Test Drive Booked at Porsche Reading
Discussion
Hi guys, got a test drive booked in a couple of weeks at Porsche Reading for a Boxster and Boxster S(987 and 981). Not really sure what to expect as I've never driven a Boxster (or 911) or dealt with main dealers much recently WRT sales. Do you think they will try and put the hard sell on me? I told them on the phone that I'm just trying to make an informed decision and want to go through figures etc with a fine tooth comb as I don't plan on buying for at least a couple of months.
As with most dealers, he seemed like a nice guy on the phone!
As with most dealers, he seemed like a nice guy on the phone!
Bottom line is that experiences vary enormously. Personally I've found Porsche salesmen no more or less pushy than those from other marques. They'll try and close a deal, but if you've been upfront about what you're looking for, they shouldn't be too much hassle - though I'm sure you'll get a few calls afterwards.
Then again, the last bloke I dealt with at Hatfield was asked to put together some numbers for a finance quote on a Boxster and never sent them to me. I bought from East London a few days later.
ETA: you'll love the cars I reckon. Got a 981 courtesy car coming on Wednesday - i'll post something once I've had a bit of a hoon.
Then again, the last bloke I dealt with at Hatfield was asked to put together some numbers for a finance quote on a Boxster and never sent them to me. I bought from East London a few days later.
ETA: you'll love the cars I reckon. Got a 981 courtesy car coming on Wednesday - i'll post something once I've had a bit of a hoon.
I bought a used 911 from OPC Reading a few months ago. Had a very agreeable experience with them. The salesman that I had has since left, but I found the staff on the whole were very friendly.
The test drive you'll have will be a real eye opener for you. It won't be the salesman, it'll be one of the experience coaches from Silverstone. He'll most probably take you into the back roads around Engelfield and let you give it some beans so you can really feel the car's potential in a safe way. You basically get 45 minutes of Porsche driving tutorage.
You'll pretty much come back to the OPC with a big sloppy smile on your face and be literally grabbing the pen out of the salesman's hand to sign on the dotted line.
I've found that the service you'll get from the sales team at OPC is marginally less than you'll get at Mercedes Benz. But then again, I bought my MB at Brooklands, and they really do treat their customers well there.
The test drive you'll have will be a real eye opener for you. It won't be the salesman, it'll be one of the experience coaches from Silverstone. He'll most probably take you into the back roads around Engelfield and let you give it some beans so you can really feel the car's potential in a safe way. You basically get 45 minutes of Porsche driving tutorage.
You'll pretty much come back to the OPC with a big sloppy smile on your face and be literally grabbing the pen out of the salesman's hand to sign on the dotted line.
I've found that the service you'll get from the sales team at OPC is marginally less than you'll get at Mercedes Benz. But then again, I bought my MB at Brooklands, and they really do treat their customers well there.
Edited by This Is Pete on Monday 13th August 15:28
To be honest I have had decent experiences at OPC regards test drives.
Briefly, I walked in off the street (arrived in a Citroen C2), talked a bit about the Cayman and how I had had my fill of hot hatches. Very friendly, no pressure and to "make sure we get you in the right car" they let me take a Cayman R for 4 days!
Upon return, yes of course they did try and close a deal but for the spec I wanted, ultimately the money was a bit strong and the car a touch uncompromising.
In the end I did buy a 2.9 Boxster, although painfully not from that OPC this time round.
I guess my message is that if you are intending on spending a substantial amount of money on a car, I would insist on an extended test drive. I've been bitten twice before from having a 30 min test drive, falling in love with the car, then within a week or so of daily use I know its not right for me.
Briefly, I walked in off the street (arrived in a Citroen C2), talked a bit about the Cayman and how I had had my fill of hot hatches. Very friendly, no pressure and to "make sure we get you in the right car" they let me take a Cayman R for 4 days!
Upon return, yes of course they did try and close a deal but for the spec I wanted, ultimately the money was a bit strong and the car a touch uncompromising.
In the end I did buy a 2.9 Boxster, although painfully not from that OPC this time round.
I guess my message is that if you are intending on spending a substantial amount of money on a car, I would insist on an extended test drive. I've been bitten twice before from having a 30 min test drive, falling in love with the car, then within a week or so of daily use I know its not right for me.
They seem to vary a lot from the limited, recent experience I have. One OPC I couldn't get on with at all. Another has been a delight. If you don't get on with them, don't hesitate to try a different dealer (perhaps with different ownership). I've been into PCGB, Sytner and Inchcape dealers with very different experiences in all three.
S
S
I've never bought a car from Reading, and tbh I doubt I'll ever be in the position to, but last time I was there I had a good nosey round all the 991s and the receptionist asked me twice if I'd like a coffee. I only went in to get a replacement wheel key ! Which they gave to me gratis when the spares guy found an odd one in the workshop.
So on that basis, I'd definitely go back to them
So on that basis, I'd definitely go back to them
Actus Reus said:
Correct - along with a few others, Hatfield being one.
They are all part of the Porsche Retail Group: http://www.porscheretailgroup.co.uk/Home.aspx
I've had two test drive experiences from Guildford. Both underwhelming.
The first was a 997 where we spent about a mile on the A3 and then pootled back through traffic in a 30 limit. That was me responding to a "come and have a test drive" promotion.
The second one was when I booked a drive of a GT3 when I was actually in the market (and eventually bought my 6RS). I got there and apparently we weren't going out. I was a bit astonished at this. When I asked why, I got some sales-b
ks about traffic. So I turned round and walked out. Never bothered to go back!
Bert
The first was a 997 where we spent about a mile on the A3 and then pootled back through traffic in a 30 limit. That was me responding to a "come and have a test drive" promotion.
The second one was when I booked a drive of a GT3 when I was actually in the market (and eventually bought my 6RS). I got there and apparently we weren't going out. I was a bit astonished at this. When I asked why, I got some sales-b
ks about traffic. So I turned round and walked out. Never bothered to go back!Bert
Yes, differing experiences for me. Tonbridge seemed to act like they thought I was a time waster which was a little od given that I then put a deposit on a 50k car at Colchester the next day but there you go..
As noted above if one opc doesn't seem interested then move on. Regardless, when you are close to purchase try to see if you can find 2-3 you like from different groups to get them to compete and closing a deal right before month end helps too.
As noted above if one opc doesn't seem interested then move on. Regardless, when you are close to purchase try to see if you can find 2-3 you like from different groups to get them to compete and closing a deal right before month end helps too.
Reading OPC have always been exceptional in my experience, never pushy, always friendly and normally pretty helpful. They are my local OPC and I've test driven cars there, although never bought from them, I had my Cayman S serviced there and I have bought quite a few parts from them over the years. Not once have I had a bad experience. The reception staff are great and will always offer you a (pretty decent) coffee, the customer waiting area is comfy, they always have a good section of newspapers and you can wonder around, look at, sit in and enjoy all the new cars in the showroom without fear of being jumped on by pushy salespeople.
It is worth bearing in mind that Porsche GB headquarters are based on this site, so it's something of a flagship dealer and is no doubt under constant scrutiny which might explain the consistently high level of service. It also means they have a vast collection of exotic pork hidden away around the corner from the main service area. These are customer cars that they look after and I was lucky enough to have an impromptu tour of that area with one of their salesman whilst trying to hunt down a used 997 that had just came in and was due to be prepped. They have at least 20 Carrera GTs back there, a couple of 959s and a GT1, it's a proper Aladdin's cave, very impressive!
It is worth bearing in mind that Porsche GB headquarters are based on this site, so it's something of a flagship dealer and is no doubt under constant scrutiny which might explain the consistently high level of service. It also means they have a vast collection of exotic pork hidden away around the corner from the main service area. These are customer cars that they look after and I was lucky enough to have an impromptu tour of that area with one of their salesman whilst trying to hunt down a used 997 that had just came in and was due to be prepped. They have at least 20 Carrera GTs back there, a couple of 959s and a GT1, it's a proper Aladdin's cave, very impressive!
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