Would you buy an ex-press GT car?
Discussion
Tricky one. Given a hard time for sure - but likely maintained very well due to them wanting it to be in top form for the journos. At least you know it’s history and have a slight bit of come back?
Nothing saying any other owners haven’t tracked their car from day one with less care and attention?
I’d consider, but would defo not being paying over the odds for one.
Nothing saying any other owners haven’t tracked their car from day one with less care and attention?
I’d consider, but would defo not being paying over the odds for one.
On first glance… you might say no. I did and imo… i got it wrong.
The cars will have been meticulously maintained mechanically… as has been mentioned.… master tech at Porsche Central Operations is assigned to look after the press fleet.
And the car will have its own history, documented and everyone will know ‘which one’ that was, particularly if it was involved in a popular video or driven by the best journos…
E.g.… RO10 HBY… 997 GT3 RS… people would pay big money to get that car.
Also they if they are offered to market it’s usually at a pretty good price.
There was a pair of 991.2 GT3, one white Manual driven by Henry Catchpole, was sold on by Superleggra from here iirc, and then one silver PDK driven by Chris Harris and Steve Sutcliffe.... bought by a mate of mine.
In hindsight I’d have loved to have got my hand on one of those.
The cars will have been meticulously maintained mechanically… as has been mentioned.… master tech at Porsche Central Operations is assigned to look after the press fleet.
And the car will have its own history, documented and everyone will know ‘which one’ that was, particularly if it was involved in a popular video or driven by the best journos…
E.g.… RO10 HBY… 997 GT3 RS… people would pay big money to get that car.
Also they if they are offered to market it’s usually at a pretty good price.
There was a pair of 991.2 GT3, one white Manual driven by Henry Catchpole, was sold on by Superleggra from here iirc, and then one silver PDK driven by Chris Harris and Steve Sutcliffe.... bought by a mate of mine.
In hindsight I’d have loved to have got my hand on one of those.
Not a problem.
Take Harris for an example , I cant stick him but he can drive a car on the edge without over revving and its what Porsche want you to see what the car is capable of .I think it tends to put most people off, simply because they will never be able to drive like he does and think the car is getting ragged.
Press cars are always meticulously maintained for obvious reasons as its the main selling point for any Brand.
Take Harris for an example , I cant stick him but he can drive a car on the edge without over revving and its what Porsche want you to see what the car is capable of .I think it tends to put most people off, simply because they will never be able to drive like he does and think the car is getting ragged.
Press cars are always meticulously maintained for obvious reasons as its the main selling point for any Brand.
Not for me. Whilst people have mentioned the known faces who get to drive them , there are also the idiots that treat them with no mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Regardless of the maintenance , repairs , rebuilds , kerbage repairs , smart repairs and the whole detailing business to get it looking a million dollars come sale time, its still a no from me unless it was an absolute bargain to reflect its former life as a hack.
Regardless of the maintenance , repairs , rebuilds , kerbage repairs , smart repairs and the whole detailing business to get it looking a million dollars come sale time, its still a no from me unless it was an absolute bargain to reflect its former life as a hack.
Implus1 said:
Interesting responses. Would you pay the same price as other cars too?
No why would you?Whilst it is probably an internet myth most quality Press cars get ragged from cold overevved etc etc their history would put MOST used buyers off so on that basis alone the car is worth less to the market than a genuine 1 owner example in a similar way to why ex hire cars whether mainstream or high end will be worth less ££.
Yes we all know of the rare one owner car that is abused but generally they are better cared for and better driven and easier to sell for obvious reasons.
It is not necessarilly the fact that numerous drivers are a bad thing in fact in many cases this can be good but the cars history and use is essentially a factor against it.
Ex PEC cars are warmed up properly driven mainly hard but well within their limits by 1000s of drivers and excellently maintained then mainly retailed through OPCs but ask yourself would you really want a Porsche GT that had literally done 1000s of launch starts instead of an equivalent 1 owner cherished example at the same money and you probably have your answer.
av185 said:
Implus1 said:
Interesting responses. Would you pay the same price as other cars too?
No why would you?Whilst it is probably an internet myth most quality Press cars get ragged from cold overevved etc etc their history would put MOST used buyers off so on that basis alone the car is worth less to the market than a genuine 1 owner example in a similar way to why ex hire cars whether mainstream or high end will be worth less ££.
Yes we all know of the rare one owner car that is abused but generally they are better cared for and better driven and easier to sell for obvious reasons.
It is not necessarilly the fact that numerous drivers are a bad thing in fact in many cases this can be good but the cars history and use is essentially a factor against it.
Ex PEC cars are warmed up properly driven mainly hard but well within their limits by 1000s of drivers and excellently maintained then mainly retailed through OPCs but ask yourself would you really want a Porsche GT that had literally done 1000s of launch starts instead of an equivalent 1 owner cherished example at the same money and you probably have your answer.
Can you ask for overrevs report?
Anything for the state of the PDK ie clutch wear?
If Porsche happy to put a warranty on it then that should help.
I bought an approved used BMW about 20 years ago and one of the options was ‘press preparation’. Raised a few eyebrows at the dealership. Was an e36 325i coupe.
The dealer did say it felt particularly strong and I remember it did seem suspiciously quick compared to other contemporary cars that were supposed to accelerate quicker.
Spec was basic but driver focused; optional LSD, and met paint were I think the only options
Good car, that. Ran it from 57k to 98k in 3 years
Anything for the state of the PDK ie clutch wear?
If Porsche happy to put a warranty on it then that should help.
I bought an approved used BMW about 20 years ago and one of the options was ‘press preparation’. Raised a few eyebrows at the dealership. Was an e36 325i coupe.
The dealer did say it felt particularly strong and I remember it did seem suspiciously quick compared to other contemporary cars that were supposed to accelerate quicker.
Spec was basic but driver focused; optional LSD, and met paint were I think the only options
Good car, that. Ran it from 57k to 98k in 3 years
Not in the same league but previous to the current Cayenne GTS I'm in, I bought a MacanS which was an ex-press car. It was pretty well specced for an early Macan and featured on both Drive & Telegraph videos (that I found) but I'm sure also in other magazines.
The back of the Service Book had about 12 stamps in it from "Campaigns" which I presumed was the pre and/or post-checks it received from the various Journo's taking it out.
I did consider it long and hard before I bought it, but I was assured by Hatfield OPC that it had been meticulously looked after during that time and in fairness, apart from 2 x transfer boxes, which can be the norm on Macans, it was totally reliable in the 2.5yrs I had it.
Providing it's got an OPC warranty and the condition/service history stacks up, I'd have no problems with buying another.
But I do appreciate we're talking about a £45k car versus a £200k car.
The back of the Service Book had about 12 stamps in it from "Campaigns" which I presumed was the pre and/or post-checks it received from the various Journo's taking it out.
I did consider it long and hard before I bought it, but I was assured by Hatfield OPC that it had been meticulously looked after during that time and in fairness, apart from 2 x transfer boxes, which can be the norm on Macans, it was totally reliable in the 2.5yrs I had it.
Providing it's got an OPC warranty and the condition/service history stacks up, I'd have no problems with buying another.
But I do appreciate we're talking about a £45k car versus a £200k car.
TDT said:
On first glance… you might say no. I did and imo… i got it wrong.
The cars will have been meticulously maintained mechanically… as has been mentioned.… master tech at Porsche Central Operations is assigned to look after the press fleet.
And the car will have its own history, documented and everyone will know ‘which one’ that was, particularly if it was involved in a popular video or driven by the best journos…
E.g.… RO10 HBY… 997 GT3 RS… people would pay big money to get that car.
Also they if they are offered to market it’s usually at a pretty good price.
There was a pair of 991.2 GT3, one white Manual driven by Henry Catchpole, was sold on by Superleggra from here iirc, and then one silver PDK driven by Chris Harris and Steve Sutcliffe.... bought by a mate of mine.
In hindsight I’d have loved to have got my hand on one of those.
You are well informed The cars will have been meticulously maintained mechanically… as has been mentioned.… master tech at Porsche Central Operations is assigned to look after the press fleet.
And the car will have its own history, documented and everyone will know ‘which one’ that was, particularly if it was involved in a popular video or driven by the best journos…
E.g.… RO10 HBY… 997 GT3 RS… people would pay big money to get that car.
Also they if they are offered to market it’s usually at a pretty good price.
There was a pair of 991.2 GT3, one white Manual driven by Henry Catchpole, was sold on by Superleggra from here iirc, and then one silver PDK driven by Chris Harris and Steve Sutcliffe.... bought by a mate of mine.
In hindsight I’d have loved to have got my hand on one of those.
I agree with you. It's the OPC's we have to worry about.
With an extended warranty however, I guess that P insurers are picking up any unexpected bills ?
Interestingly, Toyota have just extended their 100k mile warranty to 10 years so long as their cars are serviced within their main dealer network ... no need for an extended warranty.
Hmmmm, personally OP, I’d be reticent but there are definitely two sides to this particular coin.
On the plus side as others have said - car *should* have received regular timely servicing, along with all recalls or other faults rectified.
On the negative side, apart from the obvious “village bicycle” syndrome, I’d have to question whether a vehicle has been sympathetically run-in, and you’d also have to be on the ball at inspection time regarding certain wear & tear items like brakes (esp ceramics) which some OPC’s are not always diligent in replacing prior to sale. I seem to remember someone on here was very upset recently in this regard.
At the right price, and with the official Porsche warranty - a case can be made for. But all things being equal where equivalent stock available, I personally wouldn’t.
Best of luck either way.
On the plus side as others have said - car *should* have received regular timely servicing, along with all recalls or other faults rectified.
On the negative side, apart from the obvious “village bicycle” syndrome, I’d have to question whether a vehicle has been sympathetically run-in, and you’d also have to be on the ball at inspection time regarding certain wear & tear items like brakes (esp ceramics) which some OPC’s are not always diligent in replacing prior to sale. I seem to remember someone on here was very upset recently in this regard.
At the right price, and with the official Porsche warranty - a case can be made for. But all things being equal where equivalent stock available, I personally wouldn’t.
Best of luck either way.
Hard to compute how being ‘meticulously maintained’ helps with the core concerns, such as being ragged mercilessly from cold, having gears grinded and so on.
They’re not dropping a new lump in after every third loan or swapping the synchros out. Which isn’t to say it’s a necessarily a really bad idea to buy an ex press car. But if it is an ok purchase, it’s not because the cars have had super special maintenance. There’s not much that’s realistically going to be done in maintenance terms to offset any genuine mechanical wear and tear due abuse to the powertrain. Seriously, what would be the ‘meticulous maintenance’ that would offset routine lack of mechanical sympathy and or clumsy inputs?
So either the cars can tolerate the way they’re treated by the great throng of hacks each having their day. In which case it’s all good. Or they can’t, in which case buyer beware out of warranty at the very least. Either way, can’t see how maintenance really comes into it.
If you’re buying warranty and not planning on keeping it forever, of course, it probably doesn’t matter. But, again, maintenance not really a factor.
They’re not dropping a new lump in after every third loan or swapping the synchros out. Which isn’t to say it’s a necessarily a really bad idea to buy an ex press car. But if it is an ok purchase, it’s not because the cars have had super special maintenance. There’s not much that’s realistically going to be done in maintenance terms to offset any genuine mechanical wear and tear due abuse to the powertrain. Seriously, what would be the ‘meticulous maintenance’ that would offset routine lack of mechanical sympathy and or clumsy inputs?
So either the cars can tolerate the way they’re treated by the great throng of hacks each having their day. In which case it’s all good. Or they can’t, in which case buyer beware out of warranty at the very least. Either way, can’t see how maintenance really comes into it.
If you’re buying warranty and not planning on keeping it forever, of course, it probably doesn’t matter. But, again, maintenance not really a factor.
F6C said:
Hard to compute how being ‘meticulously maintained’ helps with the core concerns, such as being ragged mercilessly from cold, having gears grinded and so on.
They’re not dropping a new lump in after every third loan or swapping the synchros out. Which isn’t to say it’s a necessarily a really bad idea to buy an ex press car. But if it is an ok purchase, it’s not because the cars have had super special maintenance. There’s not much that’s realistically going to be done in maintenance terms to offset any genuine mechanical wear and tear due abuse to the powertrain. Seriously, what would be the ‘meticulous maintenance’ that would offset routine lack of mechanical sympathy and or clumsy inputs?
So either the cars can tolerate the way they’re treated by the great throng of hacks each having their day. In which case it’s all good. Or they can’t, in which case buyer beware out of warranty at the very least. Either way, can’t see how maintenance really comes into it.
If you’re buying warranty and not planning on keeping it forever, of course, it probably doesn’t matter. But, again, maintenance not really a factor.
You cannot rag a GT car unless its warmed up, it wont let you.Gears is another matter on a manual, so many heal and toe merchants who would tie there feet in knots, obviously why P made auto blip.They’re not dropping a new lump in after every third loan or swapping the synchros out. Which isn’t to say it’s a necessarily a really bad idea to buy an ex press car. But if it is an ok purchase, it’s not because the cars have had super special maintenance. There’s not much that’s realistically going to be done in maintenance terms to offset any genuine mechanical wear and tear due abuse to the powertrain. Seriously, what would be the ‘meticulous maintenance’ that would offset routine lack of mechanical sympathy and or clumsy inputs?
So either the cars can tolerate the way they’re treated by the great throng of hacks each having their day. In which case it’s all good. Or they can’t, in which case buyer beware out of warranty at the very least. Either way, can’t see how maintenance really comes into it.
If you’re buying warranty and not planning on keeping it forever, of course, it probably doesn’t matter. But, again, maintenance not really a factor.
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