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Red River Ramblings

Volume XX, December – January 2004

Secretary/Membership Malcolm Hinds

26 Kingsborough Drive Wpg, MB R4P 1H7

(204)488-9622 CMHinds@aol.com

Red River Ramblings Ad Rates One Year - Six Insertions

Half Page (square frame) - $60.00

Photo Credits Page 1 - Wayne Schellekens Page 8 - WHRRI Website Page 9 - David Grant Page 21 - Rob Hattle Page 20 - Porsche AG - ©PCNA Page 21 - Mark Sawatsky

2

President David Grant

71 Thornhill Bay Wpg, MB, R3J 2W5

(204)269-0019 dhgrant@hydro.mb.ca

Past-President Keith Gordon

356 Whytewold Road Wpg, MB, R3J 2W5

(204) 227-1631 keithgordonca@

yahoo.com

Red River Region Executive

Vice-President/Editor Tobias Theobald 14 Reay Cres Wpg, MB, R2K 3R3 (204) 668-9639 1985944@mts.net

Treasurer Paul Carson 231 Montgomery Ave Winnipeg, MB TPaulCarson@ hotmail.com

Webmaster Wayne Schellekens 52 Royal Sallinger Winnipeg, MB wschelle@shaw.ca

Grapes Leon’s Centre is a proud supporter of the Red River Region, Porsche Club of America.

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Classifieds: Wheels for 944 Turbo 16 inch 16x7 16x8 rear. 5 phone dials - (3 front 2 rear) , 4 flat dish (2 front 2 rear) $1000 takes it all. Call Kurt Daunheimer 1-306-584-1507

Bra for 944. Good condition. $60 or best offer. Call Malcolm 488-9622

1986 944 turbo drivers door, nearly flawless black paint, will fit any 924 -944 from about 1976 to 1992. $50 or offer. I paid $200 a couple of years ago for what was likely the last one in MB. Call David, 269-0019

1971 911 Targa convertible, for parts, or to restore a rusty or bent Targa. Not accident damaged, nearly rust-free, but suffered interior fire damage. $2000 or offer. Call David, 269-0019

225 and 245-16" race tires, street-legal, used... Make an offer. Call David 269-0019 Set of Michelin Arctic Alpins for 17" Boxster Wheels. Fit right on rims. $400 Contact Patrick: pmunroe@escape.ca

To advertise in the newsletter contact Tobias Theobald via email 1985944@mts.net or telephone 668-9639 22

Red River Region Calendar of Events December 3 Annual General Meeting Grapes, Leon’s Centre December 20 Red River Xmas Party 5:30PM Call David. January 7 Monthly PCA Meeting Grapes, Leon’s Centre January 9 RRR Movie Night (TBA) Call David or Tobi January 11 WSCC Ice Race - St. Boniface Call David for info January 18 RRR Rally Call David January 25 WSCC Ice Race - St. Malo Call David for info February 4 Monthly PCA Meeting Grapes, Leon’s Centre February 6 RRR Tech Session (TBA) Call David February 8 WSCC Ice Race St. Laurent Call David for info February 12 RRR Rally Call David February 22 WSCC Ice Race St. Malo Call David for info March 3 Monthly PCA Meeting Grapes, Leon’s Centre March 7 WSCC Ice Race St. Laurent Call David for info April 7 Monthly PCA Meeting Grapes, Leon’s Centre May 8th (tentative) Spring Ramble to Narcisse Contact Tobias Common Acronyms: RRR - Red River Region of the Porsche Club of America WSCC - Winnipeg Sports Car Club Nord Stern - Minnesota Region of PCA operating primarily out of Minneapolis CBIR - Brainerd International Raceway (2 hours east of Fargo) Autocross - navigation of pylons at relatively low speeds in parking lot Pro-solo - 3 lap run on the racetrack; 1 car on track at a time

Table Of Contents

4 President’s Column 5 Editor’s Column 6 Summer Porsche Adventures 9 New Member Announcement 10 From The Millionaire’s Perspective 15 Porsche Quiz 16 Member Value 17 PCA Computer Problems 18 Member Satisfaction Questionnaire 22 Classifieds

3

President’s Column: By David Grant

Welcome, everyone, to early winter in Manitoba. We have a few events planned, hopefully ones that you will want to be a part of. Socially, we had a fairly successful cabaret night, November 7, at the Barca Club. Lots of people were there, but unfortunately very few were from PCA-RRR. There were snacks, lots of Porsche posters on the walls, and dancing/listening to a nice mix of live music.

At the end of September, we held an IMAX movie night. Through the generosity of the IMAX folks, we saw a great Movie, TOP SPEED, and raised $1000.00 for MS. Malcolm, Tobi, Vicki and I put together a nice display table in the lobby.

On October 18, Autohaus invited a few older 911 model cars to the 40th birthday celebration (of the 911 model) at the Dealership. It was great seeing my 1972 car all shiny, in the showroom, next to a 993, a new silver 996, and of course the yellow GT3! If this had been earlier

in the season, we could have lined their lot with our older 911 models.

The annual Red R i v e r R e g i o n Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 20th at 5:30PM. The Party will be in the form of a potluck dinner held at Vicki’s house located at 524 Stradbrook Avenue. Hopefully those of you not into purely car-focused events will be a part of our xmas Celebration.

(Continued on page 14) 4 21

Quiz Answers: 1) A- From “Panorama”, December 1979, page 11 2) B- From “Porsche: Excellence was Expected”, page 444-445 3) A-From “Excellence Was Expected”, page 444-445 4) D- From “Porsche Panorama”, March 1992, page 9 5) B- From “Up-fixin der Porsche”, Vol. VII, page 291 6) D- From “Excellence was Expected”, page 825 7) A- From “Up-fixin der Porsche”, vol. VI, page 118 8) C- from “Panorama”, March 1990, page 52 9) D- from “Porsche Family Tree”, page 16 10) B

David Grant’s Porsche 356. Taken in 1971

Porsche sales up 85 percent in North America By: Porsche AG

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart has achieved strong sales growth in North America, by some distance its most important market. In October 2003, 2,790 vehicles were delivered to customers in the USA and Canada. In comparison with the same month last year, when the figure was 1,511 units, this represents an increase of 85 percent. At the same time, these are the best October sales figures that Porsche has ever achieved in North America. The main driving force behind this growth came from the Cayenne, with the new variants of the 911 also having a positive impact on sales.

In October, the Cayenne once made its mark on the market. 1,341 units of the sport utility vehicle were sold during the month, making it more than 10,000 Cayenne vehicles supplied to customers in North America since its launch in the region in mid-March 2003.

Of the sports cars - the 911 and Boxster - 1,449 vehicles were supplied in October (2002: 1,511 units). This represents a slight decline of four percent. The 911 series enjoyed all but steady sales levels, selling 936 vehicles (down one percent), while 513 Boxster units were shipped (down nine percent). Demand for the new cabriolet versions of the Carrera 4S and 911 Turbo, only launched at the end of September, was exceptionally strong and had a positive influence on Porsche's core business.

Porsche 911 GT2

5

Editor’s Column: By Tobias Theobald

It’s Funny how some people think. Example: For me there are two pivotal moments in a year of Racing. One being the final Formula One race of the year, and the other being the Paris Dakar Rally.

I always know the summer is winding down when the Formula One season comes to a close. A chilling reminder of the cold weather that’s just around the corner. This means an end to those things I enjoy so much. My Motorcycles, Porsche and the Mountain Bike all go into hibernation for the long winter.

The Dakar Rally marks the exact opposite. Watching people race through the scorching hot desert in Northern Africa brings a smile to my face since spring is coming. Although it’s just February, the car cover usually comes off the car “just for a peek”

This year I decided to celebrate rather than mourn the end of the Summer.(I know I’m being over dramatic, but isn’t that what these editor’s columns are all about?) I invited the members of the Red River Region to my home to watch the last Formula One Race of the year.

The F1 race was held in Suzuka Japan, so due to the time difference, it didn’t start until midnight. The first people came around 10:30. A few minutes later the next couple arrived. I made a few appetizers, and popped in a video tape of the qualifying session. We looked at a few photos, and talked about everything from Formula One to the latest happenings in the club. Just after the start of the race the last expected couple arrived.

The race was very entertaining with many passes and interesting pit stops. The race finished with Ruebens Barrichello taking the checkered flag. Kimi Raikonnen finished second. Since Kimi didn’t win, Michael Schumacher was awarded the 2003 championship.

After the race we discussed the race highlights. Most people were quite tired after the race. Since it was already past two in the morning. Everyone said goodnight, and headed to the comforts of their homes.

I had a great time that evening and wouldn’t hesitate for a second to do it all again. Thanks to Malcolm, Suzanne, David, Vicki, Marcia, and Bruce for coming to my home for an evening of finger food and racing! Come back anytime!

6

Summer Porsche Adventures By David Grant

Our most recent trip was in late September. We left Winnipeg, September 19, heading for Minnesota, and the Final Fling Porsche racecar event at Brainerd, with Nord Stern Region. We had considered flagging the PCA Club Race that weekend in Indiana, but that is a lot of driving in the first day, and we would miss our friends from Minnesota. Instead, we set a more relaxed pace. The weather was great, but the lack of prior frost meant the trees were all still green. Usually, late September in the Minnesota woods is more colorful. Pitch black roads and fog reduced visibility for the last couple of hours, in central Minnesota. Suddenly, there were bits of debris near the centerline. I moved to the right, away from them. Next, a brown object went under the passenger side tires, apparently a dead deer.

The practices and timed runs went well, but one of their regulars, in a 944Turbo, flipped his car end-for-end 4 times. He was taken to the local hospital for a checkup, then joined us for Tall Tale Telling Time after supper. We met with the other flaggers for dinner Sunday, then drove back to the track for the night. Monday morning, there was another racing practice event, but we had to be in Indianapolis by the end of the day, so we said our farewells, and drove to the Twin Cities. We spent an hour and a half window shopping at the Mall of America, then found a specialty spice store in St. Paul. From there, we drove to Chicago, arriving just as the sun was setting. We had hoped to see the daylight fade from the top of the Sears tower (108 floors up?). We found a metered spot a block from the tower, and ran to the entrance. The doors we needed were on the far side, 1/4 miles away!. Vicki is as good a sprinter as I, so we made it.

We saw sailboats returning to harbor from Lake Michigan, and the endless lines of tail lights, heading home from big-city jobs. It is like flying over a city, but you get to stay for hours, and there are signs explaining what is in each view. We stopped at the next restaurant we saw, nearly 100 miles south! In that part of Chicago, EVERYBODY turns out the lights and goes home!

Near the end of the day, a little sedan

slid between 1 and 2, and

rolled

263 Gunn Road - Mailing Address: Box 57, GRP 512, RR 5, Winnipeg, MB - Canada - R2C 2Z2

Phone. (204) 942-2600 or (204) 222-9191 - Fax. (204) 222-7303

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This photo was sent in by Mark Sawatsky, Red River Region Member. Mark’s email included the following description. Thanks Mark. I was in Baltimore, Maryland recently and while at the docks, I drove by a sea of new Cayennes just off the boat, and here's a picture. O.K, I know it's not a great picture because they are all covered, I did what I could without suffering the wrath of new anti-terrorism laws

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Member Satisfaction Questionnaire Please answer the following questions.

Meetings 1. The monthly PCA meetings are of interest to me. 2. I’d make it to meetings if they were not on

Wednesday. 3. I’m just too busy to make it to meetings,

regardless when they are. 4. The location of the meeting is inconvenient

for me. 5. Club business doesn’t interest me.

Rallies 1. I don’t really know how rallies work. 2. Rallies are of interest to me. 3. Rallies have been too short notice 4. Rallies are scheduled for days that I’m busy 5. I enjoy rallies. We should have more 6. Rallies are too dangerous

Country Drives 1. I don’t have the time for country drives 2. I don’t want to put the mileage on my car 3. Country drives interest me. 4. I enjoy drives. We should do them more often. 5. I plan on attending the spring drive to Narcisse.

Events (General) 1. The club does a good job with the events 2. The club should have more events 3. The club needs more variety in events 4. I’d be interested in organizing an event What can we do to give you more value for your money? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Agree Disagree Agree Disagree

Agree Disagree

Agree Disagree

Agree Disagree

Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree

Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree

Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree

7

It was about midnight when we arrived at our hotel in Indianapolis, a block from their domed convention center/ stadium. I had a couple of days of meetings, and had to make a technical presentation Thursday morning on the latest tests for oil. When that was over, the city was alive with Formula One fans. Hotel rates tripled for the race weekend, and we had an invite to flag in Michigan, so we just drove around the Speedway, took some pics, and headed north, through beautiful mid-western farmland.

We spent 4 nights with Michigan friends, Brian and Judi. On the 26th, we visited friends of mine from 30 to 35 years ago, when my 1962 Porsche and I were involved in Michigan motor sports. One friend gave me photos from his album, of my car in action, taken 30+ years ago. Vic Skirmants, famous among 356 aficionados and vintage racers across North America, has a new shop and home, on a wooded acreage, a couple of hours north of Detroit. Among the very nice 50’s Porsche racecar restorations was a red Austrian one-off. I still have vivid memories of scores of early transaxles and dozens of engine cases, all lined up in his new storage space.

8

On the 27th, we flagged a very busy corner at Waterford Hills, a pretty 1.5 mile road race track an hour north of Detroit. There were about 15 times as many racecars as in Manitoba. There were 4 of us on Turn 3: Brian, Judi, Vicki and I. It was fun, with lots of bits to pick up, cars to fix and send on their way, and madly waved yellow flags when yet another driver found himself stalled backwards or sideways in a turn! There were about 5 of the guys I competed against, in the early 70’s, still racing or volunteering that day.

On the Sunday, Brian and Judi were on Turn 1, and Vicki and I were the Turn 2 crew. We had a great view of the whole track, so when a pair of little formula cars tangled, I had lots of time to gather up all the bits of f i b e r g l a s s bodywork from the track before another car came along. Near the end of the day, a little sedan slid between 1 and 2, and rolled. Don’t slide sideways onto soft grass! The Waterford website soon had the picture of Vicki with the yellow flag and phones, and me with the fire bottle and rescue crew at the scene. It is all nicely gathered together with a telephoto lens as you can see.

After the racers had their cars trailered up and ready to go, we all gathered at the ‘clubhouse’ on the track property for dinner and awards. We flaggers, in our distinctive white outfits took the front table. Race teams then brought us pitchers of beer in thanks. At one point we had as many pitchers as flaggers. I was driving our vanload, and drank none, but the race teams were a bit too generous. Vicki noticed that one of the first place racer prizes/ trophies was a blue and white towel, with First place and Waterford Hills Roadracing emblazoned on it. When she heard a racer mutter that he really didn’t need any of the prizes offered (regular trophy, wall clock, or towel) she rushed up and whispered an offer to trade him a pitcher of beer for a towel-prize. The flagger table was very amused when he picked the towel prize and brought it over to Vicki.

A Racecar lays on its side

17

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PCA Computer Problems

The PCA National Office experienced a number of computer problems during the month of October that included corrupted files. This had an impact on new membership applications and renewals. If you have applied for membership or sent in a renewal since October 1, and you have not received a confirmation from the PCA, contact Malcolm Hinds at 488-9622 or CMHinds@aol.com.

folks at Grapes block off a section of the parking lot specially for Porsche parking, and our seating allows us to keep an eye on our cars.

Secondly I’d like to tell you about our events. David Grant sets up our rallies. We’ve organized country drives, Movie nights, and parties (Pool Party, Christmas Party). All of these events are free and open to club members, affiliates and significant others.

Your board of directors is curious whether members feel they get their money’s worth. Please take a few moments to fill out the questionnaire on the next page. Your answers can be emailed, mailed, or even given on the phone. My email address is 1985944@mts.net, phone 668-9639 or mail it to 14 Reay Cres WPG,MB R2K 3R3

7. One of the primary body differences between the US model 924 and 924 Turbo was:

A. The Turbo had a hood scoop B. The rear fenders were flared on the Turbo C. The Turbo had boxed rocker panels D. The front fenders were made out of fiberglass on the Turbo

8. At the age of 16, Ferry Porsche was thinking of becoming a:

A. Designer of automobiles B. Race car driver C. Comedian D. Machinist

9. A 1990 Carrera 4 has two switches in the center console, one to lock the rear differential and the other to:

A. Lock the front differential B. Turn off the ABS C. Select which side view mirror to adjust D. Raise the rear spoiler

10. The formula (R+M)/2=? Is used to determine:

A. Lease payments B. Octane Ratings C. Optimal shift points D. Final Gear Ratio

Answers on Page 21

Member Value By: Tobias Theobald

At the last meeting we discussed the fact that only a few members come out to our events, or the meetings. We’ve noticed that some members have gone and they have been replaced by quite a few fresh faces. We began to wonder, “Why do people leave the club, and how we can improve the club for those that are members?” Maybe members don’t know what we all offer to the member besides the newsletter and Panorama. Well here’s the What’s Happening 101 for the Red River Region.

First I’d like to invite all members to join us for the monthly meetings at Grapes, Leon’s Centre. Meetings are open to all, and are more social than business. They are the perfect opportunity to meet other PCA members, and talk about cars, racing and everything else. The 9

Our Newest Members — Welcome To The PCA Family

• John Santos 2004 Cayenne • Bob Sangster 1976 911S

On Monday morning, we headed north, but I decided to drop in on a friend that I had not been able to reach my phone. He lives just a few miles from the freeway, and was actually working in his yard, when we pulled into his driveway. After a nice visit, and a bit of shopping, we were on Interstate 75 North. Every mile brought a new sunlit, brilliant red and orange patch of hardwood trees. We could not have picked a better day! We crossed the Mackinac Bridge and were driving

along the Lake Superior shore before sunset. I have driven the length of that road about 30 times, but it was Vicki’s first time. She loved it.

By 10 PM, the road was quite twisty and bumpy. There were fierce crosswinds, and enough blowing snow to keep me on edge until we got to Wisconsin. We got home without further adventure, in time for a Tuesday lunch meeting.

Vicki leads 20 snarling formula cars, on pace lap

10

From the Millionaire’s Perspective (Buying Cars… Millionaire Style)

By: Kevin R. Dill As a contrarian, I’m always looking for a better way to do something. Buying a car is one of them. Unfortunately, when you share what you discover or have succeeded in with the average conformist, they either give you a strange look or might even become offended if your experience makes them feel like they should have known better themselves. With that gentle warning, fasten your seatbelt. You just might be in for a head-on collision. But fortunately, the information here may help you avoid another more critical one later on down the road.

Behind my success in buying automobiles, I discovered (quite by accident) I shop in a similar manner to the affluent in our society. Now, although I am no millionaire (at the time this went to print), I was pleased to find out that the buying traits I possess actually lead one in the direction of prosperity. I will share with you today just one (of many) of the commonalities of those who are millionaires, not because of what many think is based on high-income. More so because of wise money management in the form of higher-than-average wealth accumulation. In other words, those who are more successful at money multiplication than exorbitant income. How this relates to buying a car is critical and priceless.

You see, anyone can be called a millionaire who has a net worth of one million dollars or more. However, the real test of a millionaire is one who has the “staying power” to maintain and grow financially while in constant pursuit of finding ways to minimize taxable income and maximize non-taxable income. And, by millionaire I mean one with NET not DEBT where the total asset base outweighs the handicap (liabilities). Okay, so I trust we are all clear now on exactly what a millionaire is in relation to this article and the purchasing principle to follow.

Test Your Porsche Knowledge: By: Malcolm Hinds

(Reprinted from “Chicago Scene”. Author: Mary Ann Nowakowski) 1. Porsche announced a six-year rust protection warranty for US cars beginning with:

A. Model year 1980 B. The model 911SC C. Model year 1985 D. Model year 1995

2. The forged 5-spoke alloy wheel first appeared as standard on the model year:

A. 1966 911S B. 1967 911S C. 1968 911S D. 1968 911L

3. The first Porsche production car use of internally vented disc brakes on all four wheels was on the model:

A. 1967 911S B. 1966 911 C. 1968 911L D. 1965 911

4. One of the key interior clues that you are in a new US model Carrera RS America is:

A. A standard roll cage B. Manual rather than electric driver and passenger windows C. No glove box cover D. A pull strap for a door handle

5. In what model year did Porsche introduce the 944S in the US:

A. 1986 B. 1987 C. 1988 D. 1989

6. The 924’s heating and ventilating system came from the : A. 911 B. 914 C. Mercedes 190 D. VW Rabbit 15

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It would seem rather convincing that established car buying practices and behaviors could explain at least part of the reason why some people are wealthy and why many more are not and perhaps never will be. Since buying a vehicle is one of the poorest financial decisions ever made on a repeated basis throughout life, a prudent first step would be to establish a disciplined lifestyle while incorporating certain economic limitations and then begin planning your next car purchase by using the methods, techniques, and principles the millionaire uses—found in the millionaire manual: DRIVE FOR FREE. Then, like the money saving tip of the real millionaire you just discovered, you too will be driving for free as you begin:

BUYING CARS... MILLIONAIRE STYLE!!!

Enjoy the journey…

Copyright © 2003, Kevin R. Dill. Kevin is a modeler of the best the world has to offer from those who have succeeded in spite of the odds against them. As a motivational writer and author of more than 40 publications on such matters, Kevin translates this information for others seeking a better way. For more information on the contrarian style buyer’s guide DRIVE FOR FREE, send all comments and requests to Kevin at krd@mac.com.

Bring your spouse or a friend. Please email me or phone me , so we will have an idea what you might bring as your food 'dish'. My contact info is available on page 2 of the newsletter.

There will be a Winter Rally Series, free for Members, beginning in January. Exact dates will be adjusted to not conflict with the WSCC's Ice Racing Series, which runs through January, Feb. and part of March. Vicki and I will be at all of these races as Timing and Scoring. RRR members should feel free to visit and watch an ice race; it is a unique winter experience. We will email and phone all of you with race dates, and the dates for the next RRR Rallies.

For those of you not often seen at RRR events, please let us know what would excite you. We are very open to new ideas for RRR Events, and very much want this club to offer what you Members want.

(Continued from page 4)

Although a millionaire is in a better position financially to afford the purchase of a new car, it may surprise you to know, many millionaires buy used cars. Now why would anyone with so-called “money to burn” even consider a vehicle someone else’s dog sat in? The answer may surprise you. This type of millionaire, who is an overachiever in the area of accumulating wealth, de-emphasizes consumption and chooses to live within his means.

Perhaps this is why he is a millionaire—he spends at a rate way below the level at which money is coming in. Since the predicate word most used in his financial vocabulary is “frugal”, it only stands to reason, spending lavishly is not a lifestyle choice. Whenever a significant purchase is up for evaluation, he engages in a habit of asking himself if the pride of ownership in possessing this item is worth the price being asked. This alone may account for the reason he purchases a used car over a new one. After all, if one stops to think, “Is the PRIDE of (new car) ownership worth $30,000+?” Most would agree, it’s not.

Making a statement in social status or prestige by what one drives or where one lives is of no interest to this type of buyer. The millionaire buyer gets a greater “buzz” out of calculating his expected increase in net worth in buying a used car “wholesale” (from a private owner) than he does in computing his financial loss making this same purchase new. He recognizes that the real deals on automobiles are likely to be found in the used vehicle marketplace. Furthermore, notice he “buys” and not finances or leases as each vehicle is normally kept for a long time in order to reap the maximum value from it over a several year period.

Pure and simple, these people are well-trained, dedicated bargain hunters who take pleasure in getting a good buy. And, of course the real bargains, strictly from a money standpoint, are more likely to occur when buying from a private seller. This bargain-shopping concept is similar to what happens within a certain area in residential real estate. Unknown to many private homeowners, when a house is listed “For Sale By Owner”; it generally attracts bargain hunters who are looking for a “deal” on a pre-owned home. Even in a boom, depending on the number of other similar homes for sale (the competition), unless the house is priced right, this selling route for the private owner may not be an easy one.

When evaluating the relationship between the used car and the 11

home buyer, what’s really fascinating is, in both industries, a thrifty buyer will look to make his purchase from a private owner and not through a dealer or agent. Why? Ultimately, to save the most money possible!

Please understand, many a millionaire is not a conformist in the sense the media portrays him. Real millionaires are people who have what I call “quiet money” and prefer to be known as the rich and not-so-famous. The spending habits of the true millionaire in our society would make for poor television ratings if ever released to the general public. So instead, the influential media shows what sells and unfortunately through a false view of the “rich and famous” lifestyle concept, many a car-buying consumer tries to follow suit leading to financial disaster.

If this is a false portrayal of a “true” millionaire the question might arise, “What is really going on behind all that guise and glitter?” I’m glad you asked. Many who drive new luxury vehicles and live in estate homes in affluent neighborhoods are actually income rich and asset poor. A “wanna-be” millionaire is more than likely up to his eyeballs in DEBT not NET. This will never allow one to say, “I drive my car for free.” It more accurately causes one to admit, “I drive my car for $599 a month to look good and impress others.”

Trapped in a debt-prone earn and consume merry-go-round feeds a lifestyle fixed on spending tomorrow’s cash today. This new perspective of “true” wealth may change the criteria you use in trying to determine the wealth characteristics of an individual by what he drives.

Further to buying used, placing little or no value on owning and accumulating status artifacts, living below his means partly by sacrificing a high consumption lifestyle, and being frugal, a real millionaire also does his homework and becomes well versed in the purchase at hand so as to leverage his knowledge and use it to his direct advantage. In fact, the type of millionaire I’m speaking about would likely be the one to pick up a copy of my contrarian style buyer’s guide even if just to have it as a reference source in his success library. Whereas with the average consumer, he is drawn more into anything he believes will give him instant self-gratification even if it means it will cost him. It’s the saving versus spending scenario. Like a new health-threatening pestilence, many illiterate car shoppers are 13

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plagued by a wealth-threatening disease known as a bad case of the “spends.”

When considering someone having substantial wealth goes out and buys a car used, it is important to look at how small a portion of actual net worth this represents in his financial portfolio. For a millionaire, it usually equates to less than two percent of his entire net worth. When evaluating what the average consumer typically spends on a vehicle based on his net worth, the figure rises to at least 30%. This percentage is more quickly realized when considering first, the average car buyer has a net worth of less than two percent of the millionaire. Second, if, according to his net worth, he were purchasing cars which cost only two percent of what the millionaire pays for his used vehicle, the majority of car buying consumers would only be spending between $500 and $1000. In reality, this is not the case. No wonder so many people are broke.