Limited edition Porsches. Hard to get?

[eyebeebe]

I just got an email out of the blue this morning from my local Porsche dealer. I've never bought anything from them - test drove a Macan Turbo earlier this year, but decided to go with a GLC 63S. I sent a cheeky speculative email a couple of months ago when I heard that the Boxster Spyder would have the GT3 engine.

They have an allocation of the Boxster Spyder for me. I'll be signing the pre-contract today! No downpayment needed. He couldn't confirm the price, but did confirm it will have a detuned GT3 engine.

I'm both amazed and super excited. Should be looking at delivery in the summer.

I live in Switzerland, so maybe the supply/demand equation is a bit better than the UK, but I still see the limited edition anythings being advertised at over list price.

[RDMcG]

Congrats!

I think it varies by geography. Also, individual dealers have discretion once they get an allocation.
In Canada where I live they cannot mark up new cars and there are bizarre situations of almost new cars at huge markups while the new car sells for list.


Here, you need a good dealer relationship to get a limited or GT car.

[eyebeebe]

RDMcG said:

Congrats!

I think it varies by geography. Also, individual dealers have discretion once they get an allocation.
In Canada where I live they cannot mark up new cars and there are bizarre situations of almost new cars at huge markups while the new car sells for list.


Here, you need a good dealer relationship to get a limited or GT car.

Thanks. It's the same here regarding list price. The dealer said don't worry about what it costs, if it's too much you'll be able to sell it for more!

[AndrewD]

Well done! Is that Cham or Zurich?
Great cars. Still not had it confirmed it will be the GT3 engine so that’s interesting.

[5to1]

RDMcG said:

Congrats!

I think it varies by geography. Also, individual dealers have discretion once they get an allocation.
In Canada where I live they cannot mark up new cars and there are bizarre situations of almost new cars at huge markups while the new car sells for list.


Here, you need a good dealer relationship to get a limited or GT car.

Just to clarify for others, a lot of people think having a good dealer relationship means buying cars from them regularly. I have friends that have maintained "good dealer" relationships with a few brands and yes they get early slots, sometimes meaning they can drive a car for a year for no loss, on other occasions they can even turn a profit.

But as part of that privilege sometimes the dealer will ask for something in return. Nothing as crude as a kickback. Instead for example they'll "ask" you to buy a car they have "difficulty" getting away. Roughly translated "take the loss on this car for us". Then there's the "smaller" favours. "I know the finance rate is crap, but can you take it anyway so we can hit our targets". Etc, etc.

If you like to switch cars often. And like the rarer stuff. It's clearly worthwhile forming such relationships. But they aren't as transparent and one sided as they seem from the outside.

[RDMcG]

5to1 said:

Just to clarify for others, a lot of people think having a good dealer relationship means buying cars from them regularly. I have friends that have maintained "good dealer" relationships with a few brands and yes they get early slots, sometimes meaning they can drive a car for a year for no loss, on other occasions they can even turn a profit.

But as part of that privilege sometimes the dealer will ask for something in return. Nothing as crude as a kickback. Instead for example they'll "ask" you to buy a car they have "difficulty" getting away. Roughly translated "take the loss on this car for us". Then there's the "smaller" favours. "I know the finance rate is crap, but can you take it anyway so we can hit our targets". Etc, etc.

If you like to switch cars often. And like the rarer stuff. It's clearly worthwhile forming such relationships. But they aren't as transparent and one sided as they seem from the outside.

Agree its not completely straightforward - I buy other Porsches from the same dealer..currently have a new Sport Turismo Turbo and a Cayenne V8 as well as the GT cars. I think it matters that you get the cars serviced at the dealer and are not a flipper. There are no guarantees though.

I know of other customers who are at the extreme pointy end and get the 2RS/918 stuff as well as some of the very limited editions. I doubt if I would be able to get to that level which is beyond my financial comfort zone anyway

[eyebeebe]

AndrewD said:

Well done! Is that Cham or Zurich?
Great cars. Still not had it confirmed it will be the GT3 engine so that’s interesting.

Thanks Andrew. Neither actually. A new one opened up near us in the last 18 months. Zürich Obersee. Seemed like really nice people when we went to look at a Macan. The fact they didn't laugh at my Boxster request just reinforces that feeling

Just been in to sign the paperwork. He showed me that he had 4 slots. I'm the first to sign. He has a second coming in this afternoon. I suspect they won't be there long.

He's convinced that it's going to be the GT3 motor. If it's a turbo, I'll give them the slot back. I'll get the Euro bonus off the price, but not my corporate discount lol

I'm guessing it's going to come in at similar bhp/tonne as the Exige, but in a more user (i.e. girlfriend) package. She's already picking out Porsche goodies that she wants, so I guess she's onboard with the idea! I won't mention the manual roof

[AndrewD]

Be good to see you guys again at some point. I’m in Dübendorf next week but a bit heads down in meetings.

[eyebeebe]

AndrewD said:

Be good to see you guys again at some point. I’m in Dübendorf next week but a bit heads down in meetings.

Indeed. We should be around until mid-December. Let us know if you get some free time.