same level as that 80 percent. People who succeed tend to belong to the remaining 10 to 20 percent. In other words, you should think and act like that minority.

Think about sports.

If you want to get better at soccer or baseball, you learn from someone who’s good at it. You listen to their advice and put it into practice. Yet when it comes to financial success, many people strangely fail to do this simple, obvious thing.

If you want to earn more, succeed, or buy a Porsche, listen to people who have already done it and learn from the way they think and act. Above all, the way you think matters most. People who are financially successful are good at making and growing money, just as skilled athletes are good at their sports. So be willing to learn from people who know what they’re doing.

Be Open to Advice from Successful People

Some people may respond to the video on X by saying, “That’s just one example,” or “There are other ways to succeed.” But here’s what I have to say: if someone is more successful than you, try doing what they say first. You can debate it after that.

People who struggle often have one thing in common: they criticize advice from people who know what they’re doing instead of taking it on board. If you acted that way in sports, you’d never improve. Financial success is no different.

If you want to succeed financially, learn from people who have already done it. Then follow their way of thinking and acting. The first step is to get into the same mindset.

The Power of Self-Suggestion

The story about former President Trump’s friend shows the power of self-suggestion. When I was a student, I struggled with schoolwork, but one of my teachers taught me to act as if I’d already been accepted to my first-choice school. I started convincing myself that I was smart. Strangely enough, my grades noticeably improved.

This can be a powerful way to change how you see yourself. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you buy a Porsche if you’re struggling to afford tomorrow’s meals. But if it feels within reach with a little effort—or if visiting a dealer and exploring your options might make it possible—then I hope you’ll take that first step. Give yourself the chance to experience what it feels like to be a Porsche owner.

Find the Courage to Buy a Porsche

As we start 2025, here’s my message to you:

Make a fresh start this year: visit a Porsche dealer. Stop by a used-car dealership. Take a Porsche for a test drive.

If you buy one and realize it’s not financially workable—for example, if you can’t keep up with the payments—you can sell it right away.

Cars are relatively liquid assets and can be sold quickly. Unlike real estate and many other assets, they’re easy to turn into cash. Of course, some models may lose value. But compared with many other cars, Porsches tend to depreciate less. In some cases, you may even be able to buy one for less than a family car.

Owning a Porsche gives you more chances to meet and talk with other Porsche owners. You may even make friends with them—and become part of their circle. There’s a simple but powerful principle: birds of a feather flock together.

Once you’re part of that circle, your actions and outlook naturally start to change. That can lead to a positive cycle: work goes better, your income grows, and new opportunities follow.

If you’ve been holding back this year, thinking “Maybe I’m not ready for a Porsche,” “It’s beyond my means,” or “What will people think if I buy one?” I hope you’ll take the time to read this post carefully.

Then find the courage to take that first step.

It could be the first step toward changing your life.