Today's NY Times

[TZombek]

This morning's NY Times has a good article on our favorite topic, the 911

[POS]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/au...tomobiles&_r=0

[setho]

Ugh. The politically correct statement had to be thrown in. Why does it matter that the owners are "largely male"? I would venture to say that that's the case for most, if not all sports cars. It adds absolutely nothing to the article.

If it were an article about companies trying to attract more women, and releasing cars that had more feminine appeal, then I could understand.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/au...tomobiles&_r=0

[Sepia911S]

​Last summer, as I was driving to a local cruise night, a man with a "muscle car" was following me. After arriving and parking the car, the man ran up to me, "Do you own this car?" Nodding my head yes, I gave him a great big smile. He commented, "I can't believe a chick owns that car." "It is a great car to drive and show." He walked away shaking his head.

Unfortunately, I have met many guys at local cruise nights who initially displayed a similar attitude. However, they are curious about the car and me. Once they know me, I fit right in. So, attitudes about women owning and driving sports cars are changing. It is so interesting and great fun to observe the change.

Not really a car chick,

[718RSK]

I wish there were more girls in our hobby. My better half owns a '66 911. I get to wrench on it and she gets to drive it, what a deal. She had always wanted an early 911, even before we started dating.

I remember a couple of years back when we were invited to a special cocktail reception the Thursday night before the race car classic. Dr. Porsche was there, Hans Hermann etc. It was a great night and I had a couple to many beers to drive our '59 cabriolet back to the hotel. She did no hesitate and drove the car back while still wearing her high heels. Mind you, this was the first time she had ever driven a 356. My buddies who were there are still talking about that one.

A lucky guy....

[Frank Beck]

Ugh. The politically correct statement had to be thrown in. Why does it matter that the owners are "largely male"? I would venture to say that that's the case for most, if not all sports cars. It adds absolutely nothing to the article.

If it were an article about companies trying to attract more women, and releasing cars that had more feminine appeal, then I could understand.

No, it would have been PC NOT to have mentioned this undisputed fact. The car was designed for and by men. Like it or not, mentioning that most 911's are owned by men is appropriate and true. Why not mention it? Certainly more true and relevant than this beauty:

"At the same time, Mr. Frick points out, some later 911s are desirable for their luxury features, overall reliability and easy-to-drive engine and transmission. This is especially true of the 1987-89 cars."

Since when are stand alone, archaic A/C systems considered a luxury feature? And premature valve guide failure contributes to overall reliability?

[John Straub]

Now more eyes are on them... the beat goes on...

John

[setho]

Sorry to disagree Frank - the article is focused on the cars, not the owners. So throwing in the line about women seems to be a non-sequitur.

I think women in the automotive hobby are great - and many seem even more passionate than their male counterparts.

I just didn't see the point in this story.

As for the reliability - a 3.2L fuel injected '89 is more reliable (and easier to drive) than a Solex carb'd 2.0L from the 60's.

No, it would have been PC NOT to have mentioned this undisputed fact. The car was designed for and by men. Like it or not, mentioning that most 911's are owned by men is appropriate and true. Why not mention it? Certainly more true and relevant than this beauty:

"At the same time, Mr. Frick points out, some later 911s are desirable for their luxury features, overall reliability and easy-to-drive engine and transmission. This is especially true of the 1987-89 cars."

Since when are stand alone, archaic A/C systems considered a luxury feature? And premature valve guide failure contributes to overall reliability?

[Frank Beck]

The story is about cars and owners.

Another comment: "pre '69 cars aren't as good" got me going as well. As far as pure reliability, I'll trust a carbureted, point fired 911 over an electronic injected car All DAY LONG. I've seen my share of DME ECU's pop because someone jumped a battery.

It's all good. Differing opinions are the spice of life. Mine's based on working on these things for 40 years.

[Eminence Gris]

Pretty decent article for a non car-focused media outlet.

There was a study done in the mid/late-80s that said Porsche ownership was something like 96% male, which was the most unbalanced of all the marques selling in volume in the US.

As for the 'pre-69 cars' comment, I have to agree. Unless a CDi was retrofitted. I spent a lot of time cleaning plugs on my '66.