It is weird how some cars do this.
Dad would occasionally get people knocking on his door, or stopping in the street whilst he washed his XKR, asking questions etc.
That has since amplified since getting a DB9 - with two people offering to wash it for him.
From my experience of cars and the brands I've owned and driven is that Porsche seems a hated brand, owning a Porsche makes you a hand gesture or have small genitals as far as the public is concerned, apart from people who have maybe driven a Porsche or owned one people just do not seem to get them, particular the 911. I will say again out of all the cars I test drove a 991.1 GT3 RS gave the 458 a true close call, on driving both I found it so difficult to separate them, the Porsche was winning on running cost (until I discovered Ferrari FREE servicing) and the Porsche is typically a more robust car or believed to be. Though the GT3 engine in the cabin is arguable the best in cabin sounding engine I have ever experienced, it was hard to experience on the road whilst remaining legal, as 7000rpm in 2nd gear is around 60mph, it is at around 7500rpm the noise turns godlike and the limiter in 2nd is 80mph something. Handling seemed mixed the 911 felt so connected and confidence inspiring but at same time the grip was low in wet/cold but in fairness truly communicative, but the 458 just felt way more special and not a single big wing in sight. Drive a 911, they are truly sensational, GT3 is absolute best of the bunch followed by GT4, the Turbo models do nothing for me, driven a few 911 Turbo's and well I'd rather take a GTR its more engaging.
It does seem the British public absolutely love Aston Martin and Jaguar, having owned two Jaguars and having access to a V8 Vantage I can say the comments are always the same, WOW what a beautiful looking car. People love British cars, knowing people who own Mclarens they report similar responses.
The Saleen Mustang got potentially the most attention of any car I owned, but back in 2006 I think it was a Mustang was an incredible rare site in UK, a Saleen Mustang was even rare US side, the response was hugely positive, the only negative response was from Police officers giving me speeding tickets.
The new Mustang also developed lots of random conversations and interest as I was one of the first in the UK to get one, plus it was grey not even a bright colour but in short people were like WOW, how much was it, well 35k, YOU WHAT, WHAT THE HELL, I thought it was a 60-80k car, of course the Mustang is now pretty much a 50k car, but in got a lot of positive attention.
Lotus is same, people love them even if they are not particular comfortable.
It is German cars that people seem to interpret badly, does it come from as far back as WW1/WW2? I don't think so you can buy an Audi R8, that is German too and for whatever reason, women in particular all of a sudden want your babies it seems if your single and what want women to throw their panties at you as you drive along, well its the car to buy, all the R8's I've driven, white, red, blue every women on the street was staring, yes its a good looking card but maybe its the ironman stigma. But Porsche, BMW M will get attention from petrol heads but generally negative attention from the public.
Ferrari and Lambo seem to just inject joy into people, Lamborghini the attention is unreal, but I think for many Lamborghini is the true poster car, the boyhood dream and when people see them they just fall in love and want a chance to ask you about it, the Ferrari gets a lot of attention too, the positive thing it always seems all very positive.
, that is incredible. Need seriously deep pockets for that scenario. I do wonder if McLaren actually have a plan for their current reputation, because I absolutely love the brand and the engineering is superb.