Extended Test Drives
Discussion
Hey Guys
Has anyone who has bought a 981 had an extended test drive? I know some while ago that PCGB were doing this to push sales of the previous Boxster but wondered if this was something that was still being done or is it down to individual dealers and their discretion?
I'm looking at getting a 2.9 for my wife as she has said that she rather likes the idea of them but she doesn't want to test drive it in East London as she would be more distracted driving defensively than relaxing into the drive and enjoying/experiencing what the car has to offer. She makes a fair point as my test drive for my CR saw me stuck in so much traffic that I had to reschedule it and even then, I spent most of the time in low gears at no more than 30 - 40mph.
My sales guy is on holiday at the moment so I've mailed him but thought I'd see if anyone else had done this or whether the dealers are not entertaining this sort of thing because of strong demand?
Thanks
Alex
Has anyone who has bought a 981 had an extended test drive? I know some while ago that PCGB were doing this to push sales of the previous Boxster but wondered if this was something that was still being done or is it down to individual dealers and their discretion?
I'm looking at getting a 2.9 for my wife as she has said that she rather likes the idea of them but she doesn't want to test drive it in East London as she would be more distracted driving defensively than relaxing into the drive and enjoying/experiencing what the car has to offer. She makes a fair point as my test drive for my CR saw me stuck in so much traffic that I had to reschedule it and even then, I spent most of the time in low gears at no more than 30 - 40mph.
My sales guy is on holiday at the moment so I've mailed him but thought I'd see if anyone else had done this or whether the dealers are not entertaining this sort of thing because of strong demand?
Thanks
Alex
Old Trout said:
Rule 1 of OPCs - Never answer emails
I would call him/her when you are back and take it from there!
Sounds like you've got a history. To give him my guy his dues, he is really good at getting back to me, sometimes it takes a day but he has never not replied to my messages. I would call him/her when you are back and take it from there!
If you're having trouble, write to the principal copying your guy and innocently ask if he is on holiday and forgot to set his out of office as you've not had a response. :-)
Mutema said:
Sounds like you've got a history. To give him my guy his dues, he is really good at getting back to me, sometimes it takes a day but he has never not replied to my messages.
If you're having trouble, write to the principal copying your guy and innocently ask if he is on holiday and forgot to set his out of office as you've not had a response. :-)
When I was buying my RS a couple of years ago I told him I travelled a lot so email was always best. He only called.If you're having trouble, write to the principal copying your guy and innocently ask if he is on holiday and forgot to set his out of office as you've not had a response. :-)
I told him I was going to be in the US so email was the ONLY way to contact me. He called me at 4am.
When he didn't respond to my email for a while I wrote to the Dealer Principal, copying him and as a result managed to negotiate a better trade in and got all the attention.
But generally car dealers are terrible at responding to email - check out other experiences here!
BTW Good luck with your test drive - I had a 981S for a couple of hours - fantastic car!
thegoose said:
I think the dealers may be able to send you to the Silverstone experience centre for half a day. This will have a direct cost for them though, so they'll have to judge it worthwhile investing in in an attempt to get your order.
To be honest, my wife is a very different driver to me and this is a car that I will probably drive more than her but when we're out of London and on some good roads, she'll certainly take the wheel. I think the experience centre is great but it won't give her the feel in the environment in which she'd drive it. She'd never do a track day but would really enjoy driving on some good A-roads for example and that would be enough for her. If she likes it and we buy the car, she can enjoy the delights of the ice hill and kick plate in good time! 
I was offered a 981 on 24 hour loan, having only asked for a longer drive as I didn't know the area around the dealer so couldn't get a proper feel for it. Also means you can do all the boring stuff if necessary back at home, like how much stuff fits in it, etc, etc.
I thought it made a massive difference.... returned it and ordered one.
Oh and they fully valeted the current car while it was left with them. Which made it look nice and sparkly for assessing the trade-in.
If the OPC is reluctant then just try elsewhere.
S
I thought it made a massive difference.... returned it and ordered one.
Oh and they fully valeted the current car while it was left with them. Which made it look nice and sparkly for assessing the trade-in.
If the OPC is reluctant then just try elsewhere.
S
esuuv said:
West London offered me a 981 for the day - I didnt take them up on it because really i'm going to wait for the Cayman but they will if you're serious.
Cool. I actually know the OPC GM, he used to run the VW dealership off Finchley Road and I have to say, I was disappointed when he left because he was exceptionally good. My preference would be for a Cayman actually but my wife fancied a soft top as the other cars we have are all hard tops. I did try to explain the concept of torsional rigidity and so on but she rolled her eyes as short hand for 'I don't really care about that stuff'.
Mutt said:
You might have better luck getting a 2.7 
I was a serious customer, but didn't get offered a 24h test drive. To be fair, it was a) just as the 981 was launched so the cars were in demand and b) the salesman probably realised I was buying one regardless!
Whoops on the 2.7. Good spot and you're right, it is a 2.7. :-)I was a serious customer, but didn't get offered a 24h test drive. To be fair, it was a) just as the 981 was launched so the cars were in demand and b) the salesman probably realised I was buying one regardless!
Yeah, I kinda hinted at the timing in my original post. After the initial demand has calmed down and more demonstrators are available, I thought my chances would be improved. Just after launch, I imagine the dealer would just point you to all the excellent trade reviews.
Old Trout said:
When I was buying my RS a couple of years ago I told him I travelled a lot so email was always best. He only called.
I told him I was going to be in the US so email was the ONLY way to contact me. He called me at 4am.
When he didn't respond to my email for a while I wrote to the Dealer Principal, copying him and as a result managed to negotiate a better trade in and got all the attention.
But generally car dealers are terrible at responding to email - check out other experiences here!
BTW Good luck with your test drive - I had a 981S for a couple of hours - fantastic car!
I don't think it's just dealers that don't listen to be honest but that's a bit ridiculous. People at the top generally know how to act and consider the fact that if you're buying a car of that sort of value, you'll probably want to replace it in the future and there are lots of options at RS money. They see that picture.I told him I was going to be in the US so email was the ONLY way to contact me. He called me at 4am.
When he didn't respond to my email for a while I wrote to the Dealer Principal, copying him and as a result managed to negotiate a better trade in and got all the attention.
But generally car dealers are terrible at responding to email - check out other experiences here!
BTW Good luck with your test drive - I had a 981S for a couple of hours - fantastic car!
Thanks, hopefully I can get something sorted but it's worth finding out what other people have been offered. My dealer wouldn't even let a third party come in and install VentureShield on the nose. I had a row with them about it because Hatfield were totally fine about it, my installer checked if it was policy but no, it was the dealer being a pain.
Actus Reus said:
I got a 981 for a whole weekend from Cambridge - but was told it wasn't usual practice.
They're actually a dealership I'm considering speaking to. I know some great roads in Norfolk and was where I was thinking of taking the car out. I think they're part of the dealer group who own the OPC where I bought my car so hopefully they'll not treat me as a tyre kicker with my request. Hatfield wrote me a letter offering me a Cayman R for 24 hours. Must have had me on their database from servicing my old 996 there.
I took them up on the offer.
At 6 ft 6 I was way too cramped in the Cayman, so a few months later the sales guy emailed me and asked if I wanted a 991S for 24 hours. So I borrowed that aswell.
Can't see why you wouldn't get loan of any Porsche for an extended period?
I took them up on the offer.
At 6 ft 6 I was way too cramped in the Cayman, so a few months later the sales guy emailed me and asked if I wanted a 991S for 24 hours. So I borrowed that aswell.
Can't see why you wouldn't get loan of any Porsche for an extended period?
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