Right car wrong car - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I was mulling this over with Sir DeRestrictor this morning as I cruised the M6 into work. In my experience there's two types of dealership - one that treats you with the respect you deserve and one that doesn't. The first OPC we went into had two idiots as sales people - basically they didn't take us seriously. Yes, we got the test drive we wanted but that was about it. The second (which necessitated a drive to Liverpool - guess the OPC) could not have been friendlier. Okay, they offered us a derisory trade in for my wifes car but they openly admitted that they didn't usually take that sort of car (MX-5). We were treated with respect and courtesy, and they were really grateful for us making the journey - particularly when we bought the car off them. The first dealership (local to us) phoned us later in the week and tried to put us off buying the Liverpool car but offered nothing better to persuade us so we didn't bother. Thats okay they said, you'll be bringing it to us for servicing. Er, no we won't you miserable bastards - we'll be taking it to the new OPC in Solihull which again is a testament to customer service. Thats our experience.

I agree that the salesman came across as a bit arrogant - he should have been a bit more diplomatic in his responses. Doesn't the dealership have to give authorisation for the covert camera footage to be screened? I'm surprised they allowed it, especially as everyone seems to agree that it was a bit of bad PR for Porsche GB. Porsche drivers seem to have a bit of an 'arrogant tosser' rep (fairly justified in my experience of non-Pistonheads Porsche owners) and now this makes the dealers look equally bad (in the eyes of the general public watching the programme). I use AFN Chiswick (which that was) for servicing/ repairs and have found that side of the business to be fine.

Don't get bogged down in the sales style of the Porsche dealer. WTF should he waste his time. This is our best price end of story? The interesting point to me was the Ferrari dealer could pay over the odds for the trade in because the forecourt price on the 360 was totally over the top. DAZ >> Edited by dazren (moderator) on Tuesday 15th April 10:58

I thought the OPC salesmanager was fine. It would be a better place if the price of a car is the price you pay. At least you know they arnt discounting and thus hopefully will put the car at the market value. Wasnt it dawoo who said the price on the car is the price you pay? Good idea you know where you stand. What year and price was the red farrari? The 911tt was almost new? and for £98K if memory is right. The farrari was very nice, heart may well have won over the 911 for me as well and the 911tt is my dream car, but the farriri in red - wow, and same sort of price. want one.....

Greg I'm surprised by the response you got from the OPC (I think I know which one!!) - not wanting to take your MX-5 as a trade-in. I traded in an MGF against my first Boxster and the OPC (not Solihull but the other side of Brum) were happy to take the car, saw it as a natural progression (MGF to Boxster) and freely admitted that it would pass through to another of their group's dealerships - obviously it would not be sold from their forecourt. The point of all this is that I believe that the Brum OPC, RR in Liverpool and the one in N'hampton are all part of the Pendragon group and should present a similar level of service. On the topic of trade-ins I have always found that whilst there is little room for negotiation, their offer value for my cars (MGF then Box 2.5) has always been as near as dammit to the Glass's guide trade-in price. I've certainly never felt like I've been 'diddled'!! >> Edited by McP on Tuesday 15th April 12:09

Fair enough McP but I was offered 5600 for a 99 MX-5 in mint condition. I sold it back to Coventry Mazda for 8700 in the end, so I was 3100 up on the deal. Go figure. Made no odds to me but I wasn't going to give the Mazda away.

Good & valid point Dazren, I agree with you, but it still doesn't excuse the Porsche sales guys attitude (& an offer 2k less than book) particularly as the chap was already a Porker owner.

yes why did they offer 2K under book? is it because they know they are in a strong position and want the hammer the deal or what? I would hope that if their prices on the cars are realistic and 'fair' ie no haggling then why not give a fair trade in on a porker.?

Anyone know which OPC it was? Hints not names sufficient I missed the beginning of the programme. When the wife switched the TV on it was tuned to BBC2 and having spotted the 360 she kindly forfeited Corrie for me!!!

McP.. have a look at Arganoats (I think I spelt that wrong !!!) posting. G

The sale guy (who I believe was the sales manager) was an arrogant, un-helpful, to**er. There’s no denying it!! If his attitude cant put you off buying a Porsche no one can. The Ferrari dealership was like a breath of fresh air, if only all prestige marques had such a service! I strongly believe that the dealership should be named & avoided, amongst the masses the Porsche brand carries a bad enough stigma and with people like him at the helm you can see why!!

This might have been discussed on another thread, so sorry if that's the case ... The thing I find strange about this programme is the way they seem to close a deal with some sales guy who, if the programme is to be believed, is none the wiser as to being part of a telly programme, then say "right now we'll go away and decide whether we're really going to take this deal or the other one we negotiated earlier on another car". Where I come from a deal is a deal. Do the programme makers end up having to buy all the cars they negotiate a deal on? Maybe I've missed something (never seen a episode from start to finish) - hope so, otherwise it worries me that it encourages the wrong sort of behaviour in your average car-buying plonker? Chris

I don't know what they do Chris but at the end of the show, both cars are present when the punter has to decide which one he/she's going for. I suspect that after the "deal" has been done, they reveal themselves to the dealer. I'm pretty sure they have to get permission to show the footage.

its all covered on another thread by one whose been filmed!

Any chance of pointing us in the general direction of said thread, officer, I mean sir

But those cars aren't the actual cars that the punter haggled for I don't think (e.g. the Ferrari shown was red, not silver, Porker Turbo was the press one with plate 911 HUL)

Apologies. I didn't actually see this episode so I was going on the ones I have seen where they seemed to be the same cars. Even then, I'm probably wrong. Anyone else found this thread that Gemini mentioned ?

I thought is was filmed part on the A24 and A272 where they cross. it wasnt the Brighton and Hove OPC I think there is one near in Tunbridge Wells and but not sure it was that one, so possibly Gatwick area or maybe the Tun wells.

The thread is here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=33966&f=23&h=0 Rather long, but very interesting. Especially once the man himself joins in!

Great right car wrong car last night, what a superb mix of cars the guy had to choose from, Turbo,AMG55, 360,550 & a Lambo. If you didn't see it the guy chose the Ferrari 360 & the 996 Turbo came a close second. As a 996 Turbo owner I am rather biased & know what I would have chosen, but that 360 did look & sound great!! The reason for the post is the dealerships different attitudes, the Porsche dealer was hard nosed & unfriendly with a "take it or leave it attitude" suprisingly the Ferrari dealer was flexible, freindly & helpful !! Although I have found the OPC service side excellent, unfortunately I found the same attitude from the sales side. I understand that no discounting helps residual's BUT it's how they go about it, when you are spending a lot of money on a Porker (& let's face it even the cheapest is mid £30k's) you want to feel that your custom is valued. I know they have to make a profit & that is fine, but that dealership's attitude on TV didn't do Porsche's image any favour's. What do you guy's think ?