PCA.....JOIN ?, 1974 914 1.8 Options

[brcacti]

Hello, are most or few members of PCA on this forum? If so why do you think we should join? If not say why it's not worth it?

[sb914]

Where’s @Tom_T

[Tom_T]

Where’s @Tom_T

I'm still around, but have been very busy & traveling a lot.

As for PCA members, one of our SoCal Regional officers would add "Cheapsters" - but I prefer "Thrifty"! LOL

Why join? Well....

1.) You get 12 months of an excellent Porsche magazine "Panorama" for $46 per year, which is less than the $48 "Excellence" Porsche magazine subscription .... that alone is worth the money IMHO, even if you do nothing else (& many don't).

In addition, most Regions (think "chapters") they also publish a monthly smaller magazine focused on local activities & events (by comparison BMW CCA has the national "Roundel" monthly magazine, & LA Chapter has a quarterly one).


2.) In addition to the magazine - you get TWO (2) memberships, yours & a 2nd Associate Membership for you spouse/S.O., kid, grandkid, buddy, or anyone (no separate additional Porsche ownership is required for Associate).

By contrast, the BMW CCA charges $48 per person - so the equivalent would be $96 per year for the 2 you get in PCA for just $46!

Also, if you sell or lose your Porsche, or are between them - then you can still benefit by remaining on as an Associate member until such time as you have another P-car.


3.) There are many events every month or weekly in PCA nationally, regionally & in zones, & you can go to other regions'/zones' events as well. Many of these are free, or where you pay for your own meal, etc. at social gatherings, or fees for the activities such as AX, DE, Racing, Concours to cover the costs. Here in the OCR we literally have 1-2 or more activities PER WEEK of all types, year round.

By contrast, BMW CCA has regular but not nearly as many events in LA & San Diego areas, but Orange County is their "black hole" with maybe 2-4 events per year here!


4.) PCA locally, zone-wide & nationally has a wide range of events for just about everyone - from social & informal, to AX, Racing, Concours CWs, Gearhead Techies, etc., etc.


I compare PCA with BMW CCA because I've been in both, but others can probably draw parallels to other car clubs as well. As car clubs go, I think that PCA is a great bargain for what you get, & you can use them as much or as little as suits you.

I think that PCA could do a better job of selling the benefits of membership by emphasizing the above.


Yes, it's true that all of the above types of members - & more - are in the club, since it's a big club; & yes some of them can be pretty "uppity" - but many more are good regular folks who love their P-cars & others around - including now true respect & like for our 914s.

This was not as much the case back in the 1970s & 80s, & I was not a member back then for that reason, as well as because I was otherwise engaged in playing Rugby & other fun pursuits, in my spare time from working in the Architectural field & on my license for same, then starting my business & MBA grad school, a new family & raising 2 kids, etc.

So I never joined until 2009 when - after my kids were close to going on their own - I started planning, collecting parts & working on restoring my 914 - which was coincidentally & definitely related, when I also joined 914world & 914club for the same reason.

In the end, each of you need to decide what you want to do about PCA - bargain or not - & whether you can get by those folks you don't particularly like, & just hang out with the ones you do like - however many or few. PCA is a microcosm of the world, so there are all types there, but all must have or have had a Porsche.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[billh1963]

I compare PCA with BMW CCA because I've been in both, but others can probably draw parallels to other car clubs as well. As car clubs go, I think that PCA is a great bargain for what you get, & you can use them as much or as little as suits you.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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I've always found the ties (perceived or otherwise) between BMW and Porsche interesting. Having owned three BMW's (1994 540, 1998 328 conv, and a 2002 530) over the years, they were always just "appliances" to me. I personally felt the couple of Audi's I owned were FAR better driving cars than the BMWs.

The Roundel was a good magazine. But, I really didn't care about the content. BMW's are just cars to me...I have no passion for them. Porsche's, however, are a passion. I find Panorama interesting (until they start drooling over the latest hybrid Mr. Fusion turbo encapsulator powered Cayenne...yawn).

Unfortunately, as I get older, I realize I am getting left behind. I don't care about Porsche SUV's, all EV's, etc. I like air cooled engines, gasoline and being in control of my car.'s systems. Yes, I'm a caveman. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

For now, PCA does a good job of serving those who think like me. But, it won't be too much longer and the shift will occur where the focus will be on those who don't know how to drive a manual, want a self driving car to take them to work, and think air cooled engines belong in airplanes or lawnmowers. Until then, I'll stay a member of PCA.