When I worked for Porsche in California I sold two Porsches to the principles of a company that made custom wheelchairs for competiton....they were both in chairs themselves. People do like to make assumptions......
Just because a guy becomes old and partially disabled doesn't mean he can't enjoy nice things. Ask me how I know.
Yep, I've hung a placard off of the mirrors on several nice cars, one of them being a 911 Carrera Cabriolet.
On the other hand, I am aware of two different able-bodied people who obtained a handicapped placard. In one case it was because they had a relative who was elderly and they sometimes drove their elderly relative to appointments and wanted to park close to their destination. Fair enough. However, they kept the handicapped placard hanging from their car's mirror 100% of the time and they used it when they drove solo just for the convenient parking purposes it allowed.
That's not a surprise in-as-much as most people would take the same advantage if in the same situation. My gimp card does a good job in keeping door dings off my car. :wink:
Nothing wrong with legitimate usage, I might be using a card in a few years, probably not on a 911, I lean towards the new Alfa Romeos or the Jaguar Coupe.
I tend to look at an able-bodied person using a handicap placard as evidence of strong lack of personal ethics if I'm being generous, and as outright fraud if I'm being realistic.
Why? What do you care if some stoners buy pot in California? Are they somehow keeping those with a real need from getting theirs? People sure find interesting things to hate on...... While I agree with Bruce that people using the handicap parking when they are able bodied makes me angry, you can't always tell by looking that someone is or isn't disabled. I give them the benefit of the doubt. I have a bad knee, and for a while I had to use a cane and I was amazed how courteous and helpful people were towards me, when I didn't feel like I needed any extra help - it was very encouraging to see positive behavior like that.
I know a nice fellow who drives a full prepped P GT3 who appears to be able-bodied in outward appearances. He drives well but when you talk with him you find out he has had 3 strokes in the past 5 years, but he does soldier on. He also uses two canes, I admire him a bunch. So appearances are deceptive. And yes, he does hang his card when he parks the Porsche at our local Cars and Coffee, he gets a prime spot each 1ST Saturday.
Same here, but have you ever noticed how poorly most handicapped people park? Very few can line the vehicle up with the lines and there is always the one that cant fit their vehicle between the lines. I am amazed sometimes that I don't have a bunch of dings. I live in a military community and the local Wal-Mart's (yes we have multiple) have marked parking not only for the handicapped but for expecting mothers and Wounded Warriors. Of course you don't need a place card to park in them, all on the honor system but I stopped being surprised at what types of individuals pull into those spots.
It's refreshing to see that these Porsche enthusiasts haven't lost their love for their cars after losing their mobility.