Buying an import CGTS - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I've been looking at buying a CGTS and currently have an allocation for next year. This took my eye today ( http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... ). Has anyone purchased a new parallel import Porsche and if so what are the downsides ( apart from 2 year warranty instead of 3 )?

The "Air Vents Painted in Rhodium Silver" would put me off a little. ???

I think this looks good value. Even of you pay for one more year of warranty it will be cheaper than a new one. The vents can be replaced if the colour is an issue. I think the spec here is spot on as well. Go for it!

Looks great value and quite a decent spec. VAT qualifier too, which would knock another 20% off as far as I'm concerned. Hmm

Dreds said: I've been looking at buying a CGTS and currently have an allocation for next year. This took my eye today ( http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... ). Has anyone purchased a new parallel import Porsche and if so what are the downsides ( apart from 2 year warranty instead of 3 )? Not done it with a Porsche but have with a couple of other cars - from Cyprus in my case. No real issues but just a couple of points 1) Check the spec carefully to see if it's identical to a British model - you may be missing something that has to be retrofitted (eg if its from outside the EU it might not have TPM) in extremis it could make getting spares an issue. 2) Dealers can be a bit sniffy about trade in prices, particularly if is an odd spec or a colour not available in the UK. If it's from the EU I can't see any real issues and, if you like the spec, it's a steal.

I had a grey import Audi TT back in 2001 with a significant (nearly £5k discount). No problems with warranty work (Audi recovery/coil pack issues), but when selling it, the buyer pulled out after finding out it was a grey? Ended up selling it to Audi Poole who sent a guy up to the Midlands for it. They sold it as a normal 'Used Approved' car at the going rate at the time, which was a lot more than the agreed price with the seller that pulled out - his loss.

Many thanks for the replies. Do you think it will be any issue purchasing the 3rd and subsequent years of warranty? I've been given the spec on another car they have; any noticeable omissions? Exterior Code : S2 Rhodium Silver Metallic Interior : GR Black with GTS interior package - Rhodium Silver Standard Options: 632 Bi-Xenon lighting system with PDLS Plus 636 Park assist front & rear 748 Electric folding exterior mirrors 534 Anti-theft system 250 PDK 483 Tyre Pressure Monitoring System XLF Sports Exhaust System 658 Power steering Plus 446 Wheel Caps 490 Sound package plus 638 ParkAssist (front and rear) with reversing camera 089 GTS exterior package Black P13 Automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors with rain sensor 625 Porsche Entry & Drive 220 Porsche Torque Vectoring(PTV) incl mechanical locking rear differential 423 20-inch Carrera S wheels in Gloss Black 088 GTS Interior package 573 2-zone automatic air conditioning P07 Adaptive Sports seats Plus (18-way, electric) 630 Light design package 840 Sport design steering wheel with paddles 023 Instrument dials in silver XYA Aluminium PDK gear selector XXB Door sill guards in stainless steel, illuminated XXV Pedals in aluminum 583 Smoker package P23 Porsche Communication Management with Navigation system 680 BOSE surround sound system 619 Mobile phone preparation

Dreds said: Many thanks for the replies. Do you think it will be any issue purchasing the 3rd and subsequent years of warranty? I've been given the spec on another car they have; any noticeable omissions? Exterior Code : S2 Rhodium Silver Metallic Interior : GR Black with GTS interior package - Rhodium Silver Standard Options: 632 Bi-Xenon lighting system with PDLS Plus 636 Park assist front & rear 748 Electric folding exterior mirrors 534 Anti-theft system 250 PDK 483 Tyre Pressure Monitoring System XLF Sports Exhaust System 658 Power steering Plus 446 Wheel Caps 490 Sound package plus 638 ParkAssist (front and rear) with reversing camera 089 GTS exterior package Black P13 Automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors with rain sensor 625 Porsche Entry & Drive 220 Porsche Torque Vectoring(PTV) incl mechanical locking rear differential 423 20-inch Carrera S wheels in Gloss Black 088 GTS Interior package 573 2-zone automatic air conditioning P07 Adaptive Sports seats Plus (18-way, electric) 630 Light design package 840 Sport design steering wheel with paddles 023 Instrument dials in silver XYA Aluminium PDK gear selector XXB Door sill guards in stainless steel, illuminated XXV Pedals in aluminum 583 Smoker package P23 Porsche Communication Management with Navigation system 680 BOSE surround sound system 619 Mobile phone preparation Like the other ones they have for sale that's a pretty comprehensive spec; few options missing though that I would spec personally; Cruise Control Heated Seats Digital Radio

Can't quibble with the spec really if it is being offered at that price. If you really want something to your exact spec then by all means wait. If you want a bargain then take a view. Personally, i would be fine about taking up the option if I was in the market and am not that fussy on exact spec. Maybe try to haggle some freebies, warranty or price. I can't see there being a downside here. The main issue is buying like this is outside most people's comfort zone. If you assess the risk and are comfortable with it then I can't see issues. Buying brand new isn't always a slam dunk either. Good luck with whichever decision you take. Maybe I am too much of an optimist but I am sure it will work out either way! Edited by Prestonese on Monday 30th November 18:21

Dreds said: I've been looking at buying a CGTS and currently have an allocation for next year. If you have an allocation already for next year have you not already put down a deposit? Did you make a decision on these import cars or still deciding?

Yes I have put down a deposit on my allocation, but I believe they are refundable up until specification lock-down. Yes I am still deciding because although I like the idea of saving over £10,000, I am aware that the car will probably be worth less come trade-in and that the spec is not exactly what I'm after. Added to this there is the cost of the 3rd year warranty. On the side of the import it is unlikely to be worth £10,000 less than a UK model in 3 years time.

Somewhat oddly they also have a parallel import Boxster GTS for sale at (more or less) full list price. I can't figure that out - are Boxster's really that much more sought after?

Also check the spec of the Alarm/Immobiliser and tracker as these may differ from UK spec and will have to be upgraded for insurance.

In 1999 my business partners and I bought a BMW, Alfa, and Honda from Holland and Belgium to save (as you could back then) a fortune. The only difference to UK spec was no locking wheel nuts on the Honda! Tricky to spot things like this, but I did! The Belgian dealer added them in FOC, but didn't fit them.