LOOK OUT, Walter's Porsche, Riverside, CA

Went in for a warranty job. piled on a new clutch while it was in there. Worst part. my 996 was scratched while under their care. They said they will fix it, and now I went to local reputable body shop and it was not done right. I ended up with a $1600 bill that Walter nicely refuse to pay. They are nice in the way the doormen in Beverely Hills are. Not recommended. Let me be the one to admit that I was an idiot to give my car to their service department. I don't need you to tell me how nicely they took care of you when things are hunky-dory. I know what happened to me and all I need is whoever bother to read this to know what happen so that you keep that in mind. look out! not bitter tho, small claims is what it takes.

I had a bad experience there...I am African American and I was looking to buy my first porsche CASH about 4 or 5 years ago. I called them and they had a Boxster that sounded perfect. I had already been to Newport Porsche (which is where I bought the car) and had an idea of what a comparable car was going for. This one was even better spec'd and was cheaper. I made the hour drive to Riverside and the salesman I spoke with wasnt there. Hmmm.....So I stood out there in the hot sun for about an hour....about 3 different sales people asked if I was being helped...I said no, and they all said, lemme get someone....but no one ever came. THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER CUSTOMER ON THE LOT. I just stood there next to the car I THOUGHT we had JUST talked about on the phone. When someone FINALLY came to talk to me, they said, oh no, thats not the car...That one is 10k more than the one you are talking about...I said huh? This is the same year, same options and even has the SAME mileage.....I told them I had JUST talked to someone before I drove out there. they said oh...that one was sold just before you got here. This one is what we have....I asked to drive it and the salesman AGAIN disappeared. After waiting for another 20 minutes ALONE on the lot, I left. I called the sales manager and told him about it. He said, to come back and drive the car. I said, make it worth my while, and he said, I WILL NOT budge on any sticker price. ON ANY CAR ON THE LOT. They CLEARLY didnt want my cash...Newport got it and treated me right. I'll never go back to Walters.

Yikes, thanks for the heads up guys! I have heard that Newport is not too good either, when it comes to service & knowing what they ar edoing.. or their honesty... Sounds like Circle imports, and Rusnak are the ones to go to.

You know....Newport WAS great.....They changed management and became a POWER company....most of the salesman left. I went back to buy my Carrera, and had a TERRIBLE negotiating experience. I found a Carrera at McKenna, and have had an pretty good experience. The service department has been great and taken care of the car wonderfully.

I went to Walters to check out the 997's when the first came out - the salesman followed me around and kept barking orders to my son (5 at the time) - "Don't touch", "Look out", "Leave that alone". I had the best experience at McKenna - good service, good sales, more down to earth than the others.

You should have waved the cash you had in their faces, let them smell it for a second and then leave.

That's two dealers I won't be giving my business to (Newport Auto is the other). I had a poor service experience there. Are there any decent Porsche dealers/service dept's in the So Cal area?

McKenna is good....I have also heard good things about Pacific.

Looked at some cars at Walters and they all seemed to be in just poor shape. The inside was all dirty with fingerprints all over the place. They just didn't seem to care to much about the condition of the cars they sold. A friend called them about a car they had listed on their website that he was interested in buying. He drove almost 2 hours to go see it and when he got there it had "just been sold", just like wha thappened to newport996. But they did have another one which was very similar for more money if he was interested. Obviously he said no way. Very fishy if you ask me. Bought my car finally from Newport Auto and have to say that I will NEVER go back there again. They have no idea what they are doing. No customer service what so ever. Everything changes once you sign the papers. Circle isn't much better though. The only good ones around from what I hear are McKenna and Hoen. Don't know about Pacific. Anyone know of a good service guy at either of them? Whats with all these dealers? Don't they understand they are just loosing out on future sales?

That's a disturbing story to say the least. My wife and I had a similar story when we went to buy a Range Rover... finally I said "I'm not going to beg you assclowns to take my money." we left and bought a Lexus. Cya!

Man it seems like the Cali people have the most corrupt car dealerships in the states. I find BMW owners saying the same thing about BMW dealers in California. Lots of Californians looking for BMW fo to Vegas or Arizona to get them.

The only one I know of is in my garage. Bummer is, I dont offer loaners

blk on blk, I think you're on to something. In SoCal, it's tough to find competent customer-service oriented dealerships. Having lived in Chicago for 5 years, Dallas for 5 years, and now LA (for the last year) and buying 2 BMW's, 1 Lexus, 1 Range Rover, and 1 Porsche during that time, I've found it most difficult to get good customer service (with the sales and service departments) in LA. My statement is based on my personal experiences as well as what I've heard from others. I am African-American (previously known as "black") as well and have been ignored and/or received more bad service in one year of living in LA than in the 10 years I lived in Chicago and Dallas. For the record, I don't think all of my experiences are based on race, some of my experiences have been with equal opportunity jerks who are just arrogant and/or incompetent. However, some of my other experiences are questionable. When you're the only black guy around and you're being ignored while others are receiving attention, one's eyebrows are raised. In contrast, I was pampered in Dallas. Competent staff, free loaner cars (even if I purhased my car from another dealer), free tech inspections for track events, reasonable prices for non-warranty work, sales people who didn't try to rake me over the coals, etc. etc. etc. Chicago was alright. A 50/50 mix of good and bad experiences. In LA, I feel as though I'm looking for a needle in a haystack. I spent some time at McKenna in Pasedana over the Chirstmas holidays just kicking the tires and checking out the Cayman and felt pretty good about them. The next time I need service or plan to buy a car, I'm going to call them first..... even though I have to drive past 3 other Porsche dealers to get there.

LiveNupe, Mckenna is near cerrito, Rusnak is in Pasadena.

mc, Thanks for the correction. I meant Rusnak.

Well, sorry to burst your bubble. I am a long time padadenian. the service at rusnak really went down the crapper too. they only have two service advisors there, they don't answer phone calls period! no matter if you have an appointment in advance. you wait in the porsche line in the freaking morning 7:30 because the fellow porsche owners know appointments mean nothing there. Is Mike and Tony still the service ad? If they are getting better in last two years, I would re-consider going back after Walter's in riverside damaged my 996.

OK, thanks for the update. Any chance Rusnak in Westlake is any better? I guess I'll have to try McKenna.

I'm not familiar with any of those dealers except McKenna Porsche via their racing team. I would go to them for that reason alone. the rest of them sound like a bunch of A holes.

I have the same thoughts with socal dealers. I live near newport and a stretch to circle and being new to the area, i dont know where to go. My bmw gets attention at Trinity which takes care of me but the pcar i am at odds where to take it. I am looking to purchase a cayman in coming months and people are telling me to go to Stevens Creek in Norcal! Thats a bit of hike but to get service and right car that is what I will be doing soon. --------------------- 2000 m coupe - track rat 2001 c2 aero - garage queen 2003 z4 - for sunny days 06 cayman - in coming! 05 tacoma supercharged - tow rat

Just got my car back from McKenna.....I like these guys...I got there after hours...my fault, they found the car, got me taken care of and then I drove a 997 and talked their ears off about the 997 Turbo and 997 GT3....NO PRESSURE to buy a car, they were happy to give me a drive...Actually had to go to their storage lot to get a C4 coupe for me to drive....

LiveNupe - you should consider Downtown L.A. for service, where I've been going for 13 years. Super head mechanic (one of the best in the country), and tend to be a little more reasonable on prices than some dealers. First choice for service advisor would be Valentin. [I know everyone so well, including the Service GM, that I'm sure I get better than normal treatment.] I think we would all like to think that a Porsche dealer should be at a higher standard, but at least in SoCal I think a lot of dealers are no better than any low end car dealer. Sales people usually full of crap, hovering around sizing people up, totally hostile business trying to fleece every customer, etc., etc. Obviously there are exceptions and a sincere, good salesperson you develop a rappoire with can actually be your friend while he in turn is negotiating for you with the Sale Manager (but you have to be on your toes too). I HATE the all too frequent arrogant, asshat dealers that play games as though you had an IQ of 9, and will never patronize them or ever go back.

some car sales ppl are there as part timers, in b/n jobs. the real career sales ppl know their stuff and treats customers well (like career waiters, they actually get paid very very well). 15 years ago i was 20 yrs old in college. went to a dealership to drool at porsches. the sales guy told me, i am busy right now (weekend) but if you come back on a weekday, we can go out and test drive a few cars. it's clear to anyone that i was not able to afford anything on the lot. but i returned on a weekday later and he took me driving 4 different porsche knowing well that i wasn't ready to buy a thing. we chatted and parted ways. i remembered this sales person forever. from 2002 to 2006 i bouth over 10 porsches from him and brought friends to him and made at least 40 sales for him. all he ever did for me was those 4 test drives!

mooty - So YOU were the kid on bicycle in the Porsche commercial. Now we know how the story ends! Seriously, that is a great story about treating people with respect and laying the foundation for a long term relationshop.

My letter to the owner send out today: Mr. Walter Kienle C/o Mr. Larry Lewis Walter�s Auto Sales & Services, Inc. 3210 Adams/Auto Center Drive Riverside, CA 92504 Dear Mr. Kienle: I recently encounter difficulty in resolving an issue regarding the quality of a repair to a damage that was caused by negligence while under the care of your Service Department. In a nutshell, My 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera had paint damage upon my retrieval of the vehicle on January 30, 2006. It was subsequently repaired by your in-house/contract body shop. On February 2, 2006, I brought my vehicle to Marco�s Auto Body in South Pasadena for an inspection and I was told the repair was not of good quality and will likely lower the value of my vehicle. I went to two other local reputable body shops for additional opinions and the opinion are echoing Marco�s view. I have been in talk with Mr. Lewis in trying to resolve this for a month now. I even drove the vehicle, upon Mr. Lewis� insistence, to your business a second time so he can inspect it on February 27, 2006 to accommodate his schedule. I was disappointed by his assertion that based on his staff�s input, the repair was adequate and there is nothing he will offer me to rectify this damage despite the professional opinion of three different body shops. I am appealing to your good judgement and commitment to customers in resolving this matter. It was clearly demonstrated that the quality of the repair by your contractor is substandard and that issue shall be dealt with internally with the contractor and not borne by the customer. A highline vehicle dealership bearing your name should have the ability and commitment to conduct quality assurance and achieve high level of customer service. I would also like to discuss with you the situation where a new clutch was put on my vehicle while I went it for a different purpose if you so incline. I appreciate your time and attention,

Just ot a call from Mr. Steve Kienle, THE MAN, and he told me flat out they will not repair it. I guess the Trailer Park empire people are not big on making good on what they preach. How much is small claim court filing fee? This is going to be good....

tinymcoupe- I would stay away from both Newport Auto and Circle. They are both awful. Try McKenna, Hoen (which is a little drive) or maybe Pacific.

I've heard good things about McKenna and I've had good experiences at Rusnak, Downtown LA and the Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills (I'm only talking about service, not sales). I bought my car at Pacific, and although it wasn't a brutal experience, it could have been a lot better. Thanks for the heads-up on Walter's and sorry to hear about your experience.

You guys really should try Rusnak in Pasadena (if you like being told that the parts for your car are in stock, but you wait a week for your car, and you drive back and forth on the 134 freeway to take your car back to the shop because it wasn't fixed correctly the first time, and you wait a few more days, and...........)

Rusnak (Pasadena) has actually been very good to me and gone above and beyond the call of duty on several occasions.

I hope you wrote "if you're so inclined" as opposed to "if you so incline" - otherwise a good letter!

I second McKenna. I have no experience on service there but as far as service on the sales side. Went in and hooked up with Jason Cummings. Ended up they did not have the exact car I wanted. But he was VERY cool and took me for a couple of test drives. One in a Turbo S Cab. I would buy a car from him in a minute. However I had the opposite experience with their "Internet Sales Specialist". Almost had me drive out there for a car I knew had been shipped to auction. Also had marked it up from their advertised price by $8,000. Then told me the Turbo S they had in stock "the one I had just drove" had an original MSRP of over $170,000. Jason earlier that day told me $151,000. So either this guy was full of shiat or he was clueless!!! This is great feedback though. I think all warranty work when I pick up my Turbo Cab will be heading to McKenna!

I am African-American (previously known as "black") as well and have been ignored and/or received more bad service in one year of living in LA than in the 10 years I lived in Chicago and Dallas. For the record, I don't think all of my experiences are based on race, some of my experiences have been with equal opportunity jerks who are just arrogant and/or incompetent. However, some of my other experiences are questionable. When you're the only black guy around and you're being ignored while others are receiving attention, one's eyebrows are raised. Porsche Dealers are a dime a dozen; Porsche customers are a rare breed. I admire your patienece. I never wait more than ten minutes for service, before I take my business elsewhere. For most of us that live in large metro areas, it means a ride of no more than 15 minutes.

For service I would cut off a finger before going to Rusnak. They are not competent. Why do you think that indy places like Scientific Automotive, in Pasadena have thrived? Rusnak has some inventory but they are not willing to deal. McKenna, I had ot have some recall work done on the 993 andI spent a long Saturday morning hanging out drinking coffee and bench racing with some sales guys. Got a test drive in a 997, sweet. I agree that going durin the week and spending some time to BS with the sales guy helps. Hohen in Carlsbad is pretty good as well. The 996 I drive was bouhgt from the dealer in Las Vegas, I forgot hte name. But it was a good experience.

Gaudin is the only Porsche dealer here in Vegas. I have bought 2 P-Cars from them over the years and while I have to admit they were HORRIBLE in the earlier years of our relationship (several years ago) they have gotten leaps and bounds better. I have a great saleman that I only deal with and a fantastic SA that really treats me better than I think any SA could treat a customer. It is really gonna suck when we move to NC later this year and have to start our relationship all over with another dealer!

Sounds like I may have a good excuse to get to Vegas more often.... "Honey, I'm going to run down to the Porsche Dealer to (get my oil changed/have my air pressure checked/make sure the turn signals are working/verify the roundness of my wheels, etc. etc.) ..... should be back in a day or two....." Of course I'd have to schedule separate appointments for each of these critical safety issues as I wouldn't want to overwhelm the dealer with too many issues at once.

Now if the wifey will go for that rationale then you are set!

Small Claims court fee is like $30 or so. You will also have to pay to have them served by the Sheriff's dept. I hate to say it, but I would never let my car cross the Riverside County line

Went into McKenna (along with a number of others) when we had spec'd out the 996 we wanted to order. Told each salesman the same thing - this is the car we want , we're buying, what can you do on the price? (Our car listed at $92K+ with options). McKenna guy said since it was the start of the new model year, they'd mark the car up $10K. McKenna? NFW.

just think of the people turned away by this posting and the money they lost because of it. guess there is a sucker born every minute, however, i don't know how many of them can afford a porsche in riverside. Very true about the Trailer Park Empire. My favorite joke is" you know you are in riverside (San berdoo) school district when the senior prom offers child care"

But its almost every single dealer. There have been many posts about Hoehn in Carlsbad, and of course Pioneer down here in Sandy.