Discussion
There are a number of specialist Porsche dealers around in the South East, such as aztech, 911Virgin, RSJ, Portiacraft etc.
Is it preferable to buy from these dealers over others and is the after sales service better ?
In particular, has anyone bought from Portiacraft in North London ?
What was the car like and how was the after sales service/warranty treatment ?
Is it preferable to buy from these dealers over others and is the after sales service better ?
In particular, has anyone bought from Portiacraft in North London ?
What was the car like and how was the after sales service/warranty treatment ?
I've bought from them.
I'd describe them as the opposite end to an OPC.
- Cars are well priced
- No coffee and test drive (unless you're showing real interest)
- Cars aren't often fully prepared (but they do have aworkshop to put defects right)
If you see something you like, get a checked over (I used Jaz in Wembley) and if all's well buy it and enjoy!
Some people have found them a little short!
I'd describe them as the opposite end to an OPC.
- Cars are well priced
- No coffee and test drive (unless you're showing real interest)
- Cars aren't often fully prepared (but they do have aworkshop to put defects right)
If you see something you like, get a checked over (I used Jaz in Wembley) and if all's well buy it and enjoy!
Some people have found them a little short!
Thanks guys. I will do a search but that was my impression, no fancy premises, cars piled in, no real customer care (at least when looking round) but decent prices.
I guess my real concern is do they sell decent cars that they have checked over with some expertise, like say a Hartech or Maztech car (at least I get the impression those guys only sell cars that wuld pass a PPI you would have paid for) ?
If they do, I can forego the customer coffee and biscuits.
Any opinions on the quality of their cars for sale ?
I guess my real concern is do they sell decent cars that they have checked over with some expertise, like say a Hartech or Maztech car (at least I get the impression those guys only sell cars that wuld pass a PPI you would have paid for) ?
If they do, I can forego the customer coffee and biscuits.
Any opinions on the quality of their cars for sale ?
To be fair I went there to look at a 993 and found them pleasant enough. Henry does not really have an eye for customer service but he did say to me that he found customers mucked him around a lot so I guess its swings and roundabouts.
The car I looked at (and drove) was nice enough although the door check stays had gone. When I asked if they would be sorted I was told they would be welded. I didn't think much of it at the time and very nearly put a deposit down but something worried me in the back of my mind and I decided to walk away. I have since been told that welding of check stays is not the best solution for the well known 993 problem but it is one of the cheaper ones.
I guess they work to tight profit margins - I suppose the motto is get an independent inspection done if you are serious about a car.
The car I looked at (and drove) was nice enough although the door check stays had gone. When I asked if they would be sorted I was told they would be welded. I didn't think much of it at the time and very nearly put a deposit down but something worried me in the back of my mind and I decided to walk away. I have since been told that welding of check stays is not the best solution for the well known 993 problem but it is one of the cheaper ones.
I guess they work to tight profit margins - I suppose the motto is get an independent inspection done if you are serious about a car.
I was originally looking for a 996 TT, saw one on their website and phoned up. I was pretty much told first thing that I couldnt have a test drive unless I was going to buy it. I was astounded, I had never driven one of these before, and was hoping that a drive would persuade me to change up from my E46 M3.
At that point I gave up on them without even going in.
I then switched to a 997 S a few weeks later, and they had two that fitted the bill. I thought I would give them a second chance and glad I did. I phoned up to book an appointment, and met Harry a couple of hours later.
I was shown round both cars and offered a test drive, completely different standard of service from before!! I bought one the day after....
General impressions have already been noted - it is far from glamourous, but the cars are the same as you would get in OPCs when you get them on the road! You get no coffee, no biscuits, but well priced cars, which is all I really want. Getting a penny off will be hard though, Harry prices his cars well, and eventually all seem to sell.
I had my 997 inspected by Peter Morgan, who assessed it as a very good example, so I bought it.
When I took delivery, I spoke to Harry about the 996 Turbo situation, he explained that particular car attracts so many test pilot tyre kickers wanting test drives, that he is really wary. That is fair enough. As I drove out he said I could come back anytime for a drive in a Turbo, which was good.
Since I bought my car, it has been great, bar one of the coil packs going, but that was replaced in an hour, for free.
In short, if you aren't bothered about an OPC experience, dont want to suffer large depreciation, and want a value for money 996, 997 or Boxster, then I would recommend Portiacraft.
At that point I gave up on them without even going in.
I then switched to a 997 S a few weeks later, and they had two that fitted the bill. I thought I would give them a second chance and glad I did. I phoned up to book an appointment, and met Harry a couple of hours later.
I was shown round both cars and offered a test drive, completely different standard of service from before!! I bought one the day after....
General impressions have already been noted - it is far from glamourous, but the cars are the same as you would get in OPCs when you get them on the road! You get no coffee, no biscuits, but well priced cars, which is all I really want. Getting a penny off will be hard though, Harry prices his cars well, and eventually all seem to sell.
I had my 997 inspected by Peter Morgan, who assessed it as a very good example, so I bought it.
When I took delivery, I spoke to Harry about the 996 Turbo situation, he explained that particular car attracts so many test pilot tyre kickers wanting test drives, that he is really wary. That is fair enough. As I drove out he said I could come back anytime for a drive in a Turbo, which was good.
Since I bought my car, it has been great, bar one of the coil packs going, but that was replaced in an hour, for free.
In short, if you aren't bothered about an OPC experience, dont want to suffer large depreciation, and want a value for money 996, 997 or Boxster, then I would recommend Portiacraft.
As above, Actually I did get a test drive of a 996 Turbo and then bought it, I didn't ask for a test drive, it was offered, but as I already owned a 996 C4 before, I was pretty sure what it would be like. Yes I did get Peter Morgan to inspect it, but to be honest, the car has been fine and after sales service has been fine too.
There is no doubt Harry is a bit of a character, I quite liked him, but he won't appeal to all.
There is no doubt Harry is a bit of a character, I quite liked him, but he won't appeal to all.
Edited by Batteryboy on Saturday 13th February 16:27
Edited by Batteryboy on Sunday 14th February 13:49
g7jhp said:
I've bought from them.
I'd describe them as the opposite end to an OPC.
- Cars are well priced
- No coffee and test drive (unless you're showing real interest)
- Cars aren't often fully prepared (but they do have aworkshop to put defects right)
If you see something you like, get a checked over (I used Jaz in Wembley) and if all's well buy it and enjoy!
Some people have found them a little short!
How did you arrange the checkover ?I'd describe them as the opposite end to an OPC.
- Cars are well priced
- No coffee and test drive (unless you're showing real interest)
- Cars aren't often fully prepared (but they do have aworkshop to put defects right)
If you see something you like, get a checked over (I used Jaz in Wembley) and if all's well buy it and enjoy!
Some people have found them a little short!
Did they go with you to Jaz or did Jaz come to them ?
Was 10 years ago on my first 3.2. I think it went to Jaz, but you could put it on Portiacrafts ramp and get someone o inspect it.
Speak to Harry at Portiacraft and say you want it checked and suggest Jaz.
Give Steve at Jaz and book it in. It's a ten minute drive upto the North Circular around to the Ikea turnoff,into the Wembly Industrial Estate. The entrance to Jaz is opposite Wembley Stadium.
Happy hunting
Speak to Harry at Portiacraft and say you want it checked and suggest Jaz.
Give Steve at Jaz and book it in. It's a ten minute drive upto the North Circular around to the Ikea turnoff,into the Wembly Industrial Estate. The entrance to Jaz is opposite Wembley Stadium.
Happy hunting
Had a number of cars from them over the last 8 years with no problems whatsover, in fact had work carried out after the warranty period and still not charged for on a number of occasions.
Problem is they are not working from their back garden or a warehouse in the middle of nowhere they are in a prime London location so they do need to ram the cars in a bit as space is at a premium but by the same token very easy to get to.
As Battery Boy said Harry is great but I can see how some people would not like his straightforward approach, I personally like the man, no bulls====hit.
As always if you see a car you like get Peter Morgan to have a look at it, I have done so with every car I have bought and they agree beforehand to fix everything he finds, they have their own workshops so I presume they can do all work needed a lot cheaper than having to give the job out.
They have been going for twice as long as most other indies and have probably sold over 5000 Porsches in 28 years so they are bound to have upset some people along the way.
You will find on this forum that every one has their favorite who they have dealt with and been more than happy with, I really do not think there is a bad indie amongst the recognised one`s and whoever you buy from you will not go far wrong. It really is a case of who has the car that you want at the price you want to pay .
Problem is they are not working from their back garden or a warehouse in the middle of nowhere they are in a prime London location so they do need to ram the cars in a bit as space is at a premium but by the same token very easy to get to.
As Battery Boy said Harry is great but I can see how some people would not like his straightforward approach, I personally like the man, no bulls====hit.
As always if you see a car you like get Peter Morgan to have a look at it, I have done so with every car I have bought and they agree beforehand to fix everything he finds, they have their own workshops so I presume they can do all work needed a lot cheaper than having to give the job out.
They have been going for twice as long as most other indies and have probably sold over 5000 Porsches in 28 years so they are bound to have upset some people along the way.
You will find on this forum that every one has their favorite who they have dealt with and been more than happy with, I really do not think there is a bad indie amongst the recognised one`s and whoever you buy from you will not go far wrong. It really is a case of who has the car that you want at the price you want to pay .
i have recently bought from them and they have been superb - Harry and Martin have been very polite and will bend over backwards to rectify things - all the work needed post purchase has been smooth and trouble free and FREE (including some things that would not count as warranty items) - top class.
My 3.2 came from Portiacraft.
I went and viewed the car, liked the look of it and I wanted to speak to someone about the money side of things.
I sat in their small office area where Harry was sat, we talked about the car and I asked a few questions which obviously gave away the fact that I hadn't driven a 911 before, so Harry virtually insisted we take it out for a blast (despite there being a couple of minor issues that needed sorting - rear wheel bearing was rumbling for example).
Anyway, there wasnt any b
t, but there wasnt much bargaining to be done either. You would hope that they wouldnt buy in cr@p cars being fairly experienced in their market - but theres nothing to stop you getting an independent inspection done. I get the impression they get quite a bit of repeat business so see the same cars come back in and out.
All in all, they are friendly enough with those who want to look at a car with a real view of buying it, but there are no real frills.
I think I got the car at decent money, and with all the bits sorted out she was ready to go when I collected. (I didnt particularly enjoy having to walk down to their local post office to try and get my own tax, but hey).
Sort of a no-nonsence experience if you like.
I went and viewed the car, liked the look of it and I wanted to speak to someone about the money side of things.
I sat in their small office area where Harry was sat, we talked about the car and I asked a few questions which obviously gave away the fact that I hadn't driven a 911 before, so Harry virtually insisted we take it out for a blast (despite there being a couple of minor issues that needed sorting - rear wheel bearing was rumbling for example).
Anyway, there wasnt any b
t, but there wasnt much bargaining to be done either. You would hope that they wouldnt buy in cr@p cars being fairly experienced in their market - but theres nothing to stop you getting an independent inspection done. I get the impression they get quite a bit of repeat business so see the same cars come back in and out.All in all, they are friendly enough with those who want to look at a car with a real view of buying it, but there are no real frills.
I think I got the car at decent money, and with all the bits sorted out she was ready to go when I collected. (I didnt particularly enjoy having to walk down to their local post office to try and get my own tax, but hey).
Sort of a no-nonsence experience if you like.
I didn't buy from them, but spent a while lookig for the right car, and a few times I visited them, they were courteous and helpful. I never got to test drive, as the cars turned out to not be exactly what I wanted(plus sometimes I was just browsing, getting a feel for the cars to see which one I wanted)
I was straight with them, and told them that I was just browsing, but they were happy to let me wonder around their showroom, and gave me some buying tips.
I was actually there a couple of weeks ago having a look at a nice cheap black impact bumper SSC. They had described it as needing some work, but to be honest, it seemed a very straight car. At 15k though, there was a waiting list for it, however they were still happy for me to wonder around the car.
I was straight with them, and told them that I was just browsing, but they were happy to let me wonder around their showroom, and gave me some buying tips.
I was actually there a couple of weeks ago having a look at a nice cheap black impact bumper SSC. They had described it as needing some work, but to be honest, it seemed a very straight car. At 15k though, there was a waiting list for it, however they were still happy for me to wonder around the car.
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