I have been a member here about 2 months before I bought my Cayman, and loved everything all the current owners were saying. I don't really post, I just seem to read everyone else's posts; I never really had anything to contribute. Anyway, I have had the car for about a year, and I have had to take it to the dealership 7-8 times for a radio problem (3x), trunk clunk (1x), cheap plastic on dash and near the opening of the hatch that started chipping (2x), and now the clutch problem. I have gotten a loaner half the time; but it was either a Dodge Stratus or something similar. Right now my loaner is a Dodge Stratus and I'm thinking I will probably have it for atleast a week since the dealer won't look at my car until Wed.
When my car broke down yesterday due to the clutch problem, Porsche Roadside Assistance did get the car towed within the hour but thats it. They didn't offer to get me another car or anything. They said I need to speak to the local dealership about getting a car. Waiting until the next day and transportation to the dealership seem to be my problem I guess. As a reference, one of my friends has a Caddilac Escalade that broke down while he was on a trip to Orlando. Cadillac took him to a hotel, delivered a brand new Escalade loaner to be used until his was repaired, and covered his dining and misc. expenses until his SUV was repaired (3 days).
As for loaner cars, the local Lexus and BMW dealership give you loaner cars that are of the same brand and their other services are top notch too. I think the Porsche dealerships and PCNA need to get together and provide a better program for service and roadside assistance.
After all this, I am seriously considering selling my car if I can get decent money for it and wait 6-8 months for the new BMW 135. For a car that cost this much, I expected alot better service and reliablility. In the past, I have only owned Honda's, specifically 3 Preludes. I don't think I had these many problems between all three of them.
Anyway, I still love driving my car, but the sacrifices of this driving enjoyment is making me rethink things.
BTW Porsche will reimburse you for hotel, dining etc. if you break down on a trip, but not if you break down in your home town. I believe that is true for Cadillac as well. Whether your dealership uses Porsches for loaners or not depends on your dealership. PCNA gives dealerships discounts for using Porsches as loaners but many dealers don't do it because they get a "cut" of those other rental cars from Enterprise so it puts money in their pockets to give you something cheap. Don't blame Porsche, blame your local dealer. Speaking of which, PM me who your dealer is.
Do you have a lemon law in US?
Yes, we have several lemon laws in the US and they differ from state to state. So, nothing is consistent over here.
junglee444,
Man, that sucks. You've had way too much trouble with that car. That's why I'm asking you where you are, because I would like to review the lemon law criteria in your state.
I've read thousands and thousands of posts at this club. So many of them from happy customers with bulletproof cars. Then every once in a while I read one like this. I don't think your experience is typical for a Cayman. But I can understand why you feel the way you do.
There is only one other incident that I can recall where another member had persistant problems with a Cayman. That one turned out very good. Porsche stepped up and did the right thing to make the customer happy. But only because he remained calm and persistant. You need to do the same.
Why is your car not registered? I went to look so I could offer more specific advice. Can you please register your car?
Check your PM inbox.
I too have taken issue with my dealer concerning the loaner car provided when my Porsche is being repaired. Only once has the dealer kept my car because of a radio problem, but the rental was a dirty VW, smokers car, with 19,000 miles on it. Sure wish I could see some improvement in customer service from my local Porsche dealer.
When my wife's Lexus goes into the shop for normal maintance, there is always a Lexus loaner available.
I've just re-read your post and I'm actually a little embarrassed that I mentioned the word 'lemon'. Radio, rattle and cheap plastic complaints don't make a car a lemon. I can understand your dissapointment, but I am not sure you've got anything to work with here.
The clutch issues have been seen before, and once they fix it (if fixed properly) the cars are usually very reliable. Please point your Service Manager to this thread:
http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-complaints/14511-clutch-failure-registry-discussion-4.html#post182966
Because of your limited post history, lack of all personal information on file and lack of car registration, its hard for us to look any deeper.
Bummer
Your experience has certainly been terrible, and I don't blame you for your intended remedy. Touch wood, nothing's broken on my car yet....
I would like to point out how amazed I continue to be that there are members out here, unaffiliated with PCNA, who are willing to jump in and try and help you. You see them on these forums, and there are definitely a few common names which pop up again and again.
Anyway, good luck with getting your situation straightened around.
Thanks for the support
I don't think there is much I can do. I know I don't fall under the lemon law policy because I really haven't had any significant problems. Its mostly just been an inconvinience to continually take the car to the dealership. Thats the reason I said I justed needed to vent. My dealership is Thoroughbred Motors in Nashville, TN. I'll register my car in a little bit. But again, thanks for offering all the support and willingness to help.
Besides the lousy loaners, I don't really have a problem with the service at the dealership. Its really just the issues with the car.
