Test drives and buying intent

[Jefferson Steelflex]

This might be a silly question (I hope not as I tried to reason with myself and couldn't work it out)...

I'm currently saving hard for a used 911 (most likely 997.1) and will be in the market around this time next year (but could wangle something maybe back of this year if I get impatient). Recently I've been thinking of maybe just plumping for a new Cayman S instead, and to satiate my desire I have thought about booking in a test drive at my local OPC, along with hopefully a test in one of their used 997s.

Are OPCs generally open to this>? I am not looking to buy for a while yet, but I really need to get my head around whether I would prefer a 911 or a Cayman so I can stop flitting between the two and wasting hours every week looking at the m on the internet. I figured if I wanted a Cayman I would need to order in early Summer to get the delivery slot I wanted.

I've never actually driven a 911, despite wanting one for years. As the potential ownership gets closer I'm starting to think if a Cayman is more my sort of car. I'd like to be honest with the OPC rather than wasting their time.

[GT03ROB]

Go in, be honest, show genuine interest, you'll probably be Ok. Don't expect to do a test drive the day you walk in though.

[911wise]

https://contact-a-centre.porsche.com/wwwporschesol...
Have the test drive and after you can either explain the situation or just say sorry not for me.
Last few test drives I've had sales staff very laid back, no pressure.I would explain you conundrum but leave out the time scale.

[Cheib]

Cayman test drive will be simple as they'll all be running demonstrators....I'd start there and see how you like the Cayman. Test driving a 997 as they'll be AUC cars that are prepped so will be slightly harder as they have to clean it to put it back in the showroom...that said they're there to sell cars! Maybe mention your interest to the sales guy....what would probably work for both is if he takes a car in on part exchange and he can get you in it before it gets prepped.

My local OPC is absolutely fine about giving people test drives. I think particularly with Cayman and Boxster they know that a lot of the customers are new to the marque and will want test drives.

[GT4P]

End of year is a good time to buy for the best deals, IMHO the fact you are saving your hard earned better off buying a 987.2 or a 981 caymanS much better engine than the 997.1S and will not cost a lot more in the short term but may save you a heap of cash in the long run! But drive a few as said to see what you prefer but a caymanS won't disappoint!
Should have added if thinking Cayman the new one is a flat 4 turbo and not to everyone's liking over the 987/981 flat6 and you may find in time the 981 becomes the more sort after and at the cost of a new 718 Cayman a secondhand 981 GtS is a better purchase!

Edited by GT4P on Monday 30th January 16:39

[Jefferson Steelflex]

Thanks all, reassuring to know I can get to test a few cars out without too much hassle (hopefully). I'll call the local OPC (East London) and see what they say.

I'm budgeting around £25k for the end of the year, nowhere near enough for a newer AUC but if went the Cayman route i'd do it on finance and put the rest of the money away and carry on saving for the next one...

Appreciate the 718 is a 4cyl, it may be sacrilege but I'm not all that fussed about engine noise beyond it sounding remotely sporty. Ican tel the difference between a 4cyl and 6cyl but it's how they drive that would be the clincher.

[7184c]

Contact them, explain the situation.

I was a bit apprehensive when I was in a similar situation to you and two OPCs I dealt with were exemplary with their customer service. I think that Porsche staff know not to judge a book by its cover much more so than BMW or Merc dealers.

What I would suggest is to say you are willing to visit at a quiet time, take a mid week morning off and you will get more time to drive than if rocking up on a Saturday morning.

[nickpan]

Jefferson Steelflex said:

Thanks all, reassuring to know I can get to test a few cars out without too much hassle (hopefully). I'll call the local OPC (East London) and see what they say.

I'm budgeting around £25k for the end of the year, nowhere near enough for a newer AUC but if went the Cayman route i'd do it on finance and put the rest of the money away and carry on saving for the next one...

Appreciate the 718 is a 4cyl, it may be sacrilege but I'm not all that fussed about engine noise beyond it sounding remotely sporty. Ican tel the difference between a 4cyl and 6cyl but it's how they drive that would be the clincher.

I had a budget of £25k but settled on a £18k 996.2 with leftover cash for an engine rebuild fund which can cost £10k+.

I think the 997.1 is a better looking car but I wouldn't recommend buying a car with known engine issues at the top end of your budget. Especially if you've saved long and hard for it.

Nick

[WJNB]

7184c said:

Contact them, explain the situation.

I was a bit apprehensive when I was in a similar situation to you and two OPCs I dealt with were exemplary with their customer service. I think that Porsche staff know not to judge a book by its cover much more so than BMW or Merc dealers.

What I would suggest is to say you are willing to visit at a quiet time, take a mid week morning off and you will get more time to drive than if rocking up on a Saturday morning.

This is the route I'll take as I consider a Targa (see my post). Any astute car salesperson will be eager to welcome a new customer to the fold & hopefully retain their loyalty. Even more so if the customer represents a conquest sale i.e.they own or owned another brand previously. Salespersons especially of premium brands are usually thoroughly trained to evaluate & qualify prospective genuine customers to avoid wasting time with dreamers. Providing the salesperson is convinced that a sale is likely a prospective customer who may seem overwhelmed or nervous about the process should be made to feel comfortable & welcome. Maybe this is why the better car showrooms have cosy homely little refreshment areas with leather seats, magazines & biscuits!

[Deep]

Jefferson Steelflex said:

Thanks all, reassuring to know I can get to test a few cars out without too much hassle (hopefully). I'll call the local OPC (East London) and see what they say.

I'm budgeting around £25k for the end of the year, nowhere near enough for a newer AUC but if went the Cayman route i'd do it on finance and put the rest of the money away and carry on saving for the next one...

Appreciate the 718 is a 4cyl, it may be sacrilege but I'm not all that fussed about engine noise beyond it sounding remotely sporty. Ican tel the difference between a 4cyl and 6cyl but it's how they drive that would be the clincher.

Try and speak to Jose Atienza there. I was very frank with him when I went to test drive a 991.2 last year. I explained that I wasn't sure whether I wanted a new 991.2 or a used 991 Turbo S. He let me drive the 991.2 and as he had a used 991 turbo s floating around he let me drive that as well. I decided on the latter and ended up buying from a different dealer.

Perhaps don't mention your time scale though!

[ChrisW.]

I always think that the choosing process is almost as much fun as the next few years of ownership ...

Most car sales people at this end of the market are real enthusiasts and from my experience enjoy sharing their experience.

By talking with a few dealers, driving a few of their cars and sharing the generality of your experience somewhere like here, You'll soon know what you are looking for.

Then the planning, the waiting, the looking --- and bingo !

[Klippie]

Regarding test drives...when I went looking for my first Porsche (Cayman) I knew nothing about the brand, I went into Edinburgh OPC for some advice and a look around, the sales team were brilliant in explaining all about the cars showing me the differences between the various models, at this point I'd never even sat in a car but was offered a test drive there and then to see if I liked them which ended up being bloody amazing.

What they did that day was plant a Porsche seed in my head by giving me as taste of what these cars are like to drive which did the trick and I now have one in my garage and love it to bits.

[fredt]

You are thinking too much, they are there to sell cars, it's their job.

Just book a test drive they don't care mate.