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The Joy of Owning a Classic Porsche 911: about Envy and Analog in a Digital World
As a long-time car enthusiast, two years ago I fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine by purchasing a Porsche 911 Carrera. Being my surname Carrera, I knew I had to have one since I was probably 8 years old.
But as someone who lives in a country with a strong culture of envy and an increasing disdain for high-performance cars, I find myself hesitant to show off my prized possession. Despite the fact that my car is a classic 996 4S, 20 years old and less expensive than many mid-range utility cars from BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, and other brands (check my article on the expenses to maintain a classic Porsche), I am still concerned that displaying it publicly may be viewed as unethical.
In a world that places a premium on public transportation and bicycles, where old cars can’t enter city centres and where powerful cars are often seen as public enemies, owning and displaying a high-performance car can be a controversial topic. But as someone who has worked hard, saved diligently, and made sound investments to afford this car, I believe it is important to challenge this narrative.
For starters, owning a high-performance car does not make me a bad person. In fact, my love for cars is driven by my passion for engineering and innovation, as well as my…
