Deposit for test drive - usual?

[gubsta]

Hi folks,

Have been trying to arrange a GT3 test drive for an used early 991 at my nearest OPC.
After a few conversations I've now been told that a deposit has to be made (rather than an original intimated 'deal in principle') to secure a test drive.

This is putting me off the whole thing tbh - but is this just the price of admission to the club - usual practice?
I don't like being strong-armed and I feel like I did when I was a kid trying to test drive a Focus RS.

Cheers

Edited by gubsta on Thursday 16th August 10:40

[gubsta]

I think it was more the manner in which the subject of a deposit was broached. If there had been a straightforward and upfront conversation I would feel fine. I don’t mind proving that I’m a serious buyer it’s more the arrogance in assuming that it’s a done deal before a drive.

As for ‘will I buy if it drives as it should’ - well that’s not the point. I’m going to have to adore it to spend the money and I think that’s reasonable in this price bracket - there is lots of choice.

I was very honest about never having driven a GT3 of this vintage and while I’m sure it’s brilliant it’s got to feel right... If I get the James May Fizz then obviously there’s a deal to be done.

Maybe I just didn’t get the right sales guy.

[gubsta]

Big Brin said:

I think it is an attempt to filter out potential joy riders as has been mentioned and this may be a Porsche thing?

I can't recall ever having an issue personally with any of my cars , in fact Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi and Aston have been 'insistent' that I drive the car. It' the first thing they do.....to completely suck you in. No deposit talked about.....with Porsche it was different. I did have a lengthy telephone conversation with the salesman. Got finance proposals and a walk around video. A few days later, negotiated a deal (p/x involved) and then I did put a £2000 deposit on the car. Two weeks later when the car was available after prep, went and drove it with a cast iron 'if you don't like it, we;ll return your deposit'. That comment wasn't limited to not liking it if it drove as it should the drive....I had concerns about the interior trim and that was my primary point of needing assurance on the deposit. You can't really tell what a full alcantara inside is going to be like until you're in it..... This was at Porsche retail btw.

Thanks good to know it's not just me then!

[gubsta]

boxsey said:

I can see where Hunter 66 is coming from. In my experience the salesperson expects that a prospective GT Porsche buyer already knows what to expect from the car and doesn't need a test drive to find out if they will like it. I was offered a test drive (GT4) with no strings but I had already made it very clear that I had made up my mind to buy a GT4 and it was now just a case of deciding whether I would buy the one they had in stock or find another one. I think turning up in my current Cayman R also helped show that I was a serious buyer of that sort of car.

In this particular case it's all about the PDK. If it was a manual car I'd be much happier knowing it would feel involving enough. In the back of my mind moving away from the trusted Porsche indys I have used in the past I thought might set me up for a shot at a new car in future - but having heard of the lengths people go to get a factory (GT-car) order then perhaps that's a pipe dream!