Can anyone top this?

I've been on this site for about 6 months, plunked down a deposit for a new 2009 CS back in December, finalized the order in January for a Feb build, and waited patiently for my first Porsche to arrive. Was in London on business, got an email the car had arrived, and jumped on a last minute flight home to complete the purchase and drive my new car home. Hour in the dealership, get the ipod and phone to work, drive off the lot, make two right turns and everything goes dead!! Warning lights blazing, fans howling, and a reading that says PSM failed. No technician at the dealer (Sunday), had to tow it back (a whopping 500+ yards) and get a loaner. Can't believe I'm not that upset...feel more disappointed than anything else, guess it hasn't sunk in. Waiting to hear what was wrong, hoping its just computer/electronic stuff. How is that for bad luck! And can anyone top that? About the only way is if you couldn't drive your new car off the lot! And this is my 50th post...it was supposed to be about how I came to own a Porsche, complete with pics...hope its only a short delay.

Yeah, try this: http://www.planet-9.com/porsche-sales-leasing/13673-day-1-tourist-delivery.html Guy goes all the way to Germany to pick up his car at the factory, and 40 miles from the Porsche factory, the clutch blows up... not fun at all, but sh!t happens. Sorry to hear about your trouble - I'm sure they'll have you on the road shortly. brad

Sounds like a loose battery cable, if the car just came in, these sorts of things are supposed to be checked in the PDI, as well as battery strength. Hopefully something simple to fix and you are back on the road again soon!

Dealership says its a bad relay...part ordered, should be able to pick it up tomorrow. I'm not a car expert...what is a relay, and should this concern me (long term service issues)?

It's basically an electronic switch - should have no long term ramifications, methinks... Drive home safely... brad

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Not quite the same, but my battery was low on juice when I went to pick my car up. Dealer had left the key in ignition anticipating my arrival but my flight was delayed. Oddly I wasn't that irritated myself, on day one I had a valuable lesson on how to jump the car including using the door latch/fuse box to be able to operate the hood release. Had the car/battery over a year now with 0 issues. Enjoy the drive home tomorrow, can't wait to see the pics .

I'd keep a spare relay on hand just in case, unless this is a very rare occurrence. Cheap insurance in my book. Good luck!

This is the first time I recall anyone reporting this in the more than three years the cars have been out - not that this site is a scientific sample. And, he needs to be more specific about which relay this is, there's a lot of them in the car, I'm sure. brad

Yeah, as a matter of fact I think I can I took delivery of my December 2006 Cayman S late June 2008, with 10,000 miles on it, still under warranty and after the car had obviously undergone the 100-odd point check that they do before delivery I guess. I drove off into the sunset (literally) happy as a clam and about 15 miles down the road, and as I was coming out of a toll booth, I heard a loud (and I do mean LOUD) clunk under the car, as if metal pieces were falling off the car and on to the tarmac. I stopped immediately and looked under the car, only to find a few big bolts (some cut-off!) and a couple of other metal pieces, really hot and greasy. Bottom line... the rear left shaft axle (I am pretty sure that is the correct term) was broken and the only reason it wasn't hanging completely on the ground, was the fact that it was being held in place by the underside "tray". The car spent a week in the shop, the service dep't apologized profusely and they ordered a new part under warranty (of course). Ten thousand miles later, I believe this is the best car I have owned so far and I am REALLY happy with it. But that first day, almost spoiled it for me.

Re: Can anyone top this? UPDATE Spoke with the service manager and got an update. The relay that failed/fried ended up crashing/ruining the engine management system! There were 6 miles on the car and I drove it 500 feet. So now they've ordered a new EMS from Germany and hope to have the car ready by Thursday or Friday. Can't say I'm not extremely disappointed, but no one could've anticipated this happening. However, I expect the dealership to offer something...a small gesture in the spirit of good customer service. Does anyone think that is unreasonable? I just bought a $70,000+ car for crying out loud!

Re: Can anyone top this? UPDATE I think it's very reasonable ad you should mention it too. I didn't and they offered nothing, but hey, at least the car was fixed.

Re: Can anyone top this? UPDATE absolutely not ... ask and yiou shqall receive ... bad parts can happen to anybody ... not really their fault ... when you pick up your car ask your sales person how much that shiney key chain, hat, shirt, umbrella ... whatever .... in their display case is and see if he throws it in ...

Re: Can anyone top this? UPDATE I'm not sure I completely buy the "not really their fault." Yes, nothing is perfect. However, I think it's reasonable (mandatory) for the dealer to be apologetic and do whatever they and the customer agree "makes it right." I guess I'd put it like this: It's not their fault that a bad relay fried the EMS. It is their responsibility to remediate the problem AND to make sure the customer is happy.

Update...the dealer replaced the EMS (shipped from Germany), kept the car overnight, drove it for a few miles and I picked it up yesterday. They're going to swap the orange markers for clear ones (no charge), they gave me a Porsche jacket...nice gestures given the frustrating way my Cayman ownership began. Will post impressions, pics soon...but its very clear that this is the best purchase of my life!!!!!!!

Glad to hear it's turning around. I know how dissapointing that can be. But once it's behind you, it will be part of your adventure.