First Porsche purchase - dealarship and car advice pls

[simonsb]

Hi. I'm looking to buy my first Porsche and would appreciate any advice and help you're willing to share.

Firstly I live between Portsmouth and Southampton and want to buy from a trusted local-ish source. It doesn't need to be on my door step but I guess somewhere within an hours drive would make sense.

I've seen Virgin 911 mentioned and thats on my list for dealers to visit so far.

My budget is circa £25k-£30k. I drove a Cayman the other day and it was superb but that's all I've driven so I'm not yet clued up on what would give me the best car for the money.

I think for my first Porsche most should be quick enough. I'd add to my wish list reliability and cars that aren't going to fall off a cliff with depreciation. I also will buy from a dealer and get 2 years warranty.

So can anyone share great dealers in the South and then any advice on models / years / spec?

Like I mentioned I've looked at the Cayman and Cayman S so far. I don't think anything convertible.

Thanks

[andymc]

for a 2 year warranty it'll have to an OPC car i think

[doneitnow]

My first Porsche was a Cayman, I absolutely loved it and would not hesitate to have another, I only sold it as I bought a GT3. I drove a couple of 997's prior to buying the Cayman, whilst they were lovely I never regretted opting for the Cayman instead, I personally don't think you can go far wrong with one as long as it is a good one. I purchased the GT3 from 911virgin, great guys to deal with would recommend them no problem, they sell there cars with a 3 month warranty which you can extend to a years for a small cost. Ignore all the "its not a 911 merchants".

[PorscheGT4]

andymc said:

for a 2 year warranty it'll have to an OPC car i think

or private or a SOR car !

[simonsb]

PorscheGT4 said:

andymc said:

for a 2 year warranty it'll have to an OPC car i think

or private or a SOR car !

Whats SOR?

I'm assuming getting as long a warranty as possible is adviseable?

[simonsb]

doneitnow said:

My first Porsche was a Cayman, I absolutely loved it and would not hesitate to have another, I only sold it as I bought a GT3. I drove a couple of 997's prior to buying the Cayman, whilst they were lovely I never regretted opting for the Cayman instead, I personally don't think you can go far wrong with one as long as it is a good one. I purchased the GT3 from 911virgin, great guys to deal with would recommend them no problem, they sell there cars with a 3 month warranty which you can extend to a years for a small cost. Ignore all the "its not a 911 merchants".

Thanks. It's good to hear further good reports about 911virgin - I'll definitely go take a look there. The GT3 is stunning - one for the future!

[IknowJoseph]

Phil Raby is close to you in Chichester. Probably worth a phone call.

[Paul Dishman]

Paragon Porsche have a good reputation and aren't so far from you

[Fl0pp3r]

Paul Dishman said:

Paragon Porsche have a good reputation and aren't so far from you

+1 Paragon are 1st rate.

[Fl0pp3r]

simonsb said:

Hi. I'm looking to buy my first Porsche and would appreciate any advice and help you're willing to share.

Firstly I live between Portsmouth and Southampton and want to buy from a trusted local-ish source. It doesn't need to be on my door step but I guess somewhere within an hours drive would make sense.

I've seen Virgin 911 mentioned and thats on my list for dealers to visit so far.

My budget is circa £25k-£30k. I drove a Cayman the other day and it was superb but that's all I've driven so I'm not yet clued up on what would give me the best car for the money.

I think for my first Porsche most should be quick enough. I'd add to my wish list reliability and cars that aren't going to fall off a cliff with depreciation. I also will buy from a dealer and get 2 years warranty.

So can anyone share great dealers in the South and then any advice on models / years / spec?

Like I mentioned I've looked at the Cayman and Cayman S so far. I don't think anything convertible.

Thanks

Cayman would be an excellent starting point, no doubt.

If you can stretch to a 996 Turbo however, that would be the ultimate for around £30k for me :-)

[LordOfTheManor]

Don't think about spending your money with OPC in Wales - they don't give a dam about you !

[simonsb]

Fl0pp3r said:

Cayman would be an excellent starting point, no doubt.

If you can stretch to a 996 Turbo however, that would be the ultimate for around £30k for me :-)

Thanks all for the advice. I'll take a look at a 996 - it can't hurt to look eh?

[Mad March Taffy]

Try Chappell Sports Cars in Chichester too - Kier is a top bloke

[gilliambot]

I wouldn't limit yourself to local dealers, but of Course it's the best place to start. I live near your part of the world and ended up buying my car from near St. Albans. I did loads of research looking for my GTS and compiled a list of dealers I could trust within a reasonable distance from me. This is what I came up with, hopefully this will save you some time:

Paragon
911 Virgin
Rsj sports cars
RPM technic
Chappell sports cars

It's a small list but like I said, I did loads of research and they seemed to Have the best stock and really take care of the customers. I would say RSJ offer the best warranty, and RPM were the most helpful in terms of trying to find me the car I wanted. Having said all this I ended up going private because a car came up that ticked every box as if I had spec'd it myself. I also have a small list of dealers to avoid PM me if you would names. My first Porsche was also a Cayman- can't go wrong with one of them.

[Fl0pp3r]

Add JZM in Kings Langley to your list if you haven't already. Regular turnover of some very good cars, and they will look after you.

Further to my 996 Turbo recommendation - bear in mind running costs on this car will be somewhat more than on a regular Carrera or Cayman - although this applies mostly for out of the ordinary costs such as the Turbos themselves. Standard consumables not *that* much worse. Ultimately you're paying for the ultimate in performance and comfort!

Edited by Fl0pp3r on Tuesday 9th June 22:01

[sidicks]

If you want an OPC recommendation, I have had great service from Mid-Sussex Porsche.

[simonsb]

gilliambot said:

I wouldn't limit yourself to local dealers, but of Course it's the best place to start. I live near your part of the world and ended up buying my car from near St. Albans. I did loads of research looking for my GTS and compiled a list of dealers I could trust within a reasonable distance from me. This is what I came up with, hopefully this will save you some time:

Paragon
911 Virgin
Rsj sports cars
RPM technic
Chappell sports cars

It's a small list but like I said, I did loads of research and they seemed to Have the best stock and really take care of the customers. I would say RSJ offer the best warranty, and RPM were the most helpful in terms of trying to find me the car I wanted. Having said all this I ended up going private because a car came up that ticked every box as if I had spec'd it myself. I also have a small list of dealers to avoid PM me if you would names. My first Porsche was also a Cayman- can't go wrong with one of them.

Perfect - I'll definitely use that list. 3 of those I have and 2 are new so great to have the recommendations underlined. Thanks.

[simonsb]

[quote=Fl0pp3r]Add JZM in Kings Langley to your list if you haven't already. Regular turnover of some very good cars, and they will look after you.

Thanks

[simonsb]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Add to your list, Northway Porsche

Thanks.

[doneitnow]

Fl0pp3r said:

Add JZM in Kings Langley to your list if you haven't already. Regular turnover of some very good cars, and they will look after you.

Edited by Fl0pp3r on Tuesday 9th June 22:01

I hope he gets better treatment than I did if he bothers going there, I found him really arrogant and unhelpful, could not be bothered to give me the time of day and practically threw me out of the showroom, I will never return.

Edited by doneitnow on Wednesday 10th June 08:23