Recommended dealers within the London vicinity

[kailear]

Chaps, I have decided to sell both my TVR and my fiancee's car in order to consolidate having put two thousand miles on each car in the last year. I need a relatively practical sportscar that we can both use which leads naturally (I think) to a 996 - Tiptronic as she is auto only - for up to £30k. I would prefer to buy from a dealer but have seen very mixed opinions regarding 911virgins and Portiacraft albeit a good friend of mine is very happy with his recent purchase from the former. Can anybody help in pointing me to a good dealer somewhere within a couple hours of London, or providing feedback regarding the two dealers I have mentioned - I like the look of some of 911virgin's current stock. Many thanks.

[freedman]

Been to 911 Virgin, and discussed acar afew years ago, diodnt buy, buy the experience was good and I would have no qualms about returning if they had a car I was interested in.

Paul Devyea in Sevenoaks is good to deal with (Ive bought two cars from him) assuming he has in what youre looking for.

Portiacraft have recieved somewhat mixed reviews on here...

Alernatives with decent reps are Paragon, Cridfords, Camtune and RSJ

Edited by freedman on Saturday 15th November 10:19

[peter Web]

I was looking for a 996 Targa about eighteen months ago visited Virgin would have no problem buying from them nice cars very knowledgable Henry is a character but bought from Portiacraft cos they had the car I wanted at the right price. I noted all the comments and read between the lines.
Absolutely no problem, apart from kicking me in the goolies when I tried to px it recently, and a free service thrown in.
However try and deal with Martin, Harry will not budge a penny on his cars.
Both Virgin and Portiacraft were okay with inspections.
I used Peter Morgan , worth every penny.
Ray Northway seems to have good write ups and they have full workshop facilities that I must admoit gives me a bit more confidence.
As with all these things whoever you are buying from go in with your eyes open and a knowledge of what is out there so you can compare prices without sounding lika a pr...t.

[Erik997]

If you want a good dealer for a decent car, fair price and good after service then I'd be going to RSJ first and 911 virgin second.

[madala]

+1 for Virgin 911...excellent knowledge of Porsches....phone them up and go have a chat....even if you don't buy from them....you will learn a lot....OK...I bought from them but do not have a vested interest....Tom looked after me very well....what I liked most was there was no pressure.....just good honest information.

[2 Porsche Family]

For God's sake man - DO NOT USE PORTIACRAFT - horrendous company from personal experience. 911 Virgin are a reputable company. Northway (nr Reading) are good also.

kailear said:

Chaps, I have decided to sell both my TVR and my fiancee's car in order to consolidate having put two thousand miles on each car in the last year. I need a relatively practical sportscar that we can both use which leads naturally (I think) to a 996 - Tiptronic as she is auto only - for up to £30k. I would prefer to buy from a dealer but have seen very mixed opinions regarding 911virgins and Portiacraft albeit a good friend of mine is very happy with his recent purchase from the former. Can anybody help in pointing me to a good dealer somewhere within a couple hours of London, or providing feedback regarding the two dealers I have mentioned - I like the look of some of 911virgin's current stock. Many thanks.

[2 Porsche Family]

I visited RSJ in Slough - nice slick set-up but totally uninterested in engaging in conversation - which I always do before showing my cards. When I bought my boxster I had £25k cash burning a hole in my pocket - and a walked away from them, even though they hada couple of cars I liked.

Erik997 said:

If you want a good dealer for a decent car, fair price and good after service then I'd be going to RSJ first and 911 virgin second.

[Gunny Sergeant D]

I just dont get this work with a particular dealer stuff.

Go to Autotrader.co.uk.
Enter the spec of the car that you want.
Short list the ones that offer the best spec for the best best price.
Have it inspected and buy it if it passes.

My last car came from Aberdeen and I'm in the southeast.

[peter Web]

Gunny Sergeant D said:

I just dont get this work with a particular dealer stuff.

Go to Autotrader.co.uk.
Enter the spec of the car that you want.
Short list the ones that offer the best spec for the best best price.
Have it inspected and buy it if it passes.

My last car came from Aberdeen and I'm in the southeast.

A sensible poster at last.
2 car family I also spoke to RSJ in my search and contrary to your experience I found Joel very engaging and willing to talk and I cannot believe you walked away from a deal with them when they had the car you wanted at the price you wanted must have made you feel like a real big man.
As for your Portiacraft rants you didnt even buy a car from them.
Can you not see a pattern emerging especially after reading you requirements when looking for an 02 cab rigid to say the least.

We are all grown ups and mud slinging will not win you points.

I would have an inspection done on a 5k car let alone a 30k car that way you go into the deal with your eyes open.
All these guys have been around a while and have sold thousands of cars (Henry alone sells over 300 cars a year) , I would be very surprised if they have 100% customer satisfaction records especially when dealing with people like you.
As I have said before read between the lines on these forums AND GET YOUR PURCHASE INSPECTED.

[RSJ]

2 Porsche Family said:

I visited RSJ in Slough - nice slick set-up but totally uninterested in engaging in conversation - which I always do before showing my cards. When I bought my boxster I had £25k cash burning a hole in my pocket - and a walked away from them, even though they hada couple of cars I liked.

Erik997 said:

If you want a good dealer for a decent car, fair price and good after service then I'd be going to RSJ first and 911 virgin second.

John

Not sure when you came in or who you spoke to but myself Damien and Darren are here to sell cars and talking to people is the only way that is going to happen.
We tend not to hound people around the showroom and follow them about.
We want a relaxed atmosphere.
This Saturday just gone by we had 7 customers in all,of whom 3 bought cars.
We must have spent between 10 to 20 minutes with all of them.
Darren spent over an hour with one who bought our anniversary 996 car and i spent about an hour with a chap who bought a 2002 C4S.
Its not always easy to know who wants to spend half an hour talking and who doesnt.
Its a 2 way thing old chap,maybe put in a bit more effort yourself next time.
There is no such thing as us not wanting to talk to a customer.
Might as well not be here if that was the case.

Joel

[1231]

I've bought two cars off Henry at 911 Virgin and would buy from him again, just for the entertainment value.

[mr_spock]

I bought my 928 from Portiacraft some years ago and was very satisfied. It wasn't exactly a big money car for them but I felt well looked after.

[stuttgartmetal]

1231 said:

I've bought two cars off Henry at 911 Virgin and would buy from him again, just for the entertainment value.

Henry Lord Uxbridge.
Failed stand up comedian IIRC.
He does take the boo's well, and the hook that appears from the left, and yanks him off stage.

[christer]

stuttgartmetal said:

1231 said:

I've bought two cars off Henry at 911 Virgin and would buy from him again, just for the entertainment value.

He does take the boo's well,

ffs

[mooro]

2 Porsche Family said:

I visited RSJ in Slough - nice slick set-up but totally uninterested in engaging in conversation - which I always do before showing my cards. When I bought my boxster I had £25k cash burning a hole in my pocket - and a walked away from them, even though they hada couple of cars I liked.

Erik997 said:

If you want a good dealer for a decent car, fair price and good after service then I'd be going to RSJ first and 911 virgin second.

You must have been unlucky there mate as that was not my experience when I popped in last week. I was about to trade in my Mx5 for a new one when told by a friend how much 911's were going for now. Off to R.S.J. I went.

As soon as I arrived I was offered a cup of tea, and left alone to have a look around, though a young chap cleaning the cars was enthusiastic and friendly.

I then spent ten minutes speaking to both Darren and Joel about their cars/the market in general.

Never felt pressured, just that Joel was extra smooth (no offence intended).

Decided not to buy as have seen a few other cars, and read comments on this fourm, about the market not yet reaching bottom. I reckon Jan-March could bring some real bargains.

When I see the car I want however, there was nothing in the hospitality I received at R.S.J. that would put me off from dealing with them.

Thought they were decent lads, tbh.

Edited by mooro on Monday 17th November 16:15

Edited by mooro on Monday 17th November 16:16

Edited by mooro on Monday 17th November 16:17

[996GT2]

I've been to most of the London area dealers, having been through 6 Porsches in 3 years I got to know a lot of them

The comments about RSJ are completely the opposite of my experience. I've had 2 cars from them and every time I've been there I've stayed for ages drinking coffee and talking about all things Porsche.

Just because a sales person doesn't run over to you and kiss your arse because you're in a position to buy a Porsche it doesn't mean they're unsociable and not interested in having a chat. I prefer their relaxed no nonsense approach and I'd buy from them again without hesitation.


Joel, would that post entitle me to a 10% discount on my next car?

Edited by 996GT2 on Monday 17th November 16:26

[stuttgartmetal]

christer said:

stuttgartmetal said:

1231 said:

I've bought two cars off Henry at 911 Virgin and would buy from him again, just for the entertainment value.

He does take the boo's well,

ffs

Maybe missed a there.
H is definitely alright, and gets my vote.

[thegoose]

mooro said:

Decided not to buy as have seen a few other cars, and read comments on this fourm, about the market not yet reaching bottom. I reckon Jan-March could bring some real bargains.

I doubt January will buck the usual trend for the motor trade - so as usual I predict prices will be lowest in December, stable (or firm up a little) in January and the closer we get to spring the more interest in Boxsters will increase which tips the supply/demand ratio away from someone wanting an uber-deal.

I don't have one to sell you but my advice for getting the best value would be to try to find a car before the year's out.

[markmullen]

mooro said:

Never felt pressured, just that Joel was extra smooth

Smooth, real smooth!

[BobSheeley]

I've bought two cars from Portiacraft and have been well pleased.

Both times the prices were very competitive and the service good.

Equally had nothing to do to either car for a year.

Bob