Brendan,
Your words about experiences with 'special cars' is so 'on target' for us gearheads! It isn't just the cars - it's the people. That phrase is very common in the Porsche 928 community, from which I recently reduced my involvement (by selling my cars). I've been active there for about 15 years, and a charter member of the 928 Owners Club.
My involvement with the e9 community has been less than 6 months, but I see the same camaraderie here that I found in the 928 OC. Not as many of 'us' as there were there, but the same helpfulness and genuine interests and willingness to share time, knowledge, and friendships with the few people I've met personally.
I've wondered a few times if it was worth trying to form an e9 'Club'. The 928 OC was chartered 17 years ago, has about 600 members world wide, and an account of ~$15,000 in the bank (I've been 928 OC Treasurer for 10 years, and will continue for another 2 years). The dues are $28 per year, and money is spent on support of about 10-15 'meets' per year around the US (with one recently held in western Canada). These meets have allowed 928 OC members to become personally acquainted and in many cases, close friends even though they may be separated by a thousand miles or more. Of course the typical internet communications and connections are broadly used as well.
IF several people who read this have interest in developing such 'formal' e9 community ties, just state your interest. IF there are a dozen or more, I'll start a new thread about just this topic - something to think about and work on in early 2016!!! (There were just 5 'founders' of the 928 Owners Club back in the late 90's).
Cheers, and thanks to all for welcoming me to your community when I barged in about 6 months ago. Scott, a PM is on it's way.
