MY neighbours are a generally conservative and sometimes cynical bunch and I'm not really sure they buy my assertion that I am a motoring journalist.
I've no doubt many think I am either deeply mired in the criminal fraternity or maybe just a dodgy Arthur Daley type.
After all they have been watching cars of all shapes, sizes and prices appear on my drive for a number of years, although not including too many old bangers.
But now they barely bat an eyelid, even at some of the £100,000 plus offerings.
The Porsche is a bit different. The latest version of the iconic Carrera is an impressive bit of kit, a gleaming and beautifully crafted example of Teutonic technology
The neighbours couldn't get enough of this newest incarnation of a sports car icon.
I also had high hopes because the last Porsche I drove about three years ago left me slightly underwhelmed.
At that time I was disappointed with the cheap looking switchgear and some of the internal build quality.
The new model, launched in spring this year, is light years away from that. It is really eye-catching, has breathtaking peformance, handles like a dream and is superbly put together.
Add the fact that it retains around 70 per cent of the original value after three years and you have style, peformance and financial prudence all rolled into one.
Admittedly, the switchgear is still not my favourite but it is solid and functional and that's about the harshest critcism I can level.
The exterior design has been, and still is, instantly recognisable over a number of decades, but more subtle enhancements include a more muscular rear waistline and revised light clusters.
The interior is dominated by a huge rev counter that also features a digital speedo readout. Keep your eye on it because floor the throttle and it becomes a blur.
The Carrera is powed by a 3.8 litre flat six engine harnessed to an incredibly precise six-speed gearbox.
Acceleration is eye watering. The Porsche rockets to 60mph in under fives seconds and on, if ever that were possible, to more than 180mph.
The blistering acceleration is accompanied by a satisfying roar from the rear mounted engine, and even the wind noise from the soft top is not too intrusive.
If it is then turn up the ear-drum shattering Porsche Sound Package Plus, which features a CD radio with nine loudspeakers, and you could drown out the whole of the M25.
Handling is simply superb, the huge 19in wheels and tyres giving more grip than Spiderman and the driver gets a wonderful feel for the car from the direct and positive feedback from the steering.
Wonderful though the drive is, I still managed to be a little overenthusiastic and stuck the rear end out on a couple of occasions.
Traction aids and, I like to think, driver skill, instantly corrected this, but it is more than easy to get carried away by the adrenaline rush.
Purists would argue that the suspensions is slightly soft for a car of this pedigree and this comes through during normal driving. The Carerra is just as composed tootling along at 30 as it is at motorway limits.
But for those purists, there is the option of switching to the sports setting which stiffens up the suspension and shockers. The car then bounces around like a skateboard on a corrugated sheet and threatens to rattle your fillings out. If that's what floats your boat then fine, I prefer the softer setting.
As usual I managed to pick the wrong time of year for a cabrio, but still managed to get the soft top down on a couple of occasions.
It opens and closes at the touch of a button and take just 20 seconds. The roof can also be opened and closed while driving at speeds of up to 31 mph while new guide ducts above the doors reduce the amount of rainwater dripping down.
Interior room, is as you would expect, at a premium. The electronically operated front leather seats have a multitude of positions and the steering also has multi adjustment for the optimum driving position.
But the rear seats are really only for children or an extremely small adult.
These can be moved forward to give additional storage space to the modest boot at the front. But there are plenty of other little stowage spots including the two cup holders that flick out of the dash and vaguely resemble a pair of handcuffs. Who knows what these Porsche drivers get up to...
The new Carerra S features Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP) system comprising, two head airbags, a thorax airbag on the outer side of the front seat backrests, two full-size frontal airbags and three-point seat belts with belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats. All the usual electrics including windows, mirrors etc come as standard.
The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet starts at £65,260 and the S Cabriolet at £72,230. A lot of money, but a pretty good investment in a purchase that is normally a money drain
Sorry to see it go, but it least it gave the neighbours something to talk about.
FAST FACTS
Porsche 911 Carerra Carbriolet S
Price: £72,840
Mechanical: 355bhp, 3,824cc, flat 6 cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 181 mph
0-62mph:4.7 secs
Combined mpg:24.1
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 280g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 2yrs/unlimited miles; 3yr paint; 10yrs anti-rust