Would you buy an ex-press GT car?
Discussion
Far Cough said:
I`ll have a look as I unsubscribed from that one
It would be worth watching Harry’s Garage review of this car. Porsche Reading loaned it too him just after they got it back from EVO, who had just used it for their 2022 Car of the Year event. Harry commented on the poor condition of the car including a cracked rear screen and extensive stone chippingNuttcase said:
I read statements on this thread that press cars are "meticulously maintained" etc, which would imply that they are subject to more frequent oil & filter changes etc. Is there any evidence (such as service records of a purchased press car) that this is really the case? If not, I doubt very much that they are serviced beyond the scheduled maintenance requirements and likely just checked for error codes, fluid levels, tyre condition etc, and valeting each time a car is returned back from press.
In my old job I’m pretty sure press cars were given a full visual once over top and bottom, aligned regularly, drive sign off, don’t know about oil changes but I’d be surprised if they weren’t at least serviced on a ‘heavy duty’ regime.This was out of the factory rather than a national HQ though, might be the difference.
Like I said though the main advantage of having one is they’re usually cheaper and sometimes ‘blue-printed’, you have to accept they’ve had a harder life but for most modern stuff it makes little difference to it beyond cosmetic wear and tear.
Any car sold by Porsche I’d expect to be prepped to tidy up any dings/scuffs etc, as long as it offered a saving over a ‘perfect’ car it wouldn’t bother me
CDR said:
It would be worth watching Harry’s Garage review of this car. Porsche Reading loaned it too him just after they got it back from EVO, who had just used it for their 2022 Car of the Year event. Harry commented on the poor condition of the car including a cracked rear screen and extensive stone chipping
I am well aware of the condition of it as a Porsche buyer friend of mine looked at it and was shocked at the state of it before politely declining. Then it appeared for silly money at various outlets.A perfect example of what everyone on this thread probably thinks who wouldnt touch an ex press car
Far Cough said:
CDR said:
It would be worth watching Harry’s Garage review of this car. Porsche Reading loaned it too him just after they got it back from EVO, who had just used it for their 2022 Car of the Year event. Harry commented on the poor condition of the car including a cracked rear screen and extensive stone chipping
I am well aware of the condition of it as a Porsche buyer friend of mine looked at it and was shocked at the state of it before politely declining. Then it appeared for silly money at various outlets.A perfect example of what everyone on this thread probably thinks who wouldnt touch an ex press car
I believe there is another GT press car for sale, a blue 997.2 gt3 at a opc.
The Wookie said:
In my old job I’m pretty sure press cars were given a full visual once over top and bottom, aligned regularly, drive sign off, don’t know about oil changes but I’d be surprised if they weren’t at least serviced on a ‘heavy duty’ regime.
Would suggest the problem is that you can't "service" gearbox wear due to someone being clumsy and grinding their changes or engine wear due to not warming the thing up properly etc. They're certainly not swapping in a new powertrain after every third loan.Obviously it's speculative just how much damage is done in that way to any one press car. And likewise, with any used car, you don't know how it's been driven. The thing about a press car is that you know for sure at least some of its pilots were talentless and without mechanical sympathy! With other cars, you can at least hope that's not the case.
If it was your car, you firstly wouldn't let scores of randoms drive it and secondly would be pretty upset by how at least some of them treated the car if observing. I would just bear that in mind when buying.
All that said, if it's a newish model, you're not planning on keeping long term, you're running under Porsche warranty, it drives fine at point of purchase etc, it probably doesn't matter so long as the price is right.
jamsp00n said:
Would suggest the problem is that you can't "service" gearbox wear due to someone being clumsy and grinding their changes or engine wear due to not warming the thing up properly etc. They're certainly not swapping in a new powertrain after every third loan.
Obviously it's speculative just how much damage is done in that way to any one press car. And likewise, with any used car, you don't know how it's been driven. The thing about a press car is that you know for sure at least some of its pilots were talentless and without mechanical sympathy! With other cars, you can at least hope that's not the case.
If it was your car, you firstly wouldn't let scores of randoms drive it and secondly would be pretty upset by how at least some of them treated the car if observing. I would just bear that in mind when buying.
All that said, if it's a newish model, you're not planning on keeping long term, you're running under Porsche warranty, it drives fine at point of purchase etc, it probably doesn't matter so long as the price is right.
I think it’s fair to say that most journos aren’t going to be abusing a car for the sake of it but yeah you have to accept they’ve had a harder life and like you say the consequences of that are debateableObviously it's speculative just how much damage is done in that way to any one press car. And likewise, with any used car, you don't know how it's been driven. The thing about a press car is that you know for sure at least some of its pilots were talentless and without mechanical sympathy! With other cars, you can at least hope that's not the case.
If it was your car, you firstly wouldn't let scores of randoms drive it and secondly would be pretty upset by how at least some of them treated the car if observing. I would just bear that in mind when buying.
All that said, if it's a newish model, you're not planning on keeping long term, you're running under Porsche warranty, it drives fine at point of purchase etc, it probably doesn't matter so long as the price is right.
Good example, my Evora S had about 15k on it when I bought it IIRC and about 65k when I sold it and it was still on its original clutch when some cars were only managing 30-35k.
I wouldn’t be buying a tatty one (and frankly the fact that Porsche are selling them that way is pretty disappointing) and I wouldn’t be paying full whack for one, but I like I said I don’t think anyone should be afraid of them, and they can make for a good deal
This story comes with a caveat that the person concerned could, on occasion, embellish stories. Although he did own the car concerned for a while.
Many years ago I knew someone who bought a 996 GT3 RS; he claimed it was the Porsche GB press car used on Top Gear (RX04PPK) although for the life of me I cannot remember it's registration at the time he owned it. He had bought it knowing that the car had lived a hard life. He was of the opinion that the car had, apparently, received a full mechanical strip down at an OPC prior to being sold & came with a full warranty.
The car was in good condition and never let him down during his ownership.
No idea if the car still exists (I'd guess it does) as it was last MOT in 2021 having done 54k miles.
Many years ago I knew someone who bought a 996 GT3 RS; he claimed it was the Porsche GB press car used on Top Gear (RX04PPK) although for the life of me I cannot remember it's registration at the time he owned it. He had bought it knowing that the car had lived a hard life. He was of the opinion that the car had, apparently, received a full mechanical strip down at an OPC prior to being sold & came with a full warranty.
The car was in good condition and never let him down during his ownership.
No idea if the car still exists (I'd guess it does) as it was last MOT in 2021 having done 54k miles.
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