Update on my C4S with the lemon transmission

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=001293" target="_blank">Referencing this thread</a> The transmission was to be pulled off a C4S on the line last Wednesday. Shop says 4-5 days shipping, including the weekend. I call this Wednesday, dealer said Porsche "guaranteed the trans to be in by Thursday". Friday I get a call, the transmission is "lost". Porsche has no idea where it is. I was going to keep the car, but I just went to the dealer and said I don't want it and I'm sick of Porsche. I just get a call from dealer saying Porsche will make my first payment if I keep it. I countered with I want 2 more years of warranty in writing and a leather jacket. Waiting on the return call. I think my 3 options are: 1. take my car back when (if) it ever gets fixed, with my demands met as above. 2. Insist on a new car, '03, one of the first off the line (dealer said this would be hard to get) 3. Wash my hands of Porsche, and make them give me all my money back. What would you all do? If anyone from Porsche is reading this...you all need to call me, I am &gt; &lt; this close to not only washing my hands of you forever, but telling every person I know never to buy a P-car. thanks. Sorry for the long post. urb

Sad to here about the car. I'd say: get the new tranny, let them make the payments until complete, 911 loaner in the interim, warranty is an intersting option. Someone posted that the dealer gave them $800 in Porsche accessories as a 'sorry' gift. Ask for the same. Get some nice carbon fiber or other goodies to soften the blow. As great as Porsches are, they are still cars. My company has a fleet of abotu 30 cars and trucks and there is always something wrong with one of them. And problems are random. We have a couple 'twins'. Two identical vehicles that have sequential VINS and we'll have no problems with one and the other is a nightmare. Just be happy that Porsche is willingt o work with you and not just say sorry, wait for the tranny and deal!

That sounds just aweful - I hope you don't decide to forget about buying a porsche - it really is a great car. Sounds like what you really have is a bad dealership problem. A reputable dealer should not hesitate to get you a new car at a substantial discount from list. If I were you, I'd back out of the deal now and either negotiate with the dealer for a new car or order (or purchase an instock) car from another dealer.

Urb I'm really shocked and sorry to hear that. I know they were expecting the tranny delivered on Wed. I can understand your disappointment 100%. I think your "demands" are very reasonable. I would have demanded more. 1 payment, a leatehr jacket and a warranty are the least they could do. I thought I saw another new 9-11 on the lot when I was there. Did you not like it? This is a darn shame. I saw your blue c4 in person and really loved it. brrobonsion while your point is valid this dealership does have a good reputation. I hope they find a way to satisfy urbanski.

I think option 2 is the most appropriate in the circumstances, and PCNA should be be able to help the dealer in determining your priority for delivery.

That's a bummer for sure. Sorry to hear about it. My .02 would be to get what you can from Porsche (and don't be bashful) Find out who Zone or Regional Mgr is. The other options would appear to be more costly for you. Like my boss always use to say to me "deal with your head, not your heart" (didn't save me from getting married tho) Good luck whatever you do.

In the grand scheme a few extra days is no biggy considering the greif you have already been through. Ride it out and get some big concessions. I would press on the warranty issue - a good idea!

Thanks for the input. You all who are cruising around in your wonderful cars can surely understand my complete frustration with this. In my humble opinion, the dealer is doing all they can...it's Porsche who is messing up. I'll press for more concessions. See what happens. What's so sad...my clear sidemarkers and my new Bel 985 are on my table at home :*(

Urbanski, Hang in there man! I can feel your frustration in your posts and totally sympathize with your cause. Even thought the dealer is reputable, I wouldn't pin all of the blame on Porsche. I have frequently seen dealers blame the mfr for their own miscues. At this point both the dealer and Porsche have some culpability and I hope they both choose to do right by you. Don't let one bad apple spoil the entire tree! Best of luck!

Awww Dude! Buck up there! FWIW I've been following your posts and really sympathize. I too, would be tempted to walk. The question then is--If not a P-car, then what? I'd hold out for '03. This might take some extra time, but given your experience, do you really want one of the first '03's off the line? I don't know if a car can be cursed, but I'd seperate myself from that particular vehicle. The expereience may very well cloud all your future interactions with the car. Cheers, Chris

Wow, Urbanski. What can one say? I guess it all depends on how bitter this experience is to you personally. If possible, I like Don's advice to "deal with your head". Get the most concessions you can out of both the dealer and PAG, then tally it up. I don't expect it will take the bitter taste out, but it might make it more palatable. If the tally is still unacceptable, I don't think anyone can fault you for just dropping everything and asking for your money back. I understand the satisfaction from saying "To h**l with you!!!". But then, that would be my heart talking.

Sorry to see you go through this. As mentioned before, go with your #2, I know dealer will be reluctant, but you are on the losing end and hurting. Porsche can make wheels turn and but you up front for a 2003 delivery, it's only a couple of months. You did not order a rebuilt Porsche... Your quote: "#2. Insist on a new car, '03, one of the first off the line (dealer said this would be hard to get)"

I feel your pain. Trust me Porsches can be cursed. This one is lemon from day one. Give it up. If you are so inclined take an '03. What's the rush. Get it right. It's just a depreciating asset and that history will depreciate it even more. Stand strong and you will be farther ahead a year from now. -Richard

The best way to get what you want out of this deal is to first get a free loaner. Insist the dealer give you something to drive that is still a Porsche. Then, refuse to bring it back until you get the deal you want. My BMW dealer dropped my 15,000 mile 850 off the rack, bending the frame. I insisted upon and got a 528 loaner. The dealer wanted to repair my car. I countered that I wanted a full refund on my 850, and I wanted a brand new one at true dealer cost. The dealer said I was out of line until I had 3,000 miles on the loaner. I ultimately got a brand new 850 CSI at $20,000 off of list, and paid no transport or other costs. I learned that after the initial injury, you need to get some leverage to get your best deal. AS

Alex, You drive one hard bargin! I am in awe. Chris

urbanski i have given your predicament a lot of thought all day particularly because there but for the grace of god go i. look even at my color below! i suggest the following: 1)cancel you deal tomorrow with a full refund. all states have lemon laws. catastrophic breakdown after 50 miles must qualify! 2) negociate your best deal on a new c4s if possible. insist on at least $5k off list for your aggravation. as an alternative consider accepting a c2 from dealer stock at dealer cost. it will still be a great car even though its not a c4s. you'll also save a bundle. 3)above all get insist on getting out of your deal NOW! at present you have been cheated. as a final note, don't have too much sympathy for this dealer. the should have provided you with a porsche loaner immediately and still apparently refuse to do so. are you aware that the dealer earns about over $12,000 on the sale of a c4s? it pisses me off to see you being jerked around! i also hope PAG monitors this board because it is followed by many potential customers who are becoming increasingly appalled by the way you are being treated. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> any factory can create an occasional lemon but $90k customer should be treated with greater care. we all have a myriad of great choices awailable. lets us know what you decide and how they treat you tomorrow. don't let the bastards get you down!

I had a similar issue a year ago with a new car I had ordered on delivery day....It could be driven and on the next business day I was there waiting for the GM....I handed him the keys while he begged for a second chance to repair the car...it was a brake system issue....he said if there was another issue he would talk to Volvo about replacing the car...I held my ground because of safety issues, long term customer, etc... I left that morning in a similar loaner car and the deal was "undone"....six weeks later I took delivery on a new replacement car. In your case the lessor owns the Porsche....but you were put at risk from a safety perspective and I would stand on a vote of " no confidence " and request a replacement Porsche....If they want to work with you they can get an allocation car or a car from another dealer or give you priority on an '03. Good Luck

urbanski, you have my sympathy in your predicament. I hope your dealer and PCNA come through with your replacement transmission. And I hope you give them another day or two to do it--I think you'll be satisfied. But I can't help but be amazed at how poorly PCNA has handled this! Your first thread on this problem has 54 posts. This thread has 16 (now 17). There is another thread on this board for an engine failure, with 32 posts. If there isn't someone in PCNA marketing or Customer Service who makes reviewing these Internet message boards as part of their daily routine, PCNA needs to step into the Internet age and listen. If there is someone there who is aware of this ongoing drama, played out in the public eye, then they need to step in and take care of it! It should never have gone this far. Their attitude should be: "Porsche transmissions do not fail after 50 miles. We are coming with a replacement transmission and we will take yours back for analysis. NOW." Between your dealer and PCNA, a really sorry performance, IMHO.

Been following this and other C4S threads for sometime. Listen to my recent experiences. Ordered 2002 C4S Dec 2001 (upgrade from 88'930). Finally, June 13th deliver and drove away from the local dealer. 2 blocks(35 kilometers)and pops out of 2nd gear!!!! Drive home but situation continues. Return next day, dealer tests and confirms problem. I send email to dealership p.m. Monday 17th after no contact. Tuesday I call when no contact from them. Friday 21st they take tranny out of a 2002 C4 cab and place in my car.They supply me a loaner, Ford Taurus with 45,000k (piece of $#@!). I do have the car back and it seems mechanically fine. I was also disatisfied with the paint (black), as in direct sunlight (RARE HERE) "swirls" were very noticeable. They re-detailed, though I am still unhappy with the poor quality paint on this $147,000can car (taxes in)! There has been no offer of any "sympathy gifts" although that is of no concern to me. I am simply very putoff by the whole experience and the dealers "no big deal" attitude to the tranny switch (not to mention the ribbing of friends and family). I would like nothing more than to return this car and either wait for a new 2002 or 2003, but this doesn't seem an option at present. I also have no paperwork concerning the above, but have asked it be supplied. What more can I say.....

I say get whatever you can!