Buying long distance advice - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hi This maybe a stupid question but I’ve seen a car from a Porsche dealer I’m interested in but it’s located in Aberdeen and I live in the south of England. I’m not one for buying something unseen so it would need a minimum 2 flights to view/test drive and then pickup. This isn’t unreasonable but I’m looking at a more common 718 CS that fits my spec and not a GT3 and it’s the logistics rather than the costs that would be difficult. So, are dealers in the habit of transporting cars across the country for viewings/test drives? After writing this I think I already know the answer…..wait until that spec is more local.

If its an official Porsche dealer and comes with the 2 year warranty just get lots of pics and a video walk around before buying.

Death by Saints said: Hi This maybe a stupid question but I’ve seen a car from a Porsche dealer I’m interested in but it’s located in Aberdeen and I live in the south of England. I’m not one for buying something unseen so it would need a minimum 2 flights to view/test drive and then pickup. This isn’t unreasonable but I’m looking at a more common 718 CS that fits my spec and not a GT3 and it’s the logistics rather than the costs that would be difficult. So, are dealers in the habit of transporting cars across the country for viewings/test drives? After writing this I think I already know the answer…..wait until that spec is more local. A few pointers here might be of value to you, for someone in a similar predicament https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=9710...

Death by Saints said: Hi This maybe a stupid question but I’ve seen a car from a Porsche dealer I’m interested in but it’s located in Aberdeen and I live in the south of England. I’m not one for buying something unseen so it would need a minimum 2 flights to view/test drive and then pickup. This isn’t unreasonable but I’m looking at a more common 718 CS that fits my spec and not a GT3 and it’s the logistics rather than the costs that would be difficult. So, are dealers in the habit of transporting cars across the country for viewings/test drives? After writing this I think I already know the answer…..wait until that spec is more local. May be worth talking to them about covering your 2nd flight to collect the car all going well, I believe that's not unheard of, or you may be able to negotiate a decent delivery option to avoid a 2nd flight. I recently bought a used car from a non OPC but pretty reputable dealer, convinced myself in advance all good without viewing and just arranged everything in advance, so basically arrived, collected and drove off. Aberdeen is my OPC, unfortunately I'm abroad at the moment otherwise I could have popped in for a quick look if required. Is it actually the OPC or an independant dealer ?? Edited by Sandy59 on Friday 3rd September 10:07

I've gone through this just recently. Found a perfect Spec (for me at least) Cayenne Turbo latest gen at an OPC up North. I live and work in the London area. Had a few calls, the essentially video call. Reassured myself that coming from a dealer with decent reviews it would not be too risky. Agreed the deal, booked my one-way flight, ferries for the way back. Booked the day to go, pick-up, drive back. Dare I say I was almost excited about it. Long story short, when I got there the condition of the car was not as described, nor as seen on the video. The immaculate interior was not immaculate, and had quite a few indentations or rips in the leather. For a 15k miles car that was really not great. Nothing unsolvable to be clear, but not what i was expecting from an official dealer. I pointed that out and they were quick to say that if I found a good "leather specialist" they would contribute to the cost of putting it right.. Condition of the paintwork was also far from ideal. The clear coat was so marred that you could barely see the metallic flake underneath. On the spot, given the trip there, the ferry to catch etc etc I didn't think too much of it, I had already planned to give it to my detailer for some ppl and ceramic protection. What I had not appreciated was that the condition was truly atrocious, he told me he had never seen a car in that condition with so few miles. Cars with 100k miles would have less damage than this one.. I do trust him. The pictures of the before/after are truly astonishing. And in real life even more so. I provided this feedback to the OPC in question but the answer was that detailer obsess too much on these things.. the reality was that they didn't even attempt to prep the car prior to sale with a polish.. probably a good thing mind you. But selling a car in that condition I find astonishing, especially from a main dealer. All of this to say.. I always buy my cars after viewing them and taking a good look. Bit of pandemic here, bit of impatience there.. I went in hoping for the best and it bit me. I still drove away with the car. And that's the thing, after such a long trek you will tolerate much more than you normally would. Had I known the extend of the work needed to detail it or to put the leather back to acceptable condition I would have probably passed tbh. But even without that knowledge anywhere else in the south I would have told them no thank you, unless you put it right by next week and i can come and inspect it. Just my 2 cents. Confirms my long standing (and forgotten this time) assumption that most dealers deserve 0 trust.

Hi, Thank you so much for the replies, very good advice throughout. It was from an OPC but I can’t do the buying remote thing, one person’s mint condition is not the same as another’s and it’s difficult to show blemishes on photo’s. I’m just frustrated at the moment where good cars are being snapped up very quickly and I’m too slow. Im not far from Ashgoods so may give them a call with what Im looking for to try and jump the queue a little. Thanks again.

Death by Saints said: Hi, Thank you so much for the replies, very good advice throughout. It was from an OPC but I can’t do the buying remote thing, one person’s mint condition is not the same as another’s and it’s difficult to show blemishes on photo’s. I’m just frustrated at the moment where good cars are being snapped up very quickly and I’m too slow. Im not far from Ashgoods so may give them a call with what Im looking for to try and jump the queue a little. Thanks again. If you aren't far from Ashgoods then worth doing the same thing with RSJ, 911V, Northway and Paragon amongst others. I'm sure I've missed a couple.

As outlined above, there is risk in buying long distance as photos and a video do not necessarily reveal the true condition of the vehicle. Saying that I have bought a car long distance as in 150 miles away but went in person to see and subsequently for collection. I doubt I would have bought unseen as it weakens your position so much if you have issues.

Bought a couple of cars (not Porsche) without viewing in person (one price £7k the other £5k) One way train journey (3 changes) to collect, both cars acceptable but neither as good as described. I was bidding on a car a few months ago (not ebay this time) but spoke at length to the (dealer) seller and read the description and 100+ photos. Didn't win it but have spoken to the "winner". Car was OK but some faults not described in text including one mentioned by a previous owner that was denied by the vendor. Moral: expect worse than description, budget for additional problems or view.