Discussion
Well 2 years ago I decided that I was finally going to buy myself the Porsche I had always promised myself, but always found excuses/reasons not to. I did not really know what I wanted, the only thing I was pretty sure about was it had to be a guards red one (sad I know, but to fulfil my dreams).
Anyway my search began in Sussex at Harbour cars, very helpful and friendly lads where I found two nice 911's, a C2 and a C4, I liked the drive of them both but preferred the fat look of the 4, I went away to ponder trying not to get carried away with buying the first one I saw. The next day took me to London and RSJ, lots of nice cars and again very helpful, here my interest in Caymans grew but no guards red one and it was not a 911, what a dilemma!
I continued my search heading to Hertfordshire, a well known dealer, where my experience was somewhat different, on telling the salesman the truth about how I did not know exactly what it was I was looking for he just pointed at a few cars then turned around and walked away, 20 minutes later he basically came over to my other half and I and said he was going out so ushered us to the door, put a card in my hand and went on his way, to say I was outraged at the treatment we received from him is an understatement, we were both fuming and could have ended my search for a Porsche there and then, however, I knew where there was a guards red Cayman S for sale so we continued up the road to Buckinghamshire and Stratstone Jaguar, the service was a million times better than experienced at the last dealer, it was nearly closing time but no problem, the Cayman was taken out of the showroom and I took it for a drive, I fell in love with it instantly, the deal was done and five days later I picked it up. That was two years ago and I have loved every minute of it.
As you do I had kept an eye on the classifieds and a few months back was very tempted by a viper green turbo that I found for sale, I thought the colour was awesome, anyway I thought too long and it sold, the real problem was that I just loved my Cayman too much.
In September, I took it for a 10 day trip around Europe, taking in the Vosges and the Black Forest en route to the Porsche Museum, I had the time of my life and the car did not miss a beat, but oh what that museum does to you seeing all those 911's.
On my return I started once again looking at the classifieds, all the stories about how GT2's and GT3's are only for summer and a waste if you don't track them sunk in so I resigned myself to the fact that it would have to be either another Cayman, or a Turbo, but more than likely another Cayman would win.
I went off for a trek around Nepal, (definitely no Porsche needed their) and to be honest I did not give much thought about a new car whilst I was away. I came back nice and relaxed, but on my 2nd day back I turned on the computer and did that same old boring thing, looking at the classifieds, then at the dealers sites, I looked at 911Virgin's site and to my horror there was this viper green thing that jumped out at me, no it was not the aforementioned turbo but a GT3, it was the other one of a pair that Specialis Cars of Malton had worked there magic on. No why was this happening, I am quite happy with my Cayman!!
Anyway it got the better of me and an email was sent to Tom, it would be in on Wednesday. After very little thinking time an appointment was made to view it.
Wednesday morning I headed off to Uxbridge, as soon as I saw it I knew I was in trouble. I must say that on meeting Tom for the first time it was an absolute pleasure, answering any stupid questions I had and explaining all about the car and the details as to the modifications that were originally made to it etc. I really felt at ease being there, no pressure and nothing was a trouble for him. I know he is a salesman and it is his job to sell cars but after my experience 2 years ago it was very welcome. After a brief test drive I could feel straight away I was going to love driving a GT3 and after checking out that my car was all above board the deal was done and I will soon be the proud owner of the green blob
. I will still be very sad to see my Cayman go though
.
If anyone knows of or has the articles that were published about the two cars that SCM modified I would be very interested to know.
Lastly, sorry for a long boring story but just thought I would share my experiences.
Alan
Anyway my search began in Sussex at Harbour cars, very helpful and friendly lads where I found two nice 911's, a C2 and a C4, I liked the drive of them both but preferred the fat look of the 4, I went away to ponder trying not to get carried away with buying the first one I saw. The next day took me to London and RSJ, lots of nice cars and again very helpful, here my interest in Caymans grew but no guards red one and it was not a 911, what a dilemma!
I continued my search heading to Hertfordshire, a well known dealer, where my experience was somewhat different, on telling the salesman the truth about how I did not know exactly what it was I was looking for he just pointed at a few cars then turned around and walked away, 20 minutes later he basically came over to my other half and I and said he was going out so ushered us to the door, put a card in my hand and went on his way, to say I was outraged at the treatment we received from him is an understatement, we were both fuming and could have ended my search for a Porsche there and then, however, I knew where there was a guards red Cayman S for sale so we continued up the road to Buckinghamshire and Stratstone Jaguar, the service was a million times better than experienced at the last dealer, it was nearly closing time but no problem, the Cayman was taken out of the showroom and I took it for a drive, I fell in love with it instantly, the deal was done and five days later I picked it up. That was two years ago and I have loved every minute of it.
As you do I had kept an eye on the classifieds and a few months back was very tempted by a viper green turbo that I found for sale, I thought the colour was awesome, anyway I thought too long and it sold, the real problem was that I just loved my Cayman too much.
In September, I took it for a 10 day trip around Europe, taking in the Vosges and the Black Forest en route to the Porsche Museum, I had the time of my life and the car did not miss a beat, but oh what that museum does to you seeing all those 911's.
On my return I started once again looking at the classifieds, all the stories about how GT2's and GT3's are only for summer and a waste if you don't track them sunk in so I resigned myself to the fact that it would have to be either another Cayman, or a Turbo, but more than likely another Cayman would win.
I went off for a trek around Nepal, (definitely no Porsche needed their) and to be honest I did not give much thought about a new car whilst I was away. I came back nice and relaxed, but on my 2nd day back I turned on the computer and did that same old boring thing, looking at the classifieds, then at the dealers sites, I looked at 911Virgin's site and to my horror there was this viper green thing that jumped out at me, no it was not the aforementioned turbo but a GT3, it was the other one of a pair that Specialis Cars of Malton had worked there magic on. No why was this happening, I am quite happy with my Cayman!!
Anyway it got the better of me and an email was sent to Tom, it would be in on Wednesday. After very little thinking time an appointment was made to view it.
Wednesday morning I headed off to Uxbridge, as soon as I saw it I knew I was in trouble. I must say that on meeting Tom for the first time it was an absolute pleasure, answering any stupid questions I had and explaining all about the car and the details as to the modifications that were originally made to it etc. I really felt at ease being there, no pressure and nothing was a trouble for him. I know he is a salesman and it is his job to sell cars but after my experience 2 years ago it was very welcome. After a brief test drive I could feel straight away I was going to love driving a GT3 and after checking out that my car was all above board the deal was done and I will soon be the proud owner of the green blob
. I will still be very sad to see my Cayman go though. If anyone knows of or has the articles that were published about the two cars that SCM modified I would be very interested to know.
Lastly, sorry for a long boring story but just thought I would share my experiences.
Alan
Edited by doneitnow on Thursday 28th November 12:32
Thanks for all the replies and the emails, I promise to post some pics once I collect it, it might take a few days though whilst I stop playing with it.
I have heard from Mark and apparently GT Porsche was one of the magazines that published an article on it, if anyone is able to let me know what issue it was I would be very grateful and will then see if it is possible to get a back issue from them.
Alan
I have heard from Mark and apparently GT Porsche was one of the magazines that published an article on it, if anyone is able to let me know what issue it was I would be very grateful and will then see if it is possible to get a back issue from them.
Alan
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